Monthly Archives: December 2008

Celebrating Life One Moment at a Time

After a month’s work and deadlines, meetings and commitments, I just wanted to relax and breeze my way through the weekend. I woke up late yesterday morning from Friday night’s team party. My sister visited me in my apartment early in the day, looking for someone to spend time and share thoughts with. I decided to treat her in a small cozy restaurant called Mom and Tina’s just a walking distance from Greenbelt.

We had a meaty conversation which lasted for about an hour or two. She was as well in a hurry to go home as she still has two boys to take care of. Me, I decided to take a walk to my restful place – Salcedo Park. It’s really quite far, about thirty minutes of walking from Greenbelt. But since I have my camera with me and I don’t mind taking long walks, it was worth the trot for me.

There’s this second level walk way that Ayala has probably put up that literally connects the Ayala malls in Makati to about five blocks away parallel to Ayala Avenue. I took that path as I tend to avoid vehicular pollution ;) .

After about half an hour, I arrive at the park. There were people disassembling what seemed to be tarpaulin tents. Apparently, there was a bazaar moments before I arrived. I looked and was great to see our favorite spot empty. I readily went to it, as if someone is in a race to that bench with me.

Aaaah… what a wonderful moment every time I am there. It takes away all of my worries. Talking about soothing a tiresome soul. All that had happened in the past two weeks have gone. Another week is coming I know but for the moments, let me enjoy the weekend.

My personal time is always valuable for me. I get to free myself of concerns, of deadlines, of roles. I just get to enjoy being relaxed and lazy. Sometimes, you don’t need to spend a lot just to find your peace of mind. Peace of my mind begins with peace of the heart. Peace of the heart comes from within. Outside factors are never going away. Start opening your ears to the streets of a big city and you find yourself restless. But being able to meditate in silence and solitude goes a long way other than being able to stay quiet. I re-energizes you. It aligns your mind and “unclutters” your thoughts.

Silent moments for me are often times an outlet for emotions that I tend to suppress. Walking in the park is always rejuvenating. It brings me memories that delight my heart.

Thinking of those happy thoughts brought me to sleep with a smile in the park. I was able to take a nap. When I woke up, it was getting dark. the Christmas breeze begins to blow. The sun has once again given way to the moon. The stars scattered all around twinkled like diamonds – a carpet of diamonds above you. Such a beautiful and serene scene. Always a pleasant view.

I remembered one time when we saw a shooting star while we were in a park. She was delighted to see it. I was delighted all the more to see her smile like that. Such pure happiness.

Right now, I am about to end this weekend. Tomorrow is Monday and the roller coaster begins again. It’s wonderful though how we get to have the weekend to celebrate. I guess without work, weekends are just as simple as any day. What makes it special is that it allows you to celebrate your self, to celebrate life and find it’s truest meaning – in relationships, in your environment, in a point in your life that you do what you do and you are where you are.

Though things might be rough at times, all work together and fall into place in each of their own right. Celebrate the world one day at a time :)

Share

Another Day Alone

I woke up late, thinking about what time she will be online. I know that right now, we have a 15-hour time difference because of daylight saving time. When I woke up at about 12 noon, it was about 9 pm in Calgary.

I quickly turned on my laptop and checked if I can catch her. Luckily I did as she was about to sleep already for her first day at her new school. They just came from getting some groceries for the winter. Aparently, the weather there has not yet turned to be its worst. Good thing as it allows them to at least adopt better.

When she finally had to go to sleep, I went on planning my day. I thought of going to the nearby mall (my apartment is a walking distance from Rockwell) to get some stuff to cook. I was thinking of Maki and Waldorf Salad and Chicken Pesto Marinate so I went checking the web for the ingredients. It’s really interesting how you get to do stuff you usually get tired to do, or even just to think about. Good thing, my house mate brought with him some appliances (like tv, fridge and cooking stuff) as cooking can really save a lot instead of buying meals outside. I had a brief time going around the house and doing some clean-ups before finally going to buy food to cook.

After cleaning up, I went to the grocery to get the stuff I need and went straight back home. While I was cooking, I decided to turn the tv off and put some soothing music from the ipod. I like it when I get to do something while soothing my self with music. It made cooking more relaxing than tiring.

All the while, I was trying to find myself again. I am still missing my girl badly but I know all things work together for good. I always try to look at the brighter side of things though sometimes, you just can’t hide sadness. I often find my self going out of my realities during these times. I didn’t bother my work stuff (which I planned to do in the weekend since I got caught up with a three-day training last week and work just piled up – naturally). I didn’t even bother going out to a party where an office mate of mine invited me. I just thought that it wouldn’t help me relax at all. Right now, I just want to calm my mind. I know that tomorrow, I’ll be back to work – back to the daily grind, the continuous need for good performance, the stuff that corporate people do.

I recalled before how I have always been a dreamer. I mean, I often find myself going aroung the garden, trying to make stuff out of plants and insects. I also remember myself going out to the front yard in a Saturday morning just to be inspired and be able to write a poem. Looking back, I wonder how I got to be in a world where I am right now. Why didn’t I become a painter, or a poet perhaps or a landscape artist? Well, God is leading me where I am right now and I guess this is where I ought to be. But I guess giving in to my artist side wouldn’t be bad. In fact, I guess it would be therapeutic even. Working your logic part of the brain more than eight hours a day sure needs a balancing, working your creative side of the brain. I guess it helps ease out tension and reliefs headaches and psychological pains caused by over working.

Oh well, I guess I just try to get busy now that my Switee has gone quite far to follow her dreams. I am alone again in my apartment. After arriving with my food to cook, I went on and heated up the pan. Well, here’s what I got from being alone:

My version of Switee’s Maki

My version of Switee’s Maki – Huggy style


My Sour Chicken Sort-of-a-Waldorf Salad (red and green apples, cashew, celery, yogurt, mayo, chicken, etc..)

After the preparation, I had a sumptious meal. Sadly, switee’s not here to share my bowls and plates of happiness. Good thing she taught me how to make Maki before she left (we even had a little argument because of it ;) ). When I eat Maki, I feel like she’s near me sharing with it. Oh well. These are just few things to make my feelings a little better. Still, it always more yummy sharing your food with the one you love.

Well, I hope we both get our heads straight soon. I know this is what we want for now. We want to prepare for the future and at the same time experience life to the fullest while we are young :) I know we are holding on to something worth giving all our efforts. And with this, I would like to end my post with a smile.

Take care always switee. Love yah!

Share

Switch to our mobile site