TAKING RISKS

Risks.

Are you afraid to take risks? If yes, appear (Give me five)! Being a perfectionist, I was afraid to take risks. I was the kind of person who’s scared to lose a game and fail. I preferred not to play the game if I know I’ll lose. I wanted everything to be sure-ball, a success. Take note, I used past tense verbs because those were before – the past. Because of life’s tests and trials that I’ve experienced, I’ve learned to take risks. I learned to always try again after falling down.

Friends, don’t be afraid to commit mistakes and fail. Because it is in those mistakes and failure that we learn the lesson, that we know how to make things right.

Prison Break.

I was browsing the net last week and saw that Prison Break is the number one (#1) topic being searched in Yahoo that day! Intrigued, I searched it in Wikepedia. The synopsis got me curious so when I went out of AUP last Friday after receiving my Comprehensive Exam 2 Result Letter, I bought a pirated DVD from my suki vendor (where else can I get cheaper and updated DVDs, diba?Aminin nyo na, bumibili din kayo ng Pirated DVDs. Defensive???). I started watching last Saturday night and finished the first season yesterday. So far, after watching the first season, I can confidently comment that the series is indeed very interesting. Every episode leaves you hanging…which makes you crave to watch the next episode. It keeps you glued to the tube.

For those people who lives in Mars and have never heard of Prison Break, the story revolves around a man who was sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit and his brother's elaborate plan to help him escape his death sentence. That’s it, for if I’ll give more information about the series, it won’t be interesting for you to watch anymore.

Lesson learned: Indeed, blood is thicker than wine. Yun lang. Hehehe…

Dream. Believe. Survive.

I’m not talking about Starstruck here but DREAMGIRLS. At last, I’ve seen the movie na. I love it – the songs, the powerhouse cast and their powerful voices, and the story. I never knew Eddie Murphy and James Foxx can sing. Our African brothers and sisters are truly gifted. As of today, I haven’t seen/heard a Black person who cannot sing. Their golden voice is, I think, in-born.

If I’m asked who’s better between Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce, I’d say both are very good singers. I’d be unfair if I’ll say Jennifer Hudson. Yes, Jennifer Hudson indeed showed her singing prowess in the movie. She also acted very well. She gave justice to the Effie role. She really deserved the Oscar. Beyonce on the other hand was also good, but I think she was advised to act soft and sing like Tina Turner of The Supremes (because this musical is based on the story of The Supremes). So friends, the issue here are the roles. In reality, both of them are really good. But because of their roles, they should act, sing, and project like that of the character so it is really unfair to compare these singers. Nagkataon lang talaga na the role Jennifer Hudson, Effie, is really more domineering if you compare it with Beyonce’s role as Deena Jones.

Lesson learned: Never give up in reaching for your dreams. Believe in yourself. Survive the pool of tests and trials. Do what you really love to do.

My Music Pick for the Week.

From the movie DreamGirls, I’m introducing to you Beyonce’s “Listen”.

Listen,

To the song here in my heart

A melody I start But can't complete

Listen ...MMM.. to the sound from deep within

It's only beginning To find release

Oh, the time has come for my dreams to be heard

They will not be pushed aside and turned

Into your own all cause you won't Listen....

[Chorus]

Listen,I am alone at a crossroads

I'm not at home, in my own home

And I tried and tried To say what's on my mind

You should have known

Oh, Now I'm done believin' you

You don't know what I'm feelin'

I'm more than what, you made of me

I followed the voice you gave to me

But now I gotta find, my own..

You should have listened

There is someone here inside

Someone I'd thought had died so long ago

Ohh I'm free now and my dreams to be heard

They will not be pushed aside and turned

Into your own

All cause you won't Listen...

[Chorus]

I don't know where I belong

But i'll be movin' on

If you don't....If you won't....

LISTEN...

To the song here in my heart

A melody I start But I will complete

Oh, Now i'm done believin' you

You dont know what I'm feelin'

I'm more than what, you made of me

I followed the voice, you think you gave to me

But now I gotta find, my own...MY OWN...

Try this.

Pa-tweetums and pa-cute cute in pictures is not uso anymore…maybe in my case. I’ve tried a new pose/position…Jumping/Floating/Above-the-floor/kakaibang level! Whatever you call it, try it! Enjoy.

Vocabulary Dictionary.

Jombag (Jhom – bag) , verb. To punch, box, jab using a fist.

Use it in a sentence: “Tumigil ka nga dyan, jojombagin na kita!”

*Thanks to Ma’am Tere of RCBC for the word. Isn’t it obvious? That’s the word she used pag-naasar na sa akin.

Favorite Text Messages I Received Lately.

“ 2 things in life u have 2 take mental note of:

Don’t make any decisions when ur ANGRY…
and never make any promise when ur HAPPY! ”

- From Ma’am Marchie Mercader

VJ’s Comment: Agree!

“ The greatest mistakes we make are the risks we didn’t take…if you think something will make you happy, go for it so that you won’t live your life asking ‘wat if’ and telling yourself ‘if only’.”
- from a Concerned Citizen ( Actually, di ko kilala ang nagtext)

VJ’s Comment: Buti nalang I didn’t make a mistake in deciding to take again the Compre Exam 2 kung hindi nagsisi na ako ngayon. Whew! Salamat Lord.

Acknowledgment.

Kuya Eric Baroy Mahinay. Thanks for being an avid reader.

To that Anonymous Reader. Thank you for dropping by and for the appreciation. Keep reading po.

*To the readers: You can comment on this post by pressing the Ocomment/s icon. If you are not a member of the BLOGSPOT, you can choose the option Others as your Identity and please don't forget to put your name so i can include you in my next post's Acknowledgment. Thank You!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

AT LAST!

I got a letter from the Department Chair of the Accountancy Department yesterday. It says that I have successfully PASSED the March 2007 Comprehensive Exam II and is qualified to proceed with the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy Program of the University. I almost freaked out in the Accountancy Department but I didn’t. True, this is the moment that I’ve been waiting and praying for months…even a year…but my personal celebration will be delayed because I still don’t know if all of us passed. I want everyone who took the exam to pass but I know there’s only 1% probability for my wish to come true. The mortality rate of Accountancy students in our school is constant - even increasing because of the ever-high standards observed by the Department and the University as well. I’m afraid to lose one of my new batchmates because I already got emotionally close and attached to them. I learned to love them. I hope everyone passed the exam, but in case someone failed… I hope he/she gets to understand God’s plan. He/she may not understand it now…but I know in the future he/she will.

Acknowledgment.

To GOD. So is this the plan? Thank You. You know my everyday struggle to understand Your plans in my life. I bring back the glory to You!

To my PARENTS, thanks for being ever-supportive. Having you as my parents makes me already a winner,even a success.

To my BIG SISTER, Sharlyne. I thank you for the time you have spent to console me whenever I have my “depression tantrums!” I miss you.

To my cousins – ATE LINDY, ATE PIDANG, KUYA BONG, ATE SALLY. Thanks for the financial support and for the other “resources”.

To my best friend JOG. Dear, I passed! Thanks for always believing in me. Thanks also for the Apollo and Ate Ceiling’s BIKO… you know my likes. I’ll miss you.

To my former batchmates - JANE , SHA, METZ, JONI, PAMZ, NESTEA, DON, GLENN and JUNX. Thanks for always believing in my powers even though I’m your most-super-duper-to-the-highest-superlative-level NEGA/PESSIMISTIC classmate. I hope all of you will pass the COMPREHENSIVE EXAM III too! Kudos!

To ARLENE (Lola) and NESS, my fellow NEGA/PESSIMISTIC classmates. When are you getting your letter? I hope you passed. I believe you passed the exam. Thanks for the NEGA and PRANING moments you shared while waiting for the results. I know we didn’t enjoy it but…ganun talaga tayo mga CHOLERICS and MELANCHOLICS…hahaha. See you in our AUDITING PROBLEMs class soon.

To my Relatives in Davao na ipinagtirik ako ng kandila sa church nila... THANK YOU! I miss you na mga Kellis!

To the LA SIERRA Folks back home, thanks for the prayers.

And, to the all the people who prayed and believed in me na hindi ko narecogize and naisulat.... MARAMING SALAMAT po talaga.

More THANK YOUs.

Kuya Eric Mahinay. Wow, nice blog. Keep writing.

Ate Marz. I missed you! Thanks for reading.

Mary Jane Genebago. I hope everyone of my original batch will pass! Go go go.

Ma'am Mary Ann M. Munoz. Wow, is that an offer Ma'am? I'm speechless. Thanks for reading my blog and for the appreciation. I'll email you soon.

And to all people who have read my blog and are shy to post a comment, THANK YOU for reading.

*To the readers: You can comment on this post by pressing the Ocomment/s icon. If you are not a member of the BLOGSPOT, you can choose the option Others as your Identity and please don't forget to put your name so i can include you in my next post's Acknowledgment. Thank You!

Miscellaneous Thoughts

The Writer’s Warning: This is a very long post. Enjoy!

Hosting.
I recently discovered that I love hosting. This “part-time career” started four years ago when my best friend, Jog, and I were asked to host an Adventist Youth Program in church. Since then, hosting appointments flooded and “JOG en VJ” became a dynamic duo, inseparable hosting partners.

I like Jog as my hosting partner because being best friends, we know each other very well. Despite the usual on-the-spot or we-were-told-just-a-day-before-the-program appointments, handling hosting pressures seem easy for both of us. We feel very comfortable with each other and we know how to support each other whenever the other partner’s mind goes blank and is speechless na. Saluhan, kung baga.

It’s just so sad that she’s graduating this March. Two weeks ago, when she texted me that the AUP Academy were asking us to be the MCs of their JS Prom, I quickly said “YES!” and forced her to accept it too because it could probably be our last hosting job together. She agreed and we hosted. It was really fun. High school is still cool.

While waiting for JOG…

With my best friend and JS partner...

And the PROM King and Queen…. Joke lang! For the first time in our hosting career, we received a token of appreciation…Thank you very much SY2006 -2007 AUP Academy Juniors

With the other guests, Allan (the flutist) and Jaja (the speaker / beauty guru)

Smile parin kahit pagod at pawisan na…

Two days after the JS Prom of the high school, Te Jynny sent me a message an hour before the SA program would start begging me to host the AUP SINGING SENSATION. I quickly texted Jog if she could do it with me but she said she can’t because she’s in a meeting. Confused but pitied Te Jynny, I accepted the offer and hosted the program with another brilliant young host, Jaje. Despite the on-the-spot hosting (again!), I survived and was very happy that the audience were responsive and jam-packed. Salamat sa Diyos!

Question: Will hosting be my career in the future?

Answer: That I don’t know. I really love hosting but I love working as a management consultant or auditor in the future too. If it’s part of God’s plan, then why not? Diba? Pwede part-time. (So calling all talent scouts and corporate events organizers out there….pwede kami mag-host ni Jog. Just contact us. Hehehe….)

Grey’s Anatomy.
I really blame my sister for introducing to me this top-rating medical drama last December. Haller, I’m hooked up na kaya. As in craving talaga. I’m going loco over the beautiful lines that Meredith Grey and the other cast members share in the opening and closing of each episode and I like the unexpected twists of the story. And, Dr. Isobel “Izzie” Stevens, watch out. I’ve got a crush on you.

I was playing with Photoshop last week to discover its uses and look what I’ve done! I hope Grey’s Anatomy people won’t sue me for doing this….

My first Photoshop Masterpiece. Oh diba? Looks real!

Vocabulary Dictionary.

Istokwa (Is’tohk – wa) , verb. To escape.

*Thanks to my ex-roommate,Ernest Gold, for the new word.

My Music Pick for the Week.

1.) Tatsulok by Bamboo. This song really caught my attention because of its catchy tune and its realistic lyrics. I believe the objective of this song is to open the eyes of every Filipino on what is happening today in our country… kung bakit di pa rin tayo nag-proprosper.

Totoy bilisan mo, bilisan mo ang takbo

Ilagan ang mga bombang nakatutok sa ulo mo

Totoy tumalon ka, dumapa kung kailangan

At baka tamaan pa ng mga balang ligaw

Totoy makinig ka, wag kang magpa-gabi

Baka mapagkamalan ka’t humandusay dyan sa tabi

Totoy alam mo ba kung ano ang puno’t dulo

Ng di matapos-tapos na kaguluhang ito

[Refrain]

Hindi pula’t dilaw tunay na magkalaban

Ang kulay at tatak ay di syang dahilan

Hangga’t marami ang lugmok sa kahirapan

At ang hustisya ay para lang sa mayaman

[Chorus]

Habang may tatsulok at sila ang nasa tuktok

Di matatapos itong gulo

Iligtas ang hininga ng kay raming mga tao

At ang dating munting bukid, ngayo’y sementeryo

Totoy kumilos ka, baliktarin ang tatsulok

Tulad ng dukha, nailagay mo sa tuktok

[repeat Refrain and Chorus]

[repeat Refrain and Chorus]

[repeat Chorus]

Di matatapos itong gulo

2.) How to Save a Life by The Fray. At first, I thought Five for Fighting or Stephen Speaks sang this song because of its piano-playing intro. This song is very melodramatic and is the perfect song talaga for Grey’s Anatomy.

Step one you say we need to talk

He walks you say sit down it's just a talk

He smiles politely back at you

You stare politely right on through

Some sort of window to your right

As he goes left and you stay right

Between the lines of fear and blame

And you begin to wonder why you came

[Chorus]

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

Let him know that you know best

Cause after all you do know best

Try to slip past his defense

Without granting innocence

Lay down a list of what is wrong

The things you've told him all along

And pray to God he hears you

And pray to God he hears you

[Repeat Chorus]

As he begins to raise his voice

You lower yours and grant him one last choice

Drive until you lose the road

Or break with the ones you've followed

He will do one of two things

He will admit to everything

Or he'll say he's just not the same

And you'll begin to wonder why you came

[Repeat Chorus 2x]

How to save a life 2x

[Repeat Chorus 2x]

Favorite Text Messages I Received Lately.

“Life is not a rehearsal. Each day is a new show. No repeats, no rewinds. So, give your best shot! Coz the show goes on and on. Be a splendid performer today.”

- from Jun, my classmate and friend

“A simple lesson frm a cartoon show…

Squidward: Why do it TODAY, if you have tomorrow?!

Mr. Krabs: You do it TODAY coz TODAY is yesterday’s 2mrow!”
- from Koyang Lex, my beloved cousin

“Helo! Balik ka na ulet samin, or hanap ka kagaya mo.”
- from Ma’am Ai, my former boss in RCBC

“ VJ mis k namin wla ka d2 sayan d ka suma2. Unti lng dn ng suma2 d2..”
- Mert, a classmate

“ Mgalng kp rin kht bglaan lng…u”
- Gioia, a friend


* These text messages brightened my days talaga. These are the messages that this weird wired world need. We should send text messages that uplift, motivate, encourage or let the person feel that he/she is loved. Wag ka na magsend ng green jokes. It’s a waste of time and money. Help me make this world a better place, please?

ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

Sister Sha. I've learned almost everything about writing from you. You motivated me. Kaya kung may wrong grammar ako, you are the one to blame. (Joke!) Thanks for always believing in me and for being always an "ate".

Renz. You have a very byooooooootiful blog. Keep writing. Thanks for visiting my site and I hope you're going to visit it palagi.

Mary Jane Genebago. Complete talaga noh. Thanks for dropping by and for believing that I'm strong now. Ganyan talaga ang buhay. If you stay sad, walang mangyayari sa buhay mo. Congrats friend for getting an A- grade sa FS.

*To the readers: You can comment on this post by pressing the Ocomment/s icon. If you are not a member of the BLOGSPOT, you can choose the option Others as your Identity and please don't forget to put your name so i can include you in my next post's Acknowledgment. Thank You!