Why do we celebrate Christmas

Christmas is a celebration that Christians are awaiting once in every year. It is celebrated through sharing, giving gifts and toys, sharing christmas cards, fireworks, singing christmas carols, etc. It is a time of joy for every christian in the world.

Wait a minute, are christians the only ones celebrating Christmas? I mean, it is a holiday and most of the people are in their homes. What do they do? If they aren’t Christian people, then, how do they celebrate christmas?

It’s pretty simple. Some people just live on their normal lives because they are not used to having these kind of celebrations, but mostly, people from different culture and different religion celebrate with the Christian people. They share in the Spirit of Christmas. Some may call Christmas the “Holidays”, some call this day “Yuletide..”, others just relate it to a simple holiday but still, it is quite a celebration for all.

It is really quite a great day for all of the people especially for those who are followers of Christ. Like me, I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe in his teaching about the “common good”. All people in the world may not agree with what I believe in but we should all remember, why do we have a religion? What does religion teach us? Is it not being good to our neighbors, to our fellowmen? Is it not teaching the common good?

Christmas reminds us that there is no barrier in attaining the common good. Jesus was born in a manger that was offered by a Jew. Wise men of different beliefs arrived in the manger just following what they believed in. If these stories were true then it reminds us of how we are united in Christ. And if it wasn’t true at all, then the story just reminds us that we can attain the common good by sharing, like what the jew did, sharing his manger to a woman giving birth. And by following one’s faith which may lead us to enlightenment to what ever awaits us.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the greetings that i missed out, to all of you and may you have a bountiful next year…. 

Its been a long time….

Its been quite some time since i had my last entry… so far I’ve been busy being a student in the university. I think its been around… 4 months…!!! 

During those times of hibernation, i felt like everyday is a 10 mile hike. A never ending cycle of eat, sleep and work. During the past four months I’ve been doing nothing but school work. I’m so glad that I’ve finished my project proposal thanks to my hardworking teammates. I was hoping that I could graduate this March 2009 but sadly, I wasn’t able to get the cut. I’m am trailing many subjects so I guess I will finish my college this October of 2009.

My goodness what a hard time it was these past months, I hardly relaxed myself because of the constant pressure. I have to meet deadlines and all. It was the most tiresome 4 months I ever had since I was starting my education. I thought it would be an easy come and easy go thing, but, I was wrong.

So, for now, I’ll try to relax myself and have a taste of the best things that life could offer.. hehehe. This is the first time in four months that I will surf the web not for school stuff but for liesure. May the force be with me..!!

Dating Challenge: Crossing the ‘Friend Zone’

This article was quite interesting, so, i posted it, so i can share it with you guys.

- yours trully-
By Andrea Syrtash, ONDating Special to Yahoo! Personals

You’ve had feelings for your friend for a while and you’re worried about crossing the line and ruining the friendship. That’s not really true, of course, but that’s what you keep telling yourself so you can justify not putting yourself on the line and risking rejection.

Sure — it’s possible to love a friend of the opposite sex without picturing him or her in bed. Having feelings for your friend doesn’t necessarily prove Harry’s theory in “When Harry Met Sally” who famously declared that “No man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her.”

There are exceptions to Harry’s rule, but one thing is certain — being seen as just a friend by all the people you want to date can be frustrating. So here are a few ways to prevent being stuck in (cue scary music): ‘The Friend Zone’:

1. Do Flirt

It’s okay if romance is on your brain when you greet your friend. In fact, it can fuel the chemistry. It’s good for your friend to catch you subtly checking him or her out. As long as you’re not drooling or gawking, it can be sexy. You want your friend to think he or she imagined the look. Light touching and sincere and specific compliments are great for flirting, too.

2. Don’t Be the Problem Solver

Are you on speed dial every time your friend needs something fixed or wants to process a bad relationship? It’s nice to help your friend occasionally, but make sure you’re not the one he or she associates with problems.

If you do come over to help, mention that you’re happy to assist for an hour but have plans after that. Better to remain a little mysterious and have your friend wondering who else is getting your attention.

3. Have Fun

Create unique memories. You’re aware of your friend’s passions, so initiate fun and interesting activities that you know your friend will enjoy but isn’t doing with others.

And — if someone has dumped you, confide in a friend you don’t have feelings for! Remember to keep an upbeat attitude and stay confident — those are two of the most attractive qualities cited by singles when looking for a mate.

Of course, not every friendship ends with a romantic happy ending and you may have to be prepared that your crush just wants to stay your friend. You’ll have to decide if that’s enough for you.

In the meantime, if you feel like you often end up in the friend zone with people you want to date, plant some of these seeds and see if anything grows in your relationship. Sometimes a glass of wine or a flirtatious exchange can change the dynamic… and you look at each other and wonder why it took so long.

The Clearness of Uncertainty

    No matter how the road may seem, as what you have seen, it’s just as far as you can see. Ahead, there are lumps of soil and rocks scattered around, and inorder to reach the destination, one has to go through these things.

    Lately, I’ve been thinking, am I in the right track? Is it the right and safest way to reach my goal in life? And if its not the safest way, will I endure all the stresses and challenges that I will face along the way?

    Since then, all I want to be when I grow up is to be successful one day. Success to me, honestly, means to finish my studies, help my brother and sister achieve their goals in life, build my mom and dad their dream house, be the richest man in the world and have a family that is God fearing. All of these seem to be a long way from where I am now. I’m still a college student struggling from the pressures of projects, examinations and other activities.

    I am the kind of person who is not tires of dreaming big things. I have a wild imagination. I want to climb to the top. To tell you honestly, I think I’m less than halfway to my goal but, I’m never giving up.

      Before I thought that the course I’m taking is the easiest way to achieve my dream. At first, it was cool and easy. It felt like I’m gonna get my prize in no time. But winds turned the table. Right now, It feels like I’m carrying the weight of the world behind my back. Subjects get harder and harder and projects become more complicated. What I thought was just a matter of time, now, feels like forever. Now I know that it is not easy out there.

    Still, I’m here standing. I’m gonna make it, I know I will. God is always there to help me no matter what. I got my family behind me. My friends are there to cheer for me.

    Even though the road ahead is bumpy, I know that as I reach the end, there will be a wide horizon full of possibilities, and one of those possibilities will be my ultimate goal in life. 

Just five more minutes

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground.

“That’s my son over there,” she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.

Summer as it is….

    It is quite an ironic summer. Its been raining here most of the time and instead of wearing cotton shirts and shorts, we are forced to get dressed in jackets, raincoats and boots.

    And so it came to pass. Time is so swift. Its "May half-way, what can you say?" Seems like everyone has been through a lot this summer. Some, happy because they were able to get the rest they deserve after months of school work. Others, sad, (because their boyfriends spotted a girl in the beach and they broke-up or the other way around). It isn’t always sad or happy. It really depends on how you deal with things.

    I have some tips for those who want to get the most out of their summer break and end this season with a big smile on your face with no regrets and looking forward to the next summer time.

    1. Always put a smile on your face when you step out your door.

    2. If you find yourself in trouble call a friend and ask for help. (Do not put alcohol in the middle of your conversation, things might get worse.

    3. If you are in a relationship, go out with your partner, not on the usual dating place but into some new place that you both haven’t gone yet. (make sure your budget’s OK).

    4. Suggest to your mom or dad that you should go to the beach at least once this summer and bond to forget the stressful things during the busy days.

    5. Be cool. I mean be comfortable of what you wear. dont mind the brand, it doesn’t count,  as long as you think you are comfortable with  it, then that’s it.

    6. If you are bored surf the internet, find ways on how to make your day not boring. (hehehe)

    7. Have enough sleep this summer. Cover up all those sleepness nights you had during the busy days.

      Thats all my friends. I hope one of these 7 tips will help you. Good Luck and God Bless.!

What it feels to love FAR

     Its been a while since I wrote my last entry. Those past months where such very memorable ones. We had our tour just the other week and the most wonderful day was when I spoke with my faraway friend on the phone.

    When I spoke with her on the phone, I directly fell in love with her voice. So, captivating, full of enchantment (a bit exaggerated). She knew me as a friend, and I too felt the same. But as time passed by, as we exchanged instant messages and txt messages, It felt like I’m starting to feel something about this girl. I don’t know if its love but I surely know that it makes me smile thinking of her. (Hope she doesn’t read this entry). 

    I know it would be impossible to have a relationship with her. The fact that she and I, are a thousand miles away and she is gorgeous and I’m just the other guy. But the fact that I’m her friend, may it be millions of miles, I’ll still be here for here no matter what happens. God Bless all of you! 

The faraway Valentine

It’s really cool to have friends online. You interact like there’s no barrier. You can express whatever you want to express. It is way even cooler when you become in love with someone online.

This is a story about two very different people who live in two very different places separated by vast waters. One day, a guy was online. He was looking for a blog spot and found one. He felt at home with that spot and started to be involve in the community of the blog spot. He joined the forum and interacted with the people in it. One day, he saw a very interesting girl in the forum. He started replying in most of the topics the girl was into. Then the time came that the girl noticed that guy. They started to talk to each other with their replies and until such time they exchanged IM id’s.

In their IM’s they talked a lot and started to get to know each other. They freely express what they feel. The two of them have some things in common and a few differences. Their similiraties are their drive in building a very nice online friendship.

It was February 13. Around 10-11 in the evening, the guy realized something that he had never knew until that day. He started falling in love with the girl online. He didn’t why it happened but he felt it. He never seen her in person. He was in love with the character that she was showing to him. She was as true as he believed. Though she’s faraway, He loved her. The guy hoped that the girl would feel the same about him because he knew that chances are to few for them to meet. But the guy vowed to see the firl someday and one day it will end just like in the fairy tales…

We never know how their love would end up. It’s up to their determination and how they would succeed all the obstacles that they will face. 

Cupid missed me!

play this as you read: 

The Corrs - What Can I Do To Make You Love Me (The Corrs)

Roses are red, Violets are blue, I know its true, but where are you? Yes you!

Love is in the air. Obviously, Valentine’s Day is just weeks away. The time for passion and romance and time for the crushes and stuff to ripen, you get what I mean.

All my life, I spend my Valentine’s Day without a special someone. Not that I don’t have my family, it’s just that, I never experienced having a girlfriend before. Would you like to know my routine every Valentine’s day? Ok. Here it is. First, I go to school (if it falls on a school day, if not, just sittin’ by my computer), next, is watch others enjoy the day with their special someone, giving gifts to each other and those sort of things. And after all of that, I go to church and offer a long-stemmed white rose to Mother Mary (I’ve been doing this for the past 7 years).

I wonder how it feels to have a special someone whom you could share dreams with? You know what, I’ve been like this because of the many mistakes I have done in the past. Some of these things are, not telling my crush that I liked her until its too late, ignoring someone who likes me until such time I realized that I liked her too, then it becomes too late cause she’s hanging out with another guy, and being a jerk, playing as a hopeless romantic hoping that with just one line of speech and then it would be magic!

You know what, I still believe in destiny, I believe in fairy tales, and I really believe in magic. I know that someday, on the right place at the right time, destiny will work it out, and I will find "the girl" that will return the missing pages I seek.

Cupid just missed me this year, I mean for the past few years. I may not be as easy as a target but I know, he’ll get his luck soon. And so am I.

The Window

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour a day to drain the fluids from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed next to the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

Love and Time

  Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love.

Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.

When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said,
"Richness, can you take me with you?"
Richness answered, "No, I can’t. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."

Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. "Vanity, please help me!"
"I can’t help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, let me go with you."
"Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"

Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you." It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way. Realizing how much was owed the elder,

Love asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who Helped me?"
"It was Time," Knowledge answered.
"Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?"
Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."

A reason to smile

Goo Goo Dolls - Name (Goo Goo Dolls)
 

As I was staring at the wall, I stared. I think this is a waste of time. Writing some stupid entry, sharing my thoughts to the web. What about my thoughts? Oh they are just something that I try to think of everyday just to take the stress away.

I always imagine myself in a place where I'm the "bida" of the story. Yeah, some cool guy who knows everything. Smart, cunning, friendly, handsome, why ain't that good. Ya, imagination is quite wild when i do it. So silly of me. But one thing's always pop-up. It's this someone whom I met before. Someone who smiled at me, back when I was in high school. I can remember her face. But curse me. I didn't have the guts to ask her name. It was a mysterious encounter of the higher kind I presume. She just leave me questions and longings. I hope I had ask her name and maybe we became good friends. I don't know if that was worthwhile thinking of her. but certainly it gets me smiling after. Thanks

Web : Breaking Social Barriers

How rare could it be to see a popular girl hanging out with a nobody? It may happen but only 1 in every thousand. 

    It seems so awkward for a girl whos social status is in the top, meaning, she is beautiful, a cheerleader perhaps, a very confident person, in short popular, to be hanging out with a guy who is, at all, if not low, no profile at all. But it seems life finds its own ways inorder for these two worlds to communicate.

And here comes the 3 big W's. Yes you're right. The world wide web. It seems that it is a refuge to those guys who can't normally express themselves in the real world. They become really different persons in the web. Suppose that this guy is so silent and can't even talk to someone he likes, be a confident and cool lad when it comes to the net.

I will share an experience. Honestly, I'm this type of guy who can't express himself in the public. I'm just your plain normal guy who goes to school to attend classes, enjoy the company of friends, and watching over my crush and dreaming of me saying my feelings to her. But POOF, here comes reality…!! She's popular and cool and me, just another guy who waste his time keeping his thoughts in mind. And you know what, in the web, I feel like I'm the most adorable guy any girl would wish to be with (exaggerated a little). I feel like I can express myself without having to worry about what others would say (they can't see me anyway).

And then came a friend. I knew her in some fora. She is cool, friendly and pretty "kalog" in a sense. I tried to impress her the first time I joined in the forum to get her attention and then, after sometime, we added ourselves in each IM's. Wow! its really cool. I just barely knew her, maybe a week, and its like I knew her for months. She's been very friendly.

One night, I talked to her about my situation (the being an ordinary guy), and surprisingly as I asked what is her status in her school, It amazed me, she's a popular, top of the food chain! And she talked to me like we are in the same status. Man what a confident guy I am. She's really cute (too bad she has a boyfriend… hehehe…). Anywayz. She advised me on what to do inorder to be confident and I'm willing to change myself for the better. She's really a cool online friend.

This encounter is really rare. Imagine, popular girl talks with ordinary guy. Yes it happened. Thanks to the web. The web breaks barriers in the real social world. It boost up the confidence of people like me to talk to the "unreachables" (geeky vocabulary). See the power of the web. Amazing isn't it?

Back to reality

A new semester is going to start and its back to reality for me….

Yah. school life is quite boring but that's how it is. We go to school to learn things. We need to have a diploma inorder to land in a good job in the future. But it's not "goodbye blogging" for me, it just means that I will have less time to blog and less time in the forums.

Well that's life. Hope this semester is not tough and sana wala akong failures this sem. I don't know how often i will be in the forums or post a new blog. Maybe 5 times every month or maybe lesser. But i'll try my best na makaka post ako ng new entries. Hahay, its back to the busy life.

cheeryooo..!!!  

A day in the forum

My golly, ang busy ko kanina. I think most of the recent post today are from me. I had a lot of fun catching up with the topics that were raised there. I'm a "bagong salta" in the forums. 

I find the forums very interesting there are quite a lot of jerks like me there. And I'm curious about this girl brokenoid. "Kalog" siya and its quite cool. I find her interesting. Hehehe. Its just cute to have a humor like hers. I hope to find more interesting people in the forums and I'm looking forward to more interesting topics. (Hope they talk about me… hehehe). Thats it. Its past midnight… I'm signin' out. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

When I was young I really had this dream. When I was young, I meant my elementary years, I really really want to become a famous scientist. Yeah, I was once a science geek who knows all about different things going on in the universe (yah kids, they know it all). Hoping to extend my knowledge I pursued to highschool.! Yah I was so proud of what I have learned in highschool.

After two years of high school, my wants change. The geek became a Holy man.! Holy @#$%! Yes you're right. By that time I want to become a priest. Most likely my church activities influenced my want to become a priest. Back in high school I was an altar server in our local church (I was an angel back then.. hmmm). But reality striked me and I was awake with the fact that I'm not a Holy man. I keep saying on my mind: "How could a guy like me surpass all the sacrifices inorder to become a holy man?" Tsk tsk. It was not just who I wanted to be.

After that I decided to be a rockstar. Yes it came to me, but you know me, the type that plays guitar, whose songs plays over and over and over again. I know you would be happier if I learned a new one. But then it happened again. It was just not the dream that would make me happy. And then the geekiness in me has taken over again.

This time, I want to become a computer programmer. Now this is why I am in a University, Learning the way of the "Programmer", going to school inorder to finish my bachelors degree in Computer Engineering, Major in Software Engineering (sounds cool right) in 5 years (or maybe not).

You know what, this is not what i want to be when i grow up. and to tell you honestly I'm still not growing up. Right now, I lagged. My attitude is just like in my high school days. I'm still not mature enough. I still live in idealism and not in realism. I know that this is quite good and honestly, i want to lag here, in this state, for a long time. But this can't happen in reality. I have to move on.

You know what I want to be when i really grow up? I want to be wiser, a man of wisdom, with a loving family and a pleasant home. In short, A HAPPY MAN…

What are you doing right now..?

Let me guess? I guess by now you are reading this entry and thinking where will this go. You're thinking how stupid is this guy, writing some kind of crap. By the way, I am quite writing a piece of crap right here. Man I am bored right now. I just want to write somehting down.

Hmm. Lets see. I have this stupid joke in mind. Its from a friend of mine.  I know its quite corny but here it goes. What's the difference between difference and differences. (Now this is the embarassing part.) the difference is:  The son of a king is "difference" and the daughter of the king is "differences"… (get it..!!) Ya ya.. I know its corny… But I hope you smiled a little. Man, I feel crappy right now. Cest la vie

The Silent Love

Love transcends everything, including the one gift we take so often for granted, speech. A touching story with a tear-jerking ending which shows true love is patient and will be a shining light in moments of despair.

From the very Begining, the girl's family objected strongly on her dating this guy. Saying that it has got to do with family background & that the girl will have to suffer for the rest of her life if she were to be with him.

Due to family's pressure, the couple quarrel very often. Though the girl love the guy deeply, but she always ask him: "How deep is your love for me?"

As the guy is not good with his words, this often cause the girl to be very upset. With that & the family's pressure, the girl often vent her anger on him. As for him, he only endure it in silence.

After a couple of years, the guy finally graduated & decided to further his studies in overseas. Before leaving, he proposed to the girl: "I'm not very good with words. But all I know is that I love you. If you allow me, I will take care of you for the rest of my life. As for your family, I'll try my best to talk them round. Will you marry me?"

The girl agreed, & with the guy's determination, the family finally gave in & agreed to let them get married. So before he leave, they got engaged.

The girl went out to the working society, whereas the guy was overseas, continuing his studies. They sent their love through emails & phone calls. Though it's hard, but both never thought of giving up.

One day, while the girl was on her way to work, she was knocked down by a car that lost control. When she woke up, she saw her parents beside her bed. She realised that she was badly injured. Seeing her mum crying, she wanted to comfort her. But she realized that all that could come out of her mouth was just a sigh. She has lost her voice……

The doctors says that the impact on her brain has caused her to lose her voice. Listening to her parents' comfort, but with nothing coming out from her, she broke down.

During the stay in hospital, besides silence cry,…..it's still just silence cry that companied her. Upon reaching home, everything seems to be the same. Except for the ringing tone of the phone. Which pierced into her heart everytime it rang. She does not wish to let the guy know. & not wanting to be a burden to him, she wrote a letter to him saying that she does not wish to wait any longer.

With that, she sent the ring back to him. In return, the guy sent millions & millions of reply, and countless of phonecalls,.. all the girl could do, besides crying, is still crying….

The parents decided to move away, hoping that she could eventually forget everything & be happy.

With a new environment, the girl learn sign language & started a new life. Telling herself everyday that she must forget the guy. One day, her friend came & told her that he's back. She asked her friend not to let him know what happened to her. Since then, there wasn't anymore news of him.

A year has passed & her friend came with an envelope, containing an invitation card for the guy's wedding. The girl was shattered. When she open the letter, she saw her name in it instead.

When she was about to ask her friend what's going on, she saw the guy standing in front of her. He used sign language telling her "I've spent a year's time to learn sign language. Just to let you know that I've not forgotten our promise. Let me have the chance to be your voice. I Love You. With that, he slipped the ring back into her finger. The girl finally smiled.

The Cranberries - Linger (The Cranberries)

The Salty Coffee

He met her on a party, she was so outstanding, many guys chasing after her,while he was so normal, nobody paid attention to him. At the end of the party, he invited her to have coffee with him, she was surprised, but due to politeness, she promised. They sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything, she felt uncomfortable, she thought, please, let me back home. Suddenly he asked the waiter: would you please give me some salt? I'd like to put it in my coffee.

Everybody stared at him, so strange! His face turned red, but, still, he put the salt in his coffee and drank it. She asked him curiously: why you have this hobby? He replied: when I was a little boy, I was living near the sea, I like playing in the sea, I could felt the taste of the sea, salty and bite, just like the taste of the salty coffee. Now every time I have the salty coffee, I will think of my childhood, think of my hometown, I miss my hometown so much, I miss my parents who still living there. Saying that, tears filled his eyes. She was deeply touched. That's his true feeling, from the bottom of his heart.

"A man who can tell out his homesick, he must be a man loves home, cares about home, has responsibility of home," she thought. Then she also started to talk, talked about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was a really nice talk, also a beautiful beginning of their story. They continue to date. She found actually he was a man who meets all her demands: he was tolerance, kind hearted, warm, careful…he was such a good guy but she almost missed him! Thanks to his salty coffee!

Then the story was just like every beautiful love story: the princess married to the prince, then they were living the happy life…And, every time she made coffee for him, she put some salt in the coffee, as she knew that's the way he liked.

After 40 years, he passed away, left her a letter which said: "My dearest, please forgive me, forgive my whole life lie. This was the only lie I said to you, the salty coffee. Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous at that time, actually I wanted some sugar, but I said salt. It's hard for me to change so I just go ahead. I never thought that could be the start of our communication! I tried to tell you the truth many times in my life, but I was too afraid to do that, as I have promised not to lie to you for anything..Now I'm dying, I afraid of nothing so I tell you the truth: I don't like the salty coffee, what a strange bad taste..but I have the salty coffee for my whole life since I knew you, I never feel sorry for anything I do for you. Having you with me is my biggest happiness for my whole life.

If I can live for the second time, I still want to know you and have you as my whole life wife, even though I have to drink the salty coffee again."

Her tears made the letter totally wet. Someday, someone asked her: What's the taste of salty coffee?

It's sweet. She replied.