In life, people and things come and go. Someone or something will come into your life but there will come a time that you will lose them whether you like it or not. They say that there is nothing permanent in the world but change. I personally believe that “lost” is part of change. There are different ways to define “lost”. It’s really up to us how are we going to accept and deal with it. Sometimes it’s better to let go of someone or something especially if it’s already hurting you and pulling you down. There are things or people in our lives that we want to keep although we know that we should set them free and let them go on with their lives. There is a saying: Let go of what kills you and hold on to what keeps you breathing. There are factors that keep us from doing so.

Love, pride, and selfishness are only some of the many factors that make us pessimistic in accepting lost. Well, it is true that lost is hard to bear because it brings us pain and sorrow. Lost drowns us in a sea of sadness leaving us hollow and weak. Break ups are the most excruciating part in relationships. Losing someone especially the one you love was never too easy. Losing someone through death is the most painful form of lost for me. Death takes away the chance of having someone in your life permanently. Somehow, a break up still leaves that small chance of hope unlike death which completely deprives a person from being with someone. Losing the things that we were used to is truly frustrating especially when we are already blinded by these material things. The sadness that we feel out of lost makes us blind. At first, it is truly hard to be optimistic with accepting lost as part of life. Maybe it would be easier for us to look at lost in a positive way if we will keep in mind that things happen for a reason. When we experience lost it doesn’t mean that we don’t deserve that person or that things. Maybe considering that there is someone or something better will come can help us in becoming optimistic to the concept of “lost”. People and things come into our lives with certain purposes. When we lose them, it doesn’t mean that we don’t deserve them. It would be easier for a person to accept lost by believing that something better is about to come.

Time is important in dealing with lost. As time passes by, the pain and sadness slowly fades away. It would be helpful to keep in mind that things happen for a reason and only time can show us what the reasons are. But the best key in dealing with lost is to look at it in a positive way, try to look at it on the brighter side and learn to finally accept it as part of one’s life.

“If there is a modern-day Fernando Amorsolo and Juan Luna in the block of young artists today, fingers would probably point towards 30-year-old University of Santo Tomas (UST) alumnus Caesar Joseph ‘CJ’ Tañedo whose art-making processes find impenetrable roots in the ways of the traditional and the classic and whose artworks will transport viewers to a timeless pageantry.”  (By Pam Brooke A. Casin, Manila Bulletin, 07-27-09)

Bragging is not a regular habit for me. I don’t brag about the things that I am good at nor  about my accomplishments and the like. Not that I’m not proud of them, I am but I choose to stay silent and let others discover them then shower me with complements (kidding!). Maybe it’s also because I am afraid that others will see me as another boastful self-centered psycho! And most of all, I value humility! But, when it comes to my loved ones I am very vocal in expressing how proud I am about them like what happened to my brother a few days ago. He was featured in the Manila Bulletin last July 27, 2009. This wasn’t the first time that he was featured in a newspaper. He was recognized before along with his creations (painting) in some newspapers. What’s special about his recent exposure in The Manila Bulletin is that this time he has the whole page unlike before where he shared the page with other artists or painters. This time he was given the opportunity to showcase more of his paintings. Cj Tañedo is really a genius in his own way. He doesn’t paint only, he also tells stories through his paintings. His artistic skills are truly excellent. He’s a painter and also a photographer. What I love most about my brother is his strong determination. Way, way back, when he was still in college some people are criticizing his decision to pursue a career in Arts particularly painting. Cj went on his way and proved them all wrong. I am not throwing him all these complements because he’s my kuya, I am only telling the truth which can be proven by other people. I even have a friend who became an instant fan of my brother right after seeing his paintings. Call me proud, arrogant, conceited, or whatever it is you like but I will still stand up for my brother because I am tremendously proud of him. J

     If you think you’ve already done your best to understand your mother and you feel like giving up, then read Mitch Albom’s For One More day. It will help you strengthen your patience and rekindle your relationship with your mother. After reading the book, I realized the value of time, life, and the people around me especially my mother. I realized that there are some points in my life that I took for granted and that they may never happen again so while I can still and while I still have time I want to fix them and make them better.

     My mother and I don’t have a perfect mother-daughter relationship. Just like others, we have misunderstandings, petite quarrels, and inconsolable differences but despite those things I know deep in my heart how much I love and treasure my mother. There may be times that we get into each other’s nerves but we can’t stand being without each other. I can’t even imagine life without her. She’s the one who inspired me and taught me lessons about life aside from those that I learned from books and own experiences. When I was growing up, I spend most of my time with her. As a child I was able to witness how much she tried to keep the family together. I witnessed her hardships and sorrows during the time that my father had “the other woman” in his life. I saw her crying, doing everything she can to fix things within their marriage, and even leaving the house. I can still remember the time that she was about to leave our house because she was badly hurt with my father’s extra marital affair. I ran to her asking her to take me with her. We left the house and after some time we went back, but I can’t remember how. If my dad looked for us and brought us back home or if my mom just decided to go back are my only options but I can’t recall which one happened. As a teenager I have discovered more differences between me and my mother. There are times that we would have petite quarrels but at the end of the day I can’t seem to stand the thought of being mad at her. No matter how many differences we have, they (differences) will never take away my love for her. Our unconditional love for each other helps us to strengthen our relationship. Now that she’s facing another difficult point in her life, I want to reassure her that I together with my siblings, will take care of her and we will do our best to resolve her medical condition. When I found out that she is sick and needs to undergo operation, I felt the whole world at my back. The day that I was afraid would come just punch me at the back. I’ve been praying so hard that nothing bad will happen to my mother because she’s the only one I would like to be with for the rest of life even if I get married I cannot leave her because I don’t want to. I can lose everything but not her, not the only person who stood up for me my whole life. She’s my strength and losing her is like death for me. I love her through the best and worst times of my life and that will remain for as long as I live.

It’s a song originally by The Beatles! Who would not know them? A band from Liverpool ,England and formed in 1960. The band is composed of The Fab Four: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The Beatles were one of the most popular and successful international band in the history of pop-rock music.

This is a version of Across The Universe by The Kennedy Choir. This is a very relaxing version of the song. Listening to it seems like being surrounded with singing angels. Enjoy!;) 

                “I’m gonna make a change for once in my life. It’s gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference, gonna make it right. I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways. No message could have been any clearer. If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.” –Michael Jackson

These few lines are from Michael Jackson’s song titled Man in the Mirror. This song perfectly describes our current situation with all the things happening in our chaotic country. For the past few days, cases of A H1 N1 in our country are increasing. When it comes to political issues, political rallies are all over the place. You will see students, workers, celebrities, and politicians on the streets fighting for their rights. Even some of the leaders in our government are fighting over certain issues. Right now, the “hottest” issue in the country is the CON-ASS. People are becoming more expressive and determined when it comes to fighting for their right. Most people, if not all, are not in favor of CON-ASS for they believe that this is just another way to fool us Filipinos. This coming 2010 election, more Filipinos are going to exercise their right to choose and vote especially the youth. Well, it is nice to know that the Filipino youth cares for their country and they will stand up for their rights not only for their own good but for the nation’s sake. Even in Facebook, there are group or fan profiles against CON-ASS and a lot of its members are the youth. For the past 23 years, we Filipinos have been enjoying the Democracy our forefathers fought for. And in the coming 2010 election, most of us Filipinos want to preserve that Democracy that is why a lot of people are against CON-ASS which will give way to Parliamentary type of government in the Philippines. Some people say that this is Pres. Arroyo’s way of extending her leadership because she can run as a governor in Pampanga. When the party which she belongs to wins, there is a huge possibility that she will be the elected Prime Minister and most of us wouldn’t want this to happen. As a citizen of this country, as a Filipino, I believe that change in the form of government is not necessary. It is the set of leaders in the country that should be changed.

We must learn to fight for our rights and what is best for the whole country. If we want change then we must take a stand. Change should start from within; each one of us must start by changing ourselves. Each one of us should change our bad habits, our wrong actions, and our negative perceptions that our country is hopeless. Every one of must learn to love and serve our country, our motherland. Change is good if used in a good way. Once again, let us look around us so that we may see what changes must be done then each one of us should face the mirror, just like what the song says, start with the man in the mirror.

Everybody, meet one-eyed Jack! He was born last year (2008) on Valentine’s day. Well he’s literally a one-eyed dog. Still, Jack is such a cute and adorable pug. He is sweet and loves following me around. Jack loves getting attention from everyone. He likes being kissed and hugged. Jack’s playfulness can surely cheer you up even though your day seems like hell. I have read that pugs are sociable dogs. They are friendly and can get along with other dogs and pets easily. On the other hand, they have the tendency to get jealous. Jack, like most pugs, loves to stick close to me and to my sister. He likes sleeping beside me or at my feet when I’m watching the television. Pugs are also child-friendly. Even my 5-year old nephew can hug and play with Jack. But if you’re looking for a good watch dog, pugs are not advisable for this kind of activity. Like what I’ve mentioned before they are friendly and they love attention, so for them every person is a potential playmate. Pugs, like our pet Jack snore because of their short snouts. They come in two colors, fawn or black. If you were able to watch Pocahontas or men in Black, you probably know Percy (from Pocahontas) and Frank (from men in Black). Pugs naturally have wrinkles, and this characteristic makes them look more harmless. We have four pugs and they all have good appetite. They eat almost everything except for bread. Their good appetite made them fat but cuddly. Pugs are prone to obesity because of this characteristic (having good appetite). Jack loves the cool weather just like the other pugs out there. He loves taking a bath especially during summer. Pugs are also prone to heat stroke so they are more comfortable with the cool weather. What’s funny about Jack is that he becomes more alive and playful after taking a bath. He loves the refreshing feeling and seems to be happier. There are times that he becomes moody and wants to stay in one place and sleep. Sometimes no matter how hard I try to call him and command him to come near me, he would just give that weird look and then ignore me. And he never fails to make me laugh every time I see him do that. Everyday from school, Jack always welcomes me by kissing or smelling me. Then he would jump all over the place as if he’s telling me he wants to play with me. Jack is my certified stress reliever. He can brighten up my day and he makes me forget how stressful my day was. Most people say that dogs are man’s bestfriend. I can say that Jack made me understand this cliche because I found another bestfriend aside from my (human) bestfriend. =)