I love my father without any question, but traveling with him proved an altogether different scenario. I don't like to think I'm being a bad daughter by saying it. It's just that the whole time we were together I didn't hear him NOT complain. His being old does not give him a reason to be cranky, which in turns takes out all the fun in getting lost in an unfamiliar city. Having to adjust numerous times can grow out on a person. I don't like being scolded because we took the wrong exit. I didn't want us to walk for over half an hour. I don't like having to deal with all those clearly annoyed facial expressions. I dislike having to please another person. I went there to have fun and explore, not lull around and sleep. There are many other days for that.

Hundredth-second: Second time's a charm

I'm with my family for a short five-day visit in HK. It is what we just all needed-- fun, tours, food. We arrived at past 12 in the midnight and had the most nauseous ride (well, apparently for me) to our hostel. We are a group of two, us being the first ones to arrive. I had the daunting task, and an equally huge responsibility, of making our itinerary--  airport transportation, stay, tours, money matters, food, etc. Everyone relied on me so there was only a little room for error, but we all know being in a foreign place, albeit the second time around, is 100% experimentation. Our day of arrival was pretty much different from my first time. We asked for helped from an old man who was darling enough to go out of his way to take us to where we were booked at. I had to asked more than ten people inside the bus, but they all spoke nada Ingles. You could say that he was a blessing even with little knowledge of English. The phrase "Action speaks louder than words" is in great application, if you know what I mean.:p

So much for being hardheaded, I only brought one coat with me.The other sweater I've had with me was still of light material against the very cold weather HK has as of the moment. It was 16-18 deg. C cold! Our plan of going to the beach or taking my nephew to a child-friendly pool, because HK has a total of 32 public swimming pools, had to be cancelled. Even my father who rarely feels cold doesn't stand a chance.

Good morning, indeed!!Having breakfast at this quaint and quiet diner near our hostel.

One Pekind Duck coming right up

A not-yet-busy-day in Mong Kok

Where to?

Hundredth- Second: Life Tread

Dear Me at 15 (or 16),

You're probably sitting in class waiting for the first period to start. You grumble about having to wake up extra early because it's a Monday and attendance in the bi-weekly flag ceremony is a must (and because you don't want your name said out loud for everyone to hear).

You cram at almost everything-- homework, examinations, class recital, Algebra/Physics/Practical Arts-- for fear of failing, because you want your name listed in the Honors' List.

Apart from a little training in Taekwondo, Volleyball, and Track-and-Field, you didn't join enough sports because you've always thought you were too thin. You were also too engrossed with your studies.

After some time of hanging out with your classmates, you've slightly neglected your studies.Then the vicious cycle of wanting to always excel sets in again. It would've put into a compromise your social life.

You had the many chance of leading a group or the class and you were a little mean. You shouted and had everything rewritten or retaken because it didn't quite reach your expectations. You had the boys punished by making them come extra early the next day despite the late dismissal after a hard day's practice.

You stayed at the back of the car making silly faces behind your Lola's back because you were reprimanded for being rowdy and naughty. Then you complained and made up stuff to get your Ma at your side, as if misbehaving wasn't bad enough.

I would tell you that there's MORE to life than all those. You should have known, but perhaps you were a hopelessly clueless and sometimes ignorant youth back then. You probably thought those were the only things that matter.

I would tell you:

1. Breathe. Relax. Stop worrying because it doesn't solve anything. Yours was a problem so little compared to those in their 20s, 30s or 40s-- everyone who's struggling to make a living to support a family of 5 or 9.

2. Your academic grade doesn't define you. Join some more sports. And dressing so shabbily then wasn't a crime. Everyone lacked some sense of fashion. You will get by.

3. Don't ever bash your Mama for pushing/forcing you to take the Art/Ballet class every weekend. Look at yourself now-- wishing you listened and practiced more. Your parents have gone through great lengths to give you the life you had then and now.

4. It's OK for that one guy in your class to know that you've liked him for four years or so. It gave you the butterfly feeling in your stomach when you had that dance on your Senior Prom.

5. The friends you've made in high school are the friends you'll eternally keep because they practically know all the silliest and strangest things you did.

6. Don't be ever afraid to fail because it'll toughen you up. When you commit a mistake, say your sincerest apology and ask for help.

8. Practice what you preach. When you say, 8 AM sharp, be there fifteen minutes before the time.

9. Go on, have that green mango dipped in soy sauce and salt that the vendor outside your school sells.Sit and lie by the green grass in the school's big field. Hold hands and share stories with your friends. Do not be in a hurry-- that T.V. show can wait. It's the little things in life that are free and tangible (like the small, stupid conversation you have over the phone or the funny notes you pass around in class while the teacher isn't looking or the secret glances you give when you thought that cute guy wasn't looking) that count.

10. Respect the elders. They're wiser and they know better.

You were wonderful once and still are. Don't look back with bitterness and regret for life is an experience meant to be lived. 

Love,

Me at 24

Some drivers really get the worst of me. There are those imbecile drivers who honestly should go back to school because simple rules like staying on your lane cannot even be followed. And they call themselves drivers! Excessive honking to remind them to stay on their lane just won't do-- either they're dumb or they play deaf. Please excuse my language. I always try to keep my cool but today got me so mad.

One-hundredth: Honor

Today, before leaving the hospital, I had to learn the importance of keeping a promise; and that to always do good with the words you say no matter what. My patient, who has just recently lost his wife in a fatal plane crash, had to be the one to remind me that you just don't commit something to someone without the intention of fulfilling it. In the middle of our interesting conversation about grieving, loss, hope, acceptance, and faith, I had to excuse myself for a while because I had to attend to my other patients. I told him I will be back as soon as I can. The moment I told these words, he instantly lit up. Little did I know, I will be gone for a long while because something came up. When I went back to his room, his lights were on and the bed was unmade but no sign of him. I waited for a few minutes knowing he'd be back anytime soon. Seeing as I'm again running out of time to wait, I gave up. Hours went by and I forgot about the talk we were to have. To make the long story short, he called out my name and like the dear old man that he was, he scolded me for not keeping my promise. To say he was up all night waiting for me was understatement. And I've never felt so bad in a long while. I could have eased his frustrations in life had I only made good with my words. I could have listened to his worries, one of which is that his son lies in a critical situation in the I.C.U. He could use a friend right that moment and I could have been one. I feel so awful. I hate myself. :(

Ninety-ninth: KONY 2012

This short film that aims to raise awareness on the true and current situation of our world today has moved and left me in tears. While I live my life in peace and happiness, there are thousands of Ugandan children living in fear and injustice. While I have finished acquiring my college degree, there are thousands of Ugandan children who are forced instead to learn the perils of holding a gun. Had I been in Jacobs's situation and waking up everyday knowing I've lost my dear brother because of the brutality of another person and wishing nothing else but to die, I would've already lost my sanity. It is such a horrible, ugly situation to be in.

I would like to be a part of this very important campaign. And while I am not as active and as hands-on as those youth and people seen in this video, I would like to contribute by sharing this video to the global community. It may not do much but it certainly accounts for something.

The arrest of Kony means a stop to cruelty and its domain (including but not limited to sex slave, mutilation, and murder). His arrest means the people in the world we live do not tolerate any form of barbarity or inhumane treatment and we stand up and take action against it. We do not just shrug our shoulders nor play blind or mute to the cries and woes of those gravely affected; so that in the next five to ten years any likes of Kony will seem to be a less likely imminence.

Ninety-eight: Unwritten

Little things get me-- most especially when I'm awake in the wee hours of the morning then I stare into blank space, and think of things seemingly unfit. 

• Driving home after a having a hearty meal with my coworkers, I couldn't help but gush and thank the Lord for all the blessings coming my way. I may earn so little from my work but the satisfaction and self-growth I get back in return is priceless. 
• I got to listen to some of my favorite songs over a four-hour lazy stretch during the shift. I sang more than a few lines from each and every song played. Who knew my knowledge in most of the songs' lyrics were right all along? I didn't doubt myself for a minute there, simply because I was so engrossed I actually didn't care.
• I continually accept, after many series of similar events, that I don't mind being alone or not having someone to talk to. They say no man is an island and I concur that. But there are days when being alone and getting lost in my thoughts is the wisest idea. It's good not having to please anybody.
• I begin to wonder how some people can be increasingly inconsiderate of others' mistakes. How can someone be so quick to judge? Unless you've walked a few miles in another person's shoes, I don't think we  understand the entirety of a person's action/attitude. So what if she doesn't always wear a smile, that doesn't make her a snob. So what if she doesn't join in our group conversation, that doesn't give you the right to shun her in future gatherings. Seriously, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Can't we all just get by?
• My sisters, whom I am with 24/7, is a light after that long tunnel of uncertainties. I can never go a day without thinking of them. My inner desire is that all the little things they secretly ask for be granted.

Thank you, dear Lord, for being my constant ally. :)