Bonded for Decades
We've known each other since the mid-80's...back when we were still oh-so-young--riding our bicycles, learning to play volleyball everyday during summer, having picnics and slumber parties, donning either Sunday dresses or shorts + tucked T-shirt (don't forget the bushy eyebrows). I can go on-and-on, but I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about...everybody passed the 80's craze. (Sidebar: Have you noticed how the kids nowadays aren't fashion-victims like we were then?) Anyway, that was when nothing really mattered except having fun at school, at home, wherever...we were just so naive about a lot of things.
The 90's came...we were still pretty young--still riding our bicycles, playing volleyball in respective varsity teams, yadda yadda yadda...but now I'll mention the tapered jeans + T-shirt era (still not forgetting the bushy eyebrows; okay, okay...the bushy eyebrows were gone by the late 90s). Pressure sets in upon entering college--family issues, tons of schoolwork, even puppy-love (admit it...it had some stress factor to it). In effect, we spent more time talking about our individual lives.
At Banana Leaf Curry House[supersize]
Joy, Aia, Kay, Chie, Darl
And then the now...we still wanna be considered young--no more bicycles, playing volleyball only when time permits, donning more fashionable outfits. More decisions are being made. More stressors are being encountered (this time including relationships). We are at the crossroads of our lives where we have to decide which path to take, hoping it will lead us to greener pasteurs. The "real world" (either earning money or building a professional life) proves to be really challenging.
Amidst everything that has happened, keeping the friendship intact was never a difficult task. We still manage to get together once in a while just to see how each one is doing. It sure is a wonderful feeling to have such great friends. Till the next get together...(I hope we'll be complete then)
Dreams: Paranoia or premonition?
I do not recall my dreams...Does that say anything about me? When I do, which is a rare occasion, it's a nightmare. I wake up breathing heavily with my pulse and heartbeat in a race. Sometimes I wake up in tears and needing comfort. Then I become frightened of the thought that maybe it's a premonition, a vision, a prophecy of some sort. Then my thought shifts...Maybe I brought it on to myself--paranoia, perhaps. Which is which? Or is it a combination of both? I wonder...
Recently (and surprisingly I remembered), I dreamt that I was holding this small velvet box, opening it, and finding a diamond ring. I was shocked, ecstatic, flabbergasted (c'mon, girls, empathize)! The ring fit perfectly and looked so beautifully on my finger. Everything went to a halt; it's like the world stopped turning. Hands were getting clammy. Heart was pounding. Tears were forming. I was breathless.
And then I woke up...right before I could blurt out anything or even take a glimpse of the co-star in my dreamland. I checked my finger...No ring. But it all seemed so real.
The entire day, I was pondering, trying to interpret that dream...Could it be happening any time soon? Could it be that I'm just pressured by people asking me about it? Could it be that I'm afraid of not having it at all? Could it be that I'm pretending to be someone else?
Endless questions...Not a single answer.
I attempted further and came across this site,
which was very insightful. It had an interpretation on rings.
I was actually appeased with what I read--doubts turning into positive and fruitful realizations. I know better not to rely on these things...but hey, for someone who's in the pursuit of tranquility at this moment, it's all good!
Zips™ Mania
Thanks, Pam, for introducing this rave-ish/gymnastic-ish/martial art-ish craze.
Rave: Movement. Gymnastics: Grace. Martial Arts: Skill.
I don't know with you guys...but this is a swell pastime (a stress reliever, too...right, Mahal? hehe). It may seem easy...but wait till you try it for the first time...Why so? Well, it requires major coordination, as well as intense patience for those times that you get hit on the head (repeatedly...been there...done that! haha). On a more positive note, it's very challenging because you'll be constantly seeking new moves to master once you get the hang of it; thus, the need for sheer determination and willpower. I had my first dose a while ago. And I'm pretty sure I'll have my second...third...fourth...and so on (isn't it obvious that I'm raving? hehe).
Here are snapshots of...
A call to choreographers: Great stunt to incorporate into your routine...don't you think? Just imagine the possibilities!
It's About Time...
It's about time...we wake up with a smile on our faces having in mind that today is a brighter day, a new beginning, a clean page to capture our day's adventures. Stand tall and proud as we go through every step and be thankful that we are still given another day to live.
It's about time...we stop and notice the little things around us, to appreciate even the minutest details of our surroundings--that when combined, produce a wonderful picture. We should realize that each piece is a part of a large puzzle we call our "world" and it has its own purpose.
It's about time...we affect someone's day by uttering a mere "Hello" or a simple "Have a nice day"--a powerful and effective way to spread optimism, a means of networking positive vibes across a vast population. We can never pay back; but we can always pay forward.
It's about time...we open our minds to new ideas, to accommodate change, to learn with every step we take as we unravel ourselves to the world. Growing as a person entails that we entertain (not necessarily accept) suggestions and keep them bookmarked for future references.
It's about time...we free ourselves of any emotional baggage that has been holding us back and pulling us down--and finally feel relieved, satisfied, liberated. We oftentimes feel burdened of unnecessary thoughts and worries that we tend to forget that the world is still moving.
It's about time...we make a difference in the world, to dream big, to strive to be better. Let it be known to everyone that we cease to have mediocre lives, that we have so much more to offer. "Great things start from small beginnings."
It's about time...we grab each opportunity we get to look into someone's eyes and sincerely say "I love you" paired with a hug and a kiss for there's no telling when the last chance will be...
