The Power of Two

It’s been awhile since I have tapped into my creative writing.. But thanks to the encouragement of Rahul who I knew through blogging a few years ago and again encouraged me to tap my inner thoughts this time for professional blogging but you know I can only do this much.. With free form.. To Zye who has prompted me to write at wordpress at flyinganemone.wordpress.com who has found her own bravery..

The bluer or even bluest sky is not far-fetched.. Life is a continuous process of learning and an element of time and change.. Funny how one finds light unexpectedly through mirrors and cat’s stare and even the gravity of a falling apple.. How funny it is to appreciate the scent of flowers, the stars, the waves and the skies and to wait for sunsets.. And to find healing through music, balance, dance, laughters and smiles.. Funny how to believe in the power of two and perhaps in the power of zero (0) which is an infinite number or even integer itself.. Funny to believe in numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5? Funny to believe in unshaken bridges and ropes.. And it has given me my own blue skies..

I recently looked back at my posts years ago.. I did look back to certain parts of it.. A lot of times, I didn’t want to fully look back for there were questions and prayers unanswered but to find answers sometimes we have to fully look back.. So I looked back even if some parts were nothing of a grimace.. My eyes have always been a mirror of souls and my senses a resonance of experiences that has succumbed to changes.. Even worldly matters did not matter much anymore and that surviving is not living itself and that dining is giving people my own time and moments are efforts.. and faith was not merely a handed down reason but a choice and an experience.. And it never failed to give me hope and yes again, blue skies..

So cheers to the journeys and travels to bluer and clearer skies where ever our paths may lead us.. the journey of the “I”, the journey of perfect imperfect two, the bridges of three?? four?? five??, etc. and even the infinity of zero (0).. and yes, the journey even of numbers and ropes and chains and links and fate and destiny.. Life will always be a bumpy or not so bumpy ride.. “But never fret, I will be here” and yes “Believe”..

Langit sa Lupa?: Ayaw ko nang Bughaw, Gusto ko ng Azul; Photo credits to Rhodze QF straight from Makati, Philippines

Seeing: When All Else is Lost

Have you fathomed the idea of ageing? Of how people grow old with only a mirror to turn to and realize that beauty fades… just like that… just at a glance? When that happens what will be left of that face? Of that complexion? Of that smile or even that dimple? Everything else fades but true nature doesn’t. So when you look at me and see only what is appealing to the eye then close your eyes and feel like you are blind. For what you see now is not what will always be. And I think I deserve more than a stare or looking at.

Two Roads to One

Two roads I fathom brightly. One that leads me to some place and moment in time. Two roads where one’s bliss is eternal. Two roads where love is immortal. Two roads that perhaps can be to forever. O, let me journey through that road. That road that may lead me to where destiny has brought me to. One road where I will fully succumb and accept wholly. I have chosen that one road. But that road may not be wise. That road maybe a bumpy ride. That road maybe a whirlwind or even a roller-coaster of emotions. That road may not be even a peaceful place. So I set my pace. Hard as it may seem. I will wait till my senses draws me to you or lest it drives a lunar case. But I will not falter! I will fight for that traveled road only if it will lead me to you. But wait, does that one road lead me to you? Or it will just be another dream i would fight for with futility? So now, I wake up in order to escape. Will I run as fast or just as slow? I know not the end of this. But I’m wishing against hope that it will lead me to you. For that one road I will not regret. That one road may not even be made of eternal bliss but only a second of joy. But that would be enough. It’s all I ask for…

Holding Back Through and Through

Holding back through Change. Let me bring back those memories. Though things will eventually change. Let the memory ring through. I have no other wish but to look back to that moment with you.

Drifting Away

A friend told me, “When we were young, we would be dipped in sea water for our parents believed that the water could drown our sickness and worries”.

This perhaps is true. As little children, we often find ourselves basking in fun every time we are drenched in sea water. As an adult and in my own experience, every time I get into the sea or seashore I forget all my worries. It seems I slowly drift away into my own serenity, my place, my peace.

This is what Tondaligan Beach, Pangasinan has made me feel. An ounce of renewed energy to make choices. A way to take in the smell of sea water. To take deep breaths and sighs. To inhale and exhale. To find that moment. To think. To find the beauty all that nature offers. To find landscapes and seascapes. To see sunrises and sunsets.

Whatever happens, I would be thankful. Thankful for you. I do not wish to let you go but to hold on even when hope is vague. But I have to set it aside for the fears consume me and reality is different from what I imagined it to be. I have thought of this because I was drifted away into serenity. But now that the seashore is beyond my reach, I realize even the sunrises and sunsets are no more with me.

But I am glad that there were sunrises and sunsets. So please take me this time to that shoreline and seascape. A place for drifting away… And I will do nothing else… But drift away with you…

Yes, I willingly would be drifting away….

Pangasinan Food Galore

 

They say, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. I say, “the way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach”! This explains all the time that I was gaining weight and I couldn’t help but laugh at the lousy me. A friend even doodled a pig beside my name (lol). I know it was just a joke of some sort. But I can’t help it, I do love food.

This time I went to Dagupan, Pangasinan for the Pigar-pigar. My judgment? It’s simply fine but couldn’t say I was fond of it. Anyway, I confess I’m not a beef fan! Couldn’t blame myself! But I enjoyed the company and the setting. Talk about tables on the sidewalks at night. What an eating adventure itself!

Pigar-pigar Palate

 

Street Food Bonding: Thrice is a Company

Next stop? The original Matutina’s in Tondaligan Beach. It was seafood and all! We tried the tempura, leche flan as desserts, kare-kare and fresh buko juice. It was quite heaven. We were full. We couldn’t stand!

Matutina’s: From the Inside

 

Beef Kare-kare (yummy!)

The Original Matutina’s: From the Outside

Eating Buddies: An Oddly Pair of Friends

Perhaps, An Explanation

“Change can happen fast”.

I recently attended a conference as part of my work. In the process, Dr. Licuanan – a Filipino Marine Biologist talked about Climate Change in passing and associated it with the recent typhoon/ storm surge “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan).

A possible explanation to the death toll that happened in Tacloban City is due to Climate Change. Typhoons are used to form in the Eastern part of the Philippines. But now, the typhoon originally came from the Western part of the Philippines – the Pacific Ocean which when viewed from a map is a big mass of water passing near the equator bringing in such heat so much that it became a storm surge. I am no expert in this, so you can rebut if you may. But from what I heard, when the sea bed becomes warm underneath, the water rises.

It seems that Tacloban, Leyte (one of the municipalities affected), was made of two gulfs adjacent to each other. This is perhaps why the winds move left to right and right to left bringing in the high waves which left the houses near coastlines damaged and worst, drowning people.

I have a friend who died in the storm surge with her husband. Her son is reportedly missing whom we do hope in some way could be found. “Geo” happens to be a musically inclined and affectionate person with an infectious laughter. She recently turned a year older before the said calamity struck. She even posted a happy post thanking those who greeted her. I wasn’t able to greet her. Soon, I heard she died.

I realize how short life really is, that one moment you can lose it. But I believe she lived a happy life. No matter what circumstances we are all in, we must strive to be happy just as she was. Sometimes, there’s no turning back and we must always savor each moment and be grateful for each waking day.

To you, “Geo”, “kudos” for having a well-lived life! We will miss you friend!

As for us living, life goes on and may we learn to live it to the fullest by helping others to advocate for good change and to protect our environment from Climate Change even in the simplest way we can.

I believe in the Filipino people, in everyone’s dreams and the goodness of all humanity.

In This Part of Town

In this part of town, I could be me. In this part of town, my heart could roam free. To be whisked away into solitude. To serenity, to friendship, to learning.

In this part of town, I saw light. That even the dimness could not elude. As beautiful as the sunrise and the sunset. A blooming flower.

In this part of town, I realized there wasn’t me at all. That there were others and you…

In this part of town, I wanted to stay… where things seem so simple

But I don’t belong here… Never will… never will be… or is it?

Lead Me

A church in Abra where my work leads me… a beautiful serenity in the midst of simplicity… truly a blessing to be here and realize the realities of life and feel blessed.

Sights from Bolinao, Pangasinan

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But in the case of Bolinao, Pangasinan in the Philippines beauty speaks for itself with every sunrise and sunset. You feel in awe with the sights and be thankful that you have the senses to see the beauty unfolding before you. Being close to the South China Sea at the stretch of the Lingayen Gulf, you’ll find that the calmer waters are a perfect place to rest your weary mind and soul. Taking a deep breath and smelling the sea breeze is pure relaxation in a busy world.

So live like it’s your last day everyday so that you will have no regrets. Walk the life, explore and have an adventure!”