By Omer B. Washington

I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is be someone who can be loved.
The rest is up to them.
I’ve learned that no matter how much I care,
some people just don’t care back.
I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust
and only seconds to destroy it.
I’ve learned that it’s not what you have in your life
but who you have in your life that counts.
I’ve learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you’d better know something.

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t compare yourself
to the best others can do,
but to the best you can do.
I’ve learned that it’s not what happens to people,
It’s what they do about it that matters.
I’ve learned that no matter how thin you slice it,
there are always two sides.
I’ve learned that you should always talk to loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you’ll see them.
I’ve learned that you can keep going
long after you think you can’t.

I’ve learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done
When it needs to be done,
regardless of the consequences.
I’ve learned that there are people who love you dearly,
but just don’t know how to show it.
I’ve learned that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.
I’ve learned that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.
I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.

I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend is,
they’re going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.
I’ve learned that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I’ve learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken,
the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may influence who we are,
but we are responsible for who we become.
I’ve learned that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.
And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I’ve learned that sometimes you have to put the individual
ahead of their actions.
I’ve learned that no matter the consequences,
those who are honest with themselves go farther in life.
I’ve learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours
by people who don’t even know you.
I’ve learned that even when you think you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you,
you will find the strength to help.

I’ve learned that writing,
as well as talking,
can ease emotional pains.
I’ve learned that the people you care most about in life
are taken from you too soon.
I’ve learned that it’s hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice
and not hurting people’s feelings and standing up for what you believe.
I’ve learned to love
and be loved.



*from justbesplendid

It's official.

My Certificate of Matriculation was printed today.. and so my dear friends I am officially back in school!  Woohoo!   I scratched number 5 and added a few more to my list for the year. J


finish SCP
learn a new language
learn to cook with friends
watch Lloydy movie- UGENT!
go back to school
November target with Chai
watch ASAP live
Boracay with co-BMs and DB
 
I told Noel kinakabahan ako to start school again. Kinakabahan ako but its good kaba. J

rain.people.life.

It’s been raining really hard.  It would have been wonderful, except I don’t like rain.  Then, I read this and the rain isn’t such a problem. ♥



“ Sometimes it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one in the world who’s struggling, who’s frustrated, or unsatisfied, or barely letting by. But that feeling’s a lie. And if you just hold on, just find the courage to face it all for another day, someone or something will find you and make it all okay. Because we all need a little help sometimes. Someone to help us hear the music in the world, to remind us that it won’t always be this way. That someone is out there. And that someone will find you.



You ever look a picture of yourself, and see a stranger in the background?. It makes you wonder how many strangers have pictures of you. How many moments of other peoples life have we been in. Were we a part of someone’s life when their dream came true or were we there when their dream died. Did we keep trying to get in? As if we were somehow destined to be there or did the shot take us by surprise. Just think, you could be a big part of someone elses life, and not even know it



 Every once in a while people step up, they rise above themselves. Sometimes they surprise you, and sometimes they fall short. Life is funny sometimes, it can push pretty hard, but if you look close enough you find hope in the words of children, in the bars of a song and in the eyes of someone you love. And if you’re lucky, and if you’re the luckiest person on this entire planet, the person you love decides to love you back.”  Nathan Scott, One Tree Hill

a picture

I don’t know why, but I just love this picture! J
For a second, I thought I know exactly what she’s feeling.
I could almost imagine the millions of stuff running through her head.

now when i complain.. i think.. lemonade!

This week has been pretty good.  Really good.  Noel sent something that really made sense. Reading it, I realized that I complain a lot.  I know that I complain about walking, sa init, sa pagod.  I mean, I complain about stuff that most people complain about.  Haaaay.  Sometimes, I just couldn’t help it.  Although I would always count my blessings at the end of the day, I realized that I could cut back on bitching. J

Today at Mcdo..
Gian:  can I eat?
Noel:  yes.
Gian:  hmmm.. sawa na ko Mcdo..
Noel:  G, think lemonade
Gian:  lemonade.. lemonade.. lemonade.. J


I have been reminded that I am blessed and that I have so much to really be grateful and gracious about.  IMMA MAKE LEMONADE!



so here is a part of that email:

Life Is a Gift

Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak..

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who died too early on this earth.

  

Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.

  

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

  

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us is without sin.

  

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you’re alive and still around..

Do you ever feel

...like you’re losing grip on a part of your life when you’re finally able to get another part of it under control and you’re all happy about it?

I always feel that.  Sometimes, when everything starts to go okay, I find myself uneasy. Anxious and kind of wondering which part will fall apart next.

Why do you think that is?  Am just wondering...

Sobrang init grabe! ..I think my brain is already fried.

Words

Been thinking alot about words lately. how powerful they are.  How beautiful it can be if chosen carefully and grouped with the right kind.  How easily it can be misinterpreted and how deeply it can hurt.

CERULEAN, GRUNGE, PERIWINKLE, FINICKY, and CONVICTION are just some of my favorite words.  Conviction seems so serious and personal while Periwinkle is so whimsical.  Finicky sounds interesting and grunge sounds too cool to me. hehehe.  I like how cerulean rolls out of my mouth when i say it.

I dont like the word hate and indifferent.  The first one is too harsh while the other seems too blah. hahaha.

But of all the words, I think WHOLEHEARTED is the one i love most.   I just like it.  It sounds so positive and happy.  It sounds good too.  Wholehearted. Makes me smile.

So, what would be your favorite or not so favorite word? :P

Ways to Know if You're Growing Up

One of my favorite blogs to read is The Wild and Wily Ways of a Brunette Bombshell.  In her archives, she posted an entry entitled 9 ways I know I'm growing uP.  It Caught my attention because the first one was, 1. I've given up soda. Not entirely, but almost.  I love it.  I shared this with a friend who also liked the post and asked me what would be my 9 ways. As usual it made me think.  Wala akong maisip kahit isa.  I’m resigned to the idea that I may not be grown up yet.  I have a lot more growing up to do I guess.  A LOT MORE!

But this wonderful friend that I have amazingly wrote his 9 Ways in less than 6 mins.  Grabe noh?!  After he finishes typing his answers isa lang ang nasabi ko: shet grown-up ka na nga!  With his permission.. Instead of mine, I am posting HIS 9 Ways he knows he's growing up.

1. I become more realistic than idealistic
2. I become less self-conscious
3. I only mind people who matter
4. I learn to forgive
5. I let go of my convictions if I'm given a more logical reason to believe otherwise
6. I gave up my vices- soda, cigs, pork, beef.  Meaning I live a lot healthier with proper diet and exercise
7.  I spend less on clothes and more on things that will enrich my experience like traveling
8. I earn more and get to share more
9. I laugh at my old self and realize how I like what I have become over the years.

And so.. while I type this, hindi pa rin ako nakakaisip but I am not  in a hurry.  I wish i could answer the question as fast as he can.  Pero hindi I can't eh.  Not yet, i guess.  But It'll come to me.  I know it.

mygirls

our very first picture together. 

after teriyaki boy in Glorietta.

Our mall. 

First day today.

Wasn't as bad as i expected it to be.

 pero sad pa din. 

 I missed you girls.

sobra.

hugs.

Self-Portrait

Self-portrait
1. a representation of an artist, drawn, painted, photographed, or sculpted by the artist.
2. a verbal picture or description, especially of a person.

This is pretty much who I am at 25, defined by what I enjoy and what I always have lying around me.  Me in just everyday stuff that I know may be trivial sa iba, but is important to me.  These are not just stuff but symbols that try to characterize who and why and what I am.



Now let me explain why..

I can't leave home without water. Weird, but I always worry what will happen if I'm riding the bus going to or from the office, and I am really really thirsty or masamid ako.. i gotta have water dba? haha

I bought this heart pendant 4 years ago.. its one of the stuff i got for myself with my first pay.  I wear it everyday and I'm glad i got it.  The yabang pinoy band, I really love.  I don't go out without it now.  My first one was given by Clang and I have another by Jen. We all must be proud to be Pinoys. :)

my notebooks! I have loved writing, doodling, scribbling since forever.  I like collecting them.  I always have a notebook at hand.  When i was in HS, Kaye and I have this notebook that we pass back and forth during class.  Pag may nakabasa nun, patay! hahaha. The one on top is the notebook i got with Z and clang, the 2 colorful ones were Old Navy notebooks given to me by Kaye.  I think she got this from the states. and the one with banig cover is my scarpbook.  Filled with notes, receipts and pictures.

these are just some of the movies that i can watch over and over and over.  Some are like super old flicks that still makes me laugh so hard and those that make me cry like a baby.  Although, may nagsabi saken.. na lahat naman iniiyakan ko eh.. which is true. My best friend's wedding is my all time favorite of course.  I still get teary-eyed at the part of the movie when Jules told Michael that she had loved him for 9 god-damned years.  I still go aww when Michael told Jules that he is Crazy Jealous of George. I love Jules. :)  "Creme brulee can never be Jello, YOU can never be Jello." and of course.. White Chicks! hahaha. feeling ko gasgas na dvd ko.

i love books.  These are just a few of my latest acquisition.  I love the feeling of going to a bookstore and finding a good book.  I love the smell of it and i can almost hear the spine crack when you first open it. haha. Weird ba?

now this is patti, my laptop.   I have always wanted to get one in pink and last year i was able to buy it.  When i first saw her, i just knew i have to get her.  it took about 10 mins for me to decide that am getting her. hahaha.  She's pink and pretty.  One of my greatest buys of 2008!  do you like my wallpaper?  I know i do!  I'm inlove with Chuck.  Blair I like too.  GG makes me rush home during Tue mornings.

and of course, Bikoy my phone. I love the fact that i am able to do and keep tons of stuff with it.  make Phone calls and send text messages are the things i always always do.  I love the fact that some of the my year' greatest moment were captured on camera by Bikoy and that 6a everyday, I can listen to Chico and Del and listen to all of my fave mp3s with it too.  I can even check my mail, if patti's unavailable.



"Take the time to come home to yourself every day.  ~Robin Casarjean"