An Open Letter

To the jeepney driver:

     Whenever I set my foot on your vehicle and whether I like it or not, I entrust my life to you. I beg you to please be calm and if possible, refrain from driving like you're on a drag racing. It is your duty to make sure that the unloading area is accessible to you as each passenger may tend to say "para" anytime, thus, I urge you to stay on the right lane. And if and when someone says "para" while we're on the middle of the road, please don't stop right there and then. I don't want to die a double death (heart attack and car accident).

     And for all kind of sake, please refrain from texting while driving. Our precious lives were in your hands. 

p.s. it's okay to wait for passengers, just don't wait for the invisible ones.

To the passengers:

     Be reasonable to understand that the drivers can't just drop you anywhere you want. Don't be mad when they follow the rules. More so, always remember you're on a PUV, be considerate to pass the other's fare like they did for you. Sit properly because PUV's seats were meant to be shared. And for the girls with long free flowing silky hair, please hold it when the wind is blowing before it wiped out what's left of my face.

Jeepney -  the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating. Wikipedia

Para -  the word we say that signals the driver to stop the vehicle so that we can get off. I don't know where it really came from and I am not in my utmost inspired mood to do the research but according to about.com it is a Spanish preposition to indicate a destination. That made sense, after all we were once a Spanish Colony.

photo credit

The Road to Sagada

Last year marked the beginning of new friendship through common friend. We've only shared our thoughts and emotions via Facebook, while we're oceans and miles away from each other. There are differences but comes also the common grounds: our love for pictures, scenic beauties and the desire to travel. So we came up with the perfect plan to pursue our desire and started it all by planning the trip to Sagada. It took us almost one year of planning, inquiring and searching to make it all happen.

Since me and my friend were the ones in the Philippines then, we took the responsibility of putting it all together, from transportation to accommodation; from the tour guide to itinerary.

Matter of fact, we were used to just paying our share of expenses and our other buddies will do all the hardwork. So this travel to Sagada is a memorable one for us, because it's our first time to do it all on our own while the rest were in Boracay.

And the long wait was over. It was a mix emotions for us considering some of my friends dreamed of stepping into the land of Sagada way back high school days. And the dream was fulfilled last week in time for thanksgiving. When the other side of the world was celebrating for their bounties, we're in Sagada, celebrating and strengthening our  lasting friendships and forming new ones.

Detailed story of our trip coming up. Just needed a few days to think how to sum it up. Cheers!

The Time Keeper

This is  a story about the meaning of time

I first saw the cover of this book while updating my list on Shelfari. Released last September 04, 2012, it is now one of New York Times Bestseller in Fiction. I barely browse for new books cause I always purchase  mine at Booksale. Anything that caught my attention and has a good blurb will do, no matter what the release date it. But this book really had me at first glimpse of the cover. I fell in love with the pocket watches and not to mention that this was brought to us by Mitch Albom, the one and only author of Tuesdays with Morrie. 

Although I love to read, I don't do book reviews. I tend to spoil the fun for those who haven't read it yet (spoliler yeah) due to excitement. And for the record I won't do it still. I just want to leave you with remarkable thoughts I found so compelling to share and who knows might lead you to browse for the book at goodreads  and understand the real essence of time. 

• "It is never too late or too soon. It is when it is supposed to be" - Old Man
• "Man alone measures time. Man alone chimes the hour. And, because of this, man alone suffers the paralyzing fear that other creature endures. A fear of time running out". - Old Man
• "We all yearn for what we lost. But sometimes, we forget what we have". Dor
• "With endless time, nothing is special. With no loss or sacrifice, we can't appreciate what we have". - Dor
• "There is a reason God limits our days. To make each one precious". -Old Man
• "When you are measuring life, you are not living it". - Dor

When all you can do is dream

Whenever I find myself in the middle of a traffic or on sleepless days, I do dream about wonderful stuffs instead of counting sheep on my head. And when I say wonderful stuffs, that includes endless things including the plan of my dream house and everything in it.

What a cozy place to read isn't it? Opps, I mean to live. But heck, seems like every part was meant to jive well with my reading hobby. And speaking of reading, just in case you're concerned or you care about my hobby marathon sort of list, you can click here.

photo credit by number 

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Life is just a cup of cake

I saw this photo while browsing Pinterest. Of course there is where people go when they would like to see mouth watering diy's, outfit style, home decor and furnishing and anything in between. 

photo source

How true that life is just a cup of cake I asked myself and suddenly I had a trip down memory lane. Maybe it was triggered by the fact that I saw someone last week ( a close family friend) whom we've lost in touch with since I moved to my new place. Like the old story, I was so eager to get out of the place then, hence, I never had the chance to drop by and bid my proper bye for now see you soon thing.

Okay, so I saw the couple when I was running errands. We did a little hi and hello and what's your number cause I am running late for a meeting. I sent them a message as soon as I boarded the public vehicle (I doesn't do it usually - the texting on PUV). I thought what made them lose weight was the old age factor, but I learned that their only child was battling cancer for three years now. That is exactly the number of years (almost) since I moved.

I really don't know what to feel, but if there's one thing I am thankful is that they are keeping their high hopes and strong faith. Really, that couple  earned my respect then and I awe them more now. 

Honestly, I felt shame. Comparing what they're going through, mine was just a piece of cake, but I almost let my world go tumbling down. 

Please include them in your prayers, that God's plan for their lives would be administered perfectly no matter how hard it maybe.