just a little help from a friend

I'm very happy for my sister, Bonnie that she has done a complete metamorphosis and catharsis at this point in time. Metamorphosis because I never thought she'd be able to do what I've been doing. She'd travel far far more exotic and interesting places. She'd read more classics than me. She'd climbed a couple of mountains I thought she'd never and will ever do. She's athletic now considering how she had been back in highschool, waterloo: physical education. Catharsis because she has been more positive in her outlook in life now. I am very surprised how everyone in the family has seen this 'glow' in her. She was very moody, cranky, couch potato, grumpy. But a catharsis happened. She deloaded that 'hate' in the world and began to realize, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL...afterall.

Isn't it wonderful to see how people you grew up with all ur life and think that they'll be the same forever, will change. I've featured a couple of people here in my blog and the thing that binds everyone..... Passion needs change in us. When we are willing to change, it is easy for us to find our passion.

She has been a sucker for those korean series, a fan of various actors and loves cheesy movies. She loves to tinker on small stuffs and crafts, create something out of nothing. I think her change happened meeting a very important person. He has helped her be a better person and opened that the world is more than staying at home. (U know who u are, I'm very thankful for ur time and effort helping my sister be the person she is right now).

We meet new people and find new friends for the reason that helps us be a complete and better person. We meet friends who are totally different from us and yet we still become good friends. There's a part of humanity being social beings that make us become complete as we interact.

My sister, with the help of this guy, was able to change, enrich, realize some things that she thought she'd never be able to do. Inspiring...

So that means I need to find someone who can teach me to cook real and good food for free....any new friends willing and be patient with me?

conquistadora

Today, a good friend of mine just left for Spain to make way for a new learning and new life. I think she's almost in Spain at this very moment.

It was a friendship filled with coincidences. I met her since she's a good friend of my sister and yet we ended up being closer. She's an interior designer. Personality filled with optimism, drive to get what she wants against all odds, up for each and every travel opportunity whether just around the corner or miles away.

I was a witness how she's able to make this trip possible. All it takes was a brave heart to make it all possible. Down to the last hour before she left motherland, she's filled with projects to finish. This didnt stop her from leaving. A passion to carry out what one has set out to get.

I have to learn to pour my heart out into what I should be doing. Just like u and me, even if u see me all smiles, I still feel down especially when things dont work my way.

Janah, a true conquistadora. Once she set her heart into fulfilling a thing, she makes sure she gets it done. How noble to have a friend like her. With regard to our friendship, she's also 100% in her time and effort to me. She's always there when I need the sanity and making sense out of an emotional breakdown. Just ur cushion when u need her.

Cheers to ur Spain endeavor, my wishes and prayers be with u!

Big Brother

I look forward mid-afternoon break to grab a cup of coffee in our in house coffee shop with my big brother here in Shanghai. He always surprise me with his words of wisdom. Sometimes I'm still skeptical but I like what he said today...

4 Important FAQ in Life:
1. Music
2. Laughter
3. Health
4. Sex

Common denominator = FREE. I asked if there's any order in its importance. He said the important thing is to strike the right balance. Each person requires a different amount that suits his/her personality. He said, music inspires us; laughter soothes our downs; health sustains; sex spices our routinary life.

As advised, I take care of item no. 4 when married. ;) I asked him if Filipinos are still conservative and for people in his generation, what is his stand. He said, one should keep it though it doesnt make u less of a person if u lose it. It's passe and too old school to make it a big issue. Time to get wild???? hahaha! Let's leave it to the gods to decide...:P

It makes sense talking about these simple things about life. I'm kinda down today having to stress myself of a long overdue work related issue i haven't resolved. It gives me a kick to hear these important things in life. Thus, not to be bothered so badly of some lows work brings (pimples are all over my forehead...grrr...)

If u happen to meet big brother, you will see how these 4 things influence his life. He looks way way way young for his age. He plays guitar, does photography, cracks very corny jokes (sometimes dirty), enjoys good and healthy food, as for item no. 4, u have to see him......Speaking of being passionate in living this life.

getting nostalgic in hk

I just came back from Hong Kong for the 80th bday of grandma. It was a nice family gathering. For the first time, we were complete as a family of my dad's side. Our family is really really young and small. In total, 9 grandchildren only compared to the 30+ cousins I have from my mom's side. As a result, I can say I was never close to my cousins....though this event has made me reconnect to them.

The bday bash made me think how will I be when Im 80 (if ever I pass this age). Looking at the disposition of grandma, I can say she has lived a very fulfilling life. In one of the dinners, my youngest aunt recounts how strict and brutal she was to them when they were growing up. Aunt thanked grandma for doing as such, for if not, then they wouldnt be this way right now. Grandma wears a reserved smile. Dad gave a speech and thanked grandma for the care, time, toil she has gone to, to raise them up as a single parent later on in her life. It should be difficult to be a parent, let alone, along the way, you end up not having a partner to share the burden of parenthood. Very exemplary. Passion to live for the kids. Raising kids is one big role any human being can ever assume. The worry how these kids will turn up when they grow up; when it is enough to caress or to scold.

After all these years, reaching 80th year in this life is already a big blessing. I thank grandma for giving us a great dad and made us this way now.