Filling life with life February 5, 2010
Posted by Diadem in : Lessons in life, Travels , add a commentThe weather is gloomy here in Canberra today. A puzzling weather condition because it is supposed to be summer still. From my window, I can see the dim sky which is usually blue and very exquisite in showing the grandeur of clouds formation. I can feel the gentle swift of cold winds from the leaves of plum trees along the side of the University House where I am staying. And there’s the rain as if heaven is in sorrow. I can hear the loud chirping of the magpie birds that makes me wonder whether they are enjoying the rain.
My life’s like the weather – sometimes gloomy, sometimes bright, sometimes blooming, and sometimes fall in expected and unexpected ways. I recognize though that there’s really no perfect life. I have to go through various situations to experience and learn life’s values.
I remember my colleague and friend, Jaime Manalo, when I asked him one time, “Bakit kaya walang University in handling life, eh mas mahirap pa ito kahit sa anong degree (Why is there no University in handling life when, in fact, it is more difficult than any degree)?” He simply told me, “Ate, life itself is a University because you get to learn from your every own experiences. Redundant na pag may University pa.” I was stunned by what he said. True enough, I have to learn from whatever I am going through.I always strive to be the best that I can be… (more…)
Joy of sharing December 26, 2009
Posted by Diadem in : Lessons in life , comments closedWhen I was a child, I always looked forward for Christmas because I always have a new dress, shoes, and some presents from my siblings. We don’t have Christmas in my religion, though it has become a “cultural” practice.
Things changed when I entered college. I had to buy my own stuff and got a little chance of receiving a Christmas present, except when I joined kris kringles. At 16, I had a responsibility to save money from my allowance to buy my needs and wants. When I got a job, it was my turn to give presents.
If I start to get excited at the start of December when I was a child, I began to think of Christmas (since I was 16) as early as September to save and think of what presents to buy for my family. I am excited to give and I am thrilled to see the happy faces of my family, especially my nieces and nephews, when they receive even a little stuff from me. Their simple joys we’re enough repayment for my long preparation for Christmas.
Thank you GOD December 17, 2009
Posted by Diadem in : Lessons in life, Travels , add a comment 
For the last few weeks, I have been a lazy gal. I did nothing significant except indulged myself with instant foods and stared at the ceiling and my laptop blankly thinking of nothing. What a life!
That’s how I “enjoyed” the backseat for a while. I felt tired after hurdling some emotional tremors. But after our year-end thanksgiving in our church, I felt energized and realized that I was so blessed despite challenges.
For sure, there will be moments of doing nothing significant in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. I believe that it’s alright to stop and rest for a while without stumbling on roads less travelled.
Growing old steaming hot September 23, 2009
Posted by Diadem in : Lessons in life , 7commentsLast night, out of boredom, I took the Facebook quiz on “How will you look like wh
en you ge
t older?” The result was hilariously exhilarating – I am going to be smoking hot! The result came out with pictures of two very seductive ladies in their skimpy two-piece bikinis boasting off their really so big and firm boobs (whew!)
I was silently laughing with the result. How on earth could I be that so physically steaming hot when I’m just petite that fits in all size 8 dresses (putatively teenager’s size or children’s size here in Australia), and needs to buy a thick-foamed brassiere just to be recognized that I am a grown up woman!
I suddenly realized that, yes, am really getting older. It’s no joke. I don’t get frantic because, anyway, I know I am aging gracefully. I may not be growing old as a sultry sex kitten, like how others would tend to judge people, but I know I am smoking hot on how I live my life. To me, that’s what matters most! (more…)
Keeping My Sanity June 26, 2009
Posted by Diadem in : Lessons in life , 7comments 
My research requires me to go to the field almost every day. I am under the heat of the scorching sun when it is sunny with my favorite blue jeans and white shirt. I walk in muddy fields when it is raining with borrowed farm boots from one of the farmers’ sons in the community where I am working. In my interviews with farmers, I capture their aches and pains. In an instant, I become part of their humanity.
On my way to the field from my boarding house, I see different faces of poverty. I hear and feel the roaring thunder of bombs in nearby conflict areas from my research site from time to time. I hear crime issues (kidnapping, theft, murder, grudge, and family feuds) as I open the radio, watch TV, and hear them from jeepney passengers every time I go to the market to buy food. It’s quite stressful. I even questioned myself one time why I am still here and what I am doing here. Is it worth my sanity?