Keystroke Journal

After a week from our cruise, we only had the time today to have all our 200+ photos taken in Florida and Bahamas printed out. While waiting for the photos at Costco, my friend and I separated our ways. I went to the Ladies’ apparel section while she did her grocery time. With two Bermuda shorts in time for summer laid on my arms, I suddenly noticed the books section nearby. I browsed along the best-selling novels on sale. As expected, they’re all mostly about romance and crime. However, I found two books which caught my attention: Amy Tan’s memoir and a novel on music and war. I think both are interesting to read and maybe I can write my book reviews later on. Torn between having two new pairs of shorts and the two new books, I chose the paperbound ones. I’m saving them for my next airports' waiting time this coming May and June as I travel to the West Coast. As for the shorts, I can still find better ones. Speaking of papers, I’m doomed to finish three more projects … I alm...

I was busy working on a project in the computer when my IM alerted me with a new message received in my email inbox. I saw a familiar name but I wasn’t sure if it was the same person I know. Thus, I immediately checked out my inbox and it was indeed an unexpected email from someone. His message was brief but filled with anticipation. After reading his email, I wasn’t sure how long I stared at the monitor as I tried to recall the years. We went to the same alma mater in grade school. Then I remember the first time we bumped into each other was more than 10 years after. He got my number and he called for sometime then we lost touch. He was still single at the time. A few years later, out-of-the blue, he called and for awhile we rekindled our friendship. And then we lost touch again due to the long distance. At the time, he was already married and I moved on with my life. Now surprisingly, here he is elated to finally find me again through cyberspace. To quote him, I tried so hard to find...

A dear friend of mine updated her single friends who weren’t able to join a mini-gathering with some thought-provoking questions. She titled them as Excerpts in reference to what transpired during their meeting with a long-time friend whom she recently rekindled with another close friend of ours. In reply to her excerpt questions, I sent her a piece of my senseless and a few sensible thoughts: Are you still hoping to meet someone you dream of? Multiple choice answers: a. Mm-hmmm b. Yes c. No d. I don’t know e. Que sera sera ,,, f. All of the above If yes, then where is he, why can’t he find you? Multiple choice answers: a. He’s still married b. He’s already engaged c. He’s waiting for me to make the first move d. He turned out to be gay e. He’s already dead f. His divorce is pending g. a and f are true h. b and c are true i. All of the above j. None of the above Is it true that for every woman, there’s a man to complete her, a man destined to be someone’s lifetime partner? Multiple ch...

It was a one-of-a-kind trip cycle , if there’s such a phrase as that as my good-natured Filipina friend and I flew down to South Florida from the Northeast. We went around the place by land. Then we crossed the sea on board a cruise ship to Bahamas. We went back to Florida on cruise, toured the city by land again before heading back home by plane. It all happened in three different places for seven nights and eight days. One nature tripping day Our trip to Ft. Lauderdale, FL last April 14-17 was mostly spent on nature tripping. My friend and I went to a fishing port somewhere in Palm Beach Shore; we had a chance to see different kinds and sizes of fishes in the open sea aquarium while looking at them from the boardwalk. The experience was like snorkeling without getting wet or seeing them in a glass bottom boat minus the boat ride. There were fishing boats for rent and a lot of yachts on deck. There was even a family of four who went out fishing and came back with different sizes of k...

This morning as I watched the news, one of the amazing story I heard was that of Susan Boyle's , a recent hopeful contestant of Britain Got Talent. At first she received cynicism from the judges and audience but later on she wowed them with her I dreamed of a dream song rendition. With her great performance, she proved that looks can be deceiving. I believe she also gave hope to people who are late-bloomers like her. Later in the afternoon, it rained hard down South for awhile but I got a treat for myself. For the first time in my 3-year stay here in the US, I had a chance to see a rainbow. The vibrant colors looked so beautiful like a blooming flower. And I remember taking shots at the celestial arch and reminding myself of God's promise to Noah. Rainbows also remind me of hope. Thus, whenever I encounter occasional bouts of discouragements over my situation, I tell myself to bloom wherever I am planted, believing that God placed me here for a purpose. Since the weather down...

When I was younger I have high hopes of becoming the person I want to be. However, as years go by, I realize that it’s not all true. Yes I have a choice to choose my path but along the way, there are things I couldn’t control. And as I grow older I come to realize that age isn’t the basis for maturity. Rather, maturity is based on my attitude toward life and my response to the circumstances surrounding it. For one thing, I am who I am now because of my life’s journey. As another milestone inches its way, I am thankful for the many wonderful blessings in my life. It’s not only what I have – bonded family ties and friendships - that I'm grateful for. I consider pain and frustrations as blessings, too, because without them I will never realize how blessed I am to be under God’s hands.

This morning, I had a chance to chat with a friend for the first time after our grade school graduation. After some exchanges of hi’s and hello’s, we ended up talking about our upcoming reunion. Unfortunately, it’s going to be a thousand miles away from where I am right now. My friend, however, came all the way from another country to surprise our batchmates in the homecoming. I am also excited for the event but my friend is more anxious in meeting the rest of the group. “I think I’m the only one who’s single in the group,” she said. “”No there’s so and so who are still single and are looking forward to see our group, too.” I said. “I’m worried because what will I tell them about me? I don’t have a spouse or kids to talk about. I don’t think I’m even successful.” she confided. “I understand how you feel," I said, “but then don’t compare yourself with the rest of the group. You are who you are. Success isn't measured by what status you are in. Besides, you won’t be talking ab...

I had a chance to listen to All-Filipino music today and sigh! I sure miss those times when I could go to concerts and enjoy the music with friends back home. Iba pa rin ang makarinig ka ng Tagalog na kanta o Pinoy na singer lalo na kung nasa ibang bansa ka. Mabuti na lang at meron ng internet. Nakakapanood o nakaka-download na tayo ng libre. Pero syempre iba rin ang makapanood ka ng live show, walang kapantay. Speaking of live shows, it’s been awhile since I’ve watched a Filipino concert away from home. The last time was with Gary Valenciano two years ago at Washington, DC. Yes, even though I’m far away from home, I made a point to watch Mr. Pure Energy’s concert. As expected, I had a blast just like in any of his concerts back home. I remember losing my voice one time. That was the first time I couldn’t talk at all for two days - all because of too much squeals at the concert. But for a change, I welcomed the "disability". When people asked me what was the cause, I'd ...

While trying to look for possible images for our upcoming church anniversary theme, I used the following keywords to google: moving forward, unity and hands holding. Out of the thousand images and web sites I checked out, I came across this endearing video of two Otters. The video clip was taken at the Vancouver Aquarium. Further readings about the endangered Otters stated that they hold hands as a survival instinct. It is part of their social group role to protect each other from easily drifting away especially in rough waters. Now, that’s a nice way to reflect something for our anniversary theme. We should be reminded to learn from the Otters -- to be there for each other especailly when times are tough. Or else, like them, such act of kindness will become extinct, too. If you haven't seen it, watch it and be amused as well. It made my day.

It is disheartening to know that many innocent lives are once again lost from a gunman’s hand. The massacre at Binghamtom, NY is the latest. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. On the other hand, what was on the mind of the killer? Was he a mad man or was he a victim of social indifference? Police said he just lost his job; as a migrant, he had poor English skill causing him difficulty to find a more stable job. In another recent article, I couldn’t help but give out a big sigh as well. In South Carolina, a woman was found dead after 18 months in her house alone. There was no foul play, it was a natural cause. But she was never found out because no one bothered to check on her. “We do our own thing. We lead busy lives. We go and go and go ... and stay within our comfort zone,” was one of the comments made by a clergy in an attempt to answer on why neighbors failed to check on the 78 year old American woman. Neighbors said they seldom see the childless widow go out nor w...