Thursday, August 30, 2007

Bugs in Microsoft

MAGIC #1

An Indian discovered that nobody can create a FOLDER
anywhere on the Computer which can be named as "CON".
This is something pretty Cool...and Unbelievable....
At Microsoft the whole Team, couldn't answer why this happened!
TRY IT NOW ,IT WILL NOT CREATE " CON " FOLDER

MAGIC #2
For those of you using Windows, do the following:
1.) Open an empty notepad file
2.) Type "Bush hid the facts" (without the quotes)
3.) Save it as whatever you want.
4.) Close it, and re-open it.
is it just a really weird bug? :-??

MAGIC #3
Microsoft crazy facts
This is something pretty cool and neat...and unbelievable...
At Microsoft the whole Team, including Bill Gates, couldn't answer why this happened!
It was discovered by a Brazilian.
Try it out yourself...
Open Microsoft Word and type
=rand (200, 99) A
nd then press ENTER
Then see the magic...............................

EXPLANATION

Magic #1: It's not true that MS can't answer this. CON is a reserved word. Back in the old DOS days they had "reserved words" which were used as commands in the old DOS prompt and cannot be used to label folders (then called "directories"). Other reserved words (I think) you can't use for folder names: format lpt1 copy dir md rd cd

Magic #2It's a bug! Read on: http://www.hoax-slayer.com/bush-hid-the-facts-notepad.html

Magic #3It's a trick used by the Office developers to quickly fill up documents with "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." The first number is the number of paragraphs, the 2nd number is the number of times the "quick brown fox" sentence is typed. So =rand(1,2) will produce one paragraph with 2 quick brown fox sentences. =rand(200,99) makes 200 paragraphs of 99 quick brown fox sentences.

text twist

Someone out there either has too muchspare time or is deadly at Text Twister

DORMITORY:
When you rearrange the letters:
DIRTY ROOM

PRESBYTERIAN:
When you rearrange the letters:
BEST IN PRAYER

ASTRONOMER:
When you rearrange the letters:
MOON STARER

DESPERATION:
When you rearrange the letters:
A ROPE ENDS IT

THE EYES:
When you rearrange the letters:
THEY SEE

GEORGE BUSH:
When you rearrange the letters:
HE BUGS GORE

THE MORSE CODE :
When you rearrange the letters:
HERE COME DOTS

SLOT MACHINES:
When you rearrange the letters:
CASH LOST IN ME

ANIMOSITY:
When you rearrange the letters:
IS NO AMITY

ELECTION RESULTS:
When you rearrange the letters:
LIES - LET'S RECOUNT

SNOOZE ALARMS:
When you rearrange the letters:
ALAS! NO MORE Z 'S

A DECIMAL POINT:
When you rearrange the letters:
IM A DOT IN PLACE

THE EARTHQUAKES:
When you rearrange the letters:
THAT QUEER SHAKE

ELEVEN PLUS TWO:
When you rearrange the letters:
TWELVE PLUS ONE

AND FOR THE GRAND FINALE:
MOTHER-IN-LAW:
When you rearrange the letters:
WOMAN HITLER

Yep! Someone with waaaaaaaaaaaytoo much time on their hands! (Probably a son-in-law)

THE BASUREROS


Ever since it was diagnosed that I am having a possible heart enlargement in the last APE, I have exerted more effort to do physical exercises.

I do jogging during week days and do long - ride mountain biking every Sunday.

But this Sunday is a special Sunday to me. While I was on my way to the mountains of Busay (cebu) hoping to strengthen my heart by this exercise, I personally encountered a heart-breaking scene that changed me.

I already passed the Marco Polo Plaza (formerly Cebu Plaza Hotel) when I decided to stop to buy bananas at a small carenderia located along the road. I haven't taken any solid food that morning so I need fruits to have the needed energy to get to mydestination - the mountain top.

I am almost done eating with the second banana when I noticed two children across the street busily searching the garbage area. "Basureros" I said to myself and quickly turn my attention away from them to sip a small amount of water. I cared less for these kind of children actually; to make it straight, I do not like them, and I do not trust them even more.

You see, several times I have been a victim to these kind of children who are pretending to be basureros looking for empty bottles and cans when in fact the 'plangganas', 'kalderos', and 'hinayhays' are their favorites.

I remember one afternoon while I was watching a Mike Tyson fight when I noticed that the TV screen suddenly became blurred. I checked outside and saw two young basureros running away with my newly installed antenna.

Hatred may be a little bit stronger word to describe my feeling towards these basureros, but I do not like them honestly not till I met these three children.

I was about to embark on my bike again when I heard one of the two children, a girl of about 7 or 8 of age saying aloud to the other, a 12-yr old boy, "kuya si dodong kunin mo kasi tumitingin sa mga kumain, nakakahiya”, only then that I noticed a small boy standing near to me biting slightly his finger. He's a few inches shorter if compared to my 5 years old son (but I knew later that he's also 5 yrs. Old).

Though he did not ask for food to anyone in the carenderia but the way he looked at the customers who were eating is enough to convince me that he intensely is craving for it. The older boy then quickly crossed the street and gently pulled out the little one who politely obeyed. As I watched the two crossing back the street to the garbage area, I heard the tindera saying "kawawa naman yung mga batang yun mababait pa naman”. I learned further from the carenderia owner that the children are from a good family , both parents were working before, and that their father got a stroke 3 years ago and became partially paralized and their mother died of heart attack while their father was still confined at the hospital. The parents were still in their early forties when the catastrophe happened, and the children became basureros since then to meet their daily needs and for their father's medication.

Deeply moved by what I heard, I went to a nearby bakery and bought 20 pesos worth of bread and gave it to the children who initially refused including the little boy. "Sige lang po, salamat na lang, bibili na lang po kami mamaya kung makabenta na kami,” the young girl said to me.

I explained that they need to go home because it started to rain. "Nasanay na po kami”, the girl answered again.

Again, I explained that the rain can make them sick and if they'll become sick there's no one to take care of their father. Upon mentioning their father, they nodded and accept the bread but I noticed that the older boy did not eat.

When I asked him if he does not like the kind of bread I bought for them he smiled but as he's about to explain, the little girl, who is the more talker of them interrupted, "Linggo po kasi ngayon, pag sabado at linggo hapon lang po sya kumakain, kami lang po ang kumakain ng agahan pero di na po kami kakain pagdating ng hapon si kuya lang po. Pero pag lunes hanggang biyernes, kasi may pasok, si kuya lang po nag-aagahan, kami hapunan lang pero kung marami kaming benta, kami pong lahat (kumakain) she continued. "bakit kung kumain kayong lahat, hati-hatiin nyo na lang kahit kunti lang ang pagkain? I countered.

The young girl reasoned out that their father wanted that her older brother to come to school with full-stomach so he can easily catch up the teacher's lessons. "Pag nagkatrabaho si kuya, hihinto kami sa pamamasura, first honor kasi sya”, the little boy added proudly.

Maybe I was caught by surprise or I am just overly emotional that my tears started to fall. I then quickly turned my back from them to hide my tears and pretended to pick up my bike from the carenderia where I left it.

I don't know how many seconds or minutes I spent just to compose myself; pretending again this time that I was mending by bike.

Finally I get on to my bike and approached the three children to bid goodbye to them who in turn cast their grateful smiles at me. I then took a good look at all of them specially to the small boy and pat his head with a pinch in my heart. Though I believe that their positive look at life can easily change their present situation, there is one thing that they can never change, that is , their being motherless. That little boy can no longer taste the sweet embrace, care, and most of all , the love of his mother forever. Nobody can refill the empty gap created by that sudden and untimely death of their mother. Every big events that will happen to their lives will only remind them and make them wish of their mother's presence.

I reached to my pocket and handed to them my last 100 peso bill which I reserved for our department's bowling tournament. This time they refused strongly but I jokingly said to the girl, "suntukin kita pag hindi mo tinanggap yan”. She smiled as she extended her hand to take the money. "Salamat po, makakabili na kami ng gamot ni papa”, she uttered. I then turned to the small boy and though he's a few feet away from me, I still noticed that while his right hand was holding the half - filled sack, his left hand was holding a toy, a worn out toy car. I waved my hands and said bye bye to him as I drove towards the mountains again. Did he just found the toy in the garbage area or the toy was originally his - when the misfortune did not took place yet? - I did not bother to ask. But one thing is crystal clear to me, that inspite of the boy's abnormal life, he did not given up his childhood completely. I can sense it that way he hold and stare at his toy.

My meeting with that young basureros made me poorer by 100 pesos. But they changed me and made me more richer as to lessons of life is concerned.

In them, I learned that life can changed suddenly and may caught me flat footed. In them, I've learned that even the darkest side of life, you cannot change the beauty of one's heart. Those three children, who sometimes cannot eat three times a day, still able to hold on to what they believe was right. And what a contrast to most of us who are quick to point out to our misfortunes when caught with our mistakes. In them, I've learned to hope for things when things seem to go the other way.

Lastly, I know that God cares for them far more than I do. That though He allowed them to experience such a terrible life which our finite minds cannot comprehend, His unquestionable love will surely follow them through.And in God's own time they will win. GOD BLESS!!!

jokes 4

Kodigo

Nahuling may kodigo ang estudyante.. .
Guro: Ano 'to?
Estudyante: Prayer ko po, ma'am!
Guro: At bakit answers ang nakasulat?
Estudyante: Naku! Sinagot na ang prayers ko!

Alimasag

Nakaamoy si Ngongo ng pabango sa isang store.
Sabi ni Ngongo, "Ale, mango!"
Sabi naman ng saleslady, "Pabango 'yan, hindi alimango!"
Ulit ni Ngongo, "Ale, mango!"
Nag-agawan si Ngongo at ang saleslady sa pabango. Nahulog ang pabango at nabasag.
Sabi ni Ngongo, "Ale, masag!"

GMA

Dumalaw si GMA sa mental hospital...
Dok: Let's welcome President Arroyo!
Pumalakpak lahat ng pasyente maliban sa isa na nasa sulok...
GMA: O, dok, bakit 'yung isa, hindi pumalakpak?
Dok: Ma'am, magaling na po siya!

Plantsa

Dok: Anong nangyari sa mga tenga mo?
Joshue: Nagpaplantsa kasi ako nang kumiriring ang telepono.Aksidenteng na-pick up ko 'yung plantsa.
Dok: Eh bakit dalawang tenga mo ang nagkaganyan?
Joshue: Ang gago, tumawag uli!

PALIMOS

Pulubi: Boss, palimos po.
Tonyo: Iinom ka o magyoyosi?
Pulubi: Wala po akong bisyo.
Tonyo: Okey. Sumama ka sa akin para malaman ng nanay ko ang nangyayari sa taong walang bisyo

ALITAPTAP

Anak: Tatay, hindi ako makatulog, kasi, maraming lamok!
Tatay: Papatayin natin ang ilaw para hindi tayo makita.
(Pagpatay sa ilaw, dumating ang mga alitaptap... )
Anak: Hala ka, Tatay, nagdala sila ng flashlight!

SIOPAO

Kulas: Miss, isa ngang siopao, 'yung babae.
Waitress: Babaeng siopao???
Kulas: Oo. 'Yung may papel na sapin. Kumbaga, napkin.
Waitress: Ahh, ganun po ba? Lalaki po ang nandito.
Kulas: Lalaki??????
Waitress: May itlog po sa loob.

MRS: sa palagay mo, mahal, ilang taon na ako?
MR : kung titignan kita sa buhok 18 ka lang; kung nakatalikod 16 lang, kung sa kutis 22 lang. Baletotal ay 56 sweetheart.

Spanish teacher: Class use 'fuera' in a sentence.
Student: Mis maestras son bonitas (my teachers are beautiful).
Teacher: Oh, that's very flattering but where's 'fuera'?
Student: Fuera ka!

PERFECT HEAVEN: Having American salary, British home, German car, Chinese food, and Pinoywife!

PERFECT HELL: Having Korean car, British wife,German food, American home and Pinoy salary!

Bobo: pare hulaan mo ugali ko, nagsisimula ng letter A
Pare: approachable?
Bobo: mali
Pare: amiable
Bobo: mali pa rin
Pare: o sige, sirit na ngaB
obo: Anest

1 binatilyo pumasok sa isang gay bar. Nalaman ng nanay niya at nagalit
Nanay: ano naman ang nakita mo dun na di mo dapat makita?
Binatilyo: si Tatang po gumigiling.

Bush: What are the pollutants in your country?
Jingoy: We have lots of pollutants.. ..we have sisig, kilawin,chicharon,mani
Erap: Anak, may nakalimutan ka, Boy Bawang (cornik).

Tindero: Hoy, bili ka gatas ng baka? P10 piso lang isang baso
Manong: Ang mahal naman, may tig piso lang nyan?
Tindero: Meron po, pero kayo na po ang dumede sa baka.

Pasyente: Dok, bakit po ganito ang operasyon sa ulo ko? Halos kita na utak ko
Doctor: Ok lang yan, yan ang tinatawag na open minded.

A naked girl rode on a taxi
"Bakit" asked the girl at the driver na nakatitig sa katawan nya
"Ngayon ka lang ba nakakita ng hubad?"
Driver: "Hindi po miss, iniisip ko lang kung saan nakatago pamasahe mo"

Wife shouting.... . "Honey mag-impake ka na, nanalo ako sa lotto"
Husband: "Wow, anong dadalhin ko?"
Wife: "Wala akong pakialam basta lumayas ka na"

Pare 1: 'Pare, magkaiba medyas mo, isang pula at isang azul'
Pare 2: 'Ewan ko nga kung saan nabili ng misis ko ito. May isa pa nga akong pares na ganito rin and kulay sa bahay'

Beauty contest.....
Emcee: What's the big problem facing the country today?
Contestant: Drugs
Emcee: Very good, why do you say that?
Contestant: Ang mahal kasi eh!

Doc: Ano trabaho mo hija?
Girl: Substitute po
Doc: Hindi kaya prostitute?
Girl: Hindi po, mama ko po ang prostitute at kung may sakit siya ako po yung substitute.. ..

Guro: Sino si Jose Rizal?
Juan: ' Di ko po kilala.
Guro: Ikaw, Pepe, sino si Jose Rizal?
Pepe: Di ko rin po kilala.
Guro: Di niyo kilala si Jose Rizal?!
Pedro: Ma'm, baka po sa kabilang section siya

Thursday, August 23, 2007

BREAKFAST AT MCDONALD'S

This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.
The last class I had to take was Sociology.

The teacher was a bsolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.

Her last project of the term was called, "Smile."

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake,
literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.

It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waitin g to be
served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.

I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.

As I looke d down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling".

His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.

He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.

I held my tears as I stoo d there
with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.

He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.

I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you."

I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you
hope."

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope."

We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not church goers, but we are believers.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.

I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it.

Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?"

I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.

She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal peop learned to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last
night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:
UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to
LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE
PEOPLE.

There is an Angel sent to watch over you.

An Angel wrote:
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head.

To handle others, use your heart.

God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest.

Magandang kwento . . . totoo at tumatalab .

Isang bagong-saltang kaluluwa ang umakyat sa langit ang ngayon ay nakaharap kay San Pedro. Namasyal silang dalawa sa langit. Magkahawak-kamay silang naglakad-lakad sa isang malaking silid doon na puno ng mga anghel. Huminto si San Pedro sa harap ng isang lupon ng mga anghel at nagsalita, "Ito ang silid-tanggapan. Sa silid na ito, tinatanggap lahat ng mga kahilingan sa panalangin."

Pinagmasdan ito ng kaluluwa, at nakita nitong abala ang lahat sa pag-uugnay-ugnay ng mga kahilingan na nakasulat sa bunton ng mga papel na galing sa buong mundo.

Nagpatuloy silang maglakad hanggang madaanan nila ang pangalawang lupon ng mga anghel. Ang wika ni San Pedro sa kaluluwa, "Ito naman ang 'Packaging at Delivery Section'. Dito, ang biyaya at mga pagpapala na hiniling ng mga tao ay binabalot at dini-deliver sa mga tao na humingi noon."

Nakitang muli ng kaluluwa kung gaano ito kaabala. Maraming anghel doon ang talagang subsob sa trabaho sa dami ng mga pagpapalang hiniling at dini-deliver araw-araw sa lupa.

Hanggang sa dumako sila sa huling lupon, sa pinakamalayong lupon. Huminto ang anghel doon sa isang maliit na lupon. Sa kanyang pagkamangha, iisang anghel lamang ang nakaupo doon, walang ginagawa. "Ito ang 'Acknowledgement Section," sabi ni San Pedro.

"Bakit tahimik? Wala ba silang ginagawa rito?"

"Nakakalungkot," sagot ni San Pedro,"pagkatapos makatanggap ng sagot sa kanilang mga panalangin ang mga tao, kakaunti ang nagbibigay ng pasasalamat."

"Papaano ba magbibigay ng 'acknowledgement' ang mga tao sa Diyos?" "Simple lang. Sabihin mo lang na "Salamat po Panginoon."

"Ano bang pagpapala ang dapat nilang ipagpasalamat?"

"Kung may pagkain ka sa iyong hapag-kainan, damit na sinusuot, may bahay na tinutuluyan at kamang tutulugan, ikaw ay mas mayaman sa 75% sa mundongito.

"Kung may salapi kang naiipon sa iyong pitaka at may natitira pang pambili ng pagkain, ikaw ay isa sa 8% na may mga kabuhayan sa mundo.

"Kapag nakuha mo ang mensaheng ito sa iyong computer, bahagi ka ng 1% sa mundong ito na may ganyang oportunidad.

"Kapag gumising ka sa umagang ito na walang sakit, mas pinagpala ka sa milyong tao sa mundong ito na hindi na makagising dahil sa hirap ng buhay.

"Kung di mo nararanasan ang takot sa gitna ng giyera, ang kalungkutan sa loob ng piitan, ang pasakit ng mga pagsubok, at ang pangil ng pagkagutom, mas malayo ka nang milya-milya sa 700 milyong tao na nabubuhay sa mundo.

"Kung buhay pa ang iyong mga magulang at nananatiling magkasama sa bisa ng kasal, kakaunti lang kayo.

"Kung naititingala mo pa ang iyong ulo nang may ngiti sa iyong mga labi, hindi ka kasama sa karamihan. Naiiba ka kaysa sa kanila na puno ng kapighatian at mga kagulumihanan."

Tanong ng kaluluwa, "Kung gano'n, papaano ako magsisimulang magpasalamat?""Kung nababasa mo ang mensaheng ito, nakatanggap ka na naman ng dobleng pagpapala, dahil may isang nagpadala sa iyo na iniisip na espesyal kang nilalang, at mas pinagpala ka kaysa sa dalawang bilyong mga tao sa buong mundo na hindi marunong magbasa . . .

"Pagpalain ang araw mo, bilangin mo ang iyong mga pagpapala, at kung ibig mo, pagpalain mo rin ang mga tao sa iyong paligid upang malaman din nila kung gaano sila pinagpala ng Panginoon.

ATTN: Acknowledgement Department: "Salamat po, Panginoon. Salamat po sa pagbibigay mo sa akin ng abilidad na ibahagi ang mensaheng ito at sa pagbibigay mo sa akin ng mabubuti at magagandang tao na babahaginan nito! "Salamat po."

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

PRESENTABLE IN THE EYES OF GOD

I heard someone said, “You’re not presentable!” Huh! I just could imagine how hard the world fell apart. Maybe, we won’t see the tears in his eyes but his heart bleeds…. I will understand that angry people close their eyes and let go of any hurtful things they want to say. But I wouldn’t understand why people keep on believing and doing something that even in their own life doesn’t work.

I was about to sleep last night when this idea popped up my mind: what’s presentable in the eyes of God? Every rational human being knows the answer. What’s presentable in the eyes of a friend? Well that’s subjective… it depends on who your friend is. What’s presentable in the eyes of someone you love? Supposedly, the entirety of the one you love.

Few days before my payday, I almost had no penny in my pocket. This happens to everyone with an average and below income. But this is not supposed to happen to me, I have more and nobody would believe if I say I have nothing more. But things happen for a reason. In my case, my sister said I badly need to send money back home. She said, she’s willing to give part of the money I gave her. I did send the money that I allotted for the rest of the week ‘til payday. When we met, I asked her how money would be left with her. She replied almost nothing too but she’s still willing to share. My heart melts…. She’s changed so I told her to keep it.

Instead of worrying what’s going to happen the next few days, I assured her I’ll do what I can do to survive the week. I thought of few persons who I believe would help me with this little problem. Some of them assured some other time and some would ask how. I just sighed. On the night I planned not to have dinner so I can spend the remaining money the following day, I came across a friend who offered a treat. Divine intervention…. I believe.

Is it coincidence? I’m sure not. Because even during simple trials as this one, God will show us the way in instances we might not even notice. For which I promise to write and recognize from now on.

Some things we do in life might not be pleasing in the eyes of God. Sometimes, people would notice what it is that you don’t have. Sometimes people just notice your ugly haircut, your old clothes, your filthy shoes…. Maybe they just don’t know what you’ve been to. But in case you have spent your money in helping other people than just making yourself pleasing in the eyes of other people, you’re most presentable in the eyes of God.

I know there’s fallacy in this argument but judge me not. For if you know someone better or you know someone deeply, you’ll never close our eyes for the true love and help he’s given you. Judge not a person for what he is now but for what he has done as a person that only his uniqueness can fulfill. Judge not for what he decides to be. Judge not someone you don’t know so well.

When things happen to make ends meet, believe that He finds a way for those who are presentable in His eyes.

Monday, August 20, 2007

If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,I
f you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

DESIDERATA by Max Ehrman

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career
however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you
to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham,
drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

REAL MEANING OF PEACE (fr sweet nostalgia)

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.
But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest - in perfect peace.
Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the second picture. Do you know why?
“Because,” explained the king, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.”

Sunday, August 19, 2007

MOUNTAIN CAPTURED MOMENTS

A day before I go to the mountain, I had so many reservations that I wouldn’t be happy to be there, that I’ve been there and done that and that it will just be another disappointment. But what I thought is basically what each day promises; we will never know what’s going to happen.

So I packed my bag. Inside my bag are three Ts, a jacket, shorts, soap and toothbrush, camera and my tomato juice. I went to sleep afterwards to wake up early for the trip. Though I’m not excited and I fear what’s going to happen the following day, I woke up after a two-hour sleep and my mind was immediately filled with thoughts of my plan – everything that would revolve around mind games. It was a longer time of thinking than sleeping. I stood up, ate my breakfast and took a bath.

Later on, I received an sms that my friends are on their way to the meeting place. I remembered to bring my CD player, then my pen and paper. When I am about to leave, my cap. I won’t be bringing any hair treatment cream for my fading crowning glory(?)

I went away, not knowing that I have to wait, then wait and wait again later. Anyhow, we proceed to the next meeting place and waited again but this time we’re taking our breakfast, my second breakfast. After sometime, the waiting is over and we’re on our way to another meeting place where a car is waiting to bring us to the mountain.

We’re on and there we had a lot of stories, stories and stories. I’m starting to get frustrated. I guess I am not going to see what I wanted to see. But I keep composed. I laughed at jokes and shared little tell tales. Slowly and then, the next thing I knew I had a long deep breath –yes! I will be happy for now and maybe later.

It was a rollercoaster ride with a putrid smell. We laughed, stopped breathing, exhaled and inhaled a few. Anyway, it will be a beautiful place up there. Up there we unloaded everything from the car and started walking and walking with loads on a muddy hill. Will I walk faster? No, no, no, no, no. With a woofer and component, it’s not a thrill.

We reached the place with a refreshing sight. We continued talking as if we’re just waiting for something to be served. Since I love cooking, I helped. I learned to peel grilled eggplants in water. I grilled marinated fish. Then we prepared the table for a boodle feast. We just rolled the banana leaves after and took a few-minute rest. It was a boring afternoon so we started walking again. And there is the stream, the falls and the picture-taking. Under the hot, hot sun, we kept on wading, hiking and we had the swimming. It’s a sort of triumph when you reach the falls not minding how deep is the stream you are crossing. We tried but it’s so deep that two persons holding on to the feet of the other still couldn’t measure. But at least we tried.

We went back to the house with an exciting story of how amazing the stream, the falls and the journey was. It’s getting dark. We fixed the magic-sing microphone to the component. After a few try, we started singing. We just continued singing until it’s time to eat. I ate a lot because I’m too tired and hungry and I just felt like I sing better when my stomach is full. Suddenly we heard somebody calling. There was light from that direction. Nothing frightening actually, it was just that some had to leave because a car arrived. We helped them pass through bricks and bridges. Again not minding how it looks like in the morning. At the end is a basketball court. We waved goodbye to some and the rest of us went back.

I sighed and this time, I felt the mountain capturing the moments.

Stories. Problems. Crying. I chose singing, dancing and drinking. Somehow, I was affected by the story that it looked like I’m having a problem too. I must admit, I have a problem but it’s not beyond my control. But the drinking and the lots of drinking broke me.

Later that night, while I’m singing I felt the mountain listened and came closer to see me. But then went out, maybe to contemplate or maybe to discern the true meaning of the song we mutually love to listen to and sing-along with. However, that time, a beautiful song is not enticingly interpreted by a drunken romantic fool in me. I kept singing and kept glancing as the mountain looks nowhere not to see me. Maybe pensive for seeing me that way or else I wouldn’t know anymore. But I’m overflowing with emotion that only me and now the mountain understands.

I drastically lost my self-control but my beautiful mind sticks with my plan – the mind game that I’m trying to layout. How bad I was if they only knew. How good I am to pretend I’m into something overdue.

As the darkness uncovers the real me, all I have is restlessness but still my beautiful mind keeps working. “Follow the plan,” my mind says. My eyes are closed but my ears tried to keep listening, my sense of touch tried to watch what my eyes could no longer see.

I felt they danced. I heard they shouted. They embraced. They kissed. They said I’d be upset… I was surprised, I pulled back. What then would the mountain be thinking of me? I can’t see the mountain, I can’t hear. I felt I’m not living.

The night calms. The noise is over. I got up. I heard someone remind me of something. I did follow, got back and pulled my sleep-over jacket. Then it was a silent, short sleep.

I woke up with a call to report back to office. I’m too tired but I still have to get up and fix myself to leave. And the pain I’m feeling made me wonder, what have I done to myself? Is this goodbye? Is this the last time? Will this be over? How would I go?

We waited but there’s no transportation to bring us back to the office. Not even our willingness, not even our money will take us there. But our feet took us back to the stream.

We went on swimming in the stream with its coldest temperature and stillness. I did swim back and forth and forth and stopped forth. The mountain again watched me there, smile and agreed. I’m feeling okay now. I’m feeling better that the mountain understood why some things last night had to happen.

Thereafter, the mountain waited for me, raised me up and looked at me. Then sang with me, listened to me, glanced at me,… all I thought it was me. But I’m still okay, just okay.

We went back to our places with my friends laughing, playing games and singing songs that from now on, I’ll be ready to take good chance again….

I took my one last look at the mountain but I never turned my back. I never looked again. My mind said goodbye and I never wanted to smile again.

The car moved on. We stopped. Went on, on and on. I watched the cars go by while reminiscing the one fine day I had with the mountain. I watched the cars overtake and to my surprise, there I saw the mountain, still looking and deeply falling in love with me. I know. I’m sure. I’ve never been more sure all my life.

A day after we went to the mountain, I missed the mountain. I wished to go back there. I’ll reach the mountain. But we’ll never be. And then again, I’ll always love the mountain. Here. See you when I see you my mountain. Until then, goodbye.

DEAR GOD

I was born with a weary heart.
Whatever’s the reason, I won’t look back.
Whatever’s the purpose I hope to find out.
As one of your perfect creations, I’m thankful God.

Thank you Lord for this heart so I felt the pain.
It made me more adroit at discerning the feeling’s behind other people’s signals.
It made me have the courage to stand for what I think is right so I won’t always be playing safe.
And believe that everybody is simply trying to survive with a heart and soul intact.

Thank you lord for this heart that made me confused.
It made me realize I’m weak and I need someone to cling to and show my vulnerability at chosen moments.
Now I can reflect on friendship and kindness, see the mirror of beauty and goodness
And read somebody’s heart and not somebody’s lips.

Thank you Lord for this heart that made me fall in love.
Is it not that the best gift I can give to myself and to others is being able to love?
I was able to love though it’s not the easy thing for me to do.
In love through the years, and in love until forever is through.

Thank you lord for this heart that only feel
It knows what’s essential that’s invisible to the eyes.
It recalls memento forgotten by the mind.
It feels unconditional love that knows no bound.

And if this love that I feel is a sin,
I’ll take the consequence.
But please spare my heart.
For it will keep burning – my undaunted, eternal flame of love.

I was born with a weary heart.
But when I look back, it’s a kind one.
I found out, it would do nobody any harm.
I am Your perfect creation, I’m thankful God.

BEYOND

Beyond every smile, I am hurting deep inside.

But I continue laughing
As if the world is laughing with me
But deep within these defenses
Is a heart full of conflicts, full of fears.

Beyond believing I succeeded, I failed.

I am just picking up the pieces left
I am just trying to make ends meet
I am just trying to compensate,
I am just trying to anticipate for whatever this road will take me.

Beyond every word is a make believe.

Beyond me saying ‘no’ is ‘yes’
Yes, I am falling, free falling
Beyond me saying ‘never again….’
Is the fact that here I go again.

Beyond me promising, I’m tearing myself apart.

One promise I keep in mind.
One promise I swear to God.
I wholeheartedly accept it. I’ll face it.
I hope I can survive.

Beyond sleepless nights is a good morning.

Revitalized by the thought
Of seeing the one you love.
Of the dreaming you just had
Of the stealing glances to have

Beyond imagination I’d like you closer to me.

In my lap, I’d like to see you sleeping
I’ll caress your hair ‘til it turns gray.
I’ll hold your nose ’til you hardly breathe
I’ll smile that by then I am watching you.

Beyond dreaming I’d like waking up with you.

I’d be the first to see you open your eyes in the morning.
I’d laugh at your flown away hair in the morning.
How about a kiss to wake you up in the morning
Or a warm embrace to keep you in my arms sleeping?

Beyond loving you now I’d like to see you frowning.

You’ll be mad but inside me I’m laughing.
I won’t allow you to go but I’d like to miss you.
I’ll go far but keep coming back to see you.
I’ll see you go but I’ll just be here waiting for you.

Beyond you loving me I’m thanking you.

Thankful that I just fall in love again
That I’ll be the person I want to be
That I’ll be singing songs with you
That I’ll be thinking with you.

Beyond loving you then I’d let you be who you are.

I’d let you choose. I’d let you decide.
I’d let you go, I’d let you leave.
I’d let you change your mind.
I’ll keep your heart beating every moment in time.

Beyond saving a space in my heart for you, I’ll say sorry.

For loving you much at the wrong place and time.
For disturbing your life and your lifetime
For letting you know how I feel
For hurting my heart then and again until the end.

Beyond this telling you I should stop.

But I want you to tell me to continue.
Feeling all the love in the world could offer
Knowing we’ll never be until forever
My share of sacrifice to linger.

Beyond letting go, my heart wants to keep

To hell with this heart.
For in this life we’ll never be.
But in my heart there’s a place for you.
I’ll remain. I’ll treasure times of my life with you.

Beyond loving you I have to go.

Beyond this goodbye I leave my heart for
you.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

GUDNYT MY WIND

I went to the same coffee shop we’ve been to. I waited for you. I was reading magazines but once in a while, I would glance at the door hoping to see you arrive… As I always do, I ordered the reindeer potion. It seems just the same, usual feeling.

I remember I wrote this one and saved it in my computer in the office only to find out that all my files were deleted. And it’s just a memory this time that I wrote a beautiful story of you.

But I would still recall the day when I learn to give up someone I love because there was you. I remember how you treated me so kind and how you made me feel so comfortable. I remember you avoided me because it’s the best thing to do. I would never forget the smile that greeted me after a long mandatory rest from work.

I was grateful when you would notice and would ask why I look sad and you would be happy when I’m happy as well. I was at my best when you told me to go on and have a good fight…. I lost but you’re still there for me. I was so thankful too when you would let me decide, do what I believe is right but you’d like to know if I’m alright and you laughed when I said, true love is when you can let go of someone you deeply love. And you burst into a loud laugh when I said, it works!

I believe I told you over and over that I won’t be a fool wondering what might have been. I just do what I trust is right and would not let me look back and say I failed to do something. But one huge failure I would regret for the rest of my life is when I never said that I love you. More than what I can do and give you, had I seen your face light up if I said I never stopped loving you.

All these dreams seemed within reach when our path crossed again. A greater spark and a greater emotion was felt when you asked why we can’t do this before. Greater admiration when you told me to go on and take steps higher. And I assumed we’ll already be when you asked if I’d not be like the other. I miss you so much. I don’t know what to say. Then you’re gone again and I don’t know when I’m gonna see you again.

For whatever’s your reason, I’d let you be. I trust your discretion, I’ll always be. When time comes that we’ll meet again, carry my love and take it away.

So I say, gudnyt my wind, I keep you in my heart.

Gudnyt my wind, there’d be no other love.

Gudnyt my wind as if we never met but all these time ‘til forever is through, I’ll be wondering if I still can see you somehow, somewhere, someday.

Gudnyt my wind. See you in my dreams.

Like the wind that comes and leaves, my other love will just come and leave.

For now, I’m back in the same coffee shop and the door would be opened by the wind, take me back, I belong. Tell me to stop then I’ll move on. Tell me we’ll never meet again then I’ll close my eyes to see you in my dreams. Tell me you never get there then I would smile. I know you did and you’re there right now at least in the world I make believe.

MY IDEA OF SUCCESS

I thought, success is just a matter of accomplishing something and getting due recognition. Then I say, success is just breaking your own record. But now, if you find it your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded…

On the first issue of the EXA ATTONS, we are presenting what we have done and what we can do. After all, it is only through this that we can be subjective. And I won’t allow the moment to just pass me by.

When we’re just planning for this newsletter, all we have in mind is just to accomplish something and to break past records. But did we care? No. We failed several times because the minute we figure out what’s successful we lost before we even get started. Then we proceed to our next project – participating on the 35th National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute and Philippine Centennial Youth Assembly. Through it, we are now members of the Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal (KAPARIZ). We are now working for our membership to the National Federation for Student Council (NFSC) and we are applying for the 25th Southeast Asian Youth Journey. But this entails a lot of work and there’s no overstating the extent to which it can corrosive to the thing we value most, which much more than our work is leading a good and happy life. Happiness, are we always happy whenever we succeed? Everybody loves a winner. But how does it feel being looked-up to, being respected a lot and expected a lot? A climber said you should be on top to know exactly how it feels.

In pursuing something, there’s always an inherent gamble. It could either push you up or pull you down. You can win a contest but it can also be your most embarrassing moment. However, wasn’t it a more dangerous gamble in knowing that you want to do something and never doing it? You are then toying with your own fulfillment.

Should we just allow what our instincts tell us? Anyway, we are all going to live, we are all going to die, it’s just a matter of living as healthy with yourself, with other people as you want to be.

Whatever you choose, be reminded of this thought from a speaker in a seminar. “If you find yourself on top of the ladder, please don’t pull the ladder up after you. It is your duty to pull others up to.”

7 REASONS NOT TO MESS WITH A CHILD

>
> 7 reasons not to mess with a child:
>
> A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it
> was
> physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though
> it was
> a very large mammal its throat was very small.
> The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
> Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human;
> it
> was physically impossible.
> The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah."
> The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
> The little girl replied, "Then you ask him "
>
> A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they
> were
> drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As
> she
> got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the
> drawing
> was.
> The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
> The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
> Without missing a beat or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied,
> "They
> will in a minute."
>
> A Sunday school teacher: was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five
> and
> six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and
> thy
> Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat
> our
> brothers and sisters?"
> Without missing a beat one little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."
>
> One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at
> the
> kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of
> white
> hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
> She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your
> hairs
> white, Mom?" Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something
> wrong
> and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
> The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then
> said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"
>
> The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to
> persuade
> them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
> "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up
> and
> say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a
> doctor.'
> A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher,
> She's
> dead. "
> A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to
> make
> the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the
> blood, as
> you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.."
> "Yes," the class said. "Then why is it that while I am standing upright in
> the
> ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
> A little fellow shouted, "Cause your feet ain't empty."
>
> The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary
> school for
> lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a
> note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching."
> Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a
> large
> pile of chocolate chip cookies.
> A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the
> apples".

Friday, August 17, 2007

STORM

It was a fine day.
Different folks gathered around making up what we call - community.
Everything was fine when the storm came.
Everybody was caught unaware, swept away by the storm.

For a change, I sat beside the storm. i gave tickets. and there was an efficient response. That's how it all started.
I dunno, I became curious. I became interested to know more about the storm. Besides, everything was supposed to be beyond my control.

I said my idea once. Alas! It's stored already. And that's truly commendable. So I tried to compensate it with at least my being a good listener(?) plus other things I've learned on how to deal with people.
But there's one thing I'm scared of, that is losing my temper and patience also.
I'm like having something too fragile.
Don't get me wrong.
I use the power of positive thinking. i only took the good side of every situation. And the good side was - the challenge.
I have to be at least good or commit fewer mistakes or even make no false moves.
that's truly challenging.
Like butterfly, I was just waiting for the day until I feel sublime.

One late after class, we preferred to walk through one station. I gave my number. i memorized it's number. Oh, I forgot.

Emotion. Everyone has it. Love emotion. Everybody deserves it. I could fall inlove. Everybody could. You can match-make. And that turned out to be a mess.

Anyway, I was there. "I can make it up to you." I assured the storm. "I'm just around." The storm can go, but I will remain.

I used to let other people do the thinking in giving solutions to my problems. Then one day, the response was, "don't ask me what to do." Fine! Afterall, the storm is there to help me explain. It was a promise(?).

I was happy, then happier.
Enormously happy.
That's all I felt.

We traveled far, fate unknown.
But for once, I thought I wasn't alone.
That's terrible.
More horrible than what I expected.
I was lost in my great expectations.

How do you refuse things you've been wanting to do?
A cold war.
Now turned into gray.
There's no turning back.
I've got to start. A good start.
A painful start to counterfeit my enormously happy past.

How do we forget things we used to do?
I don't know.
I just allowed days to pass me by. Believing that it's gonna be alright.
I allowed myself to free-float. I'll go where the water flows. Suddenly, somebody lifted me up.

Now, all I have is a memory.
I was swept away by the storm.
But I was taken to a place where I belong.

If there's one good thing I did in this life, that is learning to trust again.
But I failed, in many ways.
But then again, it's worth a try.

I knew right from the start that the storm will pass.
I will be left alone.
But I loved the storm.

Thanks for recognizing my efforts.
Thanks for making me realize my mistakes.
Thanks for setting me free.
You're worth remembering.

And it will be a fine day again.

GO

i'm looking for a song that would best describe how i feel right now and it's 'i just can't let go..."

i had this very good friend who said that she's going to write down and collect all of my favorite songs, put them together then you'll know what exactly my life is...

honestly speaking, that is true. my life was built on songs. what another very sensible friend i have. i just realized it and gosh! another mystery unraveled.

days ago, i watched the movie "far and away". beautiful movie. wondrous epic. what makes it beautiful is the story. i was never a fan of a well-crafted visual effects. no pun intended but my eyes don't appreciate that. give me a puzzling screenplay and an amazing cinematography and that's it.

now what connects "i just can't let go" and "far and away"? the "going".

the song tells a story of great love, just wanting to let the love of his life be aware that David Pack(the composer) still cares and needs your love and he just can't let go. huh! i don't agree because he said, i think you know i'm not the one who lied. i ask, why can't he let go of a liar? if i were you, GO!

not that i don't believe in doing your best to make relationship last. just that you've done your part and go on then and enjoy life. find another love. and then again, i ask, can i also let go? my heart replied, i just can't let go. by putting the word "just" i then agreed. well, i also believe that after David wrote the song, he realized it's goodbye forever love.

Ron Howard (director of the film) presents us a twist on letting go. joseph and shannon in the story grew up differently. what he believed is right is what she believes is wrong. you may see it simply as a rich girl becoming poor and a peasant now wearing the suit and having several hats? in one scene, joseph yells: tell me ya like my hat, shannon? and for me, such life's turaround depicts life's struggle to be appreciated but to no avail because it's nothing compared to what she sees before and what she still can do to get more. so the story goes, how could someone go on and chase his dream if everything he does seems nothing to someone special? until another twist of event, he needs to let go. days passed and the wagon train reminded him of their dream. then letting go means coming back again.

the song says goodbye and the film says hello, it's me again.

my phone rings and stops. little things that reminds me of the love that i can't let go or i just can't let go. these reminders tell us that everywhere we go, there's a memory. but the pain lives in the heart that also tells us to stop and GO!

we all share one goal in life, that is love. the means to get there vary. but just keep going. sometimes, some good things need not be pursued right away because right thing at the wrong time is still wrong. my friend told me that and i'm sharing it with you. the space in between love and letting go makes up mind if you still need each other. and the memories and dreams remind you that it's not too late to let go. so when perplexed, GO far and away. you'll see.

LIFE IN GENERAL

Maybe... Maybe...God wanted us to meet the wrong people before meeting the right one so that, when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift. Maybe...when the door of happiness closes, another opens; but, often times, we look so long at the closed door that we don't even see the new one which has been opened for us. Maybe...it is true that we don't know what we have got until we lose it, but it is also true that we don't know what we have been missing until it arrives. Maybe...the happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. Maybe...the brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; after all, you can't go on successfully in life until you let go of your past mistakes, failures and heartaches. Maybe...you should dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you dream of and want to do. Maybe...there are moments in life when you miss someone -- a parent, a spouse, a friend, a child -- so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real. Maybe...the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had. Maybe...you should always try to put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that something could hurt you, it probably will hurt the other person, too. Maybe...you should do something nice for someone every single day, even if it is simply to leave them alone. Maybe...giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart; but, if it doesn't, be content that it grew in yours. Maybe...happiness waits for all those who cry, all those who hurt, all those who have searched, and all those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of all the people who have touched their lives. Maybe...you shouldn't go for looks; they can deceive; Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile. Maybe...you should hope for enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enough hope to make you happy. And the last maybe.....when you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Maybe...you should try to live your life so that when you die, you are the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying. ......... Maybe you could say a prayer for me, cuz maybe I might really need it right now. *::..::*Thank you and many blessings*::..::* .::*::.Love is not about finding the perfect person, it's about learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.::*::.

ACTUAL LETTER FOUND IN A BAR IN MALATE

Sumakit ang ulo ko sa kakabasa pero funny!

This is a letter from one bar girl to another bar girl whose boyfriend she apparently stole. This was found in a Malate bar by a friend of the guy who sent me this e-mail. Enjoy it as much as I did!!!

Actual letter found in a bar in Malate:

To Marjie,

I am not surprise or wander why Dennis leave you. Why? What reason you can think about but you're very fat body. I'm thought before that Dennis only use me to his toy but sooner and later I'm realize that he really can't not beared or stomached to be with you anymore because at first, Dennis say he could not stand you're habit of making pakialam all his walks and always calling to their house what time he go home or this or that and then he say he get ashame to met you iether in school or in his family and then asking you to exercise you're very, very, very fat body but you hate it you thoughth you're the most prettiest girls he know about what do you think you are "Beautiful Girl" of Jose Mari Chan even you are beautiful face (to your think) you do not have the rigth to called me whatsoever or else different name one time or the other for the real purposed to insults my personality because I'm never call you names before iether in front of Dennis or in the backs of Dennis, but if you start already to calling me different name, I'm don't have any other choice but to called you other different name to like you are a PIG, FAT, OBESSED, OVERWIGHT AND UGLY SHAPE girl. Shame to you're body that is to a BUDING. You can't not blame Dennis for exchanging you to me because I'm am the more sexier than you when you look to us in the mirror. I'm repeat again that you are like Ike Lozada when she is a girl.

FROM: THE SEXIEST GIRL OF D.M.

Ps. You say that I'm the bad breathe But who is Dennis want to kissed. Me or you? You or me? And the final is me.

BEST EXPLANATION EVER

This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that I have seen: A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said:"I don't believe that God exists.""Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children?If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things."The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do notexist.""How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber."I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!""No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist becauseif they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.""Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.""Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in theworld."

GRADUATION REFLECTION (fr emorej blog)

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $100. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job, nobody was ready to help him. He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week.! He looked at them. They were so lean that he could see theirbones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket. With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed for him that will bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin. The young graduate said to them "you need the prayer more than I do". With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for ! death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the floor. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an advertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address. He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. Alas, the proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. this same old coin was worth $3M. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for $3M within an h our. He collected the Bank Draft, went in search of the old man and little children. By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He inquired from the owner of the canteen who told him that they even left a note for him. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them. But alas, the words in the note reads thus: "You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin" Signed God the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost. 1 Kings 17:10-16; Matthew 11:28-30 Have you given your all to Jesus Christ? If you haven't, do so today and he will surprise you.
---> I am so affected by this story, as fresh graduate it is difficult to find a job and start your life with new plans and new dreams. Sometimes I am like this unemployed graduate who seeks nothing and no way to find life after graduation. I am quite frustrated everytime there is no vacancy or my plans did not work as I plan it. BUt what I realize now is that I must not go with all my plans, what is important to me now is to be in silence and listen to what God plans for me. Today, there maybe no opportunity for me to be successful but I am sure there's a big plan that God is preparing for me to realize.So take back and relax and God will make His mysterious way for all of us...

Thursday, August 16, 2007

JOKES 3 - Host & Contestant

Host: What "N" (narra) is the national tree of the Philippines ?
Contestant: Niyog?
Host: Mas matigas pa diyan.
Contestant: (in a strong-sounding voice) NIYOG!!!
*********

Host: Saan "B" (Bagumbayan) binaril si Jose Rizal?
Contestant: Sa back?
Host: O sige, puwede rin na ang simula ay letter "L" (Luneta).
Contestant: Likod?
Host: Hindi pa rin. Para mas madali, "R.P." ang initials ng modern name nito ( Rizal Park ).
Contestant: Rear Part? (Susmeryosep! Likod pa rin yun!)
************

Host: Saan "B" (beach) tayo madalas pumunta pag summer upang maligo?
Contestant: Banyo?
Host: Hindi, pag pumunta ka doon, maaarawan ka.
Contestant: Bubong?
Host: Hindi, marami kang makikita duong mga babaeng naka-bikini.
Contestant: Beerhouse!
************

Host: Anong "L" (Lifeguard) ang tawag sa tao na sumasagip sa iyo pag ikaw ay nalulunod?Contestant: Lifebuoy?
Host: Hindi, pero kahawig nga ng pangalan ng sabon ang pangalan ng ito.
Contestant : Safeguard?Host: Hindi, pagsamahin mo yung dalawang sagot mo.
Contestant : Safe Buoy?
Host: Hindi siya "boy" at matipuno nga ang kaniyang katawan.
Contestant: Ah, Mr. Clean!
************

Host: Anong "S" (Salbabida) ang ginagamit na flotation device sa dagat upang hindi ka malunod?
Contestant: Sirena?
Host: Hindi! Hindi ito babae.
Contestant: Siyokoy?
Host: Hindi ito lalake.
Contestant: Siyoke?
Host: (sampalin ko kaya ito?)
************

Host: What "S" (Sampaguita) is the national flower of the Philippines ?
Contestant: Sunflower?
Host: Hindi. Binebenta ito sa kalye.
Contestant: Stork?
Host: Hindi. Bulaklak sabi eh.
Contestant: Sitsarong bulaklak?
Host: Hindi pa rin. It ends with a letter "A".
Contestant: Sitsarong bulaklak na may suka?
Host: Oh, para madali, uulitin ko ang clues at dadagdagan ko pa!
Anong pangalan ng bulaklak na nagsisimula sa "S", nagtatapos sa letrang "A", at kapangalan ng isang sikat na singer?
Contestant: Si...Sharon Cuneta!
************

Host: Sino ang national hero na naka-picture sa 500 Peso bill? Clue, may initials na N.A. (Ninoy Aquino)
Contestant: Nora Aunor?
Host: Hindi. Ang pangalan niya ay nage-end sa "Y".
Contestant: Guy Aunor?
Host: Hindi. Dati siyang Senador.
Contestant: Si Former Senator Guy Aunor?
Host: Hindi. Patay na siya.
Contestant: ANO??!! PATAY NA SI NORA AUNOR???!!!
*************

One more dagdag:
Host: What "K" (kalabaw) is the national animal of the Philippines ?
Contestant: Kuto?
Host: Hinde. Clue, it tills the land.
Contestant: Kutong Lupa!
(Bweset!)

Monday, August 13, 2007

MOUSE TRAP STORY


~pEnNy dEw~ c",)


A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.


What food might this contain? The mouse wondered - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.


Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!


The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr.Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me." " I cannot be bothered by it."


The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The pig sympathized, but said, I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. "Be assured you are in my prayers."


The mouse turned to the cow and said "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."


So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.


The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.


The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital , and she returned home with a fever.


Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.


But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.


The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them. The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.


So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember -- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.


We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.


SEND THIS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER HELPED YOU OUT AND LET THEM KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE. REMEMBER,,,, EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY; OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.

One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend

FUNNIEST DIVORCE LETTER EVER!

Dear Wife:

I'm writing you this letter to tell you that I'm leaving youforever. I've been a good man to you for seven years and I have nothingto show for it.

These last two weeks have been hell. Your boss called to tell me thatyou quit your job today and that was the last straw.

Last week, you came home and didn't even notice that I had a newhaircut, had cooked your favorite meal and even wore a brand new pair of silk boxers. You ate in two minutes, and went straight to sleep afterwatching all of your soaps. You don't tell me you love me anymore; youdon't want sex or anything that connects us as husband and wife.

Either you're cheating on me or you don't love me anymore; whatever the case, I'm gone.

Your EX-Husband

P.S. Don't try to find me. Your SISTER and I are moving awa yto West Virginia together! Have a great life!

Dear Ex-Husband -

Nothing has made my day more than receiving your letter. It'strue that you and I have been married for seven years, although a goodman is a far cry from what you've been.

I watch my soaps so much because they drown out your constant whining and griping. Too bad that doesn't work.

I DID notice when you got a hair cut last week, but the first thing thatcame to mind was 'You look just like a girl!' Since my mother raised menot to say anything if you can't say something nice, I didn't comment.

And when you cooked my favorite meal, you must have gotten me confusedwith MY SISTER, because I stopped eating pork seven years ago.

About those new silk boxers: I turned away from you because the$49.99 price tag was still on them, and I prayed that it was acoincidence that my sister had just borrowed fifty dollars from methat morning.

After all of this, I still loved you and felt that we could work itout. So when I hit the lotto for ten million dollars, I quit my job andbought us two tickets to Jamaica. But when I got home you were gone.Everything happens for a reason, I guess.

I hope you have the fulfilling life you always wanted. My lawyer saidthat the letter you wrote ensures you won't get a dime from me. So takecare.

Signed,

Your Ex-Wife, Rich As Hell and Free!

P.S. I don't know if I ever told you this, but my sister Carla was born Carl. I hope that's not a problem.

AT THE END OF THE DAY

Waking up with a "Good Morning."
Saying "Hello" or "See you later."
Saying "I care until forever."
But at the end of the day, will it be over?

Waiting further 'til morning is through,
Wasting my time with nothing to do.
Just a phone call later is okay too.
But at the end of the day, what are we up to?

Time passed again, should I wait 'til the end?
Should I call you then? I don't know when.
Should I even care when I just have to lose.
But at the end of the day, do I have the truce?

What more can I do? What more can I expect?
A passing happiness or a long time regret?
I've been through this, never trusting apromise.
This too will pass, the day will cease.

What else? I don't know. How far can we go?
Secret or mystery? Knowing or willing, even heart-reading.
Goodnight or goodbye?
At the end of the day, I'm singing my old songs and lullaby.

ADVENTURES SA KAWATANAN NG RENTAS INTERNAS

Subject: FW: TRUE STORY: ONLY IN THE PHILS. (BIR HORROR STORY)
Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2007 12:57:15 +0800
From:To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Read this...ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES...FUNNY BUT TRUE STORY.
Subject: 15 minutes of fame

Dear Joey,
Kumusta sir. Naalala mo pa si Jolnir? Yung anak kong gustong pumasoksaMcCann? May nakakatawang storing nangyari sa kanya. Nang nangailangan si Jol ng TIN ay ginawa siyang pingpong ball ng BIR. So isinulat niyayung BIR experience niya tapos nilagay niya sa internet. Biglangkumalat. Last time I heard ay nasa L.A.na <http://l.a.na/>.Anyway after 3 days sa internet ay nabasa ni BIR Commisioner Paraynoyung story. Pinadalhan kaagad si Jol ng TIN card via mail. Ang bilis. Ang maganda pa nito ay nag-email kay Jol yesterday si Bart Guingona.Gusto raw nilang gawing play. Tuwang tuwa si Jol. Sabi ko nga ay angagang dumating ng 15 minutes of fame niya.Anyway here's his original story:

ADVENTURES SA KAWATANAN NG RENTAS INTERNASni Jol Ong

Okay. So natanggap na ako nung November sa NCCA bilang researcher. Contract employee lang. 3 months. May Yearbook project kasi sila atkailangan ng extrang tao. Okay lang ang bayad, kaso may 10% withholding tax, at siyempre, dapat may Tax Identification Number ako.So tinanong ko yung boss ko-"Sir, di po ba yung employer ang maglalakad ng TIN ng employee?"Sagot ni bosing-"Di ka kasi regular employee kaya dapat ikaw ang maglakad ng TIN mo." Assurance nung assistant ni bosing- "Okay lang yan, one-time hasslelang yan."Alaako problema. Sige, ako maglalakad ng TIN ko. Tutal, ano ba angworst case scenario? Mahabang pila? Red Tape? Naknamsiomai, sanay naman ako sa UP e- kuhaan ng classcards, pila sa registration, pila sagraduation, etc. Ako rin naman ang naglalakad ng registration ngbeetle ko, at sa pagrerenew ko ng lisensya, so okay lang. Sabi nibosing, dun daw ako mag-apply ng TIN sa BIR Main, sa may QC, para mas konti ang pila. May BIR din naman sa labas ng Intramuros, walkingdistance para sa mga sanay maglakad, pero mas konti raw ang tao saMain.So, sige, nagpaalam ako, isang araw mag-aabsent ako para lakarin yun. Dun ako sa Main, dahil malapit lang sa amin, tapos planoko, dadaananko yung ilang research materials sa UP. Solve!

Pagdating ko sa BIR Main, nagulat nga ako dahil wala ngang katao-tao.Ni wala akong nakitang pila, maliban lang dun sa pila sa harap, dahil tsinecheck nung sekyu yung bag ng mga tao. Nung pagpasok ko, wala palasilang TIN forms. Wow. Naubusan ng TIN Forms ang BIR Main. Hanep.Tinanong ako nung lalaki sa desk kung para saan yung TIN applicationko, sabi ko, para sa work. Tinanong kung saan ako nagtatrabaho, sabi ko sa Intramuros."Dun ka mag-apply sa Intramuros." sabi nung lalaki."Di po ba puwede talaga rito?""Hinde, kasi sa Intramuros ka e, sila ang may hawak sa 'yo."Okay lang, although medyo naburat ako sa efficiency nila. Ibig kong sabihin, wow, Main BIR sila tapos una, naubusan sila ng TIN Forms,pangalawa, ewan, ang laki-laki ng saklaw nilang lugar, ang laki-laking mga building nila, tapos hindi nila ako ma-accommodate. Taragis, e malamang sa kanila rin naman mauuwi yung records ko kungsa BIR Davao BIR Batanes ako mag-apply, dahil tutal, Main sila e, diba?So ala na akong magawa, ala rin silang TIN Forms, so useless din kung magprotesta pa ako dun.So pumunta na lang akong peyups ( U.P.) for official business, forthe first time. Hehehe!

Pagpasok ko sa work, sinubukan kong lakarin yung TIN application kosa BIR sa labas ng Intramuros, yung malapit sa port area. Pag-akyat ko sa taas, hinanapan ako ng certificate of employment, at barangay clearance. At dahil walang nagsabi sa akin na kailangan ko nun, lalo na yung lalaki sa BIR Main, wala akong bitbit na requirements. Pagbalik ko sa opisina, inexplain ko sa bosing namin yung problema. Nakatingin sa akin yung bosing ko na parang nawe-weirdohan din at di maintindihan yung paghihigpit ng BIR. Lintek, sabi nga nung isang workmate ko, the fact na nag-apply na ako for TIN, dinedeclare ko nasa gobyerno na puwede na nilang kupitan, err, kaltasan ang maliit kong suweldo. Ako na nga ang magbibigay ng pera sa kanila, ako pa ang hinihigpitan.Tanginang gobyerno yan, kahit kailan talaga pahirap sa mga tao. Anyway, pag-aaralan pa raw nila kung mabibigyan nila ako ng certificate of employment. Yung barangay clearance, ako na ang maglalakad. Plano kong bumalik ulit sa BIR Main. Hindi ko na lang sasabihin na sa Maynila ako nagtatrabaho.Yung ninang ko na may business, binigyan ako ng TIN Forms. Form 1901, take note. Para sa mga regular employees. May pipirmahan sa likod ang employer ko.

After nito, dumiretso ako sa barangay hall namin para saclearance. Hiningan ako ng CV para sa file. Medyo naiirita na ako sapuntong ito. Isipin mo naman kung gaano ka-hassle ang buong prosesongito, para saan? Para gawin ko ang aking role bilang mabuting mamamayan sa pagbabayad ng tamang buwis?Anyway, tinanong ako nung babae sa barangay hall kung may TIN daw ako. Nafafalo ako sa noo ko.Whoooooo!!! I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!!!!!Okay! So may clearance na ako! Humingi na ako ng certificate ofemployment sa bosing ko, at pinapapirmahan ko na siya sa likod ng Form 1901 ko. Kaso sabi niya, hindi raw puwede kasi wala ako sa roster ofemployees ng NCCA. Project employee lang ako e. So tinanong ko kung puwede ibalik yung mga kaltas sa akin, tutal ala naman akong TIN e, at ayaw akong bigyan ng BIR, kaya pu@#$%*na sila, di ko bibigay pera kosa gobyerno! Ang problema, hindi raw puwede yun. Tuloy-tuloy ang kaltas sa suweldo ko. Kapag hindi raw kasi kinaltasan, sila raw ang malilintikan kapag nag-check ng expenses ang NCCA, makikitang hindi binawasan ng suweldo ko. So tinawag ngayon yung isang accountant ngNCCA para tulungan kami sa aming munting problema. Hindi rin maintindihan nung accountant kung bakit hinihigpitan ako ng BIR. Putsa, ako na nga ng magbibigay ng pera sa gobyerno, may gana pa silang magpakipot. Sabi nung accountant, yung kinaltas sa akin, mapupunta pa rin sa gobyerno, may TIN man ako o wala, at hindi sabulsa ng kung sinoman sa NCCA.Well, dadaan muna sa gobyerno, sa BIR, bago mauwi sa bulsa ng isang congressman, pero technically, alang problema dahil pagkahaba-haba manng prusisyon, sa simbahan pa rin ni s~tan~s ang tuloy. Ang difference bale, kapag may TIN ako, dinedeclare ko lang na sa akin galing yung kakaning-ibon na baryang portion ng pang-tip ni Mr.Congressman sa p*kpok niya sa Pegasus. Otherwise, mula kay Mr. Anonymous yung pang-tip niya. Advise sa akin, sabihin ko na lang na freelance writer ako. Tutal, may kaltas din naman daw kapag nag-freelance ka sa mga diyaryo. Tapos i-assert ko raw na ako na ang pagbibigay ng pera sa kanilang mga letse sila kaya dapat bigyan pa nila ako ng libreng chocolait at biskwet out of gratitude mga hayop silang mga impakto sila.Okay.

So bumalik ulit ako sa BIR Main. As usual, ang pila lang ayyung sa harap, kung saan nagtse-check yung sekyu ng bomba sa mga bag ng mga tao. Anyway, babae na yung nasa desk ngayon. Pinakita ko na yung baranggay clearance ko, at yung accomplished Form 1901 ko. Nung tinanong sa akin kung saan ako nagwowork, inexplain ko na freelancewriter ako kaya wala akong regular employer, kaya walang nakapirma salikod. Okay? Okay. Hinde. sabi nung babae, since hindi ako regular employee, ibangform dapat ang finill-up-an ko. At bigla siyang naglabas ng Form 1902at binigay sa akin.Whew, kinabahan ako dun a. Yung Form 1902, sabiniya, ay para sa mga "mixed-income individuals," para sa mga taong hindi regular ang kita-professionals, businessmen, at sabi niya,freelance writers.Okay! Fill-up dito, fill-up dun, okay lang!!! Magkakaroon na ako sa wakas!Inaabot ko na sa babae yung Form 1902! Eto na..."Ummm, okay na? Ngayon, punta kayo sa West Ave.....Branch namin."Nanlaki ang mata ko. Wow, nasira agad ang aking moment of triumph. "Err! , hindi po ba puwede rito sa Main?""Hinde, kasi sa Project 6 ka nakatira. West Ave. Branch namin ang may hawak sa inyo."Naramdaman ko, parang umiikot-ikot ang paligid ko. Parang gumagaan ang ulo ko, nanglalambot at naghihina ang tuhod ko. Bigla kong naramdaman ang isang matinding pangangailangan na i-headbutt ang kausap kong babae sa desk. Sa halip na isang headbutt, nagtanong nalang ako."Puwede po bang ibang tao na lang ang maglakad nito para sa akin?""Oo, gawa ka ng authorization letter..."Ah! Paraakong nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib! Fafalakad ko na lang itosa nanay ko. hehehe. Paglabas ko, marami pa ring tsinecheckan ng bomba sa bag sa harap. Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit. Ako rin gusto ko rinsilang bombahin. Hindi ko pa rin mawari, nung araw na yun, kung ano pa talaga ang purpose ng BIR Main.Nakangsiomai, dun sa maliliit na branches nila, siksikan ang mga tao, milya-milya ang pila. Sa Main, ang lawak-lawak, pero di sila nag-a-accomodate ng applications!Sa kasamaang palad, hindi ako nakapagsulat ng authorization letter,at masyadong busy ang nanay ko para ilakad ang TIN ko. Anyway, sabi niya sa akin, may kaklase yung tita ko sa BIR West Ave. Kapag nagipit ako, hanapin ko na lang yun. Okey.Sige. Isa pa, may Form 1902 na ako, baranggay certificate, at yung excuse ng aking pagiging freelancer. Pila lang siguro ang problema, pero okay na. Putsa, dapat okay na.

At nakarating din ako, isang araw, sa BIR West Ave.Sa second floor sila nag-oopisina sa isang building. Masikip yung elevator dahil sa dami ng tao. Narating ko na rin yung desk para sa TIN. Nung chineck nung babae dun yung papeles ko, hinanap nila yungpirma ng employer."Ay. Wala po. Freelance Writer po ako e."Napatingin sa akin yung babae, tinitigan ako sa mata na wari'y tinitimbang ang mga salitang aking nasambit..."Ano yung Freelance Writer?"Nafafalo ako ulit sa noo."Ma'am, freelancer po ako. Wala po akong regular na sahod.Binabayaran ako per article na sinusulat ko. Hindi po ako regular employee kaya wala akong certificate of employment."Nung makitang Form 1902 ang dala ko, sinabihan pa akong maling form ang bitbit ko, kaya inexplain ko pa na nanggaling na ako sa BIR Main,na Form 1901 ang dala ko dati pero sabi dun, mali raw ang 1901 para sa akin kaya binigyan ako ng 1902 dahil freelance writer ako, at inirefer ako sa branch nila.Nakatitig sa akin yung babae, ninamnam ang bawat salitang sinambit ko..."Ano yung Freelance Writer?" Okay! Kulang ka ba sa iodized salt?!!Ipinaliwanag ko ulit kung ano ang freelance writer, at nakatingin parin siya sa akin na tila nambubullsh~t lang ako."Punta ka na lang sa Officer of the Day." "Umm. Saan po yun?""Sa Seventh Floor."1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10... ayan... kumakalma na ko...NAKANANGTOKWA!!!! ANG DAMING TAONG NAKAPILA SA ELEVATOR!!!$#@*^%$%#!!!!!!!! Alang choice, tumakbo ako paakyat sa hagdanan mula 2nd patungong 7thfloor. Hingal na hingal ako nang lapitan ko ang Ofiicer of theDay."Ma'am, pinaakyat po ako mula sa second floor..." At ipinaliwanag ko yung nangyari, mula yung pagpunta ko sa BIR Main,hanggang sa pagpunta ko sa ibaba kanina."Umm... at anong gusto mong gawin ko?"Gumuho muli ang mundo ko, pero buti na lang may upuan sa likod ko. Ipinaliwanag ko ulit."Oo nga. Sa second floor ang application ng TIN. Bakit ka pinaakyat saakin?"Halos nagmamaka-awa na ako."Ma'am, ala po ba talaga kayong magagawa?" At inilahad ko ulit yung masasayang adventures ko sa BIR Main, saBIRPort Area, sa BIR Main, at sa BIR nila. Awa ng diyos, may kinuhang chart yung ale, hinanap yung kategorya ko. Nung makuha yung code, sinulat niya sa isang espasyo sa 1902 ko, sabay tatak. "Ayan. Okay na yan."Namagandali ako. Sincere!!! Halos mapaihi na ako sa tuwa. Matatapos na!!!Kaso, putsa, ang daming taong naghihintay sa elevator. Walang choice, takbo ulit ako sa hagdanan pababa.Pagdating dun, lalaki na yung nakaupo sa desk. Pinakita ko ulit yung mga papeles ko."Saan ang Certificate of Employment mo?"Nammannnnn!!!! Ano ba'to? Twilight Zone? Napasok ba ako sa isang loop? "Bosing, hindi po ako regular employee e. Freelance writer po ako.""Ano yun?"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!At ipinaliwanag ko ulit kung ano ang freelance writer, at ikinuwento ko yung episode kanina, at yung episode sa BIR Main, etc."Ito kasing Form na ito, itong 1902, para sa mga may negosyo ito e.""E yan po ang binigay ng BIR Main sa akin, dahil hindi regular ang sahod ko!""May mayor's permit ka ba?"Pikon na pikon na ako nun kaya hindi ako natawa, pero, talaga ,grabe, comedy ito, men. Wow."Hindi ko po kailangan ng mayor's permit! Writer lang po ako!" Ineksamin ulit nung lalaki yung papeles ko."Ummm, propesyunal ka ba?""Opo.""Anong propesyon mo?""Writer po.""May lisesnsya ka ba?" Sa isip ko- "HU-WAAAAAAATTTTTT!!!????"Kung kumain ako ng bulalo kanina, malamang na-stroke na ako ngayon."HINDI NYO PO KAILANGAN NG LISENSYA PARA MAGING WRITER!!!"Sabay follow-up ko ng: "ANO BA KAYO? AKO NA MAGBABAYAD NG TAX SA INYO, PINAPAHIRAPAN NYO PAAKO!!!"Deadma si lalaki. Nakatingin pa rin sa papeles ko, iniisip kung ano gagawin. Kung pinapunta pa niya ako ulit sa Officer of the Day, i-he-headbutt ko na'to talaga. Buti na lang-"O sige, irereceive ko ang forms mo, pero ang alam ko dapat maykasamang papeles pa ito e. Pumila ka na lang dun..."*haaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy.......* Kaso, sobrang haba ng pila, at sa takbo ng mga pangayayari ngayon,ayoko nang maghintay ng isa't kalahating oras para lang mag-replay ng kuwentong kung ano ang freelance writer, at kung bakit hindi akoregular employee. Lumabas ako, pumunta ako sa corridor. Pikon na pikon. Tinawagan ko nanay ko, tinanong ko yung pangalan ng kaibigan dati ng tita ko sahighschool na nagtatrabaho ngayon dun.Okay, nakuha ko na yung pangalan. Balik ako dun, tinanong ko yung sekyu kung saan ang opisina nung babae."Sa seventh floor po."Hindeeeeee!!!!! Pero sige, para lang magkaroon ng bunga ang paghihirap ko ngayong araw na ito- may exodus ng tao sa harap ngelevator, kaya ayun, inipon ko ang natitira kong lakas at hininga, ataking tinakbo muli ang second to seventh floor sa hagdanan.Pagdating sa taas, halos bumagsak sa lupa ang baga ko. Nagtanong-tanong ako ulit kung saan ang opisina nung bes-pren ng tita ko, hanggang sa mapunta na ako sa gitna ng opisina nila. Sa wakas-"Ay! Diyan yung opisina nun, pasok ka diyan."Yehey!!!"Ha? Ay! On-leave siya ngayon. Babalik siya sa January 2." NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hindi pa rin nauubos ang mga tao sa elevator, hindi ko maalala kung paano ko tinakbo pababa ang first floor. Pikon na pikon ako, grabe.Pag-uwi, nakaubos yata ako ng isang pitsel ng gulaman. Hinintay kong humupa ang tila-nuclear holocaust ng galit sa loob ng dibdib ko.Punyetang gobyerno ito!!! Letse!!! Hindi mahuli-huli yung mga tax evaders, hindi mabigyan-bigyan ng TIN yung mga nagmamagandang loob namagbayad ng buwis!!! Tangina, no wonder may lumolobo tayong mga deficit!!!Syet!!! Ano nangyari sa iodized salt campaign ni Ramos!!!

Nung gabi, tinawagan ko si TJ, yung kasama ko sa trabaho, at kinuwento ko lahat. Lagi ko kasing kinukuwento ang bawat installment ng aking BIR adventures, at tulad ng isang epiko, grabe ang climax nung hapon na yun.Syet. Hayop sa climax. Tinatawanan ko na lang, pero nung hapon na yunkaya ko sigurong mangagat ng leeg. Tawa rin nang tawa si TJ, at ngayon, kuwento niya, tawa rin nang tawa yung mga pinagkuwentuhanniya. Pati yung mga tao sa tambayan namin, nung kinuwento ko, di rinmakahinga sa katatawa. Langya, baka maging urban legend pa ang buhay ko, in which case, sana puwede kong i-video lahat, at lalagyan ko ng sumpa- ala "The Ring",tapos fafadalhan ko ng kopya yung mga tao sa BIR. Naisip-isip ko na lang ngayon, paano nga kung kailangan mo ng lisensya para magsulat. Isang physical manifestation ng concept ng poetic license? haha!Kung sa driver's license, may mga restrictions tulad ng "Vehicle upto 4500 KGS GVW" o kaya "Automatic clutch above 4500 KGS GVW", etc.paano kaya yung sa "Poetic License" o "Writing License?"
I.Restrictions
1. Haiku and short essays only
2. Essays up to 500 words and Freeverse up to 5 stanzas
3. Essays above 500 words and Freeverse above 5 stanzas
4. Critical Essays, Short Fiction, Poetry ...etc.

Pero nag-digress na naman ako. Isang hapon, pagkatapos nung BIRepisode, dumaan ako sa tambayan namin sa UP. Nung makita ako ng mga kasama ko - Jol! Pumayat ka a! Grabe!" hehehe.Naalala ko yung jogging-jogging ko sa building, at yung stress, at namagandali ako. Isang mapait at matamis na ngiti. At kinuwento ko kung bakit.PS: hanggang ngayon, wala pa akong TIN. Kuwento ni TJ, si Santi Boseraw, namatay nang walang TIN. Nakakatakot..-- VINCENT MONRÉAL