I'm at the place where coffee doesn't work
And my body has failed me
My material self is nihil
I see now
and can't see
I'm not fueled by my food anymore
Nourishment is somewhat illusory
My immaterial self is sum
The driving force
I can't see and can see
May 7, 2015
January 18, 2015
On priority
I haven't blogged since last year. That must say something about my life. Lol
Hello 2015 :) I think I'm due for a simple reflection post.
I am a simple guy. I work well when I have my mind set to one particular task. I also try to multitask lest I become too focused on something and miss out on other things, but this has been more of the exception than the rule in recent days.
I want to do a lot of things, but I can't do everything. I try to do everything. But the driving factor becomes the driving factors. Instead of swimming in the deep end, I swim throughout the entire pool. I haven't been going too far in one direction, I've been stretching in all directions... and I'm not that flexible. Of course I'd like to do more. And I try. But I need to focus now.
In recent days, I haven't had a lack of inspiration. On the contrary, I've been inspired to focus on a main goal. A purpose, even. Where I could help out a lot of people. Where I can do God's work.
I have found that a lot of people take offense easily when they are declined of any sort of plan going through. And while this isn't a call to stop such efforts, it's an opportunity to increase in compassion for each other. Denial can seem bitter, but intentions never prove to be so. The pitfall is if the actions don't elicit any consideration. You can indeed be considerate without being able to attend. You can indeed show solidarity in more ways than one.
As far as my current plans, especially this new year, I've simply become more focused. Not boring. Not recluse. Not lame. Not nerdy. Not uptight. Not being unable to relax. Not unsociable. Not being unable to chill. Not being unable to lend support.
Just trying to do my best at what I think will be the best for me so that I can help out a lot of people later on.
Hello 2015 :) I think I'm due for a simple reflection post.
I am a simple guy. I work well when I have my mind set to one particular task. I also try to multitask lest I become too focused on something and miss out on other things, but this has been more of the exception than the rule in recent days.
I want to do a lot of things, but I can't do everything. I try to do everything. But the driving factor becomes the driving factors. Instead of swimming in the deep end, I swim throughout the entire pool. I haven't been going too far in one direction, I've been stretching in all directions... and I'm not that flexible. Of course I'd like to do more. And I try. But I need to focus now.
In recent days, I haven't had a lack of inspiration. On the contrary, I've been inspired to focus on a main goal. A purpose, even. Where I could help out a lot of people. Where I can do God's work.
I have found that a lot of people take offense easily when they are declined of any sort of plan going through. And while this isn't a call to stop such efforts, it's an opportunity to increase in compassion for each other. Denial can seem bitter, but intentions never prove to be so. The pitfall is if the actions don't elicit any consideration. You can indeed be considerate without being able to attend. You can indeed show solidarity in more ways than one.
As far as my current plans, especially this new year, I've simply become more focused. Not boring. Not recluse. Not lame. Not nerdy. Not uptight. Not being unable to relax. Not unsociable. Not being unable to chill. Not being unable to lend support.
Just trying to do my best at what I think will be the best for me so that I can help out a lot of people later on.
December 4, 2014
I don't think I've been here this bad before
Simply, I am overburdened. Both by things I can and cannot control. And I am overwhelmed.
I guess you can say I was too ambitious. Perhaps that's fair. I was out of context. I knew had some limitations. But I went for the gold regardless. And gave it my best shot. I came up short. Still, nothing short of miraculous. I'm still standing. Barely. But still standing. Tired. But still standing Uncertain. But still standing.
Let me make clear. Still hopeful. Still standing.
I guess you can say I was too ambitious. Perhaps that's fair. I was out of context. I knew had some limitations. But I went for the gold regardless. And gave it my best shot. I came up short. Still, nothing short of miraculous. I'm still standing. Barely. But still standing. Tired. But still standing Uncertain. But still standing.
Let me make clear. Still hopeful. Still standing.
"Let us go then, you and I
When the evening is spread out against the sky..."
- "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock", T.S. Eliot.
December 3, 2014
The Start of the Trip and Barcelona
Hi all,
So I don't quite know where to begin. It's been a while since I've blogged anything!
To be honest, I have tried to write one long chronological blog about my trip to Europe this past summer, but it's been hard to find time writing everything in one blog. So instead, I've decided to blog about my trip in a series of blogs, and not bound to a strict timeline.
This one will focus on the beginning of the trip, and Barcelona.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE START:
We took a journey, my brother, sister, and I. Really, we lived the experience of a lifetime. One of the best parts of it was that our uncle from the Philippines whom we haven't seen in person in a long time came along with us, too. Together, we traveled 6 countries in Europe: Netherlands, Italy, Vatican City, Germany, Spain, and France (my luggage did 7, with a pit-stop in England, but I'll talk about that later lol).
A lot of preparation went into this 2 week trip, yet, perhaps, a lot more effort went into internalizing how extremely blessed I was to experience anything like this. In fact, a recurring prayer that went through my mind throughout the trip was "God, you're showing me so many beautiful things. How blessed I am, my Lord. Thank you so much... I can't put into words my gratitude".
So I don't quite know where to begin. It's been a while since I've blogged anything!
To be honest, I have tried to write one long chronological blog about my trip to Europe this past summer, but it's been hard to find time writing everything in one blog. So instead, I've decided to blog about my trip in a series of blogs, and not bound to a strict timeline.
This one will focus on the beginning of the trip, and Barcelona.
THE START:
We took a journey, my brother, sister, and I. Really, we lived the experience of a lifetime. One of the best parts of it was that our uncle from the Philippines whom we haven't seen in person in a long time came along with us, too. Together, we traveled 6 countries in Europe: Netherlands, Italy, Vatican City, Germany, Spain, and France (my luggage did 7, with a pit-stop in England, but I'll talk about that later lol).
 |
| The night we left Sacramento, CA to start our trip. Bye USA! |
 |
| A little reading on the plane to Amsterdam |
 |
| In-flight movies while over the UK. |
At one point, nearly 12 hours of flying from lift-off in Sac and after crossing the Atlantic Ocean, we were above UK. And I hadn't been on a plane in at least 8 years. Wow, I'm really, seriously flying over England right now! Right below, I thought, is a beautiful country... All the dreams I've ever had about the UK flashed in my head. The River Thames, Big Ben, London Eye, home of the Beatles, Dickens, T.S. Eliot, and Gabrielle Aplin. The Station Sessions. It's all below me! Yes, this novel feeling of surreal gratitude never left me... enhanced my trip... and made my trip really :)
BARCELONA:
Barcelona, Spain.
Arriving in Barcelona marked the last couple of cities before the end of our trip. And my goodness was Barcelona beautiful.
BARCELONA:
Barcelona, Spain.
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| Aeroport de Barcelona |
Arriving in Barcelona marked the last couple of cities before the end of our trip. And my goodness was Barcelona beautiful.
 |
| Barcelona Cathedral |
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| The beautiful Gothic ceiling of the Barcelona Cathedral |
Having already been to Italy at this point of the trip, I've seen the most beautiful Baroque and high Renaissance Basilicas, but the most beautiful Gothic cathedral wasn't in Italy. Or France (although nothing beat having Mass at Notre Dame, which itself was a close Gothic cathedral second). It is in Spain.
The Barcelona Cathedral was the ethereal Gothic cathedral. Being in there, I was simply full of awe. I think what really made it stood out was that its piercing reverent atmosphere. I looked up at those ceilings and felt the emptiness of those high raised ceilings. Unlike ceilings colorfully adorned, they were bare. It was its simplicity that struck me and brought tears to my eyes and peace to my soul. This is what people 400 years ago saw. This is what strengthened them during difficult moments, I am sure.
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| Gaudi's Casa Batlló |
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| Gaudi's Sagrada Família |
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| Barcelona Olympic Stadium |
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| Group Picture in front of Camp Nou, FCB |
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| Machiatto on the Beach of Barcelona |
A very special moment in Barcelona was while ascending the stairs to Gaudi's Park Güell and taking a quick break and sitting down on a park bench in a small plaza. A group of young children were playing football, and their parents were watching them besides their makeshift field. Families were spending time together outside and enjoying their day.
I left Barcelona with a serene sense of happiness.
I left Barcelona with a serene sense of happiness.
August 22, 2014
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