A Strong Conjecture

I have seen some people do more bad, than good, while attempting to do good, and some people do more good, than bad, while attempting to not do any bad at all; in other words: in trying to be/do good, the perhaps best way is to just not do any bad at all.

Divine Mercy Chaplet Closing Prayer

"Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself." 

A whirlwind of deadlines, assignments, and events

These things, especially together, really do take a toll on you!

So the past two weeks have been muddled with an overwhelming amount of things to do that it felt like my life was moving faster than irritated drivers on an open road after being stuck in traffic for the longest time (on a deadline).

It was hard, but looking back at it, it was good for me. Doesn't mean that I want to relive it again hahahaha... but it just makes this moment, writing this blog even, more, more sweeter.  I woke up today from sleeping for 10 hours and I'm starting to feel a lot more like myself now (after doing so, I realized again how good I got it...). Re-energized, rejuvenated, and ready for the last two weeks of school.

I haven't posted pictures yet about what's been going on.  Got to get back to that again.

All my fellow colleagues, Godspeed! 

Impasse

If my intention is for your benefit, but my method is unfair, then please pardon my effort; either I am not compassionate enough, blinded by my little understanding of your personal struggles, or my sincere attempt to help you is being misunderstood because of your complacency in your pride notwithstanding the circumstances.

Coming on the last stretch

About three weeks left of school.... time to really crank things up a notch. I'm not in the best of spirits to really go for it but I've resolved to end these last weeks strong.

It doesn't help that this past Monday wasn't the best day... lol.

This Christmas is going to be amazing.

Books

So yesterday I was at a thrift store and searched around, then found myself in the used book section.  With as much I have to read for school already, I still couldn't stop myself from buying a book - and at a great, great price I may add. lol

"Vegetable Destiny"

Foolish impatient apricot trees,
gave off flowers in too great a hurry.

Look at them, as in years past,
wind-frozen, thin and vain,

on the branches, with transparent blood
I don't know how to staunch -

for the frost, cruel though it seems,
pays no heed to apricots.

The other trees, far-sighted,
await the floral hour quietly,
with dutiful branches and closed buds,

oblivious to apricot-tree death.

-Nina Cassian 

(translated from Romanian by Michael Impey and Brian Swann)  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Perhaps the first literary account of the idea of Native Americans and Pilgrims having a meal together (with the epitome that is a turkey) is vividly written by colonist William Bradford in Of Plymouth Plantation.  I had the chance this semester to read portions of this text, especially the "first Thanksgiving account".  It was really interesting that the image that I was taught throughout my life of how the "first Thanksgiving" looked sounded extremely like how Bradford wrote it! The irony is that the actual event is less than likely to have ever happened (at least, not in the way Bradford described it with happy feelings of peace).  However, what did connect in the way of Thanksgiving was the colonists' appreciation for their belief of God's Providence in their lives; the idea stands to American culture today: Thank God for all his blessings.

Woke up this morning really contemplating all the blessings I've been given throughout my life... I'm a really blessed guy.  Everything truly happens for a reason.  Thank God!

Hoping that you and your family have a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

"Life is a single skip for joy...."

... But you have to "cut the rope to make the leap".

"A light fringe of snow...

"A light fringe of snow lay like a cape on the shoulders of his overcoat and like toecaps on the toes of his goloshes; and, as the buttons of his overcoat slipped with a squeaking noise through the snow-stiffened frieze, a cold fragrant air from out-of-doors escaped from crevices and folds" - James Joyce, "The Dead"

Push it to the limit... and beyond.

If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going - Winston Churchill

Travelling

Oh, the world! But first, disclaimers:

“Now to escape involves not just running away, but arriving somewhere.” ― Bernhard Schlink, The Reader

"Travelling is a fool's paradise. Our first journeys discover to us the indifference of places.  At home I dream that at Naples, at Rome, I can be intoxicated with beauty, and lose my sadness.  I pack my trunk, embrace my friends, embark on the sea, and at last wake up in Naples, and there beside me is the stern Fact, the sad self, unrelenting, identical, that I fled them.  I seek the Vatican, and the palaces. I affect to be intoxicated with sights and suggestions, but I am not intoxicated.  My giant goes with me wherever I go" - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

"If you're not thankful for what you've got now, you'll never be thankful for how much more you'll be given" - Unknown

No allure and majestic place will cure the hurt of the soul - it may soothe, but it cannot cure. Just had to get that out of the way first, before I...

OH I CANNOT WAIT TO TRAVEL! If God wills it, and I earnestly pray it so, I'd love to appreciate this world beyond Sacramento (I love Sacramento, by the way).  There's so much out there in the world.  I think we sometimes get caught in the illusion that here's all there is but there's so much more out there to see and experience. It's the ambition to travel that really helps to get me motivated.... becoz someday, someday, I'll be out there.  And I can't wait.

I was listening to B.o.B's new song "So Good" and I really love it! I've blogged about B.o.B a long time ago, and I still follow his stuff as of now.  It's a clever song with many lines talking about international experiences, really gets me in the mood to travel!

Here's the first verse:

"Drinking a German beer (aha) with a Cuban cigar (ever)
In the middle of Paris with a Dominican bar (aha)
Great head on her shoulders (ha), she probably studied abroad (aha)
She transferred to Harvard from King's College in March
She says that I'm her favorite cause she admires the art
Michelangelo with the flow, Picasso with the bars
She's well put together like a piece by Gershwin
Renaissance style, tonight is picture perfect
S-smile and pack your bags real good baby
Cause you'll be gone for a while, while, while...

So who's with me in discovering this world?

"One of the hardest decisions of life is whether to walk away or try even harder."

- Unknown

The tough part about this true quote is how to apply the point it makes to your life.  At what point does a dream you've been working so hard for become unrealistic?  At the point when you've become despondent? It's tough for me to say, this quote does ring loud in my mind whenever I come to question my ambitions. 

“Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.” ― Albert Einstein

The Classic, Romantic, and Reflective

"Historically... there are data for marking the genius of the Classic, of the Romantic, and now of the Reflective or Philosophical age... In fact, I believe each individual passes through all three.  The boy is a Greek; the youth, romantic; the adult, reflective" - Ralph Waldo Emerson, The American Scholar

As pertains to last blog:

I figured out the reason why the same experience can be described as either hollow or rich (read last blog).

An experience will always be described as being rich because at the time you were experiencing the particular event you either felt or realized that you were loved beyond words in that moment.

And indeed, aren't we always loved by the good and merciful God every single moment of our lives?

Hmmm.... perhaps I'm thinking too much (again)

I noticed that something, anything, can be experienced in two ways: hollow or rich.  Now, how and why the same experience can be described as either hallow or rich is different for each person, I think.  Nevertheless, I've been more and more able to distinguish between the two and choose wisely.  It's the difference between something being either ordinary or special, a formality or memorable.  It's the difference between being go through life or living life.

Lovely song

Another great Gabrielle Aplin song:



Gabrielle Aplin - "Panic Cord"

And do you think greatness isn't for you?

"Meek young men grow up in libraries, believing it their duty to accept the views, which Cicero, which Locke, which Bacon, have given, forgetful that Cicero, Locke, and Bacon were only young men in libraries, when they wrote these books." - Ralph Waldo Emerson, The American Scholar

I hope that no one brings themselves down because of the belief that there is an idealized approach to gaining a certain type of success/achievement. 

Home

Recently I've been listening to a lot of music from a UK artist named Gabrielle Aplin.  One song that has really been replaying for me is her single "Home", a reflection on what a "home" is.  Her take is eloquently clear in her song, which strikes many resonating chords within me.

Something that may not be so clear is her music video for the song, which honestly was very beautifully filmed, very aestetically attractive.  However, unlike most music videos which usually depict a storyline in the song, it didn't seem at first to connect much to her song.  At first watch all I thought it was about was a girl wandering about beautiful scenery trying to find where her "home" was... which didn't really seem too fulfilling an interpretation.  I had to think for a while about it, it was just odd how I didn't get much out of the music video, that it didn't seem to convey as much heart as the song did. 

I knew it looked beautiful... but after many replays, something became apparent to me that was more than looks, I started to realize the beauty behind the looks, and once I did, I felt overwhelmed by the power of the music video when finally, to me, the song and the video finally synced.

The studio verson of the song, the music video version, was very climatic with a very powerful percussion end, and this is also where the music video ended as the song ended.  I can say now that the thought of a girl wandering about is true, but isn't the fullness of the music video. 

The final scene came together and affirms Miss Aplin's creativity.  As the darkness came to surround her, she held up her light.

"It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness." - Eleanor Roosevelt (or Chinese Proverb)

That is where her "home" was... it was that light in her life were she could go to when life became darkened, when the path was cloudy and vague and hard to get through.  The music synced beautifully, the beat of life, the loud, call-to-rise-and-life percussion embodied the livliness of finally seeing the light, the vigor of renewed hope.  Perhaps, even, the darkness had to surround her so that she could finally realize she needed the light to get through it, as if the darkness served a purpose, that the daylight itself had confused her, had her searching about in all the wrong place, when really, her "home", the home she was looking for, was her light.

For me, when things seem to get dark, when things start to seem cloudy and I don't know what to do, I turn to my light, stay close to it, hope, trust, and fight on. 

Congratulations Re-Elected President Obama

The electorate has been counted and the United States of America have chosen to reelect President Barack Obama as the President of the United States of America.  May God be with him and his Administration and may he, with God's help, lead this nation graciously to solve the difficult problems the American people face today. 
 
I love this country and my heart, though saddened, stays firm in trust of the Providence of the Almighty God for this great nation.  I love the people of this great nation and only hope and pray for the best for them.

Gov. Romney and Mr. Paul Ryan, I applaud both of your combined efforts for this great nation.  Thank you both for trying your best in this election and, Gov. Romney, in response to your sincere concession speech, thank you for standing as an example of a man unwaivering in his faith of the greatness of this nation. Gov. Romney, you fought the good fight, thank you. 

Election day 2012

I am so blessed to be an American, to have the right to be able to vote for who I deem worthy and to my own conscience.

Romney 2012

Superstorm Sandy Aftermath

Looking at the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy is seriously heart-breaking.  The hardest part about it, now that the storm is over, perhaps has to be the cold. I can't imagine trying to sleep at night without any heater (coz of no electricty), especially if I didn't even have a home, when it's less than 30 degrees F outside!  That's unbearable cold to me... when I'm walking out in jeans, jacket, scarf, and gloves at 60 degrees I have an uncomfortable time...think about weather twice as cold to try to sleep in!

Hoping for a quickest recovery possible to all my East Coast American sisters and brothers. Godspeed!

“He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.”

— Leo Tolstoy

Fighting Bad Thoughts

.... and no, I'm not talking about bad, dirty thoughts. I have my share of bad thoughts, discouraging, worrisome, fearful thoughts. It's pretty tormenting. But I have good reason to be hopeful and stay strong, and, especially, push through when things get really bad and clouds of doubt cover my skies. There is a fight. It's not the fight you think about when you think of the word "fighting" - the fight against bad thoughts and it takes place in the mind - and it's perhaps, at least I think from how I experience it, even more painful than physical battles.

There is definitely help and good reason to be hopeful; here's what has gotten me through the toughest of times:

1. Logic. Even the fundamental process of analyzing the cause and effect of what has happended, would happen, will happen if you do something is such a strong, powerful tool to fight the ever-lingering, characteristically human questions about uncertainty, which is the fundamental basis for all bad thoughts.

2. Beauty. Stay in the light of beauty, keep your sights, ears, minds, and hearts open to beautiful things. Don't underestimate the environment you put yourself in. Keeping close to what you think are beautiful things shows us glimpses into the contents of the human heart, how it feels, how it registers influence on our brains and our thoughts. Cosider yourself lucky, blessed even, to be able to hear, see, feel beautiful things and don't take them for granted. In the depths of all gradations of depressions, are the workings of ugly, dark things where you might start to actually think the content of your heart is as those when in reality, your heart is at its core the foundation of all beautiful things.

3. Company. It's true that there is strength in numbers, especially when you are fighting bad thoughts. Being in the company of others who you love and like to be around helps us feel the pervasive pain in all other human beings - unfortunately, we are all hurting in some way, shape, or form and we are all fighting our own battles. Knowing this and being in the company of others helps us grasp the sense of unity we all need to foster and make stronger - we are all experiencing the human condition, and it's better for us to not experience it alone.

4. Faith. Everything happens for a reason: to help us grow into better people. A product of this thought is the difference of someone either becoming bitter after a bad, unpleasant, and unwanted experience, or becoming more understanding despite the bad experience of all our pains and becomming more compassionate. Not accepting and beliving this thought is the small black hole that will swallow up even the largest galaxies and constellations over time .

Don't lose your faith. Don't give up the good fight. Do your best and the rest is out of your control. Let go and live. Trust and have faith.

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. ~ Albert Einstein

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow. ~Mary Anne Radmacher

A response

Trying to make everything beautiful is in itself a work of beauty even if the end result isn't the beauty the artist had wanted it to be - the right person is able to see the artist and not just the work. 

And if life is a song...

then fly on the melodies,
thump to the metronome,
savor the notes,
and applaud to the composer.

Feeling a bit rhyme-y

*Please recite poem to the tune of the song: "I'll Hurt You" by Busta Rhymes ft. Eminem. :)

Kind of like Romeo and Juilet, but Better:
If our love be an analogy
It'd be like the tragedy
that Shakespeare had announced to be
Of Romeo and Juliet!
Besides the blood and daggery
short-lived and a catastrophe
we'd have more romance and fantasy
that love shall ever beget!
Oh and just the name of thee
Hast woo'd in every part of me
loving that could not of be
of which I could forget!
And if and when we'd have to end
this love on this earth that spins
even after death our mend
can't be cut like flint!


----------------------------------
Here's the song and enjoy the freestyle too, by one of the most inspirational freestylers I've grown up watching - Ivan Koumaev

The eye that is keen to beauty will never go blind.

.

Not by Chance

When the dark shadows of fear come to downcast me,
I remind myself of your smiling face and wonderful voice,
Oh how I know of such beauty, it is not by chance,
I remember again that I have a reason to live.

Considerations

Perhaps there's a side of being different that comes with the possession of the sense that someone out there may be different just like you.  There's a sort of a magnetism of a force that motivates you to keep on being all that you are and all that you can be, to your heart's desire.  In this way, that person who is different just like you has already affected your being without actually even coming into proximity to you.  There has to be a cause for the specifications of beings - perhaps this may be it, at least, to some extent this reason.  Not that there isn't anything wrong with being you just because, but maybe your existance is matched perfectly to a certain degree of compatibility to someone out there, and is not this the best of all considertions? That in being more of yourself gives you the freedom that comes with being totally bare and honest with someone you plan to spend your life with and being of which that person will love you for.

Accept the place...

"Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.  Accept the place the divine Providence has found for you; the society of your contemporaries, the connexion of events" - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance.

Face like flint.

 It'll be worth it in the end.

A Reminder

"God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying: "Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth." God also said: "See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food." And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed--the sixth day. " Genesis 1: 27-31 (NAB)

I think we forget sometimes how much God is the greatest of all artists and how much of a unique, beautiful masterpiece we each are.  I have seen amazing art in my life, but all art really does is to try and reflect the human experience: really, we are the art and the paintings, sculptors, and works are just trying to put to pen, brush, and marble all the wonder and beauty that we are - above nature, above music, above phenomenon.  We are the greatest of all these.

"People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering." - St. Augustine

Bible scholar Jeff  Cavins said it in a talk I was watching of his, referring to Genesis, he made a truly remarkable statement which was actually clear but so over-looked and I over-looked it my whole life:

"When God made us, the only fitting place for us to be was in paradise".

 So don't feel obliged to go to the museums to see art.  Think and reminice of your lives up to the moment, your own stories, written so carefully, so rich and beautifully more grand than any novel can or ever will put to pen.  And look in the mirror, and I can assure you that no painting, no sculpture can ever exactly reflect the beauty of which the Creator has made with His own hands.

My story...

If my story had to have any necessary lines, some of them would be these:

"The light reflected the warmth in her eyes.  Her smile cured the weight on my shoulders and her hands grasped mine in a tender hold.  We talked of fears and tears and sadness, she was the balance to my disclosure.  And when we could talk no more, a mend was made that words could never have brought about."

Done and done

Finished the last of the midterms of all my classes this morning AND I just woke up from pretty much sleeping most of the day... finally feeling like myself! 

The best part to it is that one of my professors cancelled class on Monday (the first cancelled class of the semester for me) so for once I actually have a two-day weekend!

AND to top it off... I just found out that I'm heading to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving.  Extermely excited... I will finally be able to go enjoy Vegas in all its...  fun? Hahaha. Casa Fuente here I come!

I think it's safe to say...

that no amount of studying now would benefit me for my 9am midterm in my state of sleep deprevation.

5am set.

Speechless

Quite often I get speechless, and for many different reasons.

I find it honestly perplexing how there really isn't a way to fully describe in words (or at least, I haven't found them yet - in experience or study) the feeling of the worst sadness, pain, emptiness, and defeat in perhaps the same way it's exteremly difficult to fully describe transcendental joy, love, happiness, and fulfillment.  I don't think the "Sapir-Whorf hypothesis" applies here either; these are things we feel but of which (in my attempts) have no right wording.  At least, I haven't found the right words yet. 

So I'm hoping for that special someone out there some day to look into my soul and find the indescribable me there - the me of no words, the speechless me.

"Midnight in Paris"

WARNING: THIS BLOG IS PRETTY MUCH A SPOILER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE, SO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

I saw Mr. Allen's film "Midnight in Paris" a while back ago and I think I might have tweeted about it when I saw it then, but something happened  recently to remind me about it. 

For me, the moral of the story is to appreciate the things that make your generation so special and unique.  Don't wish you were born in another time or don't get stuck soley adoring the past generations because doing so is unappreciative of your own generation and current events - and some day someone in the future will look back on your current generation and wish he or she was born in your generation; don't take this current generation for granted essentially. In a more general sense even, the moral could be just don't dwell on the past events, live now and appreciate things how they  are now.

I think we've all done it before once at least, I mean, I have.  For some people, it may be more in the extreme sense like the character Mr. Owen Wilson played, and for some others, the same type of wanting to go back in the past can come in the more innocent form of the nostalgia of looking back at the "good ol' days".  I'll admit, sometimes I have even thought that I was born in the wrong generation, lol.

More so now than ever since I'm taking a literature class that I need to remind myself of how important it is to appreciate the times now, but I do have to say that I'm reading about all these amazing stories and prose and rhetoric from the classics to just shy of a hundred of years ago and sometimes I'm seriously blown away of how beautiful and profound the works are, many even relevant today, and how different the good ideals were.

But as to the point the movie and this blog suggests, I definitely need to appreciate more of the now.

"It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

On another note:

Moves me beyond words.

Cutting down on hours

...sleeping hours, that is.

I can see it coming, the need to cut down my precious sleep time.  I've been blessed to have 8+ hours sleep for the past month and a half of school, but I'm expecting the need for it to dwindle down for the next months until Christmas. I am not an advocate of idle lethargy; I just love the benefits of enough sleep.  I honestly have the best dreams.  It just so happens, though, that it is about that time I cut it systematically to accomodate the coming weeks. 

So I guess I'll only sleep 7 hours-ish until I can hone in reasonablly on that sad, sad 5-hour nights that commonly is accociated with college life. 

Sacrifices... oh sacrifices.

"We'll be okay"

"It's like we're always moving... why's it so hard to find some time to catch our breath?... Someday we will slow down, long enough to watch the sunrise from our own bed..." 

Life is absolutely precious...

And it is worth fighting for, worth being defended.

In all honesty...

Glad Romney did well in his debate last night. We can't afford four more years of President Obama in office. 

Therapy

Music and prayers are pretty much the only things keeping me going through these tough days.

*skip to 1:20 to hear her uptempo rendition.

One youtube comment critiqued this like a lullaby. So true and so good. Makes me swoon and feelso carefree happy

 



Applications have opened

The time for transfer students to apply to universities have opened...

Praying to God that this year will be my last year at community college and that next year I'll finally be at a university.  My transfer has been long overdue... a lot has happened in the recent years to cause the stoppage, and it's honestly heartbreaking in a sense...

But I just have to do the best that I can and hope that things will piece together and that I get into the right place.  I'm incessantly asking for God's help and guidance in my life at this time and for the strength, grace, and faith to accept whatever happens to me and my future.

"At the end of our lives we will be judged by love."

-St. John of the Cross

In times like these...

Sometimes there's that emptiness in the way you're feeling, as if you're hollow - like you're missing something.  But when you have everything you need, what's there to feel empty about?

Wants that come and go, temporary pleasures that don't last
Fleeting superfluous moments that came to be only because of the seeming necessity for it

Then I remember the big picture and I'm whole again.

Yonder bar keep!

Tonight I tried bartending for a room full of people and I raise my glass to all the bartenders out there - it's a tough gig! I had fun and everyone was polite despite my mediocrity... but I do have a specialty drink that's not so bad if I do say so my self hahaha.

And calling out the traditional "Last Call" is seriously one of the coolest things I've ever done.

Fridays for me

Just set the tea bag in the cup to let steep for four minutes.

Spending the night studying for my Saturday morning class tomorrow. 

This is perhaps one of the sadder blogs I've ever written.

So while you're out there on a Friday night, let it be known that somewhere, someone at this exact time is stuck in the corner of his room wishing he were probably in your position.

Tasty Opportunity Cost?

I was drinking coffee this morning that made me remember another time when I drinking tea and made me realize this:

Source: http://www.cognac.fr/cognac/_en/2_cognac/index.aspx?page=aromes

I know this is a Cognac Aroma Wheel (and mmm is Cognac tasty), but for all intents and purposes, it serves as a great list of aromas and flavors in general.  I use it to train and study for when I'm having a hard time discerning flavors.

With experience I learned that different beverages have distinct flavor echelons with only the best of each drink having the complexity of many different distinct flavors. 

I realized that, while I was drinking my coffee this morning, I remembered having a hard time discerning the flavor in a special tea I had a few weeks ago. And I came to the conclusion that in my drinking coffee, I've lost a lot of the fineness of discerning subtle vegetal/fruit flavors for harsh complexity in robust, earthy-bittersweet flavors. 

I guess the only way to keep up is to keep a balance of drinks to brush up on different areas on taste. I'd be sad if I lost some senses for some flavors. But it's good to know so I can always relearn and refine :) 

Repose

It's easy to be nice to people when it's convenient for you, but it's extremely more difficult to be nice to people when it's inconvenient for you.

On Fire Norcal Jam

Fatigue is a factor...

... it's a truth you figure out when you've broken up into pieces.

And monotony is just as fatiguing a crux if you let it be. 

Oh wait

I found something meaningful to say and I'm going to address the elephant in the middle of the room (at least, in my mind)

Smart phones.  Now I'm not a hater, in fact I miss my old iPod Touch dearly (it's unusable as of now), and this isn't to any smartphone in particular - ya know it doesn't even have to be a smart phone! Just cell phones in general:

Reallllly guys? It's probably one of the most annoying things to be in the middle of a "conversation" with someone (and I put conversation in quotations because it's questionable at best if it really is a conversation) who is constantly, literally on their phone doing whatever they need to do.  I mean, go ahead a text once and a look there, yeah I understand, but I'm spending my time and efforts with you trying to have a meaningful conversation! And I'm no etiquette doctor but if you are interrupted by an important message, pause me completely and take some time to hear it out, text them/ call them back and tell them you're busy at the moment, or tell me you have to leave and leave!  I'll understand! But don't trade faces from your phone to me, me to your phone over and over and over again.  DON'T talk to me while you're looking at your phone.  It's rude and disheartening, I just want to have a real conversation.

A conversation where both of us are looking into each others eyes, acknowledging each others presence, hearing each other out carefully, exchanging thoughts and all.  I'd like your undivided attention if possible.  I'll gladly give you mine and my time and my complete consideration.  I'll give you my best efforts to make it a pleasant experience.  I'll let you know how important it means to me that you're spending your time, your efforts, and your personal thoughts to me.

Please do the same.


On another note, I don't have a smart phone.  But it's okay by me.  I've been told that I'm a bad cell phone user, not always answering my calls or texting back sometimes - but perhaps you may now know why.

Erato

Hello... I've not anything to say really but I thought I'd just post.  That means this blog is pretty much filler. But that's okay ... well, I mean if you're reading this I think it's fair I apologize for taking your time. Pardon my sporadic blogging nonsense. But on that note:

I very much enjoy watching youtube videos thinking I'm at a live concert. Especially when it's an original song, an original, beautiful song. 

Fin.

HOLD UP

Alcohol hurts the liver and coffee heals the liver?

Coffee is like, the morning after drink! Hahaha!

“When we hit our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change.”- Avatar Aang

Perfect.

Fortitude

Oh, what those eyes have seen
those bright eyes in the dark shade
of tragedies, catastrophes, maladies
blasphemies, dastardly things

Oh, the tears those eyes have cried
of then and now, of here and late
from pains and hurt, from why and how
yet still the tears aren't enough

Oh, those eyes that see
all a miss and all abysmal
sees the better path
and one day shall rest at last

Real Time

Oh love, hold still

you're moving too fast 

still please be still

I just want to catch

a solid, still glimpse 

to know this moment's real

I won't have you always

but for now I will 

please love, be still

Well when you have to go...

...might as well have a cup of joe.

Yesterday morning I was riding the light rail on the way to school when perhaps the most inconvenient thing that could ever happen, happened. I needed to go to the bathroom, bad. And I mean, really bad.  I was passing through the middle of downtown when it happened, almost out of nowhere, and argued with myself, thinking perhaps I could make it to school but "nope, I had to go now."

There's seriously a mental and physical struggle that goes on when I'm trying to hold it in as long as I can, especially when it's really bad.  Probably the most effective argument I use on myself is to shout to myself inside my head:

"YOU ARE NOT AN ANIMAL AARON, YOU CAN HOLD IT IN, CONTROL YOURSELF, THIS IS WHAT SEPARATES US FROM ANIMALS, DON'T DARE LOOSEN UP. HOLD IT IN!" 

Fortunately, one of my favorite coffee shops is located pretty much right at one of the upcoming light rail stops - the closest I could think of of where to release. I hopped off the train, and as inconspicuously as I can, walk-ran right to the men's room. I made it.

Naturally, I couldn't leave the store without buying something. So I got a V60 Hario pour-over of a new Latin American brew from Panama and... it was simply beautiful.

The coffee was a masterpiece.  It was amazingly complex, filled with layers and layers of richness.  It literally took me the whole cup of coffee to feel adequate at having described it, and I think that's where the beauty came from.  Together as the whole, the coffee was superb, but even more, as a test to its complexity I literally had to focus on each separate part of the experience to get its full characterization.  From first impression, to texture, to body, to aroma, to acidity/brightness, to elements of smoothness, to midpalate, to its many, many flavors on the retrohale, and finally, to its finish. This particular coffee had so much depth in every aspect that for every particular faucet of it required my full, undivided attention.  It brought back memories, rejuvenated my vigor, and raised my hopes for the future. This coffee was a transcendental tasting experience.

And experiences like that can happen to anyone, really.  So, let's have a cup of coffee sometime, yeah?

If you want to try out wine...

For the past two months I've been trying out the world of wine and it's been an amazing adventure.  A lot of work and, most importantly, love goes into wine; its broad and deep range of tastes is as rich as (perhaps even more) its long history. I've had the opportunity to try a handful of the noble grape varietals, at different ages and different locations (terroirs).  Here's my humble (slightly opinionated) recommendations to anyone who's perhaps just turned 21 or who's interested and wants to try out wines for the first time:

• You can get amazing wines in the $3-$10 range.  Especially if you're new, don't break your bank on wine yet.  It's true that a lot of times the more expensive wines really live up to their price, but in my savvy-seeking, I've found gems in that very frugal price point. Besides conservative spending, it also serves the purpose of introducing your mouth and palate to wine - this is most important. It's a journey - enjoy it and don't worry about spending too much money yet! 

• A little more housekeeping - unless you're tasting multiple wines (sips at most of each)- drink only one glass (5-10oz) at a time.  Don't get drunk, or else how can you truly appreciate and concentrate on all the richness the wine has to offer? Also, don't fill the wine glass up to its rim, or even close to it.  At the very most, fill it up half way, and I don't even really suggest that... more like 1/3 of the way is perfect! Lastly, purchase a wine glass (preferably a Bordeaux red wine glass).  It's true, wine tastes better in the right glasses. 

• Try sparkling white wines a.k.a. champagne. It's fun, makes any occasion celebratory (and makes actually celebratory events that much more special), and really first time drinker friendly. Plus, it's absolutely memorizing to watch those beautiful bubbles. Go for the style of "brut".  PS: if you're buying sparkling white wine from California, please make sure the label at least says "Californian Champagne" and not just "Champagne"; authentic Champagne comes from Champagne, France (Dom Pérignon anyone?) 

• Don't skip on white wines; I honestly ignorantly overlooked the white wine spectrum at first, but just because I felt a stronger gravity, allure, and fascination to red wines. 

• For white wines, try out California Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and try out German Riesling (I think Rieslings are perhaps the most underrated white wine but easily my favorite after CA Chardonnay).  

• At first, really try for a California Chardonnay, you're going to more often than not get a oaked-Chardonnay . Don't try Australian Chardonnay (or for that matter, any New World Chardonnay, i.e. Argentina, Chile, etc) until after you've tried a California one - most New World wines are unoaked (to my knowledge) and that really accentuates the crisp, fruitiness. California Chards are different because in regional style, they're usually oaked (aged in oak barrels) and oaked for a while (+9 months).  I tell you, the result produces a very forward, attractive creamy, full-bodied texture, sometimes presenting tastes of butterscotch/caramel, in addition to the Chardonnay clean fruit (if done right).  Think this, butterscotch/caramel with apples? DELICIOUS. The fact that whites are chilled additionally refreshes your mouth and palate. So far, California Chardonnays are my favorite white wines. PS: don't worry about age much, anything over +3 year vintages are just fine. 

   [*disclaimer: I haven't tried French Burgundy (Chardonnay) wines yet to compare to the California style. ]

• German Riesling is the opposite of Chardonnays in general, but not as crisp as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, and a lot more fleshy fruit flavor and body. Do NOT skip on Riesling. They are lovely. Easily my favorite after Chardonnays.  PS: for some reason they hold a really weak rep in comparison to the other noble whites, let your tongue see the difference.

• For red wines, first try Grenache (from either Spain or Côtes du Rhône, France, or  Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France) or try Merlot (either California or Bordeaux [Right Bank], France).  Expect playful, easy going, light to medium bodied, nicely fruity (raspberries, cherries, jammy fruits) tastes from these two reds, and a slightly tannic and dry finish, but not too overpowering, perfect way to start appreciating red wines! Age? Consider Grenache or Merlot over 3+ years just right!

• Tannin is perhaps the newest taste sensation/flavor of wine to someone who has never drank wine before (unless you like to drink cold, black tea). This applies to the following, which is critical:

• Try NOT to try Cabernet Sauvignon or even Pinot Noir first - they are just too rich in tannin for a new palate, it was honestly a real turn off for me, when I tasted quite a few as my first red wines it required me to really stretch my palate for flavors I'm not too familiar with, and a dry sensation that is just too much for a new wine drinker (aka me).  Unfortunately, these are the wines that get the most attention and shelf space.... mislead me. 

• The only exception to trying Cabernet Sauvignon as a beginner is to drink it when it is at least 9+ years old.  The tannins have softened over the time it has aged, and the true specialty, richness, and elegance of Cabernet Sauvignon shines - ever wonder why some wines have the reputation for being really expensive? My bet is because Old Cabs made it that way - these are simply the special red wines. Make sure your Old Cab is either from Napa Valley or Bordeaux, France - these are pretty much the pinnacle of the bunch.   Quick story, I was graced with the opportunity to try a 9 year old aged Napa Valley Cab and I got what all the fuss was about - it was simply beautiful. 

• If you must try a young Cab (3-8 years), try a young California Cabernet Sauvignon and eat it with dark chocolate; literally drink the wine while you're chewing on the chocolate.  This will pair extremely well, softening the tannins and exposing the fruitness, making the young Cab extremely more drinkable. 

Lastly, enjoy! Don't get discouraged (I have at times) if you find wine you don't like, or you haven't found the wines you like yet.  A lot of older wine people agree that there is a wine for everyone - just keep an open-mind and explore! Cheers!

Let me know your accomplishments

... let's toast to it!

Held true in high school, holds true now

So years back in high school I remember as a freshman it was once said to me that "You will only get out of the experience (of high school) as much as you put in".  It's so true, even to today, for me. And I'll say that to anyone who wants to listen, or for anybody who wonders why some people like me act so wacky about exciting things that are about to happen, or why some people volunteer so much of their free time of something, or why some people devote so much time for something, or put so much emphasis in what they do... because when it happens, the feeling of seeing and experiencing the fruits of your efforts was worth it all.

This is why people sometimes smile at night before they go to bed.

Morning goodness

Just woke up...listening to Young the Giant...

Something is really enchanting about a good morning rise, especially a Saturday morning. #saturdaymornings if you're on my twitter list.

:)

Today is the opening and Dedication of my church, St. Maria Goretti Parish. The bishop will come and many other priests to officially bless the newly built building and it will officially be a place of worship. For at least the last three years our parish has been serving Mass inside the cafeteria of a public high school and now we finally have our own place. The feeling is absolutely amazing to have been a part of the process and experience.

Come to our Dedication and Mass today, 10am, and enjoy a free food potluck afterwards! 8700 Bradshaw Road.

And they do exist

And they do exist
precious pearls amidst the dust
smiling like bright suns
pure and whole, cultured and complex
genuine, subtle, gentle and blessed


There is a standard. You can't just settle for anyone. Only for someone special.

All I Could Ever Ask For

There's that certain feeling of connection you get sometimes when you talk with someone.  You're thinking to yourself, while you're in conversation with that person, oh wow this person is amazing. Then you start daydreaming, still while in conversation listening to every word that person says (but mostly during those little pauses that don't seem awkward at all), about what the future could be with this person if you both did become a couple.  But then at last, the conversation comes to an end, you both share a brief hug, a wave, and smile.  Then you walk away, totally unaware of when you might see that person again... if you'd even see that person again. End?

But at least for those few moments, those sweet moments, I had your time and attention, your full and undivided attention. And I know that's really more than I could have ever asked for.

Oh subtlety, for if there was ever a more distinct sign of grace and class it would be that.  There is no more misleading part of a painting than the unknown number of brush-strokes of paint it took to show that supreme shade of feeling - the artist of skill made it look natural, under several shades of subtlety.

Both is true - the small, little things and the big picture are absolutely necessary, to experience and savor; but the magnifying and careful eye needs context to reconcile, accordingly.

I did it!

Endurance

I'm really good at a starting, but sometimes it gets tough to keep at it and finish. Which is why I'm so absolutely appreciative of things that captivate me and keep me interested, focused, and motivated with my own goals.  And a lot of times, it's because of beauty - one of the classical Greek triumvirate ("The Good, the True, the Beautiful").

"Wide Awake (Cover)" by Andie

This is a relatively new cover by Andie and it's been on constant replay for me. I never even liked the original song by Katy Perry too much, but it's just something different when Andie sings it. 0:54-1:09 her rhythm and they way she sings the melody/lyrics... and 3:29-4:00, the way she hits the notes... for me, amazing and cathartic.  

Source: http://instagram.com/p/OFz3oCjs2k/

I found this picture this morning on Instagram and it totally woke me up and caught my whole self into a gaze, took me away from everything that was going on for the moment, everything that was going on in my whole life, and cause me to dream, took me to a place of ethereal joy, and hopeful for the future.  This is a picture taken from a favorite Nick actress of mine - Samantha Boscarino.  She could very well be somewhere in South America right now... this picture was really recent, perhaps like 15 hours ago. Anyways, I'm so happy she took this picture... literally knocked me off my feet, but since I was technically in bed when I saw it, it... I don't know some similar way knocked me off my feet if I was on them. 

Got to keep the endurance up! Got to keep trying! Can't stay doubtful, worried, or afraid. Got to keep going! The good Lord as my witness, I'm gonna do it! 

Coffee, coffee, coffee

Just wanted to share with you all something special to me - my variation of the method for a good cup of coffee from a french press. I love coffee, it's really one of the many things close to my heart; coffee has so many flavors and dimensions and I think a french press really takes the roasters efforts and delivers it superbly to you. 

There is a generally agreed upon set of procedures for using a french press, but there are also a lot of details that vary from procedure to procedure. My own variation here is the product of years of using the french press, through trial and error, for what works best with me for the equipment I have - like I said in the video, I don't have the best equipment, but I work with what I got. Hopefully this could help out people who are just starting out with french presses, those who don't have a top-notch grinder and/or kettle - coz I don't.

Sorry about all the errors, I recorded it in one take. Happy coffee drinking! 

Music: "Just You and Me" by Zee Avi. She's an amazing artist! 

Happy National Tequila Day!

Tequila Sunrise! With a hearty breakfast.

National Tequila Day... I was on Twitter this morning (@auhaaron) and I found out that today was National Tequila Day! So I figured, why not! Why not join in on the celebration! Hahaha. 

"What's life without whimsy? - Sheldon Cooper

I looked in the fridge and found out, sadly, that I had ran out of orange juice! Looked on our fruit stand and next to the bananas (we go through bananas like nothing, by the way) there were two big, juicy oranges. Shoot! Improvised, and squeezed those suckers up. Added some gold and grenadine. Cooked eggs, kosher sausages, rice, and said "¡Sabroso!"  ;)

Some Beautiful Things

This blog, in addition to sharing my life status with you all, is also really my chance to share with you all some things that I find absolutely beautiful, things which capture my heart, things that captivate me and sometimes things so profound... things that illuminate me more about the human condition, the human experience, and, even deeper too at times, things can't merely be evaluated by my brain and can only be contemplated, felt, by the realms my heart, truly transcendental forms that elevate my soul whether it is art, or landscapes, or music, or just... experiences.

First off, I recently made an addition to my plain layout to this site a couple of weeks ago - I added the sunset banner. I took the picture about a year ago during a serene Santa Monica sunset.  Santa Monica is one of my favorite beach spots, beautiful shores.  I recommend everyone to check that place out.  I haven't been to many LA beaches, but someone told me Venice beach is pretty amazing too, got to go there one day.


I've also been listening to some amazing musical performances the last couple of weeks, many times right before I head off to bed. Nothing better than amazing music before sleep.

"We Are Young" by Fun. Cover by Andie.

I absolutely love the way Andie sings. She lives in Australia, and I love her Australian accent by the way, it's pretty sweet to my ears. And then there's her music... just wonderful.  She's made many covers on Youtube of many popular Top 40 songs, and many covers too from bands I haven't met yet, but she does amazing takes on them.  I love how she truly performs her own original rendition of the songs, which she executes, I think, so boldly and wonderfully... she hears and sings melodies, tones, notes that the real versions of the songs don't have... and I love them and her for that. I love when she really rings out her high notes!  Her range is broad and her control is superb. And unbelievably to me at first is that she's only 14! (if memory serves right)... I'm so excited to follow her journey and see how her voice will mature... from my following of her so far for the past year, she's grown in her craft, much more refined and balanced tone. Here's more covers I've been loving from her:

"Payphone" by Maroon 5. Cover by Andie.

"New Romantic" by Laura Marling. Cover by Andie



"Islands" by Young the Giant (Live).

Young the Giant is a new band I'm still hearing out, and "Islands" is an amazing sound. The on-set location is perfect with this song, and the acoustic bass sounds heavenly.  It would be pretty amazing to see this live performance actually...live. 

"Something In The Way You Are" by Kimbra

Hey Kimbra's also from Australia too! I've been listening to her album "Vows", and it's a really nice record, really a breath of fresh air for me.  She's amazingly creative in her production, and her voice... Oh I love her roughness in this song. Her control is masterly, she's smooth icy some places, then just the right amount of vibrato other parts, and the way she rings out her voice... on top of that, her edgy "umph" is so apparent here... wowza. Beautiful. 

"Lights" by Ellie Goulding. Live acoustic. 

Moving across the world to England, we find Miss Ellie Goulding.   This songs been a smash on the American radio stations, and I'm so happy for her.  I really enjoy her song "Guns and Horses" too, but I wanted to share her live performance of "Lights" most.  She changes key for the chorus, so hearing her studio version for a long time, when hearing this for the first time my ears were completely interested, and rightly so.  More roughness, rawness in this performance... and so much passion and sincerity and enjoyment as well. She loses herself in the song, and that's really where, I think, you can really tell the depth of a musician, or for that matter, any type of passionate person. It's not something you can fake, I think, even with  amazing talent. 

Wine Review, Italian Barbera - Kyle Meyer 

So a couple of blogs back, I mentioned how I started tasting wines (from the standpoint of a coffee lover), and I'm so interested in the art now that I'm so giddy to start tasting more and more wines! I guess I have been bitten by what wine lovers call "the wine bug".  I really like this Kyle guy, extremely descriptive, and, to me, he shows his great love for wine... He seems like a friendly guy, not uptight, but at the same time very, very respectful for the craft, I can tell he takes it seriously, but also enjoys it too. I haven't have the Italian varietal Barbera yet, but I got to try it in my life.  I guess this sharing isn't so much about the wine, but more of a show of the love of wine, how one can get so in love with the art. 

Austrian Reds - Kyle Meyer

One of the things that taste does sometimes, and it happens to me too when I drink certain coffees, is it's uncanny ability to conjure up some vivid memories causing it to come out as some wacky descriptors, but that's the fun of something like coffee and wine, and I love that. 

Barbara Review - Gary Vaynerchuk

First impression, man, this guy's energy! Hahaha the first couple of seconds are really in your face, but I love the enthusiasm. You should see me when I'm drinking amazing coffee... it would probably make you laugh but I don't care, some coffee/wine just has to be rightfully appreciated - a lot of hard work goes into that cup of love - and if it's so good as to tear down all my composure exposing my bare feelings, then so be it! 

So those are some beautiful things that I've been Youtubing, reading, experiencing.  It's definitely summer for me. At the least, now I have a well organized list of the things I want to rewatch on my blog hahaha! 

4th of July

Fourth of July was real good to me, as it should be for all Americans out there. The day marks our independence for our country, the day when our story of an underdog won against not only opposition from other countries, but from the difficulties of what it meant to be independent and the struggles of starting from the ground up. I'm proud of the history of my country and still believe in her great capacity to be a shining light for the world, as it has been time and time before.  Definitely, the 4th of July to me is a reminder too, to be like how my country did and strive for the independence from all the powers trying to hold me back from being my full potential.

My 4th of July was amazing to say the least. I spent the day with my family at Folsom Lake, you really have to appreciate Sacramento - for being a city in the center of the state, far away from the ocean, we really make use of our man-made lakes and the one river running through it, lol. Chill, chill, chill. And perfect weather to accompany the lake-side chilling, too.

A whole block filled with people lit with over-sized sparklers. A grand  finale to the 4th of July. 

The night was crae. I can without a doubt say that my block is one of the best places to be in Sacramento for 4th of July.  One of my neighbors holds an annual block party for Independence Day and the general public is invited.  This year was definitely one for the books - the fireworks were legit (as in, they actually went up in the air), laser dance lights through the darkness everywhere, there was even a famous radio station DJ on the ones and twos providing dope music for people to dance to in the streets (and I definitely took advantage of a DJ on deck, it's such a shame when a DJ plays and people don't dance!).  It was pretty much a club ;).  One of the best parts of the night was the grand finale - everyone was provided an over-sized sparkler and asked to light it at the same time... perhaps 300+ people at once and the whole street was lit!  Crae crae. Hmm, if I had to try and convey the mood the party feel had, I would tell you to listen to "I Like it Like that" by Hot Chelle Rae ft. the New Boyz. Did I also mention it was a summer night? :) Hahaha I'm sorry, I just can't get enough thinking back to the memories.

A lot of other things happened post-4th of July, but I'll blog that later. Stay up peoples!

"Call Me Maybe"

I absolutely love this video.

I love the original make of the song too, but I think this performance was just all about having fun, having a good time (if you caught that, COOKIES for you), and just enjoying life in the company of people who want to have worry-free, good fun too. It's good, wholesome fun. And for me, it's one of many videos that inspire me to live life out like the vibe it's sending.

And one last thing - KAZOO. 

Contradictions

This will be my 100th blog post, spanning over four years of being here on Blogspot, two and a half of those years out of high school and in college, three years of them being a youth group leader, one year of them being employed and the past two years being unemployed. Two of the years as a coffee lover, one month of it being 21 years old, and all four of them being completely single...lol.

I look back on it all in the blink of an eye and I'm extremely thankful that I'm here, alive and all. But more than that, I'm amazed because there were times when I used to think "How will I ever get out of this one" or, more sadly, "I wish I would just be done with all this". I've really got God to thank for that though, He never ceases to amaze me.

I once read a reflection by Mother Angelica, in her writing "The Healing Power of Suffering", in which she talks about "interior suffering":

"It is in our souls that God does His most magnificent work. The world may look upon the aged, the sick and the retarded with sympathy, but God's work in their souls, through the power of interior suffering, is doing a greater work than when He created the Universe. Only in eternity shall we see the beauty of the soul and only then shall we realize what great things were accomplished by interior suffering." - Mother Angelica, "The Healing Power of Suffering" 

It's incredible to me to find out the realization that, when I look out into the universe, at the stars, all the beautiful landscapes, at the sunrises and sunsets, that through all that beautify, God is actually doing "greater work" within our souls. And to tie the knot, I'll take my liberties and quote one of my favorite writers C.S. Lewis:

"You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.". - C.S. Lewis 

I get so fatigued sometimes by my own personal suffering that I have to remind myself constantly that God is in control of everything that happens to me, that he fashioned all that I've gone through and fashions what I will go through, He allowed and only allows what I can handle to happen - all for my benefit. And that He loves me (and loves you, too).


I forgot who actually came to this thought but the statement is: "people make actions based on fear". I don't want to be like that anymore. For a long time I've been contradicting myself - saying and believing one thing and acting the other way, and I won't lie it's been based on fear. I don't want to be a living contradiction  to myself anymore. As I look back on this blog, it's the one thing I've been secretly ashamed about to myself - through a lot of my blogs it's been creeping beneath the surface of my skin, in between the lines in the words I wrote. 

Perhaps I will never be completely fearless... but I want to make sure that by my 200th blog, or 1000th blog, I'd like to be able to write that I am no longer a contradiction to myself the way I used to be, that I lived despite all the fear.

Concerts in the Park & Party

I love my city.  Every Friday for the summer Downtown Sac hosts a "Concerts in the Park" event free for all ages. Local bands play, radio stations attend, and the weather is perfect. Nothing beats a Sacramento dusk. This past Friday me, my bro, sis, and a good friend of ours Alyssa checked CIP out for the first time.  I liked it! Just a chill friendly vibe, cool rock music, and at one point a hype-man came up on stage, base came on blast, and the crowd got up and danced along. I imagine Coachella to be something like CIP (but about a million times better)... Hopefully I can attend a Coachella one year.

When the hype-man was up on stage, that whole front center was filled with people dancing!  Me included . 

Meg, Alyssa, and Patrick. We brought our own chairs. 

After CIP, a couple of our good friends Kim and Brent had their parent's 25th wedding anniversary - Silver! We went and had a wonderful time and we were so thankful we got to spend the night sharing in the wonderful celebration with them.

Kim, Patrick, Meg, and Alyssa 

They have a beautiful home and back yard. Coy fish! 

And a hammock. Go Megsies! 

Kim, Alyssa, Patrick, and Meg. 

I love hammocks. 

Alyssa and Meg. 

Patrick, Kim, Brent, Me, Meg, and Alyssa.

A picture with Tito and Tita, congrats! :) 

This seriously is turning out to be the best summer I've ever had.

Learning

In time I'm learning more and more about how I would like to be treated.

It's really a journey and it's surprising the things you learn about others and yourself; perhaps the hardest part of the process for me is still trying to treat people who don't treat you right, with the respect, care, and consideration you'd still like to be treated (and I can see how this would seem like total nonsense to some people).

"Every comedian, every comedian dreams of hosting The Tonight Show and—for seven months—I got to do it. I did it my way, with people I love, and I do not regret a second [of it].... All I ask is one thing, and I'm asking this particularly of young people that watch: Please do not be cynical. I hate cynicism; for the record it's my least favorite quality. It doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen." - Conan O'Brien, on his departure from The Tonight Show, January 22, 2010. 

 I was rightfully raised to always treat others the way you'd like to be treated - it's extremely difficult and sometimes I even fail, but I'm trying really hard to hold on to that. I won't lie, it's caused me a lot of hurt through the times, but one shining thought to me whenever someone (and I'd like to give the benefit of the doubt and say here, unintentionally) hurts me is that that person doesn't understand, doesn't understand how my life has been and how whatever that person did etches with the reality of the situation I'm in to cause such a sad hurt.  It's in those hard moments that I'm confronted with the decision to re-evaluate my relationship to that person. And even more difficult, the way in which how I can let that person know more about how that person made me feel in the spirit of love.

And on this journey, more and more, I'm learning how I should be treated.

Project X

Oh goodness. I just watched Project X. Hahahaha! I'll take my liberties and say that was one hell of a movie. As far as film commentaries go, I'll definitely call that a 21st century satire. But yeah, wow.

Playing Catch-Up (Procession, Exploring Berkeley, Lakes, Promotions and Birthdays)

I've been in such a whirlwind of a past two weeks that I have not been able to blog for a long time.  So to save the time to write things up, I'll let the pictures describe the type of things that have been going on... A lot, of fun. :)

Downtown Sacramento Catholic Procession: more info here  (June 9, 2012)

Me and my family attended the "Religious Freedom" Sacramento Downtown Procession. Loved the crowd that came out. Me and my family, in support of our Catholic faith, are against the government's insidious "HHS mandate".  This peaceful downtown procession was a sign of our firm opposition.

The crowd peacefully processing on in downtown.

 Walking in the sun's brightness. 

 Peep the shirt. Pro-Life and proud. 

Even Jesus (in the Blessed Sacrament) processed with us. Surely He protected us. 

A peaceful procession is an amazing experience: we usually attend the Walk for Life SF every year.  For me, this one definitely hit home in the heart of downtown Sacramento. I love the streets of downtown and this was a different way to be out in it.

Exploring Berkeley:  (June 14, 2012)

This is the definition of an adventure. So my mom works in Berkeley for now (so she commutes back and forth every day, ~2 hours one way! She's a superwoman) and today I decided to tag along with her; she pretty much works down the street from UC Berkeley so I figured that I'd spend the day around campus and to a couple of special coffee shops ... But today was so much more than that.  And to think, when I woke up that morning I almost didn't want to go to Berkeley because it was far from home, but then I went to bed that night with memories I didn't think could ever happen without any planning ... but isn't it awesome how life turns out like that? Adventure, I tell you, it was an amazing adventure.

I visited the FIRST Peet's Coffee and Tea store ever established, on Walnut and Vine St. in Berkeley. This is actually the original sign they first used when the first store opened up in the 60's - they don't call it Peet's Coffee, Tea, & Spices anymore. 

 It actually was remodeled so it doesn't look like any different Peet's Coffee store, but still... pretty cool. 

 At Peet's, I even met a famous Filipino Author and Activist, Evangeline Canonizado Buell. She was so sweet and humble. Very nice to meet her! 

 This is Evelyn. She was the one who took the pictures of me at Peet's! I told her I was visiting Berkeley and didn't really know of any places around here, and she was so kind - she gave me a tour of the Gourmet Ghetto on Shattuck Street.  It was because of her I found the Cheese Board restaurant. 

 At the Cheese Board, they served amazing pizza and wine. It was my first tasting of Grenache red wine. Delicious. 

 And even more, live music! 

Kristina, Pachia, and Me.  Live band playing in the back. 

 One of the best parts of the day was seeing an old friend I used to go to school with at the Cheese Board. Her name's Pachia and she transferred to UC Berkeley this year, and kindly introduced me to her Berkeley friend and colleague Kristina. They're so nice and kind; it was an absolute pleasure having an amazing lunch and spending the afternoon with them. :)

And I definitely could not leave Berkeley without checking out the UC Berkeley campus. Beautiful. 

Rancho Seco Recreational Lake/ Father's Day: (June 17, 2012)

For Father's Day, I went with family to chill at Rancho Seco Lake... it's a mad-made lake next to a power plant - sounds kinda of weird to be next to a power plant but it was nice lol.  Perfect day to go swimming in a lake. 

 And this is how I chill. 

 Jojo. 

Patrick's back in town too! 

My Little Sister's 6th Grade Promotion/Graduation:  (June 20, 2012)

My little sister Meg is moving on up to middle school now. Proud of her. 

 C/O 2012! 

 Her walking the stage. 

 Shaking hands with the Principal. 

Me, Megan, Dad, Patrick, Mom. 

 Family shot! 

Mariann, Matt, Mel, Me, Megan, Patrick, Jessica, Alyssa.

 Friends who came. Glad they came. 

Joshua, Jojo, Jessica, Megan, Mel, Patrick.

 Family dinner time. 

Desiree, Haydee, Celesta, Heli, Mike, Tita Celly, Tita Connie, Vincent, Jacob. 

Mom, Regina, Jacob, Hyong, Ian. 

Tito Paring, Dad, and Mom. Moded shot lol. 

After the dinner, me, my cousin Jojo, and my little brother Patrick went to Surf Xtreme in Elk Grove. It's an AMAZING indoor surfing experience. I recommend it to anyone who wants to have a great time surfing - it's the only indoor surfing center in Norcal! I've been thrice already! 

Matt, Mariann, and Me

On this same day, it was also a good friend of mines 18th Birthday. Happy Birthday Mariann! :) 

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Loved every minute of these past two weeks. Blog you guys next time.