Ripples of Life: March 2012

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Graduation: Reminiscing the Past

Graduation is a time to close a chapter of someone's school life, and a time to move forward. It is also a time to thank the people whom had the big part of his/her journey. A time when you feel the happiness and excitement, sadness and sorrow.

I've always been emotional every time graduation month comes. For me, the college graduation was the most memorable and unforgettable one. I remember during that time, I promised myself not to cry but it never happened. I didn't even noticed that I'm crying at the end of the ceremony. That time brought back the memories, the struggles and hardships I had encountered of being a working student, the nearly giving up, the sleepless nights, the tears, the happiness, the late night review, the friendship of my co-working student classmates, the love and support of Nana Tiying whose always been proud of me, and the triumph. That college graduation started my new life, motivated me to move forward and face the new chapter of my life. I never stopped walking on my journey since then, until I found what God intended for me. Now I'm a successful teacher. I'm so blessed, I know.

Today, as I watched the news on TV, I was inspired by the story of Sarah Tanduyan of Tiaong, Quezon. She is a daughter of a junk collector, whose been struggling hard to provide the needs of her daughter's schooling. This Friday she will be graduating Magna Cum Laude with the course of Business Administration at Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo. According to her “Parang dine-degrade po ang tatay ko dahil po ganoon lang po ang hanapbuhay niya so nagtiyaga po ako para po at least dumating ang time na maiahon ko po sila sa kahirapan,” I was really teary-eyed by her story...It is similar to the story I posted here Poverty is not a Hindrance to One's Success, about Gabriel Pelias. Those stories brought me tears because it's close to my own story.

As I watched graduation ceremonies every year, I can't help but to look back...to remember the sad and happy memories of my life. I just wish every student will be inspired by our stories, that there is no impossible dream if you just believe.

Graduation is an important part of our lives, it's not the end, it's just a start of a new journey.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Be Humble

Be humble at all times, it will help you to become a better person!

"Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? learn first the foundation of HUMILITY."....Saint Augustine (Roman Catholic Saint)

"Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up."....Jesse Jackson ( Politician, Civil Rights Activist)

"Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends."......Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th U.S. President)

"An error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it."....Orlando A. Battista (Chemist, Author)

"There is no limit to the amount of a good man can do,as long as he does not care who takes the credit."...Sunday-Bolorunduro Awoniyi (Nigerian Politician)

"Nobody stands taller than those willing to stand corrected." ~William Safire

"Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself at all." ~William Temple

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Palawan Trip:Sidelights

Palawan trip was amazing. It was unforgettable.

We left Palawan with a smile but with a heavy heart also, because of the limited time, the three days were not enough to explore the place. As we bid goodbye, I promise to myself that I will come back and discover other things about Palawan. I will never forget the good things about the place, the images of the clean and beautiful spots, and the friendliness of the people.

Thank GOD I collected memories, wrote stories, got pictures and experienced extra-ordinary things.

I just intended to have a good shot to this beautiful tree, but there's this lady in two-piece having a pictorial, and added beauty to this pix.

Sir Joey had this pix. She belongs to our tour group. She's from Sweden, as well as her companion. They're so kind and approachable naman.

A couple enjoying the beach+the heat of the sun

A group of tourists strolling at the beach

Sir joey shot this pix. Nice TAN...but not too sexy...swear:))

They're our group mates in the tour. They're from Sweden. They didn't swim actually, they just lie there the whole afternoon.

Oh, what's that commotion all about?....oh! they saw a sea creature.

...and here's the sea creature found...I forgot the name...hehe

tourists waiting for the boats...

this group was like kids playing around before riding on the boat.

oh how sweet, they're actually our group mates from cebu

a group of foreigners who just came from the underground river.

One thing I admire about Palawan is its cleanliness. No wonder it is the cleanest city in the country. Look at this street sweeper, she's cleaning the streets early in the morning.

Sir Joey captured this shot. We didn't know what's this man's doing, maybe he had his morning exercise along the street.

While on the van, sir joey keeps on capturing shots along the way. Palawan's tricycles were one of the cutest.

Early in the morning they're busy in the talipapa market

This is just across the church. Look how clean and peaceful it is.

At the departure area of Puerto Princesa airport, there's this foreigner who had a conversation with us. He's asking if his flight to Mactan has been called. (hayy...nosebleed kami)

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

A Troubled Friend

I have a friend, a very dear friend who has a problem right now. She's terribly needed someone to talk to, to comfort her and be with her in times like this. She had a very big heart problem, maybe some will say its not a big deal. But I understand her. I know where she is coming from. She is hurting inside, though she's not showing it to us, and it's very difficult to pretend that she's okay.

I know it's so painful to end up a relationship, but we should try to accept it, I told her. It's not the end of everything, and maybe its just a test for their relationship. And I know it will be okay in the end. I don't know if I'm the right person to say these things, but as a friend, this is the least that I can do. I'm not in a relationship right now but as I go through life, I'm used to face different battles, hardships, and problems that come my way. I've also learned to handle these carefully, that's why perhaps when it comes to my friend's problems, I'm here as a rescuer, a savior.(daw..hehe)

I'm always been a good friend, they say. I'm a good adviser, a shoulder to cry on, and a good listener. I'm so happy when I see my friend enlightened with my advises, and see her smile.

I want her to put back her old self, to regain the happy life she had once, and to face new life. I want her to find the right person she's been looking for for a long time, and find the perfect happiness she wants for a lifetime.

I Love you, friend..Take it easy...it will be okay, I know:))

Read this also, it might help "Coping up with the Pain"

Monday, March 12, 2012

Happiness

"Happiness is a journey, not a destination; happiness is to be found along the way not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it's too late. The time for happiness is today not tomorrow." ~ Quoted by Paul H Dunn

"The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what you have, and to be able to lose all desire for things beyond your reach." ~ Lin Yutang

Friday, March 09, 2012

Memories of Palawan

Palawan trip taught me some lessons in life, that when you travel, enjoy the best you can, forget those problems and worries for a while. Take pictures, laugh, jump and shout to show your happiness, write poems, notes or stories while on trip, build memories and leave footsteps in that place.