Roses are so overrated (and so is V-day)

Some girl asked this guy if he could bring a rose to give to this girl who was then celebrating her birthday. The guy knew the implication of what the girl was asking and felt awkward about it. He knew better. So on the day of the girl's birthday, he did not bring a rose.

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Today is V-Day and it is also Etch's birthday. Yearly, we've been celebrating her birthday together with our other single friends, usually we go to a coffeeshop and talk until the day is over. A few minutes ago, we were at Conti's. Etch treated us for a nice, sumptous dinner. There we were, the five of us -- all single and happy. As we were about to start our meal, a lady from Conti's approached us and gave each one of us a long stem red rose. Hence, a rose on V-day.

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This morning I dreamt of Oki. I woke up feeling really bad. I could not remember the details of my dream (as I often do) all I know is, it was about Oki. I guess I just miss her. Her laugh most specially. =(

All the pretty horses

She loves rock music and keep it loud even with earphones. You fear that one day, she’ll have a problem with her sense of hearing because of that habit. Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Pepper, Nirvana, Eddie Vedder. What are the odds? She loves books and traveling.

But most of all, she loves all the pretty horses and have been a great rider.

I am all that. Except that I’ve never ridden a horse.

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Last night, I went to see the movie, “Shaolin”. I thought it was a Jacky Chan film, it turned out that he was only playing a supporting role to Andy Lau. I never really expected much from the film as I just went there to be entertained. I never really had a plan of watching it. I just want to treat myself to a movie after going through a rigid exam. Surprisingly, I went home satisfied. The film imbued some nice realizations. Some really nice things to think about. What goes around, comes around.

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My boss confessed something that made me go through a lot of thinking lately. She asked: What do you value the most, loyalty or friendship?

We do what we do because of a certain conformity to what we think (and believe) is the best (or what is right). Not only because of self-preservation but because it is the right thing. But sometimes doing the right thing is the hardest thing.

Reflection

From the time 2010 started, a lot of things have been happening. A head spinning swirl of emotions, an unsettling conundrum hanging up in the air, changes that are directly and indirectly affecting me and the people I care about. No, I am not laying it on thick but this silly sod of a person (that’s me) got scared again. I do not like life’s “little surprises” especially those that will rock my boat.

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The other day, I was looking at myself in the mirror. I usually hate looking at myself in the mirror because I always see (and find) flaws. But going through this mundane activity, I learned to go beyond the physical features and accept what’s there. Especially those that I cannot do anything about.

At that particular moment, I looked at the mirror longer than the usual. I tried talking to myself. Not in a crazy kinda of way but I read somewhere that talking to yourself in the mirror is “healthier” than talking to yourself without it and you’re just blabbing in the air pretending that you’re talking to someone. Talking to yourself in the mirror is least to say, “saner” because you are aware of the presence of another being aside from yourself—which is also you but in different/another dimension. For the life of me, I can’t remember from what book I’ve read it but I am sure this is not an original idea.

Anyway, as I go through this unusual but rather “sane” routine, I remembered this particular scene from the movie, “The Truth About Cats and Dogs,” which is my one of favorite ultimate feel-good films by the way. While on the phone, Noelle Slusarsky said to Abby Barnes:

“Did you ever look yourself in the mirror so long that it doesn’t make sense anymore? It just becomes all these shapes. Just shapes. Not good or bad.”

I looked at the mirror and gave myself a huge smile. It left a few lines on my face. The face is pretty much the same, but the lines reminded me of what life has been and the life I will be leaving once I tried unloading these tons of hangups. I know I will never run out of them, but at least I am learning to unload.

I saw a big change in me. It took me awhile to figure it out. But I did. A deeper perspective, that is what I have earned the last few years.

There is no such thing as "a bad year" for someone, I will make this year a lucky one for me! :-)

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Kissing

I had fun taking this photo at a children's party. I don't know who thought of this game but the kids need to kiss their partners for a few seconds in order to get the pot money. It turned out that some of the participants are both boys.

This image was taken using my old (and still very reliable) Nikon F55 35mm SLR. The image was scanned from the printed image.

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A FRIEND is someone who knows all about you, and still likes you

I was told that the number of friends you have tells much about the kind of person you are.

Do you agree?

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