Thank you for everyone who greeted today, my birthday, the day before, and the days before that. I've received greetings from the usual people and the most unusual bunch, that surprised me!

To all those wonderful people (even though I do not know most of them) who sent me birthday signs, thank you so much!

Even though I still look like a 12 y/o, I'm now 25. For those who kept asking, I still do not have plans to get a boyfriend any time soon, much less to get married. So stop asking. Also, I'm not the one looking for a girlfriend. XD

For my birthday wish... I do not have a birthday wish this year. I just gave up on the usual getting tall and fat birthday wish last year. XD

For my birthday resolution, however, I will try my best to be more patient with people, and at most cases, their stupidity and mood swings; I will try to rant less and swear less; and finally, I will try the hardest for my self — to work hard, study harder, and play the hardest. =D

This year's Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year falls on the same date. So before the clock hits 12, I'm giving you 2 gifts in a row! As usual, click and take!

The photo above was taken last week. That's my brother's beloved glass. We were having lunch then and the ice turned into heart-shape unintentionally. We found it amusing so I took a photo of it.

Of course, for the Lunar New Year, here's something about Tigers that I stole from here:

Tigers do not find worth in power or money. They will be completely honest about how they feel and expect the same of you. On the other hand, they seek approval from peers and family. Generally, because of their charming personalities Tigers are well liked. Often, failing at a given task or being unproductive in his personal or professional life can cause a Tiger to experience a depression. Criticism from loved ones can also generate this type of Tiger reaction. Still, like all felines, Tigers always land on their feet, ready for their next act in life, pursuing it with unyielding energy and hunting it infallibly.

The year of the Ox is going bye bye. I feel sad because I'm born of that year. Then again, here comes another year! x3

(English Translation: Taxi Story: Police)

Medyo interesante ang nasakyang kong taxi driver. Nung nakaraang linggo ito, papuntang Pasig mula Makati ang ruta namin ni kuya kaya medyo napakwento siya. Nagsimula yung aming kwentuhan nung may nakita kaming sasakyan na hindi sumusunod sa batas trapiko.

Driver: Iba talaga dito sa atin. Ang mga tao, hindi marunong sumunod sa batas trapiko. Tapos, itong mga pulis naman, nasusuhulan ng pera, kaya yung mga tao, lalong hindi na sumusunod sa batas trapiko kasi nasusuhulan naman yung mga pulis.

Euri: Oo nga po.

Driver: Karamihan ng mga pulis, nababayaran ng pera. Basta may pera ka, walang batas-batas trapiko. Hindi tulad sa ibang bansa. Karamihan ng mga pulis, nababayaran ng pera. Basta may pera ka, walang batas-batas trapiko. Hindi tulad sa ibang bansa.

Driver: Totoo yan. Naranasan ko yan mismo nung nagtrabaho ako sa abroad ng 10 taon. Ibang-iba talaga dito sa atin. Ang mga pulis eh talaga naman mga buwaya. Nung nagtrabaho ako sa abroad 10 taon, nakaipon akong pambili ng bahay at lupa, kaya medyo matagal bago nasundan yung 2 kong anak ng 2 pa ulit. Yung bahay na napag ipunan ko, tinitirahan namin at pinapaupahan ko yung isa. Pagkatapos, yung kinikita ko dito sa taxi, sa pang araw-araw na gastusin naman napupunta. Kita mo, napapag-aral ko yung 4 kong anak.

Euri: Ilang taon na po ba yung mga anak niyo?

Driver: Ah, yung 2 nagtatrabaho na. Yung 2 naman nasa hayskul pa.

Euri: Bakit niyo naman po naisipang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa? Hindi po ba mahirap?

Driver: Sa totoo lang, mahirap. Pero kailangan eh. At isa pa, nagtago kais ako sa ibang bansa eh. Alam mo kasi, dati akong pulis. Criminology graduate ako, tapos nag pulis ako.

Euri: Ay, ganun po? Eh bakit po tumigil kayo sa pagpupulis?

Driver: Hindi ko na kasi masikmura eh. Kaya nagresign nalang ako, bago pa masunog kaluluwa ko sa impiyerno. Alam mo kasi, nung pulis pa ako, may na raid kaming base ng droga. May nakumpiska kaming 10 kilong shabu. Tapos pagbalik dun sa estasyon, nagkaron ng usap-usapan. Sanabihan ako nung superior namin na 2 kilo na lang yung irereport na nahuli, tapos itatabi na yung 8 kilo. Paghahati-hatian na lang daw namin. Lahat sila sumangayon, ako lang yun hindi. Hindi naman pwedeng hindi ka sumangayon sa gusto nila, papatayin ka ng mga kabaro mo. Pero dahil may prinsipyo ako at hindi ko  masikmura yung gusto nila, nagreisgn ako. Pagkatapos, nag-abroad ako para magtago. Bumalik na lang ako nun katapos ng 10 taon.

Euri: Ay, sabagay po, kung hindi kayo mangingibang bansa, mapapatay kayo dito.

Driver: Oo, talagang papatayin ako ng mga kabaro ko. Isipin mo yung laking pera nung 8 kilong shabu na yun. Nung bumalik ako, nag taxi na lang ako. Di bale nang ganito, nakakaraos naman ako at marangal. Eh kung itinuloy ko yung pagpupulis ko, isa narin ako sa mga bayarin. Kapag kasi nagpulis ka, hindi mo maiiwasang hindi tumanggap eh. Mismong yung pera yung lalapit sayo eh. Kapag tinanggap mo yun, magkapalit na proteksyon iyon eh. Hindi pwedeng wala. Kaya kapag nagpulis ka, kahit gaano ka pa kalinis, siguradong matutukso ka.

--

English translation to follow. XD

GoPets shut down.

I drew you in your best kimono. I love you. And I'll miss you so much.

Bye bye. ='(

My childhood candy. Do you remember it when you were a kid?

I felt a tiny bit of pain suddenly. But simply ignored it. The next thing I knew, I got curious of that tiny bit of pain, so I looked at it. And I found out that I was bleeding. I stared at my own blood. It  fascinated me. The redness of it against my pale skin seemed beautiful. A few seconds after that pause, I washed it off with tap water. It didn't sting. Later after that, I went and pour ethyl alcohol over it. I still didn't felt the sting. I went to get a cup of tea and took a sip of it. And I grabbed the ethyl alcohol again and pour it to my wound. I didn't stop until I felt a tiny bit of sting on it.

After which, I reflected on what I did. I couldn't come up with a rational explanation to it, even if it's just something made up that I would later on believe to be true. The only thing that I could accept was that I wouldn't get satisfied playing with my would of touching it until I feel pain over it. Just like a typical child who wouldn't stop running around until he gets himself wounded all over.

In October, Chette and Philip are celebrating their 7 years of service as  Christians. Now that I think of it, I've been an atheist for 7 years 2 months already. I chose to become an Atheist a few months before Chette and Philip got converted to Born Again Christians. That's right, became an Atheist by choice. It is the religious path I've decided to take, in conclusion for my futile attempt  to search for my life's purpose. I've been religion hopping and going to several religious services for trial until I met Tony, who introduced me and offered me to join the conversations, debates, etc, in Pinoy Atheists group for a peek of their beliefs and philosophies. And few months later, I officially joined the group.

I remembered those days back in my early years in college. When Chette and Philip met Ran-nii, and got them converted to Christianity, there were so much drama going on that things became way too serious that I kinda got annoyed, but decided to simply stepped down. "It was their choice to begin with, they looked happy with it, so let them be." was what was in my thoughts and remained quiet. Freedom of self-expression is the one thing I wanted to grant to people around me, at least.

Several months after that, things started to settle down. Yet, to my surprise, I found Ran-nii (that friend who converted Chette and Philip to Christianity) posting in the Pinoy Atheists group. I got curious and started to wonder why would somebody of that status (religious-wise), post in the group. I simply welcomed him to the group and left him alone since I don't want to get myself involved with their religious drama. And then, several months later, he told me that he officially converted from an Agnostic to an Atheist.

Isn't it ironic?

(English Translation: Taxi Story: Politics)

Ang kulit nung nasakyang kong taxi kaninang umaga. Gaya ng dati, i-blo-blog ko. I-plurk or twit ko na lang sana ito, kaso, medyo may kahabaan yung usapan namin. Nagsimula yung usapan namin nang madaan kami sa isang lugar kung saan may ginagawang daan. Sa may Makati ito, bandang Dasmarinas Village.

Read the rest of this entry »

Our love birds died. We had a couple of pairs before. I think they were about eight pairs, all in an aviary. When we were driven out of our own house, most almost all of them died. Probably because of the new environment and the smaller space they were moved into. Well, can't be helped because they're really quite sensitive. There were three of them that were left. The two, however, died recently.

One of them got his head ripped off. The other one, it's wings. The last one was left alive, but all bloody and near death while having wounded wings. I was told that it's because of the rats. The rats in that apartment where we moved in are really huge. They're almost around the size of regular street cats. It's a good thing that they only come out during the night. Still, it's pretty scary because you'll never know when the rat will come out and bite you while you sleep. There may be a chance that you'll wake up with your arms or legs half eaten. You'll probably die of Rabies, too, later.

If you're a J-rock and/or Visual Kei fan, you're probably already heard the news - Jasmine You died.

I'm depressed. I've been depressed since I heard the news. I thought of making a tribute, whatever tribute I could make for Jasmine You. I wasn't able to make one for hide and Kami when they died, but I thought I would make one this time.

On another news, there would be a Memorial and Virgil for Jasmine You in Los Angeles, USA. If you live in L.A., please find some time to go. There are a lot of fans who would want to go and give a peace of their love for Jasmine You one last time, so if you are able to go, please do.

Info below:

Memorial and Vigil for Jasmine You in Los Angeles

In memory of Jasmine You, we will be holding a special memorial vigil on August 22nd, 7-9pm, at the north east corner of Weller court (Los Angeles and 1st street).

We will be setting up a portrait of Jasmine You surrounded by roses and feathers, with candles to light in his memory.

If fans have any letters, notes, fan art and other gifts, either for the band in condolences, or things in memory of Jasmine, we will be collecting that to send to Japan. We will be collecting mementos to make a part of a banner which everyone will also be able to sign.

At this event we will be taking pictures and recording video to also send to Japan. We ask that you dress elegantly in a style that respects Jasmine You. And to please come up with words of encouragement to send to the band, and to Jasmine's family, so that we can collect video comments.

(source: Memorial and Vigil for Jasmine You in Los Angeles)