Keystroke Journal

 "All This I Did Without You" (an excerpt of Gerard Durrell's letter to Lee McGeorge written on July 31, 1978) All this I did without you; This was my loss. All this I want to do with you; This will be my gain. All this I would gladly have forgone; For the sake of one minute of your company. For your laugh, your voice, your eyes, hair, lips, body, And above all, for your sweet, ever-surprising mind Which is an enchanting quarry; In which it is my privilege --- to delve. Backstory: Gerard had travelled the world and have had been in different places, seen a thousand animals and nature in amazement, but admits that all these experiences are futile because he had no one to share with his passion; through his letter, he expressed that being with Lee is far better than any of his first-hand travel escapades. This last part of the letter spoke millions to me. I've had my own share of traveling but only one of them was I able to share it with my hubby. Just the same, that on...

Back in my high school years, I remember answering one psychological completion test that really strung a note until now. The sentence went like this: My parents don't know this but _______. Then I filled out the sentence with this clause: I LOVE TO TRAVEL. Growing up, I was already exposed with boarding planes and ships to visit relatives down the southern part of our archipelago. I love the idea of looking forward to rekindle relationships and relish each moment in unfamiliar yet stunning places. As years pass by, the distance went farther and farther. I get to see and be in places which I only saw in magazines and postcards as a child. Not only that, I get to build memories with family and friends, too.  On the other hand, I know someone who argues that it’s cheaper and less stressful to look at pictures and watch videos of different places rather than you being there. Well, maybe it works for some but not for me. As long as time permits, I still see myself t...

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...

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...

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.

A friend of mine forwarded me this message: God doesn't give you the people you want, He gives you the people you NEED to help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you, and to make you into the person you were meant to be. -Anonymous