Reflections

WAVES: Our thoughts, feelings, pain, happiness and our ultimate selves are like the waves, arising and passing, coming and going. And so, we ride the wave while it lasts and celebrate the wonderful temporality.  As I watch the ocean waves I am reminded of the natural law of passing and perishing ---it brought in me the inner command of gratitude, equanimity and surrender. To be free of desire and free of aversion, to fathom the beauty and wisdom of impermanence.

In quantum physics, we learn that we are actually like light particles. We are made of tiny particles waves, there is no real solidity and permanence of objects. Even the ego, that which we refer to as 'I' is illusory. It is asked: How can one be miserable if this is the case of the world? Seems easy to understand in the intellectual level but we can't help but be lulled into the daily affairs of the world to take this in as a different perspective. After all, we experience the world beyond the physical plane and we are born and raised to the conditions we are in.

There is so much to learn in this world and life, but in our lifetime, we experience and witness deep suffering. But as I learned from the ocean waves, so long as one observes, remain aware with equanimity and wisdom of surrender, one will be capable of overcoming suffering.

My Insight: One moment of equanimity to the next is liberation moment to moment. The path of liberation is not in the past nor future. It is always in the present. Liberation is thought by thought, non-thought to non-thought, breath by breath, moment to moment.

Post Meditation Retreat

The year ended right when I finally got the slot in Vipassana Meditation Philippines. I'm very grateful to all the people volunteering and investing to help people with their spiritual practice for free! The 10-day retreat (with no contact with the external world, and even to other students) made me realize a number of things...from the mundane to the deep spiritual ones haha. Sharing with you some random thoughts, reflections and ideas when all I did was talk to myself 24/7 for 10 days:

here you go:

Kahit na damihan mo ng palaman, ang sunog na tinapay, mapait parin siya

Kahit nasa pusod ka ng kabundukan, may nagpapatugtog parin ng napalakas na speakers habang nag mediate ka (at emo playlist pa)

Be tidy in eating fruits (I eat like a child haha), kasi kapag nangamoy orange o ponkan ka, pagpipiyestahan ka ng insekto while you are meditating (bawal ka pa naman galaw ng galaw haha)

How much you put in the meditation practice is how much you can take from it

When you randomly smile without a reason, you know you are healing and getting better

A monk/nun's way of life is very humbling

My Top Ten Workout Songs

Sometimes our lazy asses get in the way of our workout plans and at times we tend to lack enthusiasm in exercising because of the weather. Good thing I've figured out for myself how I can motivate myself better. This is not a new idea, however. Aerobics programs have long incorporated music in their classes. Music induces fun and makes the struggle in holding dumbells, balls and sticks against gravity less burdensome. The rhythm and the beat can better replace the dry counting. So I think generally, music, like a drug, improves performance.

Aside from Aerobics, Striptease (or aero-striptease) is another fitness activity that relies on music. I learned that in Striptease, you have to find the right song for the right moves and mood. Yes, I've tried striptease aerobics and it is actually fun. However, I was looking for something that can do more than burn my calories and fats. (And something that doesn't require 'strip' props). I want something that is centered on myself, not to some 'audience'. Simply, I needed a strengthening program since it has always been my goal to be a SURVIVOR (haha! whatever that means!). I enjoyed the striptease stint (since I prefer it more than aerobics and it made my senior year in college remarkable) but I don't think my warm up routine and Kihon would fit strip songs. :P

So here, I'm sharing my top 10 workout songs:

1. PASSIVE - A Perfect Circle

I dunno about you, but when I work out, I always think that I am preparing for some battle. I definitely like this dark and haunting song. It is slow but powerful. I play this when I do my stretching and imagine my enemy lurking somewhere near me. Haha..So I consider this a good song to rev up my energy. Anyway, this is the kind of a song you sing to an 'enemy'. I think it can give good motivation whether your enemy is another peron or yourself.

2. PULL ME UNDER - Dream Theater

With all the blasting instruments, I surely enjoy working out in this one! This is one of my favorite DT songs. Every beat and bang of the drum, plus the electrifying guitar riffs can take you to a whole new level of working out..WHEW! The long 'instrumetals' are awesome. I play this twice when I exercise and that is equivalent to almost 20 minutes. Emotionally, this song sets me in a 'fighter' mode with the "pull me under, pull me under..I am not afraid" mantra chorus.

3. I'LL MAKE A MAN OUT OF YOU - Mulan Soundtrack

The only Disney song in my list. haha. This is one of the greatest songs for me. Mulan has always been my fave and I watched it maybe 10 times now. This song was played while their team prepared for a battle against the Huns. Whenever I hear this, I remember how Mulan survived the death defying training. Mulan is one of the fictional characters I truly admire. This song inspires me A LOT. "Mysterious as the dark side of the moon..." reminds me that in a battle, you have to overwhelm your opponent by being swift, unpredictable and mysterious. (but then it' so hard to do!) And with this song, I always remember my Sensei. I think of his encouragements and his faith in our team..and the times I think I've become a disappointment to him. Maybe if he has a song for us, it'll be THIS. You know that feeling when you badly want to make someone you adore and respect so much proud??? Well, this song gets me really sentimental but at the same time gives me the drive and courage.

4. ENTER SANDMAN - Metallica

Do i need to explain?

5. SHUT UP AND LET ME GO - The Ting Tings

I like the danceable beat of this song plus the accent of the singer. This is the only song in my list that is sung by a woman. As you can see, the title simply spells ANGST. Angst towards love or a former love?! haha. I guiltily find pleasure in this song because of the lyrics. In a way, it is empowering haha.

6. SHOW ME HOW TO LIVE - Audioslave

Feeling sweaty and while listening to the bass line of this song is quite an experience haha. And hearing Chris Cornell.........WAAAA.A great interlude.

7. HARUKA KANATA - Naruto

I don't understand this song at all since it is in Japanese, but I get fueled by the energy contained in it.I love the guitar riffs and bass lines. Like a ninja-in-training I tell myself; 'more sweat in training, less blood in battle'.

8. IRISH BLOOD ENGLISH HEART - Morrissey

This anthemic song is surprisingly on my list. I dunno, there's a magic in this song that pushes me to MOVE!!! This is a very powerful song with biting lyrics and it sets me and my idealism on FIIIRE.XD

9. BLOOD RED SUMMER - Coheed and Cambria

This upbeat and fun song relaxes me (by now, you see that my whole workout theme is aggression hahaha). It's not a rage-with-me song but a refreshing one given the smooth voice of Claudio. So this is a good 'transition' song to cooling down and/or taming down :))

10. DOSED - Red Hot Chili Pepper

I love this song. This is a perfect 'cooling' down song for me... Best to hear "lay on, lay on, lay on, lay on..."after executing a rigorous routine. Relaxing sad song...plus I love the harmony :)

Audioslave's Like a Stone Violin cover

Don't judge me! I'm not a pro and this is just for fun :D

I just learned the violin and it is not even a year since I started learning it.

Vibrato is not even part of our lesson yet, but I needed to teach that to myself for the chorus. Nyahaha.

There were crappy parts at the end because I got lost having NO special effects. (or due to the lack of advance bowing techniques that I haven't learned yet). Tom Morello's electric guitar is CRAZY. I have no way of doing his godly tricks.

Well, I only played this by ear. No sheets.

Audioslave is one of my fave bands!!! This song has great melody and musical language so I thought of playing this in violin...

As soon as I learn new techniques I'll post a BETTER and complete cover and try to translate Tom Morello's guitar magic to the violin.

For now, this is the best the gets :P

Here's the original:

Book Sale

I'm selling some of my books :) You might like one for a cheaper price!

Anyway, these photos are the actual condition of the books.

I'll post some more but for now, here they are:

The Great Political Theories P180.00

Leviathan P160

Chinese Cinderella P160

Foucault's Pendulum P160

The Peloponnesian war P100.00

Women Who run with the Wolves P230.00

Great Science Fiction Stories (^ back) P70.00

*** Anansi Boys P60.00

***Fragile Things P180.00

Art of War P350

*** = SOLD

If you want to order just email me at my_mymaydaymayhem@yahoo.com

or text 09278596287

meet up at SM North/Trinoma/UP Campus/Timog/Tomas Morato

First time!

I made my own garment for the first time out of a whim! :) I was bored.. and then I saw these fabrics at home. Anyway, my only experience in dressmaking were the good 'ol high school days when we had to do some Home Economics projects. So, I'm not a pro. I only made Headpieces/headbands before, but now I tried something bigger that can fit my body :D

I'm so happy to have finished it! It took me two and a half days. I didn't use patterns and stuffs. I also didn't sketch it (lazy me haha). I took techniques from the clothes in my closet and I only had a plan in mind which I didn't even follow. I did (cut & designed) this spontaneously. I mixed Royal blue and velvet black for a classic effect.


 I labored soooo much for this! I stitched this myself. I wish I have a sewing machine :/

P.S. Sorry that I can't find a model to sport my garment because I measured this according to my own unique size :P
and girls, If you can't find my eyebrows >.< ..It was too hot and I'm too lazy to put make up on

                                                               I wore mother of pearl necklace to finish the classic vibe.

                                                            the midrib wrap around black ribbon (should have been longer haha)

"Apart"

I was about to delete my multiply account when I found this HAHA.
I wrote and recorded this song four years ago :)

Now Im thinking of changing some parts and try to improve it. Watcha think? :) haha
nakaka LSS pala..paulitulit XD

APART Lyrics:

I've set you apart..and its draining my heart.

The winter is out..now im writing a song, writing a song for us
The chill is gone. Now I'm ready again, ready again for love

I've set you apart..and its draining my heart.

We play on the field of my heart..
We'll lose OR fight OR not..

We begin with a memory of a fall.
It is the curtain call.
it is the matter of all.

I've set you apart...and it draining my heart n times.lol