First Day High

So that’s how my first day gonna be.

So my first day was supposed to be a day of discouragement. From the professor, no. The traffic and 2-hour travel time did a better job than she did. That and the lack of sleep. To someone who values sleep more than eating or going out, it’s terrible. Better adjust my body clock soon.

And that’s how my first day went.

(photo from the Web)

Fight for Land, Fight for Justice

I am grieving over the death of Rene Peñas. Sadly, I only knew his name after his death.

a selfless and courageous leader who dedicated his life to the emancipation of farmers from the bondage of tenancy to improve their lives through economic opportunities that will open up to them by acquiring ownership of the lands they are tilling.

Police said that his death may have been a cause of personal grudge, and not of his advocacy. I can only think of the probability that they are wrong. Extrajudicial killings have been rampant in this country, where leaders are deaf to the cries to the people and are greedy for power. Too many journalists, student activists, and political leaders have either died or disappeared. Maybe it is not too far-fetched to consider that Ka Rene must have also befallen this same fate. And maybe it is high time that, instead of occupying themselves with senseless ConAss or reading slimming pills review for their bulging tummies resulting from gluttony for food and for power, the government should take action in hearing the pleas of the people and not in ensuring they die of hunger or from bullets.

Ako Mismo

Progress lighting dimming in our country, we should all be very concerned, if not alarmed, with the state of our dear country. Our country has suffered hundreds of years of foreign rule, with the Filipinos treated as slaves in their own land. We rose above it (did we really?) and established our own democratic government. We liberated ourselves from colonizers, only to be treated as fools by our own leaders. Look at us now: the leaders in governments have been pillaging our country, and we’re all like orphans looking for a refuge.

Watching with disdain all the advertisements of obvious aspirants for the presidential position, I wonder how is it that, with all the rampant problems in our society, politicians have been thinking about how to be in that top position. Ironic, isn’t it, that with the bid for the presidency, they ignored what is it all about to serve the country?

Watching the ANC forums, Countdown to 2010, I am thankful that the aspirants now are participating at a forum like this, where the nation can listen to their plans for the country and the answers to the issues thrown at them, not just some battle of popularity. We really need a president who can make us listen and think, not someone who just makes us laugh. With that kind of president, in the end, we can hardly laugh at our fate.

If politicians have been preparing for the elections as early as now, I guess the voters should also start contemplating whom to vote for this coming election. Many have been fighting to block the move of the present administration for charter change, and this to give us a chance to choose our next leader. Yes, we should all participate in this national exercise. It is our right, and it is especially our responsibility.

Truth be told, I am yet to be a good citizen, and encouraging people to vote, to vote wisely at that, is my own little way to help shape the path of our nation. I hope, somewhere, somehow, someone might change their mind and vote. As early as now, let us take keen interest in the election and make our selection process a very tedious one.

(photo from the web)

What Ifs

My indecisiveness at times consumes much of my energy. Even while I sleep, I still ponder on what correct actions to take. Perhaps given the circumstances I have right now, people will also be as indecisive as I am, or not. In a country where social security disability is commonplace, I struggle to have a future as stable, and comfortable, as it can be, even if it means spending most hours of the day working, inside and outside the office.

When risks on my life are concerned, like driving too fast, jumping from the Macau tower, or simply ignoring vehicles whenever I cross the street walking, I have no qualms. No second thoughts. But when it involves the stability of my life, like the time when I was deliberating on transferring to another company, it takes me too long to decide and too many questions to ask. Probably because I am not that afraid to die but so darn afraid to live a life more desperate than this one. Right now, I am contemplating on forcing myself to have an investment, something that would be deducted from my salary on a monthly basis. Yes, forcing is the operative word. Without any outside help or any good changes, or if my predicted scenarios would be delayed, living a decent life would seem impossible. Again, I am indecisive. Again, too many questions to ask. Again, too long a time to decide. Afraid an opportunity might slip away; afraid to make a mistake. If only.

mordsith on TV!

That’s right, mordsith will be on TV!

Errr, I meant Mord-Sith, the fierce women whose task is to be the personal guards of the Lord Rahl, the leader of the D’Haran empire—the same women who fascinate me so, I even took their name to be my own.

I know, I know. Not all of you have read this series by Terry Goodkind. I’m just thrilled, to say the least, that the Sword of Truth series will now be on television in the Philippines. The TV series was named the Legend of the Seeker. I’ve always wanted at least one of these books to be on the big screen, but TV series works just fine!

Discover boxes of Orden, have all three in play, and unleash the Keeper of the underworld in the world of life—these are the devious plans of Darken Rahl. The sole person who will play the most vital role in Darken Rahl’s conquest isn’t even half-aware that magic exists. This person of prophecy, Richard Cypher, now finds the brink of life and death all in his hands. In this, two people will be fighting on his side: (1) the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes on, Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor herself, leader of the alliance of nations in the Midlands, and (2) his elderly friend and neighbor, whom townspeople think was just a crazy old hermit, and who Richard just found out to be a powerful wizard, Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander (my ultrafavorite character for his wit and wisdom).

I only saw the trailer on TV. The characters seemed to be different from what I envisioned them to be, but of course, we all have our perspective of what a “raptor gaze” is, right? Mine’s better than the director. haha. I am excited how the story will unfold or what the discrepancy (understandable if there would be any) would be between television and book. I wonder how wizard’s fire looks like on TV. I wonder how Richard handles his sword, succumbing himself to the “dance of death”. I wonder how the Confessor’s touch happens. I hope the TV series gives justice to the novel; at least I hope it has first-class special effects.

Like all fantasy novels, behind the magic, there are so many lessons in life. Behind the grand palaces, there are so many criticisms. Behind the shimmer and spark, there are so many shortcomings in the way of life. The core principles of the novel are reason and the value of life. I remembered sharing the Wizard’s Rules here in this blog, when this was  just starting. I was so happy when people left substantial comments on that post.

I am looking forward to watch the first episode. I bet fellow fans of the book would be the TV series’ greatest critics. We’ll be “watching.” haha.

(more…)

Thinking Healthy, Healthy Thinking

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how I should stop neglecting my health. This was perhaps triggered by, first, the hectic schedule I’m about to face starting next week, the week I start working and studying both full-time. I’m kind of worried my semi-feeble body would break down. Second, I was a bit alarmed about the prevalence of A(H1N1) virus, mostly because I think that, once exposed to this virus, I will acquire it as I don’t think I have a strong immune system.

I’m still not yet health conscious, not yet, but at least I’m becoming aware. Looking back, there have been a number of reasons that should have persuaded me to stay healthy, and I ignored them all:

1. My father had a kidney failure. For months, National Kidney Transplant Institute became our second home as my father’s dialysis became more and more frequent until we find a kidney donor. There was one Christmas morning when I found my father lying unconscious in our bathroom. It was a horrible experience. We had to spend Christmas in a hospital. Fortunately, my father had many siblings who were willing to donate a kidney. After six tissue typing matches, only one turned out to be a 100% match. If it’s hard to find a match even among brothers and sisters, what more for an only child like me? Even if my father had a brand-new kidney courtesy of my aunt, there are tons of restrictions on what he can do and humongous amount of medicines to buy every week, not to mention the constant fear that his body might reject the foreign kidney anytime. And until I become filthy rich, I couldn’t leave the corporate world because only under a corporate account can my father have a health insurance lead.

2. My cousin Eric, then 4 years old, was diagnosed with leukemia. My heart breaks whenever I see him so weak, with the slightest movement hurting his skin. I’d embrace him as tight as I could when even a warm climate makes him chill. I witnessed how hard it is for Tito to take care of Eric, enduring hardships and sacrificing a lot. On a lighter note, I spent time with Eric last weekend. His health is continuously improving, he was becoming more and more hyperactive, and, being out of chemotherapy, he was now even able to grow hair!

3. My grandfathers from my mom and dad died of leukemia and stroke, respectively. My mother’s sister (who had leukemia as a child) died of a rare cancer at the age of 43 and my father’s sister died of another rare cancer. Both aunts spent months in hospitals, with their vital organs giving up one after the other.

4. I often have low BP and low blood count. I couldn’t even donate blood for Eric. A little secret, I once passed out because of this. My friend got a bit worried, but I came back to life in a while. Tough, ha? My visual acuity level has been increasing (and I still rarely use my glasses), and I cannot sleep comfortably at night because of my back pain. Rheumatism? haha. I hope not.

My mother has been telling me to consult a physician for this and that, and I always agree with her but rarely consulted one. Mom and Dad insist that I take vitamins (even just that for my iron deficiency), and I say “yes,” but never actually took one. An officemate asked me if I wanted to have cervical cancer immunization vaccine offered by the company on installment, and I said, “no, it’s okay, I’d die of an accident, anyway.” Top that!

It’s kinda funny that I am actually contemplating of being healthy because of anticipated overfatigue and a virus that can easily be prevented, when my genetic codes have diseases imprinted on it. Funny how way life (my mind) goes. haha.

I guess I’ll start by taking vitamins. Any suggestions on what effective vitamins to take? I don’t think I’d cut down on salty foods, though. They’re just so tempting. haha.