heart matters

I am still elated from spending a night out with a special friend. I know that the feeling will later subside, but I will definitely keep it in my heart.

Sometimes, the things wish for does not seem to come. However, life can surprise us with little things that we have not really asked for. Those little things that are sweet and mean a lot.

I think I have learned the importance of living a moment. I think bit by bit I am learning to appreciate things simply as they come. Besides, life never gave guarantees. We are only left to hope that life will be good to us. Hope, yet do not expect.

someone to watch over me

There's a somebody I'm longin' to see
I hope that he, turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me

I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could, always be good
To one who'll watch over me

He may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key

Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me

my idea of heaven

I'll wait for the day I'll sing this. I'll wait for that person to whom i'll sing it to.
Maybe, on my wedding day...Why not,eh? :) (Did I just say that?..Ahmp!)

You (yes,you!), come find me.
Dare. I might just dare back.

obiter dictum

Obiter Dictum - Latin for a statement "said by the way"; a remark or observation made by a judge that, although included in the body of the court's opinion, does not form a necessary part of the court's decision.

Earlier tonight I had my first "actual" class in Torts and Damages. When I said "actual" class, it meant a normal class meeting for law students where their professors terrorize them with lots of questions, quizzing into what they have read and understand about the subject matter discussed. Once one's name is called for individual recitation, he or she is expected to answer them fairly, if not excellently. For a law student this phenomena may cause heart palpitations, occassional irregular heartbeats, increase in blood pressure, panic, hyperventilation, nausea and the like. ( I am exaggerating on some of those...Hehe) Immunization doesn't seem to be possible but frequent exposure can lessen the abovementioned side effects. I agree with this system though. It is as a gauge of how one has understood the subject matter and more importantly, through this one develops the skill to think on his/her toes and express her thoughts clearly. It likewise forces the student to study. Personally, the feeling can became very addictive. It hit me...tell you!

Well, that isn't really my topic for my blog. I am actually living by my title tonight. Hehe.

During the later part of the meeting, my professor started discussing the bar exams and the preparations for it. It was way off the discussion on negligence and proximate causes. But it was something I welcomed. Yes, we're still quite afar from finishing our JD degree but I agree when he said that bar preparations actually start the moment you first step on the portals of your law school. It's a long tedious process of reaching a dream. I was actually inspired on how he seemed to be very passionate about seeing, much more believing that we too can cross the bridge. He reminded us about focus and how to watch out for the pitfalls. He expounded that one earns his place in the roll of attorneys by hard work and God's grace and mercy. I understand these more than anything, since I had my shareof lessons on it. However, it is good to be reminded every now and then. :)

Perhaps the bar fever is still high since the list of new lawyers have just been recently released by the Supreme Court. Congratulations, new lawyers. I look up to you. Or also this is because the graduates of Batch 2007 are starting their review classes in preparation for the Bar Exams on September. (Good luck, guys!)

Bar and Torts may be off beat. However, just like in several decisions of the courts, discussions which may actually seem to be irrelevant to your case at hand, may actually illustrate and pin a point.

Sir, your obiter did. :)

missing the mountains

Scaling mountains is a feat but I love it, tell you! The last time I was atop one was more than a year. I usually take this time to reflect as I take each step up.

Haayy... I wonder when will I get to climb another grand land mass.

mt.pulag, benguet; feb 2006

atop mt. pulag @ around 7a

mt. batulao, batangas; january 2006

first day high

I just came from my first class for summer. Am back in law school! Yahoo! This is definitely thrilling me. I know it's gonna be hard as always but I every day that pass brings me closer to my dream.

I pray that for wisom and discipline. I know with that plus tons of hard work, I will get through.

Can't wait to work on my case digests...Hehe! (",)

excited divers goofing at starbux

faith walk

Today is Good Friday. As Catholics, we observed the remembrance of the Death of Jesus on the cross as His loving act of saving the whole mankind from sin. This is the greatest expression of God’s love showing each human person that He is willing to do anything even meet death for His love for each of us.

Yearly, I take this opportunity to have my personal retreat. I take some quiet time to reflect on where I am in life and to where I am headed. I look at the condition of my life and my heart. I speak to Jesus baring everything that is inside my heart and mind.

This is year is no different except for the fact that I get to meet my real self. For the previous years, I offer God highfaluting words which I thought express my worship and love. My faith was all in my head and I refused to be real before Him. But my God is patient, that even if he knew that I wasn’t presenting my real self He still meets me halfway.

My reflections this Lenten Season posed to me a harder challenge—that is to have a good look at my real self, and accept me with all its imperfections. Jesus have handed me a mirror for me to look at what is really beneath the surface I project. My heart is torn to know my real state! All these years, I know that I have been running away from the imperfections of myself. I suffered from the fear of rejection from others, thus, I cannot face the fact that I too cannot accept the person that I am.

I know that Jesus loves me, in spite of all my sins and weaknesses. I heard that Jesus still loves even those who are unlovable because He sees the beauty in each of us. I have seen Him accept those who were condemned. My walk of faith is feeble—I pray for more faith. More than that, I pray that I too learn to love myself just as Jesus does.

one lingering question

am i trying too hard?

san diego-alfonso nuptial

Two souls parted with those two words again--Trixie and Francis. As the wedding rite is being celebrated, I ask Berna, who was then seating beside me "How do you know if the person you're with is the one?". She wasn't able to give me an answer and my mind seemed to went blank. Maybe someday I would know, or yet, I would dare to find out for myself. Marriage is something that is scaring me right now. Perhaps, the Big C is too much for me yet.

But I am really happy for Trixie and Francis, that they have found each other. I pray that the good Lord showers them with all the sweet blessings of heaven. May they keep they're love alive through the years.

I love to quote the second reading lifted from 1 Corinthians 13. Trix and Francis, may you two love each other with this kind of love:

If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.

So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

irreplaceable

***Allow me to lash, just this bit...

Irreplaceble
Beyonce Knowles
listen: http://jishinka.multiply.com/music/item/8

To the left
To the left
To the left
To the left

Mmmm to the left, to the left,
Everything you own in the box to the left
In the closet, thats my stuff
Yes, if I bought it, then please don't touch (don't touch)

And keep talking that mess, thats fine
Could you walk and talk, at the same time?
And its my name thats on that jag
So go move your bags, let me call you a cab

Standing in the front yard, telling me
How I'm such a fool, talking 'bout
How I'll never ever find a man like you
You got me twisted

You must not know 'bout me
You must not know 'bout me
I could have another you in a minute
Matter fact, he'll be here in a minute (baby)

You must not know 'bout me
You must not know 'bout me
I can have another you by tomorrow
So don't you ever for a second get to thinkin'
You're irreplaceable

So go ahead and get gone
Call up that chick, and see if shes home
Oops I bet you thought, that I didn't know
What did you think
I was putting you out for?

Because you was untrue
Rolling her around in the car that I bought you
Baby, drop them keys
Hurry up, before your taxi leaves

Standing in the front yard, telling me
How I'm such a fool, talking 'bout
How I'll never ever find a man like you
You got me twisted

You must not know 'bout me
You must not know 'bout me
I could have another you in a minute
Matter fact, he'll be here in a minute (baby)

You must not know 'bout me
You must not know 'bout me
I'll have another you by tomorrow
So don't you ever for a second get to thinkin'
You're irreplaceable

So since I'm not your everything
How about I'll be nothing? nothing at all to you (nothing, nothing)
Baby i won't shed a tear for you (I won't shed a tear for you)
I won't lose a wink of sleep (a wink of sleep)
Cause the truth of the matter is (truth is)
Replacing you is so easy

To the left to the left
To the left to the left
MmmmmTo the left to the left
Everything you own in the box to left
To the left to the left
Don't you ever for a second get to thinking
You're irreplaceable

You must not know 'bout me
You must not know 'bout me
I could have another you in a minute
Matter fact, he'll be here in a minute (baby)
You must not know 'bout me
You must not know 'bout meI can have another you by tomorrow
So don't you ever for a second get to thinkin' (baby! hey yea

You must not know 'bout me
You must not know 'bout me
I could have another you in a minute
Matter fact, he'll be here in a minute (baby)
You can pack all your bags we're finished
Cause you made your bed now lay in it
I could have another you by tomorrow
Don't you ever for a second get to thinkin'
You're irreplaceable

into the deep

I just started my diving lessons. This is something that I have never thought I would be daring to do considering my fear of the open waters. I know how to swim but I also had my share of stories about people being taken by the big blue sea.

So, I mustered myself and off we went to Puerto Galera. We spent several days learning the principles and the technical skills needed to explore the underwater. (Well, the skills are basically to keep yourself safe in an unfamiliar place. )

When I finally get my chance to dive into the deep, I was amazed with the life down under. Colors are surprisingly vibrant and the fishes are all over. It was as if I was swimming inside a huge aquarium, only this time, this is real. Life is so beautiful and God has made an earth for us to enjoy.

We do still need to finish our lessons since we have to abort several dives because of the current. Anilao, here we come... =)

missing PAI

I'm starting to get the feel of not having work. It's fun. Exciting too since I will be doing something I've always wanted. Liberating, however getting used to doing something day in and out for a year gets you to miss it when it's practically gone.


More than anything I miss the people that I've got the chance to work with (and kid on the side...hehe)

I'll see you still guys...

cargo:

you made my stay more fun. really...=) thanks...

(i'll be uploading more pics...I just have to look for them in my desktop.)

according to jessica zafra

I got this from Kat Quijano, who used to be one of the EB members of UCSC and whom I have found to have very sound political opinions. The article below is from Jessica Zafra on how to vote and I totally agree to this. (Plus, I love Jessica Zafra's style of writing. Great.)

How to Vote
by jessica zafra

It’s really very simple.

Do not bedaunted by the sheer number of candidates vying for your vote. The fact that there are so many candidates does not mean there are too many choices, only the appearance of choice. I mean, look at them. By a simple process of elimination you can figure out whose names land in your ballot. Bear in mind that the desire to serve your country, no matter how sincere,does not in itself make you fit to hold public office. I want to play in a Wimbledon final, but am prevented by my total lack of tennis-playing ability. As for popularity, it is a qualification for winning elections,but not for doing the job (or knowing what it is). In the absence of a real party system, you have to look at the individuals. Here is a partial list ofthe candidates you cannot vote for.

A. Flaming idiots. That should get rid of at least half, and I’m being charitable.
B. The illiterate and ignorant.
C. The demonstrably inept.
D. The obviously corrupt.
E. Mayoral and gubernatorialcandidates with no managerialexperience whatsoever.
F. Senatorial wannabes and congressional aspirants who have no idea what the Constitution is.
G. Candidates with no actual plan.

You’ll find it is a very short list. Yes, we all wish we could elect thebest that the nation has to offer, butoften we have to settle for the leastatrocious of a disastrous lot.

manny pacquio in congress

Last night, I just heard from the news flash that Manny Pacquiao have finally decided to run for Congress. I do not know how to react on that, but I was trouble by the fact that he had give in into the pressure that the "Trapo’s" have been giving him.

While the other week, I read in the newspaper that Cesar Montano is in fact running for Senate too. I adore Cesar’s prowess of acting and directing. I love to see him on silver screen. However, my insides cringe by the thought of seeing him debate on the Higher House’s podium. I would know this is no drama.

The Philippine Political arena has really grown to be a circus. It was been dominated by people from the entertainment industry and the like. I strongly disagree to this, although I do not discount the fact that they too can contribute a lot to address the pressing concerns of our countrymen. I disagree because I feel that most of the opportunists are taking advantage of them as their "poster boys and girls" to perpetrate their evil plans. More so, I am not confident as to their skills in handling national concerns. I do believe that in their heart of hearts that they too have the desire to serve our motherland. But sometimes, desire is not enough to get things done. Skills are also imperative.

I love our country, The Philippines and it crushes my heart to see that the choices I have for my leaders to whom I can entrust my rights to are incredible. I value democracy and good governance. It just pains me more to know that these concepts seem oblivious to most.

I do not want to lose hope.

Hong Kong

My HK trip last 04-06 March, was a blast! We opted not to join the guided tour and it was definitely a totally different experience! We are actually left to oursleves to go around, ride the MTR, walk around the city and find our way to the various destinations we wanted to see.

Ernest's familiarity of the city helped a lot, but the thrill of using the map and figuring out which train station to take is definitely something I enjoyed. I am a traveller. Travelling is definitely a thrill, so what we had for those three days was really some I loved.

We went to Ocean Park, Victoria Peak, Disneyland and A LOT of stores! HK is famous for shopping and we did a lot of that. Sale is sale and I spent some dollars on that. The food was great too. Authentically Chinese...hehe!
More than anything, I did enjoy the company of the people I was with--Pinky, Ernest, Iona, Tina and Ellen.

Till next trip, guys!

next attraction

I will be posting my next entry soon...

HK Trip account coming next.

Please hang on.

hues and shades

a sense of belonging

I dropped by my former school's campus after a cup of coffee with some officemates. There has actually been a lot that has changed--more commercial establishments, new buildings, and faces I barely recognize. Basically, everything new, except for the memories that I kept. There wasn't any sting of nostalia whatsoever, but I just realized how I seem not to fit in it anymore. For the first time, it dawned to me that I no longer belong here. Even if the environment still seems to welcome me, I knew I should be somewhere else. Finally, I have grown from the school girl that I was to a more mature woman that I am now.

I have practically grown up in UST, not mention I was born there. And even though I deny it, it has shaped me who I am. Am proud to be Thomasian and a Dominican at that. However, a year of being detached from "home", gave me new eyes to see with--a new sense of being. My experience outside the confined walls of my alma mater gave me a broader vision of things, which made me appreciate life better. I realized that life is sweeter when you dare to taste it's bitterness; that when you dare what you think weakens you, you eventually becomes strong; that strangers can be nicer than I had perceived them to be. When I sent myself out of the shelter of my university campus, it meant a great deal to me. I was REALLY out of it. All these years, I thought that life is all about my university and what's happening in it . I failed to see what is beyond. I failed to see reality. All these years, my university life was reality--a reality which I kept so dear, that I actually do not want to let go of. Memories that I relieve now and ever. However, in life, everything just keeps on changing. I was afraid, but I knew my visit tonight assured me that I am ready to move out there. UST is sending me out with all its blessings, knowing that I was groomed to be great, because she prepared me to be one. I hope not to fail her.

I knew that I belonged in the school I practically lived in. But now, I realized I belong to a bigger world. Much more than the perimeter of my university campus. I now am growing up.

way back into love

Finally…my post for “Music and Lyrics”.

I know this has been long overdue. There are just a lot that got into the way that kept me from sitting down and tick on my computer.

The movie was ok. Not really something you’ll go gaga about. It’s one of your feel good movies featuring the handsome Hugh Grant (who by the way sings very well. Stop me, am falling more and more!) and the charming Drew Barrymore. The plot is about a struggling former boy band member, who was forced to come up with a song for a blossoming weirdo pop icon. He later worked on this with his plants water-er. Later they started liking each other and eventually they fell in love. Typical.

But more than anything, I love the OST! “Way Back Into Love” is a blast! I was hooked on it for a week, tell you. It’s the only track playing on my MP3 player. I even invited some of my girl officemates to join my obsession. I lent them my CD (Yes, I bought one!) I send out its mp3 through Bluetooth to almost everybody who asked for it. Waah! Well, for one, I just realized that the words of the song said those I cannot actually say. That’s it.

For your pleasure, you can read through the lyrics and listen to it through my Multiply site. Enjoy.

I've been living with a shadow overhead

I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed

I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on

I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need em again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love Oh oh oh

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere

I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not just somebody just to get me throught the night
I could use some direction
And I'm open to your suggestions

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end

There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way
I feel I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
And if you help me to start again
You know that I'll be there for you in the end