A reminder that we're all human. Thank you PO1 Joselito Sevilla

I started writing this blogpost yesterday when I was extremely frustrated by the customer service of Globe. I wasn't able to finish it because I didn't want to seem to harsh or mean. So I let a day pass and tried to get my emotions in check. But then again I guess God has different plans for me today. As I was browsing through my FB timeline this afternoon I come across this link shared by a friend and it made me realize, I shouldn't really fret about the small things. Let me share with you the link that I am referring to... The Crying Cop

Everyday I try to be mindful of at least one thing in my life that I am thankful for. It keeps me grounded and sane and it makes me remember that I am indeed extremely blessed. Yesterday wasn't such a good day for me. I had a horrible time getting service from Globe. We've all had our share of horror stories and hair-pulling-extremely-annoying instances that as consumers we can only hope gets better. But then again reading that story made me realize how menial my problems and frustrations really are. Everything has to be put in perspective. However, I do admit that I am only human and there really are instances where in you loose your temper. I may look like I'm perfect but I'm really not. Hahaha, since it's my blog I have free reign and I say so. 

But let me put in my 2 cents worth on the crying cop. I am a firm believer of free speech but I am also a firm believer of respect. You can't have one without the other. I respect that some people who feel that they are oppressed have the right to go on the streets and march in protest to get themselves heard. But have they not heard of a peaceful protest? Sometimes it seems as if the ultimate goal of these protesters are to come into physical blows with the people who are trying to maintain order and safety. How do they expect to be heard when they themselves do not know how to listen. I know how frustrating it can become when you feel as though you have no voice and it will reach a point where in you will feel the need to take up arms. But what has that ever achieved? I remember a talk I had with an aunt a long time ago about being an activist. She used to be one in college and then she said she stopped because there came a point wherein she realized that she really did not know what they were rallying against, it seemed as though their only goal was to rally. Those words stuck with me. I wonder how many of those people actually know what their cause is, what do they want to achieve, what they are fighting for? I hope one day they realize that there are better ways of getting answers, there are better ways of being heard, there are more peaceful, more proactive, more productive ways that they can do aside from going into the streets armed with rocks and sticks itching for a chance to hurt someone. There is no solution in violence.

To the police officer who reminded us of the hardships and sacrifice they do to keep us safe, saludo ako sayo. Thank you PO1 Joselito Sevilla for being human enough for all of us. For standing there and keeping calm despite the crazy that was going on. Thank you for being unwavering in duty despite being there for 2 days without sleep, rest or food. Thank you for your service and your good work. Thank you for serving as an inspiration and a reminder that we can all become better people. You are a hero in my book.

I hope that when I'm having a bad day and I don't get the service that I want right away I remember that on the other side of the phone call or table or barricade, whatever it may be, is a human being and he too might not be having the best day.

Photos taken from Rem Zamora.

Love...paying it forward.

I was having a conversation with the bu last night on they way home and I realized just how lucky I am to have him in my life. You see, our situation recently has been less than ideal. I can't say anything more than that. If we're close enough, you would know without having to ask, if you don't know, well then, that's just that, you weren't meant to know.

I realized that the way to truly love someone is to trust them to be the best person they can be and in the process, learn from them as they learn from you. I have had to grow up real fast in the last couple of years. I had to be the responsible one, although I do recognize that there is so much more growing up that needs to be done. I learned how to survive, I learned how to support, I learned of the realities of life and having to figure out how to get through them. I went through a rough patch. I went through a crazy time and it's something that I'm not proud of. But I'm blessed to have someone who was there for me in the end. I am loved and for that I am lucky.

Love is allowing growth. Giving enough space to breathe but knowing that you'll always be there. When i first started thinking of things to post. I had tons of ideas...but it all boiled down to one. When you have people who love you and support you, everything is possible. And whatever the world may think of you, it shouldn't matter.

I feel sad thinking that somewhere out there people don't have what I have, support, family, friends. It's hard to think about it but it's reality. Not everyone is lucky enough. When I am able, I will hopefully be able to help. Think of ways to spread the love. We all should. Think of this way, if we all supported a stranger, at least one random stranger everyday, won't we have a more happy and peaceful world. Now...to get a movement started. Won't that be something.

The pay it forward idea is nothing new, but it's something taken for granted. So today, let me try it. I will do something nice for a stranger and hope to God that whoever that person may be, they do the same thing for the next stranger they meet. :)

Here's to the hope of a better tom! :)

The Human Camera: Steven Wiltshire

The bu showed me a video this evening. It was of a savant, a rare condition in which people with developmental disorders have one or more areas of expertise, ability, or brilliance that are in contrast with the individual's overall limitations, who drew a 5 yard detailed panoramic picture of Rome. It was amazing. You have to see it.

Our society does not understand the world of those who are special. :) This is an amazing preview of how a savant adult can wow the world. Take a moment to watch him...



I have a soft spot for children with autism. When I was a college student I decided that I would try preschool for my practicum. I was a psychology major and this was one of the options for those in our course. I fell in love with the children from the first step I took into the classroom. It was amazing.

Then I graduated and decided I would become a preschool teacher. If you knew back when I myself used to be a student you would never have seen this coming. I was the worst student ever. My teachers had the hardest time with me. But in the end, this just made me appreciate them more.

In my first teaching job at a high end international preschool I used to be a shadow teacher for a highly functioning autistic child. He was 7 although at that time his mental age was probably around 3-4. He had trouble speaking and feeling skin sensations. You had to hold him tightly and brush his arms to calm him down. You had to speak to him the way you would speak to a 3 year old, you had to be more patient. It was hard. It was painful, I remember being sick one day and I was sitting with him and he stood up, walked to a far place and ran back towards me, I was so excited only to feel a remarkably heavy hand hit me right smack in the middle of my head. Working with Special Children had it's disadvantages, especially for the thin weak teachers like me. But what made me fall in love with teaching was the fact that one day, while waiting for his other classmates to come in...my little boy spoke his first full sentence on his own. It was amazing, I was nearly in tears. You see all your hardwork pay off and then everything you had to go through just melted away. All that mattered was that I was there, he was there and I helped him learn.

Sadly, I'm not teaching anymore although it is something I terribly miss. I miss my students who have made me fall in love with them. I miss my favorites who despite their naughtiness are the sweetest, smartest things God has ever put in this world. My only wish is that one day, everyone get to experience what it's like to live like a child. Carefree and innocent. :)

Giants...

When I was growing up I looked up to my parents. They were my heroes. They did everything the right way. They made the best decisions. They were everything I wanted to be when I grow up. That's still the case, except for the growing up part since I really do think I am grown up. Most of the time. :)

But through the years I've met people whom I have grown to admire. People who amaze me with the way they lead their lives. They do so many things and yet they're still grounded. They're still...human. :)

Let me give you a couple examples.

There's Patricia Bermudez-Hizon. :) I super love how she's such a full time mom. She's really involved with her kids. That's two boys but above that she still has this NGO that she started and continues to run. She also supports this orphanage full on. She's a sportscaster, a host. She owns a travel agency and she can do events. Aside from that, she has a big heart that's always willing to give. See, just listing all that down, whew. What more if you were living it. Then you get to meet her in person. She's super down to earth. The only time she ever brags is when she talks about her kids and it's not bragging, it's just being proud.

Then there's my cousin Nikki. She's living her dream. She's travelling, going to all these places and getting paid to do it. She has a wonderfully smart daughter who's hilarious! :) She's 2 but talks to you like she's 20. She's amazingly intuitive, much like her mom when she was growing up. I can't explain it, but in my generation, she's the one to look up to.

Then on the other hand...there are these people who are just well, not like them. Have you ever met someone who makes himself feel better by making others feel bad? They're not fun to be around. It's pretty tiring actually. I really do not understand the need to belittle anyone. If you were any good at whatever it is that you're saying then you don't need to talk about it, it will just show.

I'm not talking about any one person in particular, mind you. It was just a mere observation. I've met these kinds of people, a lot of them and sometimes I can't help but think how sad it must be to live a life where you always have to prove yourself.

One thing I'll remember when I have kids of my own is to show them to have pride in what they accomplish but to do so humbly because in the end, those who are too proud will find no one to brag to when everyone has grown tired of the same old story. :)

Inspiration from the most unlikely places...

Today while waiting in line at the supermarket I came across someone that reminded me that I should always be thankful of what God has blessed me with. There's a story behind this. Let me explain...

There was one time I was on the way home from work when I saw a guy who came from a construction site. There was nothing out of the ordinary about him except that he looked like he was almost 70. I do not exaggerate. He really looked like he should be enjoying his life and not working himself to the bone. I have this belief that people should be able to enjoy their lives when they're older. I also have this belief that people should be given the chance to make their lives better and not have to live from hand to mouth. How can someone who earns minimum wage support a family, give his kids a good education and save for the future? It's a sad reality that we must live in this state and I keep hoping that someday things will change.

That's when I realized that's something that I want to do. I admit I am in no position right now to do anything for them. I have to concentrate on getting myself a job first then help my family then I can help others. :) But I promise that I will do something, no matter how small that something may be, I will do something. :)

I haven't quite figured out what I want to do with my life but I know I want to do something to give others the opportunity to make a better life for themselves. I will get there.

For now I am glad to be reminded that I am lucky. Despite the problems and the hardships I am lucky and very blessed. Thank you God for everything! :) I am learning to not take anything for granted. :)

Inspiration

Going through some blogs of friends I found new inspiration. :) To go out and do what I want. I am jealous of the fact that they have figured out what they want to do and they're actually doing what they can to get it. I admit, I am still lost.

I have yet to figure out what I want to do with my life. But as I do that, I know that God will show me what it is He wants me to do with my life to best serve Him. :)

To get things moving, I started with a list of things that I want to be able to do by the end of this year. Some of which I have already been able to accomplish,the others are well on their way. :)

So cheers to my friends who serve as inspirations. Congratulations on your new lives. Kudos on your bravery and sense of adventure. I will get there soon! :)