Thursday, June 28, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
three cities, three resettings
i have three scheduled hearings this week and strangely, all were reset.
my first scheduled hearing this week was last monday morning in caloocan. the week started great since it was raining. i didnt really mind if i was wearing three layers of clothing as long as its cold. i didnt care if i get mud on my shoes as long as its cold. anyway, my court hearing there was reset because the judge wasnt available. he had some medical concerns to attend to which is understandable because of his age. i was glad to hear of the resetting because this case was recently assigned to me and it was my first time to attend it. this means im not familiar with the case yet.
as for my second scheduled hearing, which was yesterday afternoon in manila, i was constrained to postpone it because my witness was not available. again, medical reasons due to old age. unfortunately this time, there was no hint of rain. just the scorching heat of the merciless sun. i really hate warm to hot weather.
then my third scheduled hearing today in QC was similar to my court hearing yesterday. i requested for a resetting because my witness did not show up.
i didnt mind the resettings actually. it gave me time to rest since in between hearings, there's a lot of office work to be done (pleadings to be filed). but thats the sad thing about it, that court hearing resetting have turned into an opporunity to rest.
my first scheduled hearing this week was last monday morning in caloocan. the week started great since it was raining. i didnt really mind if i was wearing three layers of clothing as long as its cold. i didnt care if i get mud on my shoes as long as its cold. anyway, my court hearing there was reset because the judge wasnt available. he had some medical concerns to attend to which is understandable because of his age. i was glad to hear of the resetting because this case was recently assigned to me and it was my first time to attend it. this means im not familiar with the case yet.
as for my second scheduled hearing, which was yesterday afternoon in manila, i was constrained to postpone it because my witness was not available. again, medical reasons due to old age. unfortunately this time, there was no hint of rain. just the scorching heat of the merciless sun. i really hate warm to hot weather.
then my third scheduled hearing today in QC was similar to my court hearing yesterday. i requested for a resetting because my witness did not show up.
i didnt mind the resettings actually. it gave me time to rest since in between hearings, there's a lot of office work to be done (pleadings to be filed). but thats the sad thing about it, that court hearing resetting have turned into an opporunity to rest.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
more rain!
well, at least a colder weather.
last night, i asked the heavens, "where are my rainy mornings?" like i was entitled to it. well, i woke up to a rainy morning and it was...good enough. i wanted rainy mornings because i want a colder weather but this morning, despite the rain, it was still annoyingly warm. i was even complaining during lunch that the rainy season is here but it still feels like summer. a wet and warm summer.
i really wish it was thirty times colder. of course, those who come from countries with colder climates would tell me that i have no idea what im asking for. sigh. i just really want a colder climate. i hate sweat and dehydration.
last night, i asked the heavens, "where are my rainy mornings?" like i was entitled to it. well, i woke up to a rainy morning and it was...good enough. i wanted rainy mornings because i want a colder weather but this morning, despite the rain, it was still annoyingly warm. i was even complaining during lunch that the rainy season is here but it still feels like summer. a wet and warm summer.
i really wish it was thirty times colder. of course, those who come from countries with colder climates would tell me that i have no idea what im asking for. sigh. i just really want a colder climate. i hate sweat and dehydration.
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
i should eat ice cream more often
while eating korean ice cream in front of a korean minimart, i saw an old man with a basketful of yema. he was selling it. i can imagine him waking up very early in the morning to prepare it. or maybe not. in any case, seeing him made me think. here's a man, selling a food item which isnt high on demand, walking from one street to another, under the intense heat of the sun or pouring rain, peddling his yema from one establishment to another, just to earn enough money to allow him to survive. or feed his family if he has one. he will probably earn, if he's lucky to sell any of his home made product, such amount that is almost equivalent to my lunch today. the cost of my lunch can feed him for an entire day. or even maybe a family of three.
life is unfair and life has its reasons. well, God has His reasons. but my atheist self is saying, isnt this proof there is no God? i call a part of myself as my atheist self, the one who prefers to be called as that someone filled with doubt rather than skepticism. i keep him around because he's useful and nice to talk to.
going back, life being unfair is not proof there is no God. it is proof how limited human comprehension is.
bullshit my atheist self retorts. how can God allow such inequality to exist? how can He allow such suffering?
i reply, but you only see things that are right in front of you. with so little information, how can you make a valid assessment of matters that go into running an entire universe? you dont know this man's past or his future. you dont know whether things will get better or worse for this man or whether he was previously better off. you only see a man selling something of little value, earning so little in order to continue struggling to survive and compare this so called poor man's life to someone who lives conveniently. how can you reduce God and His ways to something so simplistic?
atheist self answers its not simplistic. its a harsh reality and its a fact multiplied a million times over. its a global occurence in a God forsaken world.
i responded that multiplying it a million times over is oversimplifying matters. life is filled with shades of gray and there is an almost infinite number of external matters to take into consideration to make a valid assessment of how unfair life is. it is idiotic to put God in the picture when our tiny little brains cant even grasp matters beyond ourselves. we are confined by our senses, by our knowledge, by our biases, etc. to be able to validly argue about the existence or non-existence of God, to evaluate whether life is truly unfair, one must go beyond these mortal limitations and try to see the picture the way a god will see things.
convenient excuse my atheist self answers back. its an excuse to allow myself to sleep comfortably at night.
well, thats why there's faith. it tries to fill up what reason cant possibly supply. and thats why there's enlightenment. enlightenment makes you see the beauty hidden in this ugly world. once you see that beauty, once you see that, despite that man appears to be suffering, in the grand design or order of things, life is nevertheless beautiful and that man's existence, although unfortunate, has reason and purpose. and sometimes, a brief moment of intense of happiness is enough to last a lifetime. who are you to say that the man selling yema has not already experienced the time of his life and thus, "ahead" or more fortunate over millions of people living conveniently whose lives are haunted by an empty or guilt-filled existence? he could have found the love of his life and just being with her is enough. or just having a kid he can send to school is enough. happiness and contentment are relative. thus, seeing a man under such unfortunate conditions is not proof there is no God. inequalities have its purpose. and sometimes, we dont even fully grasp what inequality means. to simplify matters using such shallow comparisons is to insult the operation of the universe and God's wisdom. i dont think this is a "convenient excuse" to be able to sleep at night. its a way of seeing things and not being bound by common conceptions of God makes this plausible.
then i finished eating my ice cream, stopped thinking about non-law stuff and went back to the office.
life is unfair and life has its reasons. well, God has His reasons. but my atheist self is saying, isnt this proof there is no God? i call a part of myself as my atheist self, the one who prefers to be called as that someone filled with doubt rather than skepticism. i keep him around because he's useful and nice to talk to.
going back, life being unfair is not proof there is no God. it is proof how limited human comprehension is.
bullshit my atheist self retorts. how can God allow such inequality to exist? how can He allow such suffering?
i reply, but you only see things that are right in front of you. with so little information, how can you make a valid assessment of matters that go into running an entire universe? you dont know this man's past or his future. you dont know whether things will get better or worse for this man or whether he was previously better off. you only see a man selling something of little value, earning so little in order to continue struggling to survive and compare this so called poor man's life to someone who lives conveniently. how can you reduce God and His ways to something so simplistic?
atheist self answers its not simplistic. its a harsh reality and its a fact multiplied a million times over. its a global occurence in a God forsaken world.
i responded that multiplying it a million times over is oversimplifying matters. life is filled with shades of gray and there is an almost infinite number of external matters to take into consideration to make a valid assessment of how unfair life is. it is idiotic to put God in the picture when our tiny little brains cant even grasp matters beyond ourselves. we are confined by our senses, by our knowledge, by our biases, etc. to be able to validly argue about the existence or non-existence of God, to evaluate whether life is truly unfair, one must go beyond these mortal limitations and try to see the picture the way a god will see things.
convenient excuse my atheist self answers back. its an excuse to allow myself to sleep comfortably at night.
well, thats why there's faith. it tries to fill up what reason cant possibly supply. and thats why there's enlightenment. enlightenment makes you see the beauty hidden in this ugly world. once you see that beauty, once you see that, despite that man appears to be suffering, in the grand design or order of things, life is nevertheless beautiful and that man's existence, although unfortunate, has reason and purpose. and sometimes, a brief moment of intense of happiness is enough to last a lifetime. who are you to say that the man selling yema has not already experienced the time of his life and thus, "ahead" or more fortunate over millions of people living conveniently whose lives are haunted by an empty or guilt-filled existence? he could have found the love of his life and just being with her is enough. or just having a kid he can send to school is enough. happiness and contentment are relative. thus, seeing a man under such unfortunate conditions is not proof there is no God. inequalities have its purpose. and sometimes, we dont even fully grasp what inequality means. to simplify matters using such shallow comparisons is to insult the operation of the universe and God's wisdom. i dont think this is a "convenient excuse" to be able to sleep at night. its a way of seeing things and not being bound by common conceptions of God makes this plausible.
then i finished eating my ice cream, stopped thinking about non-law stuff and went back to the office.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
ive been reading a lot of comic books
ive been pondering for weeks if im one of those guys destined for greatness. back in college, this would have never been a question worth asking. i thought then that if i wasnt born to be great, i firmly believed that i had what it takes to seize greatness. i also believed that i am capable of wooing fortuna to go to my side and do things in my favor instead of being a pain in the ass. now, or for the past half decade, ive been riddled with self-doubt. i now think im a mere shadow of what i used to be. this is the price i paid for what i did back in 2004. i took a break from greatness when i told myself there's no such thing as taking a break from greatness.
if i am meant for greatness, then i cant die until i fulfill that purpose. i cant have rabies or AIDS or cancer or Crohns. now matter how much i screw up, things will always fall into place because im meant to do something or be someone.
in the past, ive had a couple of close calls. when i was a kid, i could have been killed, or lost my legs in a car accident. i tried to overtake a car running at moderate speed (for me, it looked like a speeding car. but to a kid, things appeared much bigger and much faster and things arent exactly as what they appear to be. so my guess that it was only running at moderate speed). i was playing tag with my sister and i was so caught in the game that when i saw the car, i thought i could run to the other side of the road so that my sister wont be able to reach me (that was really fucking stupid. had i succeeded in crossing the street, my younger sister could have been the one that got hit by the car. but then again, if i remember correctly, my sister had better sense than me because i remember she stopped pursuing me when she saw there was a car on the road). fortunately, the car managed to reach a full halt when i was exaclty in front of it and its bumper hit my thighs lightly, like a friendly tap on one's shoulder. i was like a deer frozen in front of blinding headlights. when i saw the car about to reach me, my legs just froze. well, my life, which was absurdly short back then, didnt flash before my eyes. the driver just cursed his lungs out and all i could do was bow down apologetically for giving him the fright of his life.
the second close call i had was back in high school. i was crossing the street when my high school batchmate, a korean, called me from behind. i turned my head to see who it was and instead of stopping, my legs continued crossing the street while i was looking behind me. stupid. really stupid. when i looked in front, a truck that was turning to the street i was crossing sped right in front of me and my face was just less than half a foot away from the side of the truck. my nose was just inches away from the speeding truck. had i taken another step, it would have been impossible for the truck to miss me. the weird thing about that incident is why didnt the truck driver blow his horn to alert me of its presence? in both instances, if both vehicles managed to hit me, the impact of getting hit could have killed me or at least injure me really seriously (if the car hit me when i was a kid, it could have thrown me violently to the ground if the driver stepped on the brake pedal seconds later than the driver did).
so when it comes to accidents, fortune was on my side as if saying, i cant die yet. as for my career, well, my uncle said it was destiny that made me a lawyer. it wasnt a childhood dream. in law school, i wasnt even sure if im going to finish it. during the bar exams, i wasnt able to give 100% because i just lacked the motivation and focus (but i exerted a lot of effort). ill be damned. im a freaking lawyer.
my life is good. i have an envious position in the order of things. i actually create my own drama just to give color to my life, to add struggles in it because my life is very much "plain". but despite all these, having probably everything i need at my disposal in order to do something great, i doubt myself. actually, i know i already have what i need in order to do something great but i just refuse to do something about it. i want a simple and short life. to accept greatness complicates things. but i have a natural talent for the complicated. damn it. now i want to confirm it by taunting death yet again. i want to make sure this is what i have to do. i want necessity to be the push that i need in case its confirmed that im destined to do something great. i dont know. im just really reluctant and lazy to take part in something great. back in high school, i envisioned myself as a leader. my daydreams constituted me leading a pack of great individuals. now, i just want to play a supporting role. i just want to have a leader who knows how to best utilize my abilities. call me when im needed. this current mindset reflects how much ive changed and how lazy ive become. i now prefer being that guy who just waits to be called, the reliable last resort. sort of. this became my preferred role when i realized i have the knack for damage control. if other people can do it, let them do it.
an argument just came up. terminal illness isnt a confirmation one is not destined for greatness. aside from the fact that Captain Mar-vell, the champion of the universe fielded against Thanos, died from cancer, many great and inspiring people achieved greatness due to their struggle against death. so being kept away from death isnt proof that there's a destiny that must be fulfilled. sometimes being pitted against death's embrace is the push some people need. as for me, knowing myself, the push that will force me to embrace greatness is either through necessity, something crammer's know fully well, or through something whimsical, like waking up one day and im just in the mood to be a force to be reckoned with. in the past, necessity has been less reliable than whim.
if i am meant for greatness, then i cant die until i fulfill that purpose. i cant have rabies or AIDS or cancer or Crohns. now matter how much i screw up, things will always fall into place because im meant to do something or be someone.
in the past, ive had a couple of close calls. when i was a kid, i could have been killed, or lost my legs in a car accident. i tried to overtake a car running at moderate speed (for me, it looked like a speeding car. but to a kid, things appeared much bigger and much faster and things arent exactly as what they appear to be. so my guess that it was only running at moderate speed). i was playing tag with my sister and i was so caught in the game that when i saw the car, i thought i could run to the other side of the road so that my sister wont be able to reach me (that was really fucking stupid. had i succeeded in crossing the street, my younger sister could have been the one that got hit by the car. but then again, if i remember correctly, my sister had better sense than me because i remember she stopped pursuing me when she saw there was a car on the road). fortunately, the car managed to reach a full halt when i was exaclty in front of it and its bumper hit my thighs lightly, like a friendly tap on one's shoulder. i was like a deer frozen in front of blinding headlights. when i saw the car about to reach me, my legs just froze. well, my life, which was absurdly short back then, didnt flash before my eyes. the driver just cursed his lungs out and all i could do was bow down apologetically for giving him the fright of his life.
the second close call i had was back in high school. i was crossing the street when my high school batchmate, a korean, called me from behind. i turned my head to see who it was and instead of stopping, my legs continued crossing the street while i was looking behind me. stupid. really stupid. when i looked in front, a truck that was turning to the street i was crossing sped right in front of me and my face was just less than half a foot away from the side of the truck. my nose was just inches away from the speeding truck. had i taken another step, it would have been impossible for the truck to miss me. the weird thing about that incident is why didnt the truck driver blow his horn to alert me of its presence? in both instances, if both vehicles managed to hit me, the impact of getting hit could have killed me or at least injure me really seriously (if the car hit me when i was a kid, it could have thrown me violently to the ground if the driver stepped on the brake pedal seconds later than the driver did).
so when it comes to accidents, fortune was on my side as if saying, i cant die yet. as for my career, well, my uncle said it was destiny that made me a lawyer. it wasnt a childhood dream. in law school, i wasnt even sure if im going to finish it. during the bar exams, i wasnt able to give 100% because i just lacked the motivation and focus (but i exerted a lot of effort). ill be damned. im a freaking lawyer.
my life is good. i have an envious position in the order of things. i actually create my own drama just to give color to my life, to add struggles in it because my life is very much "plain". but despite all these, having probably everything i need at my disposal in order to do something great, i doubt myself. actually, i know i already have what i need in order to do something great but i just refuse to do something about it. i want a simple and short life. to accept greatness complicates things. but i have a natural talent for the complicated. damn it. now i want to confirm it by taunting death yet again. i want to make sure this is what i have to do. i want necessity to be the push that i need in case its confirmed that im destined to do something great. i dont know. im just really reluctant and lazy to take part in something great. back in high school, i envisioned myself as a leader. my daydreams constituted me leading a pack of great individuals. now, i just want to play a supporting role. i just want to have a leader who knows how to best utilize my abilities. call me when im needed. this current mindset reflects how much ive changed and how lazy ive become. i now prefer being that guy who just waits to be called, the reliable last resort. sort of. this became my preferred role when i realized i have the knack for damage control. if other people can do it, let them do it.
an argument just came up. terminal illness isnt a confirmation one is not destined for greatness. aside from the fact that Captain Mar-vell, the champion of the universe fielded against Thanos, died from cancer, many great and inspiring people achieved greatness due to their struggle against death. so being kept away from death isnt proof that there's a destiny that must be fulfilled. sometimes being pitted against death's embrace is the push some people need. as for me, knowing myself, the push that will force me to embrace greatness is either through necessity, something crammer's know fully well, or through something whimsical, like waking up one day and im just in the mood to be a force to be reckoned with. in the past, necessity has been less reliable than whim.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
whimsical and impulsive
in the last 24 hours, i was...well, whimsical and impulsive and it was costly. yesterday afternoon, after staying home on a saturday (something which rarely happens recently because im usually out somewhere during weekends) i suddenly felt like buying some pizza. i wasnt really craving for it but i just wanted to eat something good enough to assuage my craving for samgyupsal. so i told my mother that instead of cooking dinner, im going to buy us some pizza (well, i asked my siblings to buy it and if there's any change from the money i gave them, they can use it to buy a liter of soda and if there's still change, some chips for me because i was in the mood for something salty). when my siblings were out buying the pizza, i thought maybe it was better to just get a KFC bucket instead. that would piss off my brother since KFC is on the other direction from Pizza Hut (and like me, they prefer walking rather than riding a tricycle). anyway, i convinced myself to get a KFC bucket the next time i have some food cravings.
then this morning, i was still craving for samgyupsal. instead of just getting it at Kwon's Kitchen, i convinced my brother to just eat at Yakimix for lunch. if that wasnt whimsical enough, i just bought a printer (a Canon Pixma MP287). usually i do some research on gadgets and computer stuff before buying them but well, today, i just felt like buying a printer (at least i have a brand in mind). there's no gadget sale or anything and there's no immediate need to buy a printer. i just bought a printer for the simple reason that we currently dont have a useable printer. the other canon printer we have, a late 90's model and 14 years old (Canon BJC-255sp), is still working but unfortunately, canon no longer sells cartridges for models that old and its slot/cable is no longer supported by new motherboards (i upgraded our PC last year). our other printer is an HP printer-copier-scanner and its bonkers. because of that printer, i absolutely became a non-fan of HP and other HP products. thats why when the salesperson was trying to do a sales pitch for an HP printer, saying the cartridges are cheaper, i simply replied, "i want a Canon printer". i sounded determined to get a Canon printer when i wasnt even thinking of getting one yesterday. i just thought about buying it today while having lunch at Yakimix (although ive said earlier this morning im going to buy a printer, my brother thought i was going to do some canvassing first and buy it...maybe next week. i only decided to buy the printer today half-way through our lunch).
these stuff i did lately wouldnt be a problem if i had enough money to spend. i need to get a better paying job. being this whimsical and impulsive leaves a deep wound in my wallet.
if i just gave in to my samgyupsal craving, i would have spent P170. but i didnt. and i spent thousands.
actually, last night, i was thinking of buying another pair of running shoes. well, i ended up with a printer and an expensive lunch instead (i paid for my brother's lunch since its me who really wanted to eat at yakimix. actually my brother tried to talk me out of it by saying, we dont really need a printer at the moment and yakimix can wait some other time. but well, i just wanted to spend like crazy today).
then this morning, i was still craving for samgyupsal. instead of just getting it at Kwon's Kitchen, i convinced my brother to just eat at Yakimix for lunch. if that wasnt whimsical enough, i just bought a printer (a Canon Pixma MP287). usually i do some research on gadgets and computer stuff before buying them but well, today, i just felt like buying a printer (at least i have a brand in mind). there's no gadget sale or anything and there's no immediate need to buy a printer. i just bought a printer for the simple reason that we currently dont have a useable printer. the other canon printer we have, a late 90's model and 14 years old (Canon BJC-255sp), is still working but unfortunately, canon no longer sells cartridges for models that old and its slot/cable is no longer supported by new motherboards (i upgraded our PC last year). our other printer is an HP printer-copier-scanner and its bonkers. because of that printer, i absolutely became a non-fan of HP and other HP products. thats why when the salesperson was trying to do a sales pitch for an HP printer, saying the cartridges are cheaper, i simply replied, "i want a Canon printer". i sounded determined to get a Canon printer when i wasnt even thinking of getting one yesterday. i just thought about buying it today while having lunch at Yakimix (although ive said earlier this morning im going to buy a printer, my brother thought i was going to do some canvassing first and buy it...maybe next week. i only decided to buy the printer today half-way through our lunch).
these stuff i did lately wouldnt be a problem if i had enough money to spend. i need to get a better paying job. being this whimsical and impulsive leaves a deep wound in my wallet.
if i just gave in to my samgyupsal craving, i would have spent P170. but i didnt. and i spent thousands.
actually, last night, i was thinking of buying another pair of running shoes. well, i ended up with a printer and an expensive lunch instead (i paid for my brother's lunch since its me who really wanted to eat at yakimix. actually my brother tried to talk me out of it by saying, we dont really need a printer at the moment and yakimix can wait some other time. but well, i just wanted to spend like crazy today).
shoes and stuff
so i was thinking of buying another pair of running shoes. just saw another cheap pair. cheap for the brand. but i told myself i dont deserve another pair. ever since April, i sort of stopped jogging. it started with a busy week. then a week where everyday is always a record high when it comes to the temperature of the day. the next thing i know, i was jogging for only once a week. then it was followed by a couple of weeks where i didnt jog at all because the hot weather is just too much (i was sweating even if i was just sitting in front of the electric fan doing nothing). now that the hot weather is almost gone (almost but not quite), i wont have excuses anymore. last week, i managed to jog twice. but this week, i reverted back to one since i wasnt feeling well.
now, i noticed that im into bags and shoes lately (yep, im now a girl when it comes to shopping. unlike before where i only think of gadgets). aside from running shoes, i also bought two pairs of leather shoes. in two months, i bought three pairs of shoes, the most ive bought in a short amount of time since i was born. usually i buy a pair of shoes and the next pair will be bought after at least a year. i wear them until its impossible to wear them. so its not unusual to see me wearing a pair of shoes with a hole in it or part of the sole is already detached.
the thing with these leather shoes are...theyre boots. or i think its called dress boots. i bought my first pair when i went to a court hearing in manila. after the court hearing, i remembered my brother told me that there's a hole in one of the heels of my leather shoes. seeing how bad it was, i decided to buy another pair of leather shoes so i can have the pair i was wearing repaired somewhere. i saw a shoestore, browsed the shoes that were on display and i liked a pair of formal dress boots (maybe because since 2010, ive been wearing hi-cut chucks on an almost daily basis. i like it when my ankles feel secure). so i bought the pair of black dress boots and then brought my other pair of leather shoes to a shoe repair shop near my law office so i can pick it up after work.
as for my other pair of boots, i bought brown ones. and i bought them in anticipation of the rainy weather. the chucks i have arent really rain proof. i always get a soggy pair of socks whenever i go to the office on a rainy morning. so i managed to give me a reason to buy another pair of boots. i cant use the black ones because its for court hearings, especially non-Quezon city court hearings (because its hard to tell what the weather will be in other areas and having two pair of shoes for court hearings reduces the effects of wear and tear)
i really should stop buying shoes before this thing for shoes become worse. i have enough pairs for almost all occasions that will last a couple of years or more (well, except the running shoes if i manage to restore my thrice weekly routine). i think i need someone to control my spending.
now, i noticed that im into bags and shoes lately (yep, im now a girl when it comes to shopping. unlike before where i only think of gadgets). aside from running shoes, i also bought two pairs of leather shoes. in two months, i bought three pairs of shoes, the most ive bought in a short amount of time since i was born. usually i buy a pair of shoes and the next pair will be bought after at least a year. i wear them until its impossible to wear them. so its not unusual to see me wearing a pair of shoes with a hole in it or part of the sole is already detached.
the thing with these leather shoes are...theyre boots. or i think its called dress boots. i bought my first pair when i went to a court hearing in manila. after the court hearing, i remembered my brother told me that there's a hole in one of the heels of my leather shoes. seeing how bad it was, i decided to buy another pair of leather shoes so i can have the pair i was wearing repaired somewhere. i saw a shoestore, browsed the shoes that were on display and i liked a pair of formal dress boots (maybe because since 2010, ive been wearing hi-cut chucks on an almost daily basis. i like it when my ankles feel secure). so i bought the pair of black dress boots and then brought my other pair of leather shoes to a shoe repair shop near my law office so i can pick it up after work.
as for my other pair of boots, i bought brown ones. and i bought them in anticipation of the rainy weather. the chucks i have arent really rain proof. i always get a soggy pair of socks whenever i go to the office on a rainy morning. so i managed to give me a reason to buy another pair of boots. i cant use the black ones because its for court hearings, especially non-Quezon city court hearings (because its hard to tell what the weather will be in other areas and having two pair of shoes for court hearings reduces the effects of wear and tear)
i really should stop buying shoes before this thing for shoes become worse. i have enough pairs for almost all occasions that will last a couple of years or more (well, except the running shoes if i manage to restore my thrice weekly routine). i think i need someone to control my spending.
just a thought
a few weeks ago, i had some sort of "korean day". i started the day at 7:30 am with a court case im handling where the opposing party is a korean national. then i ate lunch at the nearby korean restaurant i frequently go to. then before i left the office, my korean client dropped by my law office to have a document notarized. thats when i realized that it was a "korea filled day".
not a single day passes that i dont see a korean national in real life. this is true and im not exaggerating. the only time i dont see a korean in real life is if i dont go out of my house. if i dont go out of my house, i only see nine pretty korean ladies (TV, PC or laptop). i always see one whenever i walk home or go out to eat lunch or when i take my afternoon jog (so basically, when im outside). there's just so many koreans in my residential area. now, i dont have anything against them (nor do i like them simply because im a fan of girls' generation). i would say its neutral. they're no different from the way i see other foreigners. but the thought of seeing them on a daily basis, making me realize their population, well, its just...a bit uncomfortable to a certain extent. its like having a visitor at home or in class. you become aware of a foreign element and things arent as normal as it usually is. of course im used to having a lot of korean nationals in my residential area but there are times when i wonder, "why are there so many of them here?". the weather is annoyingly hot and the air is polluted. its not really the best place on earth. if i was some foreigner coming from a country that is better off compared to my country, only necessity would make me stay here. im not saying the philippines is a bad country to live in. its not. its a country that knows how to get by, knows how to roll with the punches, inhabited by warm and friendly citizens with a government thats a work in progress. its a country i can be proud of (its just the weather is so goddamn hot. its not as tolerable as when i was a kid). it just so happens that i also admit its not perfect. its far from perfect. korea or south korea looks like a country that has a nice weather (the cold weather might be really bad but, im really not a fan of the hot weather), nice environment, good enough government, etc. the only problem is that its really expensive to live there. also, i will admit that their food is nice (but then again, im not a fan of local cuisine and i only like a handful of local dishes) and their culture is interesting but it still doesnt change the fact that koreans here make me feel like having a visitor around and wonder why visit or why live here? actually i do get why theyre here. but is it really worth it? maybe. i mean, thats why theyre here.
anyway, the thing i admire about koreans is their sense of nationality and their sense of duty to their government. its something i hope this country will develop sooner rather than later.
not a single day passes that i dont see a korean national in real life. this is true and im not exaggerating. the only time i dont see a korean in real life is if i dont go out of my house. if i dont go out of my house, i only see nine pretty korean ladies (TV, PC or laptop). i always see one whenever i walk home or go out to eat lunch or when i take my afternoon jog (so basically, when im outside). there's just so many koreans in my residential area. now, i dont have anything against them (nor do i like them simply because im a fan of girls' generation). i would say its neutral. they're no different from the way i see other foreigners. but the thought of seeing them on a daily basis, making me realize their population, well, its just...a bit uncomfortable to a certain extent. its like having a visitor at home or in class. you become aware of a foreign element and things arent as normal as it usually is. of course im used to having a lot of korean nationals in my residential area but there are times when i wonder, "why are there so many of them here?". the weather is annoyingly hot and the air is polluted. its not really the best place on earth. if i was some foreigner coming from a country that is better off compared to my country, only necessity would make me stay here. im not saying the philippines is a bad country to live in. its not. its a country that knows how to get by, knows how to roll with the punches, inhabited by warm and friendly citizens with a government thats a work in progress. its a country i can be proud of (its just the weather is so goddamn hot. its not as tolerable as when i was a kid). it just so happens that i also admit its not perfect. its far from perfect. korea or south korea looks like a country that has a nice weather (the cold weather might be really bad but, im really not a fan of the hot weather), nice environment, good enough government, etc. the only problem is that its really expensive to live there. also, i will admit that their food is nice (but then again, im not a fan of local cuisine and i only like a handful of local dishes) and their culture is interesting but it still doesnt change the fact that koreans here make me feel like having a visitor around and wonder why visit or why live here? actually i do get why theyre here. but is it really worth it? maybe. i mean, thats why theyre here.
anyway, the thing i admire about koreans is their sense of nationality and their sense of duty to their government. its something i hope this country will develop sooner rather than later.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Kwon's Kitchen @ Matalino Street, Quezon City
ive been frequenting a nearby korean restaurant near my office. i prefer to go here during lunch time because aside from the really good food, im the only customer. i dont have to worry about long lines in fast food restaurants and the lack of seats. but ive noticed that every time (seriously, every single time) that i go here, i am the only customer (although during my first couple of visits, there were other customers). of course, i go here only during lunch time or late in the afternoon, around 4pm. its possible that other customers go here much later. but if im the only customer most of the time, the future of this place will definitely be uncertain.
the food isnt bad. its actually good and affordable. their P99 combo consists of marinated meat, kimchi, spicy anchovies, slices of omelette, iced tea and a fruit for dessert (no fastfood restaurant in the area can offer this variety in a single meal for such price. whenever im craving for kimchi or im in a hurry, i just order this meal combo). maybe their other dishes arent really affordable for most people (since the Quezon City hall area is mindful of its government employees so a lot of meals are P50 below. ive been told that there's a california maki in one of the QC City hall food stalls that's being sold below P50) but compared to other korean restaurants, its really affordable. a single serving of jjajangmyun in a nearby restaurant located in Kalayaan Avenue costs P200 plus. most of the meals in Kwon's Kitchen doesnt even go beyond P200.
maybe not a lot of people like korean dishes. or maybe they just arent familiar. or maybe because the location of Kwon's Kitchen itself is a bit hidden (its beside Kyusinero behind some other establishment). its just weird that there arent much customers despite the good food (or maybe, like i said, the other customers come here during dinner time or late at night when the night life begins at Kyusinero). i really like their dishes. well, except the kimbap. my sister likes it but i prefer the kimbap in Mashitta in UP diliman (is it Mashitta? not sure). i like their bibimbap and kalbi chim. their samgyupsal isnt bad. i also like to eat their ramyun during the rare times it rains in the afternoon (or when im craving for it). in case Kwon's Kitchen is still alive and open during the rainy season, their ramyun will surely be my alternative to Maguro's ramen.
the food isnt bad. its actually good and affordable. their P99 combo consists of marinated meat, kimchi, spicy anchovies, slices of omelette, iced tea and a fruit for dessert (no fastfood restaurant in the area can offer this variety in a single meal for such price. whenever im craving for kimchi or im in a hurry, i just order this meal combo). maybe their other dishes arent really affordable for most people (since the Quezon City hall area is mindful of its government employees so a lot of meals are P50 below. ive been told that there's a california maki in one of the QC City hall food stalls that's being sold below P50) but compared to other korean restaurants, its really affordable. a single serving of jjajangmyun in a nearby restaurant located in Kalayaan Avenue costs P200 plus. most of the meals in Kwon's Kitchen doesnt even go beyond P200.
maybe not a lot of people like korean dishes. or maybe they just arent familiar. or maybe because the location of Kwon's Kitchen itself is a bit hidden (its beside Kyusinero behind some other establishment). its just weird that there arent much customers despite the good food (or maybe, like i said, the other customers come here during dinner time or late at night when the night life begins at Kyusinero). i really like their dishes. well, except the kimbap. my sister likes it but i prefer the kimbap in Mashitta in UP diliman (is it Mashitta? not sure). i like their bibimbap and kalbi chim. their samgyupsal isnt bad. i also like to eat their ramyun during the rare times it rains in the afternoon (or when im craving for it). in case Kwon's Kitchen is still alive and open during the rainy season, their ramyun will surely be my alternative to Maguro's ramen.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
warm april night and a nice meal
went home a little late yesterday because i came from a mini get together with college friends. after going to my brother's graduation last week and seeing him with his college friends (with all their outings and plans), it reminded me of my college friends and how we were after graduation. all of a sudden, im in the mood for a get together. so aside from just texting my college friend about how to get the lawyers ID, i also asked her when we could drop by at one of our friend's place.
fast forward a few days later, we were at our friend's place having a mini-reunion of sorts. after talking for a few hours, we all headed home. it was already midnight. maybe past midnight even. the thing that struck me during that time was how warm the night was. and it wanst only me. my friends were also complaining about how warm it was. i was really sweaty and sticky because of how warm the night was (and i really really hate the sticky feeling). this was the second time this week that i felt the night's warmth despite being outside. crappy crazy climate. fortunately, the taxi i rode had some good airconditioning.
instead of heading straight home, i decided to drop by mcdonalds first. i was hungry since i usually have a snack an hour or couple of hours after dinner. not sure if i was just really sleepy but this meal was called "Big N Tasty". i asked the cashier what it was and she said its basically just a quarter pounder meal with some veggies and dressing. i ordered it because its new on the menu and it looks good. i really liked it. this is truly the tastiest burger ive eaten at mcdonalds so far. im not a fan of the Big Mac, im more of a Quater Pounder/Double Cheeseburger kind of guy but the Big N Tasty is definitely better. i like Burger King burgers and the Big N Tasty is the closest burger of Mcdonalds to the burgers of BK.
fast forward a few days later, we were at our friend's place having a mini-reunion of sorts. after talking for a few hours, we all headed home. it was already midnight. maybe past midnight even. the thing that struck me during that time was how warm the night was. and it wanst only me. my friends were also complaining about how warm it was. i was really sweaty and sticky because of how warm the night was (and i really really hate the sticky feeling). this was the second time this week that i felt the night's warmth despite being outside. crappy crazy climate. fortunately, the taxi i rode had some good airconditioning.
instead of heading straight home, i decided to drop by mcdonalds first. i was hungry since i usually have a snack an hour or couple of hours after dinner. not sure if i was just really sleepy but this meal was called "Big N Tasty". i asked the cashier what it was and she said its basically just a quarter pounder meal with some veggies and dressing. i ordered it because its new on the menu and it looks good. i really liked it. this is truly the tastiest burger ive eaten at mcdonalds so far. im not a fan of the Big Mac, im more of a Quater Pounder/Double Cheeseburger kind of guy but the Big N Tasty is definitely better. i like Burger King burgers and the Big N Tasty is the closest burger of Mcdonalds to the burgers of BK.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
what it lacks in utility, it makes up for what it represents
so i got my lawyers ID today. finally. after being officially a lawyer for one year and seven days, i finally got the ID to prove it.
i dont know. i wasnt really interested in getting it. thats why it took me more than a year to get it. i remember during the bar exams, a friend showed me his lawyer's ID and said its something i could look forward to when i pass the bar exams. that didnt really motivate me. i mean, what's its purpose? my college alumni ID could get me discounts in some commercial establishments like Fully Booked. my other alumni ID allows me to use any library inside the university for free (and there are lots of libraries in its large campus which i used to study for the bar exams). my driver's license allows me to drive cars. how about a lawyer's ID? what does it do? maybe its got some use other than proving that im a lawyer. its got some bar code so i guess it can be scanned for something. but the fact that im not aware of its use other than mere identification made me uninterested in getting it.
yesterday, out of the blue, i just felt like getting it. i was in my office room and i thought, maybe its time to get my lawyers ID. so i texted a friend who recently passed the bar exams and asked her if she got her ID already. most likely she already did and when she said yes, i asked her how to get it, confirmed where to get it and how much do i have to pay for it. after getting the details i decided to get it today, or this morning, while i still have time to do so.
when i got my ID, my initial reaction was, "this is it?". my driver's license looks much better. kinda feels cheap. but the more i looked at it, thats when the ID started to look more than what i initially thought about it. for some reason, i started to like it. the more i looked at it, the more i liked it. i started to like the fact that i own such ID. that i have an ID that says im a lawyer. wow. its only after ive held it and looked at it for a few minutes that it started to sink in how nice this ID was. i had to go to the restroom of the IBP building to look at it some more. then i looked at it again when had an early lunch before i went back to my office. i looked at it again when i was in my office room. and again when i got home.
there really isnt much to look at. it has my picture, name, roll number and chapter. thats it. thats why my initial reaction was "thats it?" it has the IBP logo too. but its only when it started to sink in what this ID conveys that i started to recognize its worth.
i dont know. i wasnt really interested in getting it. thats why it took me more than a year to get it. i remember during the bar exams, a friend showed me his lawyer's ID and said its something i could look forward to when i pass the bar exams. that didnt really motivate me. i mean, what's its purpose? my college alumni ID could get me discounts in some commercial establishments like Fully Booked. my other alumni ID allows me to use any library inside the university for free (and there are lots of libraries in its large campus which i used to study for the bar exams). my driver's license allows me to drive cars. how about a lawyer's ID? what does it do? maybe its got some use other than proving that im a lawyer. its got some bar code so i guess it can be scanned for something. but the fact that im not aware of its use other than mere identification made me uninterested in getting it.
yesterday, out of the blue, i just felt like getting it. i was in my office room and i thought, maybe its time to get my lawyers ID. so i texted a friend who recently passed the bar exams and asked her if she got her ID already. most likely she already did and when she said yes, i asked her how to get it, confirmed where to get it and how much do i have to pay for it. after getting the details i decided to get it today, or this morning, while i still have time to do so.
when i got my ID, my initial reaction was, "this is it?". my driver's license looks much better. kinda feels cheap. but the more i looked at it, thats when the ID started to look more than what i initially thought about it. for some reason, i started to like it. the more i looked at it, the more i liked it. i started to like the fact that i own such ID. that i have an ID that says im a lawyer. wow. its only after ive held it and looked at it for a few minutes that it started to sink in how nice this ID was. i had to go to the restroom of the IBP building to look at it some more. then i looked at it again when had an early lunch before i went back to my office. i looked at it again when i was in my office room. and again when i got home.
there really isnt much to look at. it has my picture, name, roll number and chapter. thats it. thats why my initial reaction was "thats it?" it has the IBP logo too. but its only when it started to sink in what this ID conveys that i started to recognize its worth.
i need to get back the urge to run. or at least an itch
so i bought myself a new pair of running shoes. i was supposed to buy it after completing three full months of jogging/walking at least thrice a week. surprisingly, i did manage to fulfill the challenge i imposed upon myself. but i didnt really strictly comply with the condition. i bought the new pair of running shoes one week before i completed the three month period. its just that my old pair really has reached its limit and i saw a really cheap pair of running shoes (for such brand) that i like. if i waited another week, i might not be able to get it since it was the last pair (and after i bought it, i confirmed it was truly the last pair since its really an old model and no longer available). i was already advised by a friend that i avoid such kind of shoes (shoes that are on sale for ridiculously low prices). he said those are really old models and arent as durable or sturdy as newly released shoe models. well, as usual, i didnt listen. the pair of shoes i bought was initially released two years ago. since ive been warned already, i know what im getting.
i really had to buy new ones because my old pair of running shoes are already worn out that its making my shins hurt. i sort of confirmed it was the shoes because with the new pair, my shins dont hurt at all after jogging. on why i settled for a cheap pair of shoes thats on sale is because im thinking of buying another pair after a few months anyway. although i have a budget to get a decent and reasonably expensive pair of shoes, i think i need to save some more money for a really good pair of running shoes. its not like im a pro runner anyway. besides, i stopped jogging recently thus prolonging the lifespan of my new pair of shoes that im expecting wont be as durable as my old pair.
after i completed the three month period, i became really busy with work. then a week after the initial busy week, i caught a cold so i decided to rest since i was still busy with work. so after two weeks of jogging only twice, i thought its about time to resume my exercise routine on the third week. well, the weather just became so horribly hot that i wasnt in the mood to jog (even the nights are warm). its more difficult to fight dehydration under such weather conditions. so its been three weeks of physical inactivity. im starting to become a sloth again. hopefully the weather improves and my work sched clears up a little so i can resume doing what i established during the first quarter of the year.
i really had to buy new ones because my old pair of running shoes are already worn out that its making my shins hurt. i sort of confirmed it was the shoes because with the new pair, my shins dont hurt at all after jogging. on why i settled for a cheap pair of shoes thats on sale is because im thinking of buying another pair after a few months anyway. although i have a budget to get a decent and reasonably expensive pair of shoes, i think i need to save some more money for a really good pair of running shoes. its not like im a pro runner anyway. besides, i stopped jogging recently thus prolonging the lifespan of my new pair of shoes that im expecting wont be as durable as my old pair.
after i completed the three month period, i became really busy with work. then a week after the initial busy week, i caught a cold so i decided to rest since i was still busy with work. so after two weeks of jogging only twice, i thought its about time to resume my exercise routine on the third week. well, the weather just became so horribly hot that i wasnt in the mood to jog (even the nights are warm). its more difficult to fight dehydration under such weather conditions. so its been three weeks of physical inactivity. im starting to become a sloth again. hopefully the weather improves and my work sched clears up a little so i can resume doing what i established during the first quarter of the year.
mysterymobile had another near death experience
a few weeks ago, my beloved automobile known as the mystery machine/batmobile/A--- died in the middle of EDSA. well, died temporarily.
my brother participated in some kind of exhibit in shangrila mall as part of a school requirement. it ended around 9pm. when my family was heading home, with me behind the wheel, the mystery machine suddenly broke down in the middle of EDSA right in front of SM megamall, on a rainy saturday night. we were really in the middle of the road with buses speeding by on both sides. we were less than half a kilometer away from the traffic light behind us, far enough to allow buses to accelerate and reach dangerous speeds. crap.
i asked my father to take the wheel while i push the van to the side of the road. i had to wait for the traffic light to turn red so the stupid buses wont accidentally hit us. its raining so the roads are wet and the driver's visibility is likewise affected. seriously batmobile, you just had to die under such conditions, dont you?
i managed to push the van to the side and an MMDA traffic enforcer arrived. he said he saw us on their CCTV camera and asked whats the problem (its nice to hear that they really monitor the traffic situation). after some discussion, A--- was towed and brought to our residence. the following morning, the automobile was back to its old self. its insides just got wet when i ran over a small puddle at the foot of a flyover. what the? i just lost P1700 to have it towed to our house and it was because of that? it should have been cheaper by P200 but since it was raining (i caught a cold a few days after, which was expected after pushing a van under the rain and discussing towing services with only a baseball cap on), we havent eaten our dinner (the exhibit started late so it ended late too) and were exhausted (i helped my brother finish some last minute exhibit concerns earlier that day (like looking for a welder of a steel cage to serve as a gate for the exhibit pieces) and i helped him bring his exhibit pieces the night before so we also lacked some sleep), arguing could make matters worse.
it was seriously a bad night. but even if that was the case, i was also seriously wondering if the mystery machine has reached its last breath. recently, its been showing signs of aging. it keeps having problems, from its brakes to its car door gears. i even thought of the people i will text to inform them of the death of the mystery machine/batmobile (the two people who gave it a nickname). thankfully, its not dead. not dead yet. we acknowledge that its already risky to use it for long distance travels. before, going to baguio or bicol wasnt a problem for the mystery machine. now, its doubtful if it can still go outside Quezon city. of course, there's still hope for it but i need to spend a lot to restore A--- to what it was half a decade ago.
my brother participated in some kind of exhibit in shangrila mall as part of a school requirement. it ended around 9pm. when my family was heading home, with me behind the wheel, the mystery machine suddenly broke down in the middle of EDSA right in front of SM megamall, on a rainy saturday night. we were really in the middle of the road with buses speeding by on both sides. we were less than half a kilometer away from the traffic light behind us, far enough to allow buses to accelerate and reach dangerous speeds. crap.
i asked my father to take the wheel while i push the van to the side of the road. i had to wait for the traffic light to turn red so the stupid buses wont accidentally hit us. its raining so the roads are wet and the driver's visibility is likewise affected. seriously batmobile, you just had to die under such conditions, dont you?
i managed to push the van to the side and an MMDA traffic enforcer arrived. he said he saw us on their CCTV camera and asked whats the problem (its nice to hear that they really monitor the traffic situation). after some discussion, A--- was towed and brought to our residence. the following morning, the automobile was back to its old self. its insides just got wet when i ran over a small puddle at the foot of a flyover. what the? i just lost P1700 to have it towed to our house and it was because of that? it should have been cheaper by P200 but since it was raining (i caught a cold a few days after, which was expected after pushing a van under the rain and discussing towing services with only a baseball cap on), we havent eaten our dinner (the exhibit started late so it ended late too) and were exhausted (i helped my brother finish some last minute exhibit concerns earlier that day (like looking for a welder of a steel cage to serve as a gate for the exhibit pieces) and i helped him bring his exhibit pieces the night before so we also lacked some sleep), arguing could make matters worse.
it was seriously a bad night. but even if that was the case, i was also seriously wondering if the mystery machine has reached its last breath. recently, its been showing signs of aging. it keeps having problems, from its brakes to its car door gears. i even thought of the people i will text to inform them of the death of the mystery machine/batmobile (the two people who gave it a nickname). thankfully, its not dead. not dead yet. we acknowledge that its already risky to use it for long distance travels. before, going to baguio or bicol wasnt a problem for the mystery machine. now, its doubtful if it can still go outside Quezon city. of course, there's still hope for it but i need to spend a lot to restore A--- to what it was half a decade ago.
 |
| the mystery machine out of the batcave. now that i think about it, i should have chronicled its "adventures" before it got too old. now, the only thing that makes it a mystery machine is the fact only one person knows its true identity/name. |
i dont know what im blabbing about
the State. i like to refer to my government and country as the State. i have never referred to it as such but thinking about it, i like it. or would like to call it with such designation when its proper. it makes the government and the country look dignified. it gives me an impression that the state of affairs is well and orderly. its militaristic. it makes me want to protect the country. it makes me feel i have a duty to serve the government. it makes me proud to be loyal to both the government and the country. maybe im just too addicted to Full Metal Alchemist.
anyway, i wish that my government and country is something worth serving and dying for. right now, i would hesitate or have second thoughts. right now, its difficult to serve a government thats being run by monkeys. wait, im being unfair to monkeys. a government thats being run by incompetent idiots and greedy reptiles. again, im being unfair to reptiles. a government thats being run by incompetent idiots and greedy politicians. now, i voted for the current president because i do believe that he is the change the we need. to be more accurate, things will begin with him. it also doesnt mean i think he is competent for the job. far from it. it also doesnt mean that the change we need will be accomplished within his administration. i also do not think he will manage to get rid of graft and corruption which has now become inherent in our political system but like i said, things will start with him. installing him, a person with such positive ratings and mass support, is what i think this country needs. now what this country needs is an entirely different question. right now, one of the things this country needs is to have a government it can believe in. belief is something relative. one may choose to believe in something good enough. another may choose to believe in something that doesnt exist. but this belief, whether proper or not, whether ridiculous or logical, can make mountains out of mole hills. it can make a difference. belief, or faith, can radically change people's lives. it can summon unsung heroes out of the faceless masses (but to recognize these unsung heroes is another matter). it can create hope in a nation. now i just hope someone will be able to realize this, capitalize on the opportunity created by the current administration and steer this nation in the proper direction. it is possible for this country and government to become the State every citizen will hold dear in their hearts and will swear to protect with their life.
anyway, i wish that my government and country is something worth serving and dying for. right now, i would hesitate or have second thoughts. right now, its difficult to serve a government thats being run by monkeys. wait, im being unfair to monkeys. a government thats being run by incompetent idiots and greedy reptiles. again, im being unfair to reptiles. a government thats being run by incompetent idiots and greedy politicians. now, i voted for the current president because i do believe that he is the change the we need. to be more accurate, things will begin with him. it also doesnt mean i think he is competent for the job. far from it. it also doesnt mean that the change we need will be accomplished within his administration. i also do not think he will manage to get rid of graft and corruption which has now become inherent in our political system but like i said, things will start with him. installing him, a person with such positive ratings and mass support, is what i think this country needs. now what this country needs is an entirely different question. right now, one of the things this country needs is to have a government it can believe in. belief is something relative. one may choose to believe in something good enough. another may choose to believe in something that doesnt exist. but this belief, whether proper or not, whether ridiculous or logical, can make mountains out of mole hills. it can make a difference. belief, or faith, can radically change people's lives. it can summon unsung heroes out of the faceless masses (but to recognize these unsung heroes is another matter). it can create hope in a nation. now i just hope someone will be able to realize this, capitalize on the opportunity created by the current administration and steer this nation in the proper direction. it is possible for this country and government to become the State every citizen will hold dear in their hearts and will swear to protect with their life.
my nose is psychotic
a few years ago, after i took my insurance law exam, i asked my blockmate if he can smell gasoline. he said no. i asked another blockmate the same thing, he also replied in the negative. i told them that during the exam, i was distracted by the smell of gasoline. it was then that i first had my notable olfactory hallucination. i usually unintentionally imagine noxious odors whenever im stressed. the scent lingers until im fully rested.
i think its weird that i get such kind of hallucinations. i have a poor sense of smell. my officemate once asked me why i wasnt affected by the salty, sour and fishy smell of the food brought by another officemate. i said i dont smell anything. he said the room is practically filled with the smell of the food. thats how poor my sense of smell is.
my olfactory hallucination seems to be getting worse. lately, ive been smelling something like smoke whenever im physically exhausted. so i usually smell it after i jog or when ive been doing a lot of sweating and walking. but more recently, i start to smell it after i sneeze or blow my nose but it doesnt linger like it usually does before. i also feel a distinct sensation on my upper left nostril and another distinct feeling radiating somewhat around my left eye. it might not be a simple olfactory hallucination like before. there might be something wrong with my paranasal sinuses or something. could be an infection or nerve problem. i doubt its brain damage. i hate having health problems. i havent even dealt with my skin problem nor have i concluded my intestine concern.
i think its weird that i get such kind of hallucinations. i have a poor sense of smell. my officemate once asked me why i wasnt affected by the salty, sour and fishy smell of the food brought by another officemate. i said i dont smell anything. he said the room is practically filled with the smell of the food. thats how poor my sense of smell is.
my olfactory hallucination seems to be getting worse. lately, ive been smelling something like smoke whenever im physically exhausted. so i usually smell it after i jog or when ive been doing a lot of sweating and walking. but more recently, i start to smell it after i sneeze or blow my nose but it doesnt linger like it usually does before. i also feel a distinct sensation on my upper left nostril and another distinct feeling radiating somewhat around my left eye. it might not be a simple olfactory hallucination like before. there might be something wrong with my paranasal sinuses or something. could be an infection or nerve problem. i doubt its brain damage. i hate having health problems. i havent even dealt with my skin problem nor have i concluded my intestine concern.
we really should have a sense of duty to serve, whether we like it or not
i went to my brother's college graduation a few days ago and their guest speaker, an alumni of their college who was recently appointed to a high government position, stated that in a decade or two, they, the graduates, will be asked to give back and serve the country. being an "iskolar ng bayan" meant that they have a moral obligation to serve the people since their education was subsidized and funded by state taxes paid by citizens of the country. but until that time comes, they will be busy toiling for themselves.
what struck me was the fact he said that a decade or two will pass before they start giving back. but then again, what the guest speaker probably meant was that its something the graduates shouldnt try to escape from. they may try not to give back but there will come a time when their services will be needed, when they will be specifically requested to serve for the simple reason that their education and skills make them the only qualified person for the job. everyone will be asked to serve the country and its a matter of time for some.
in my case, i started giving back what i "owe" the moment i finished the bar exams. i do it in the form of free legal service. unfortunately, it isnt intentional on my part. it just so happens our law office allows free legal service to those who really cant afford the services of a lawyer. there are times i really prefer handling cases of clients who doesnt have the means to pay because they really deserve to protected by the law (unlike some clients who have the capacity to pay but their character and attitude makes them look undeserving of being represented in court).
the speech by the guest speaker made me realize that im actually practicing the things i swore i will do. what im doing now is in accordance with my lawyer's oath, my oath as a graduate of UP and as an alumni of UP. am i happy about it? honestly, not really. but i dont feel bad about it either. im proud, thats for sure. i just dont have strong feelings about it. its an obligation and it gives me a good feeling that im able to fulfill such obligation. but like most obligations, it is burdensome. its a chore so its not something im really happy about. but that doesnt mean i dont feel good since it still gives me some sense of satisfaction. its a notable accomplishment for me. to say it makes me happy would be too much. it just makes me feel good. i dont think its a question of whether it makes me happy or not but whether im fulfilling my duty or doing what is required or expected of me.
what struck me was the fact he said that a decade or two will pass before they start giving back. but then again, what the guest speaker probably meant was that its something the graduates shouldnt try to escape from. they may try not to give back but there will come a time when their services will be needed, when they will be specifically requested to serve for the simple reason that their education and skills make them the only qualified person for the job. everyone will be asked to serve the country and its a matter of time for some.
in my case, i started giving back what i "owe" the moment i finished the bar exams. i do it in the form of free legal service. unfortunately, it isnt intentional on my part. it just so happens our law office allows free legal service to those who really cant afford the services of a lawyer. there are times i really prefer handling cases of clients who doesnt have the means to pay because they really deserve to protected by the law (unlike some clients who have the capacity to pay but their character and attitude makes them look undeserving of being represented in court).
the speech by the guest speaker made me realize that im actually practicing the things i swore i will do. what im doing now is in accordance with my lawyer's oath, my oath as a graduate of UP and as an alumni of UP. am i happy about it? honestly, not really. but i dont feel bad about it either. im proud, thats for sure. i just dont have strong feelings about it. its an obligation and it gives me a good feeling that im able to fulfill such obligation. but like most obligations, it is burdensome. its a chore so its not something im really happy about. but that doesnt mean i dont feel good since it still gives me some sense of satisfaction. its a notable accomplishment for me. to say it makes me happy would be too much. it just makes me feel good. i dont think its a question of whether it makes me happy or not but whether im fulfilling my duty or doing what is required or expected of me.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
was this an experiment of sorts?
its nice their company is now releasing singles that don't just rely on them singing catchy tunes and doing addictive dance moves. they are growing up (or growing old) and some might be feeling frustrated of not doing stuff that would make them look like real artists or singers (although being all-around performers/entertainers is already an impressive feat in itself). but this could have been much better if the video had a story to give life to the song.
do what you want @ UP diliman
My brother's film project; UP diliman, March 2012; shot with lumix lx5, created with power director. no copyright infringement intended. video made for personal/educational use. song: Do What You Want by Ok Go. pictures and video owned by RJLT
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