The 'good old' occasion...

...that always brings happiness.
=============================================================================
by  PAM

As I squeezed myself through the crowd of last-minute 'Christmas shoppers', feeling really tired and stressed out rather than excited as I used to feel in the same season in the past years, I felt that we are losing the true spirit of Christmas.  I hear shoppers asking one another, "would this look good on FB?"  Others prefer more opinions,"wait, let me post this on Instagram and see what my followers think."  

Perhaps, I'm just incredibly overworked and too physically tired to appreciate the 'festive' mood around me, seeing and hearing instead the shallowness of people's take on Christmas these days.  It is also possible that I'm growing seriously sick and tired of all the negative occurrences that shaped 2016... and how people welcome any kind of so-called change for the sake of having change... even if such change requires bartering one's soul with the devil!  I know, it is so strange to feel the frustration over these things when Christmas is all about preparing a clean heart for baby Jesus to dwell in.  I guess, before purging one's heart of frustration, one has to stare frustration in the face first... and then kick it out with relish!  

Welcome, HAPPINESS!  'Joy to the World, the Lord is come!'

"Let every heart prepare Him room...
...no more let sins and sorrows grow...
He comes to make His blessings flow.
He rules the earth with Truth and grace...
And makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness
and wonders of His love"

It's a grand, 'good old occasion', Christmas is... and it's always a happy one.  Perhaps, what makes us happy then is no longer the same thing that makes the world happy now... but to hold on to the true meaning of Christmas is our own choice.  It is our decision to make.

Seriously, I'm not sure how Christmas should be celebrated anymore these days... with all the 'noise' around, and the changing 'norms' by which Christmas is viewed in our world now.  It is not my place to attempt to 'preach' and convince people about the true meaning of Christmas... but I'll stick with our family 'tradition' of spending Christmas together... going to Church to hear the Gospel of God's greatest gift to mankind - His own beloved Son to walk among us, sitting around a humble table of (mostly) home-cooked food, exchanging stories of how our year went, and exchanging little gifts that express our affection for one another... and just enjoy one another's company, thanking God for one another... and letting happiness dance around us, and stay with us in the coming New Year. 

Merry Christmas!

***

Friday night music...

...because some relaxing is in order.
=============================================================================
by PAM

You know, we're supposed to have begun our vacation last weekend but, for some reason, I'm still stuck in a hill of many work-related stuff.  This is killing me especially that Christmas is just around the corner... and it's my favorite family occasion of the year, and one that I don't (and never) plan to ditch - 'party ditcher' that I am - until I get to party with the Christmas birthday celebrator Himself in the clouds someday.  But, hey, I don't ditch parties 'just because'... I usually do it 'cause I can't 'change gear' fast enough from work mode to party mode.  And, if I force myself, I end up being a party pooper, and it's worse!  Yeah, too much work.  I know it sounds like an excuse but, man, I wish I was just making excuses, too!  Oh, boy... the so-called (boring) life of an academic - I'm living it.  What have I done to deserve this??  Oh, well.... 

But back to Christmas and other beautiful things.... my shopping list is still... uhm, that - a list... with very minimal ticks on it. Yaikks!

Alright, we need to soothe some nerves, get on the 'vacation track'... and try to 'fly' tomorrow, get things done, and CELEBRATE!  To do that, let me listen to what 'kids' these days listen to.  Feel free to listen in... let me know if you need me to pump up the volume...

"...now, I need a miracle.
...I need you right now, so don't let me down."

Didn't that sound great?  So, is it easier for us, '80s people, now to understand why kids these days love the Chainsmokers?  But, nah, I'm not going to go through the lyrics and the meaning of the song, and all that - a very '80s person thing to do, too.  Right now, let me say just that I like the sound of this song.... and this, too...

"So, baby, pull me closer

in the backseat of your Rover that I know you can't afford...

...we ain't ever getting older."

Wow, I have to say, that sounds good.  It's 'straightforward', just-fun sort of good... but it works.  Maybe that's the secret of capturing kids' attention these days: 'straightforward', no drama, embellished with all that tech stuff but with a simple message that sticks.  They have a very "noisy" world as it is, and they're constantly moving from one frame of mind to the next... if we want to populate one frame with our message, we need to do it fast and catchy, and solid!  With luck, they'd give us a double take... I think they call that "hit".

Here's another one - from that Canadian 'boy wonder', Shawn Mendes - that I kept listening on the radio for the past how many months...

"...and you're spending all your time in this wrong situation...

...I know I can treat you better than he can."

Hmmm... now, that sounds good, and the message of the song is quite deep, too, considering it was sang by a 17-year-old boy.  Mendes, of course, turned 18 years old recently, but that is still terribly young to be making the kind of music he makes, and the way he makes it.  Not bad at all!

Didn't I say I'd like to relax?  Alright then, I'll stop 'analyzing' these songs, and just enjoy... and, from now on, I'll start recalling what it's like to have real fun... and really enjoy the holidays - academic person I may be and all that!  Dang, I give my fellow academic people a very bad name!

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

***

Saturday photo

In a galaxy far, far away...

It's on... and in this galaxy, too!

Well, well, well... and it's as well!  

We waited for one whole year, anticipating the return of the last Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker, to "active duty", and it's after the demise of Han Solo, too - last year's most tragic outcome in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  What we have in our hands is not a ticket to see Skywalker swing that phenomenal lightsaber of his again.  Instead, we have a "flashback" to connect the future with the past.  

This year's installment by the Galaxy, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story", is the first of the planned 'stand alone' Star Wars films.  These films will be comprised of a collection of stories happening in the 'vast universe' that dawned upon us through the very first film in the George Lucas franchise, "Star Wars: A New Hope", in 1977.  Nearly four decades later, we find ourselves, "Jedi Knight wannabes", still tingle in anticipation of this new installment to thicken the Star Wars plot.

We are kids all over again... and it feels awesome!

Alright then,  "do or do not, there is no try."  And do "aim for the target... and don't get cocky, kid"!  May The Force be with us all!

***

Back with a vengeance...

...is 'the man from Mars'!
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by PAM

With a 24K pinky bling, our man, Bruno Mars, is back with a magic that's making babes fling their Versaces on the floor!  And, it's about time, too, as his last album came out three years ago.  Although we're not exactly BM-starved these past years as he has been coming up with awesome songs in collaboration with other artists, naturally, we want the 'whole package'.  And, we're finally here with BM's new 24K Magic album.  And it's nothing but awesomeness, of course! 

The first song out of the album, "24K Magic", is a 'classic BM' sound with a dash of freshness-with-a-zing thrown in - an irresistible catchy dance tune that leaves even the most 'principal-ish' among us absently allowing his/her body be moved by the music.  Man, what a party!  So, so cool!  

Watching this video made me realize just how much I've missed BM... his voice, his moves, his attitude...

"I'm a dangerous man with some money in my pocket... keep up!"

I dare you to resist playing the video - for at least 24 times. I tried, I failed... and I'm HAPPY!  Hah!  Sooo good!  Woo-hoo!

And then he pulls some romance galore on us, and we can't do anything but 'unzip' our Versace, assuming we have one, of course... and listen with all our hearts.

"Girl, you're perfect from your head to your heels...

Ooh,  love that dress but you won't need it anymore...

Versace on the floor."

Oh, boy!  Isn't that 'delicious'?  It's like living in the '80s now.  And, this is what I love about BM, he sings with a mix of an '80s romantic with a bit of '90s angst and beat; he performs in a choreography that a 'retro' superstar would perform to but pumps around on stage with the vibe of a true millennial gangsta.  You have many eras radiating from that little musical frame of his... and a cocktail of happy Latino and Filipino genes oozing out from his sound and moves, too.  What a treat, indeed!

Yep, I'm from planet earth, and I do love 'this man from Mars'!  

Mabuhay!

***
Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

***

All is quiet...

...in all fronts. #ElectionNight
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by PAM


It's the proverbial 'calm before the storm'.  Or, is it the 'calm morn after a stormy night'?

In the blue corner, Sec. Hillary Clinton - the 'veteran' of US politics; the potentially first woman President of the United States of America (USA)... and yet, she talks and brawls like a man.  In the red corner, Mr. Donad Trump - the eccentric 'Washington outsider' and business mogul who had no qualms about expressing his racist, sexist and anti-semitic views, among many other vile opinions.

People all around the world - whether they admit it or not - are biting their nails as they stare at the poll figures in the race to the White House.  The world holds its collective breath... not exactly knowing what to hope for.  Not that the White House is anything significant to all, at least, no more than what it represents for the longest time: power, influence, and all sorts of opportunities reserved for the 'most powerful' country in the world.  Yes, 'for the longest time', indeed.  The incumbent US President, Barack Obama, changed that.  

President Obama has been hugely criticized by many Americans for being "weak" and making the USA slump to all-time low since its climb to become a 'superpower', allowing "new powers", such as China and the "new" Russia, to rise and rival USA's global leadership.  They have risen to almost equal footing as the United States of America, economically (for China) and in political influence.  And yet, that

There is light at the end of the dark tunnel of bitter campaign.

seeming 'weakening' of USA brought 'global balance' - a term always used by President Obama... although, admittedly, most of the world was not used to such balance and didn't know what to do with some power being handed over by President Obama to be shared with the world.  And, by sharing that power, I'm sure President Obama also expected that the global community would share the responsibility of taking care of the world and its citizens.  Others are just too thankful to receive this power and take this responsibility with much humility... and yet, others who covet absolute power grabbed the 'gift' like an entitlement without a care of the responsibility that goes with it!  I'm sure President Obama knew what a precarious ledge he walked as he makes these concessions - although, he, with all sorts of good intentions, I expect, believes that there is not a single country that should possess such enormous power that puts it above all others.  And that any sort of huge global influence should be rooted on values... and compassion to humanity, rather than on military and economic might.  And, one's love for one's country does not necessarily mean amassing excessive amount of wealth fro itself in a world where many go to sleep hungry, and lording over the whole population as a hulking power.  

The Obama administration put its money where its mouth is as far as its international commitment is concerned.  In my own country, especially in the education sector where I

Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Alumni Association, making a
difference in the local agriculture sector.

belong, I feel the positive impact of his view of American leadership.  I see how the aid/assistance extended to the education sector by the USA has been making a world of difference to the quality of education in my country... making the road to self-sufficiency visible in the horizon.  It's a wonderful way to forge friendship built on true equality between two sovereign nations.  But, of course, not all of us in my own country view President Obama's action in the same way I do. Obviously, many Americans do not share President Obama's views either... many feel that the concessions have been compromising their own welfare, dropping them behind from the progress caravan.  They could be right.  And yet, President Obama insists that progress does not necessarily mean not working as hard as the Americans' ancestors for privileges that they wish to enjoy.  Then again, he is a "global citizen" who actually experienced first hand the plight of people from countries not as progressive as the USA... and he might be forcing his values to a country so wrapped up in its own greatness - inherited from hardworking immigrants that the man in the red corner seems to despise;  a country that is not ready to embrace the 'flattening' of global power and the interdependencies of nations that render the world upright.

In a few hours, when the election returns stop moving, and freeze to put a stamp on history books, the world will know which parts of the USA, and which fraction of American population, think in the same way, or differently, as President Obama.  That is, assuming that President Obama's still reliable popularity is transferable to the woman in the blue corner. And, yes, in the near future, we shall see which belief is best for the world.  

In the meantime, we narrow our eyes towards the light at the end of the tunnel, and watch as a country in conflict with itself decide how it wishes to lead itself as it pushes through the dark tunnel of bitter and divisive campaign.

***

ATM...

...I am speechless.
=====================================================================
by PAM

Therefore, let me try to find songs to help me express what I am actually feeling right now.  Almost immediately, this comes to mind...

"Out of the darkness and into the sun...

...I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change, and breakaway...

...gotta keep moving on, fly away, breakaway."

...just because it's the closest song to describe what I am feeling 'at the moment'.  I'm very sorry if that sounded like being 'self-important'.   

There are many interesting opportunities (to serve) in front of me right now.  While they make me quite happy, and just a bit flattered, I am utterly blown away by the excitement they entail.  It seems that these opportunities were rolling on different flashy streets when, all of a sudden, they met 'detour' signs somewhere... making them roll down my little alley, and stopped serendipitously at my doorstep.  Ah, what luck, indeed!  

But yes, all said opportunities are, indeed, very attractive - and by 'attractive', I mean every single one is absolutely challenging and exciting;  they have the potential to effect radical' change of lasting and positive impact on areas and advocacies that I care about very much, and it seems that there's plenty of help if one tried to turn them into positive change; and they have the potential to bring personal happiness

Praying to attain depth and grace - in age... through a maze of
opportunities that sprouted and grew from the daily sprinkling of
committed, honest and selfless service.

and incredible sense of fulfillment as well - whichever way the cookie crumbled.  So, I have one very tough decision to make.  So help me God.

I guess it all depends on what is most important and, given my age and my remaining productive years, with which opportunity can I make the biggest positive impact, and make my borrowed time really and truly productive time.  No, money is not a factor 'cause with me, it's never about the money... and never about personal ambition either.  And that is easy because the opportunities that come my way do not bring riches nor fame and glory anyway... but they make the soul sing, they make one glow from inner happiness - even when they usually bring me down to my knees first.  Then again, isn't that wonderful... they bring me down to my knees - and pray?  They make me more aware that, up there, someone way mightier than any of us all is looking down upon us - with loving and merciful eyes, but with the impeccable sense of justice.  And yet, He has an abundance of hope, too, when we are down on our knees - in frustration, and in desperate search of inspiration. Therefore, why bring burnt offering?  This awareness is my inspiration to commit to the tasks in front of me - with diligence, honesty and compassion, and everything else that make the greatest of offerings that I am capable of.  It's not always perfect, but I am always blessed with equally committed co-servants - colleagues, co-workers and bosses.  They make every second in service wonderful and meaningful.  And we are always blessed with a refreshing sprinkling of little gifts that make us proud, joyful, and always spiritually refreshed.

And yet, on some days, this is how it feels...

"I feel like the window closes oh so quick

Hopelessly, I'm taking a a mental picture of you now

'Cause hopelessly... the hope is we have so much to feel good about."

And we hold on to our seats, close our eyes, dream wonderful dreams, and let them calm us down.  And when the panic subsides, hope creeps in - in cottony soft little steps... and settles inside the heart.  Hope makes the heart plump of beautiful things to look forward to, and beat with the rhythm of a calming breeze.  We open our eyes... and then we begin again.  

No, it's never easy... but we do it anyway - always hoping for the very best, always dreaming of a beautiful ending when our borrowed time runs out, and we are reunited with the mighty but gentle One above.

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***

Friday night music...

...because it's been a grueling week.
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by PAM

Oh, boy, what a week!  

I can't even begin to describe how incredibly stressful the week has been, seriously.  And it goes on... the week continues to hammer me on the head with lots of things to do still - with another day of lecture in the Graduate School tomorrow.

Therefore, in case I perish from exhaustion - physically, mentally (thank God, I am not spiritually exhausted!) - let me, at least perish with joy.  In case I drop dead in six seconds, let me be 'remembered' as that woman who perished from making bad choices in life, except for her choice in music... which was outstanding!  It's a 'dying wish for kindness', therefore, you have no right to object! :)  And, here's a sampling of that outstanding taste in music, and may the angels above help her... 

"I'll be there to save the day

Superman got nothing on me, I'm only one call away."

...and keep her - from swooning, in death! :) 

Boy, that was good! It's "One Call Away" by the genius kid, Charlie Puth.  Definitely a 'legit' artist, that's for sure.  I love it that CP is not intimidated and, in fact, he seem to have very little 'love' for the Man of Steel! :) Sounds like this kid is a "bat boy", which works wonderfully for me, obviously! :)  Aw, don't get me wrong, I do love the red-caped hero, too.  Just because he has an insane sense of humor... the exact opposite of the 'brooding' dark knight. Let's just say that I am Superman by day, and Dark Knight by, uh, night kind of a girl. 

Alright, going back to music... while we're admiring CP's music genius, let's have more of it,, this time blended with the genius of Wiz Khalifa...

  

"It's been a long day without you, my friend...
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again."

...to soothe our mind and body from bone-breaking stress from work.  While it kind of makes us sad to watch the video, seeing the smiling face of the late Paul Walker, let's just allow the memory of him warm our hearts, and appreciate the music.  

And because the night should end with some feel-good music, let's cap the evening with this...

"if you like to do whatever you've been dreaming about, baby, I'm perfect...

so let's start right now."

...and call it a night.  Uh, well... a night before doing more work - for tomorrow.

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

***

A situation that inspires...

...reflection.
============================================================================
by PAM

A few years ago, I was rebelling from myself, casting out my appreciation and love for a place that's embedded in my heart.  Just when I was ready to move on from said place, leave it all behind, and see what else is out there, I was inspired by two women - to re-consider my decision, and give our 'good old place' a chance.  They were a bit successful... I actually 'looked back', and I got sucked in - but only temporarily.  

A year later, the restless 'rebellious' streak came back, and I was ready to let go.  One of the inspiring women who cared enough to pay attention at how 'crazy' I was being went one step further than just pay attention.  She 'coaxed' me to dream with her, and it was, indeed, a wonderful dream for the place we both love... and then 'talked' me into taking on the challenge of making that dream come true... through heartfelt service.  It kinda frustrated me 'cause I hate recognizing a challenge... and then not taking it!  I know, I'm such a freak like that.  So, I gotta admit, she's indeed one clever 'rebel whisperer'!

So, I took on the challenge... and the rest is history. 

I really plowed into that 'challenge' stuff like there was no tomorrow... like I didn't know I could actually plow, really! :)  I can just imagine that the 'rebel whisperer' was having fun watching me fight and beat my own rebellious streak... discovering so many things about myself in the process, my formidable edgy self, for instance.  I gotta admit it was truly fun!  I've never felt so blessed... just discovering all the blessings that God so astutely wrapped with self-doubt and shyness.  It was an incredible feeling to discover the blessings, one after another. The 'rebel whisperer' smirked each time I did discover something underneath those layers of self-doubt.  Sometimes, when she thought I wasn't looking, I'd caught her beaming everytime I celebrate with my Team with a little swag after hitting a target - bull's eye. 

So, yeah, it's been a truly exciting ride... and the 'rebel whisperer' never stopped being that - a 'rebel whisperer'.  She kept my 'restless being' in check... with a little arch of the eyebrow, a not-so-discreet clearing of the throat, a roll of the eyes, or a downright disapproval with a shake of the head. It was our little secret... a mentor-mentee natural dynamics.  It's exciting sometimes, it's frustrating other times... but it always felt like a wonderful gift... somehow.

Today, the wind that blows in my face feels strange.  Something is changing, and it did not feel right.  The 'rebel whisperer' began to sing a song of farewell... and it's a truly melancholy song.  I feel that all my edge is slipping away, too, as the song hits its melody.  In its place, the self-doubt is crawling in... and it's scary.  It's the worst time to feel scared.  I feel like I'm in the middle of a fierce battle, and I lost sight of my General... someone took my General away.  And, I feel lost... swinging emptily in thin air, almost making me feel defeated.  

The 'rebel whisperer' was sunshine...

...and the day is darkening as she sang a song of farewell.

I wish for a new day to come... and yet, as far as I'm concerned, there's only one sun for this earth.

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

Lyrics credit: Thanks, www.azlyrics.com, for the lyrics of "Sunshine" by Gabrielle.

***

Friday night music...

...just because it's been a while, and it's been utterly dull.
=======================================================================
by PAM

I was watching the replay of "The Voice Season 11" blind audition while finalizing my slides for my Lecture the following day - yep, Saturday!  This usually works for me because, just like the judges at The Voice, I don't need to pay attention to the TV screen, I just need to listen to the voices of those auditioning.  I sometimes glanced at the TV screen when something extremely interesting came up... especially, when the banters of the four judges became extremely hilarious... which, in this Season, is almost everytime an artist is being interviewed.  The outrageously indomitable Miley Cyrus just kept bringing out the funniest side of Adam Levine and Blake Shelton - extremely enjoyable!  And, Alicia Keys is just wonderful... it's too hard not to love her - the great artist that she is, and that adorable, sincere and warm personality that shines through when she speaks... more so when she sings.  Aaaw!   

But I digress... so I was (not really)watching The Voice when something played - a background music for a new series on Star World channel.  It made me snap my head to attention as it was a tune and tempo that I'd recognize in two seconds, a song that I love... back in the days.  I gotta say, I still love it now.  It was "Two Princes" by Spin Doctors...

"Said if you want to call me baby, just go ahead now.

And if you want to tell me maybe, just go ahead now.

And if you wanted to buy me flowers, just go ahead now.

And if you like to talk for hours, just go ahead now..."

That is a rather catchy tempo right there... so enjoyable!  And that glib just-happy-who-cares lyrics is just very endearing.  After all these years, it's hard not to smile whenever I hear this song... and I gotta admit it's been a while since the last time I heard it.  That drum beat is just so recognizable... and that intro guitar alone is enough for one (at least 'this one') to want to just throw away whatever it is one is doing and just... dance without a care in the world.  Too good! :)

Guess what... why don't I pull out my Spin Doctors CD... and dance the night away?  Oooh, but I have a Lecture to prepare for tomorrow.  Arrgh, the (dull) life of a grown up... bummer!

Surely, I can be excused to listen to another song?  Yeah?  OK!  So what about this...

"Better things will come our way
No matter what they try to say you were always there for me
Someway
When the sun begins to shine
I hear the song from another time..."

Oh, boy, that is so good!  Ah, Sugar Ray, what a talent you are!  When I listen to you, "I just want to fly"! :)

Alright, I feel good... time to get back to (serious) work now.  My goodness, I am the worst sort of workaholic!  Please save me!  Make me (want to) enjoy life - I dare you! :)

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***

Saturday photo

You know you're an overworked workaholic...
=======================================================================
by PAM

Rain, rain, go away
Come again another day.

...and hopelessly and miserably so when...

1.  ...you "crashed" again merely four days after your most recent recovery from illness, just because you "sprinted" to make up for lost time even before hitting the ground.

2.  ...you can hardly move from all the agonizing physical pain, and your work remains paramount in your head rather than feeling better.

3.  ...your physical limitations frustrate you, and you feel guilty for not being on your "100%" and unable to deliver "100%".

4.  ...you're gritting your teeth from all the horrible pain from everywhere where pain could be felt, and all you could think about is how 'left out' you felt from all the exciting challenges at work because you are once again 'tied up' to sickbed to take them on.

5.  ...you can't sleep, but you're not counting the sheep jumping over the fence, but you're imagining the documents piling up on your desk, and the queue of the unsatisfied owners of the documents growing longer by the minute outside your office; and it makes you groan - more so than the pain that your illness is inflicting upon you.

6.  ...you can't keep your hands off of your laptop and your mobile phone and struggled to punch in something with the keys even when your eyes watered from scalding fever.

7.  ...you were convulsing from fever on your way home on Uber in the midst of heavy traffic, but all you can think about was the time you were losing, unable to work on a report that's due in seven days while stuck in traffic without your laptop.

8.  ...you can't stop apologizing to your students for being unable to come to work even when you knew you're liable to collapsing, and worse, throwing up all over them if you tried going to class.

9.  ...you have forgotten caring about your own health.

10.  ...you have forgotten caring about your own happiness.

Oh, well... 

Speaking of happiness, here's a little 'slice' of shallow happiness... but happiness nonetheless...

"Running at the speed of light

Wanted to protect myself and hide away...

I've found my ground

Now I can breathe."

Ah, younger days... but they do fade.  And what do you know... a new tapestry of colors appear from all the faded fabric of youth; and in this tapestry those beautiful grains of wisdom are woven, and the tapestry is never as beautiful... so beautiful it makes one happy. :)

***
Photo:  I took this photo at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, on my way to General Santos City to attend a Fulbright conference.

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***

And then...

...I crashed.
==========================================================================
by PAM

I actually did - from illness... and it's sad.  Sad because I'm unable to do the usual things that I do, and the Lord knows there's plenty of things that needed hard work, many of them urgent, many of them extremely important, many of them... a pain in the you-know-where! :)

Confined... to sick bed - again!

It makes me sad that I do 'welcome' being sick just because it gives me 'valid excuse' to take some rest.  Although, I'm not sure if lying down weakly and miserably from a terrible headache and awful fever that makes one's eyes water deserve a 'welcome'.  Then again, what choice do I have?  

O-kaaay, let me not answer that question lest I choose the right answer... because there is a right answer... a fair answer, a wise answer.

Then again, we do work hard... because it makes us happy to realize our dreams.  I do believe that anything that our minds can conjure is possible to achieve.  Anything that we can dream of, we can achieve - through hard work... and love - love for service.  And such service is 'invaluable' because... because 'love is free'.  Therefore, those who try to put value to a service that's inspired by something from the bottom of one's heart are mistaken.  There is nothing in this world worthy as a reward for such service.  

And when hard work pays off, it feels heavenly.  Therefore, watching this makes me happy, illness notwithstanding...

"And we're overwhelmed by it....

From the bottom of our hearts, this means the world for us.

And we don't care about next Sunday now."

Congrats, James Corden and everyone in the "Late Late Show with James Corden"!  

***
Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***

Break! Break...

...it down, down, down!  And let the pressure down!
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by PAM

I'm really tired. I am.  I kid you not, I'm serious. I really wish that we had more days in a week, and that we had more than two days to call "weekend" because Saturday is still a work day for me... and then, it goes on and on until evening, too.  So, on Sundays... I'm just "dead", I can't even begin to describe how tired I feel. :(  And, you know what, when we can't describe how tired we feel, chances are we're on the verge of catastrophic 'mental break down' - and that is never good, it's beyond 'bad' in fact.

Therefore, I need to re-charge a bit... 'cause the last five weeks were EXTREMELY hard.  I worked like a 'madwoman' every single minute of my extended days - seriously!  Through it all, I kept chastising myself what a terrible and merciless brute I was to myself, whipping myself to labor like a slave horse 24/7 in those five looong weeks!  And I am done for.  I am completely exhausted that when I move one finger, it feels like lifting a 10-lb weight - it's just too hard, my tank is completely empty!  I'm on the verge... therefore, I must STOP!

So, yep, I need to 're-charge my batteries'!  I need something to remind me how beautiful life truly is... and not as bleak and dreary as the tiresomely boring schedule and work load I am so unfortunately stuck with at the moment.  I need help - quickly!  A shot of happy sunshine... some 'sugar rush', a rush of happiness! So, let me begin with this...

Graham Norton: "Guys, I know I'm paid to chat, but I think it's fair to just put

all the cards down, and we all stare (at) Henry for a while." (5:19 - 5:30)

Russell Crowe: "They pay you so well but they treat you like s**t." (14:15 - 14:20)

Hahaha... I expected to be wowed by the legendary Russell Crowe's wit and humor and the extremely talented Amy Adams' wit and humor, and be awed by Henry Cavill's wit, humor, and, ahem, absolute beauty... but I didn't expect to end up teary eyed from all the laughter. :) These guys were brilliant in this show's episode!  Graham Norton is just amazing, he is.  And, yes, I am only three years late, too! Graham looks a lot younger in this video than he does now... but better late than never! :)

But if you happen to be interested in the 'updated' version of the video above, click here.  Now, that is funny, too.  Henry Cavill is as beautiful as in the first one, but Ben Affleck did his best, and Amy Adams is funny without even trying.  So, it's all great! :)

And what is 're-charging batteries' if it doesn't include something from James Corden?  I say, it isn't truly re-charging batteries - seriously.  Therefore, here's the man whose show "The Late Late Show with James Corden" just won its first Emmy Awards: Outstanding Interactive Show and Outstanding Variety Special:

"Where's my jacket, guys? Where's my Danny Zuko?

I can't! I can't go on without my f***in jacket, guys! Where is iiit?" (1:11 - 1:25)

Hahaha... oh, gosh, don't you just love this man and the creators of this Show?  So creative, so hilarious, I tell ya!  Hahaha... but James Corden is not just funny, he's a warm big bear.

Alright, time for some snack.  Uh, what?  I'm 're-charging batteries' here, of course, it involves midnight snacks! ;)

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Video credits:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

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Goosebumps!

Because the world just witnessed something phenomenal!
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by PAM


Yes, yes, and yes!  Yes, I am paying attention... of 'the Games' in Rio!  It simply is not possible to be watching and blogging... and WORKING - like mad - all at the same time.  It simply is a mathematical impossibility... unless we live in parallel realities and hop from one to the other constantly.  Even then, we still miss a few important events here and there.  And, anyway, we only have one reality!  Therefore, something has to be

dropped... and it's always this blog that 'gets the ax'.  Oh, well... what can I say, some grown ups have to earn their living?

But, yes, I had goosebumps!  I had goosebumps as the 'fastest man on the planet' - and the fastest man, ever, to sprint across the athletic field for that matter - anchored the Jamaican runners to the finish line of the 4x100m men's relay final at the Rio Olympics, setting a new World Record of 36.84 seconds.  He eased to the finish line mightily to fascinate the world as if his previous wins in the 100m and 200m races a few days back were not enough!  He smiled easily as if he didn't send the whole world hold its collective breath to witness a legendary Olympics finish in the athletics arena.  And he's sweet, too.  He took to Twitter to salute his fans for their ('our', actually) faith in him.  

Usain Bolt, that's him - the one and the only!  Too beautiful to watch. Ah, too, too, beautiful to watch, that I marvel at my luck to be in this generation where I can witness such human physical prowess!  Oh, Lord, I feel so blessed and so lucky - thank you.  I know, I am being melodramatic when it's 'only' athletics.  But, I can't help it!  Can you? No?  See?  So, c'mon now, let's surrender to the feeling... and stay happily awed.  It's the only way to cope with the indescribable feeling of getting hit by such awesomeness.

Usain St. Leo Bolt, you're my hero!

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Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.
Photo credit: Screen shot from the BBC news website - thanks.

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Why after eight years...

...we know there's hope.
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by PAM

Eight years ago, I was working on getting 're-integrated' to the Philippine society. I just got back from the United States of America (USA) then, fresh from five years of stay previously in NY State.  I watched the Americans eagerly as one of their major political parties, the Democratic Party, nominated the man to become the first black President of the USA, Barack Obama.  He went on to win the election and took up the Presidency.  It was a defining moment for the USA.  They just broke through the racial discrimination barrier in such a powerful and meaningful manner. 

Now, eight years have passed... amid all the stirring rhetoric, post-slavery discrimination is stronger and more divisive than ever, not just in the USA, but all around the world. The manifestation of meaningless hatred and discrimination these days have been violent and gruesome - an utter disrespect to human life.  Therefore, it was wonderful to listen to the 'quiet force' beside President Obama - the First Lady, Michelle Obama - speaking eloquently in the Democratic National Convention (DNC) to rekindle the message of hope against discrimination... not just racial discrimination, but discrimination in all its many forms, such as gender, age, ethnicity, body size and shape, and religion.  What struck me the most in her speech, however, was how she spoke beautifully on how leaders impact the lives and the future of children through education, health care, safety and security, and just being a good example as leaders.

"...when we go to the polls, that's what we're deciding... this election, and every election, is about who will have the power to shape our children for the next four or eight years of their lives."

Indeed, an incredible speech!  Speeches like this one are some of the reasons why I thank God for technology, because now, it's easy to capture and preserve the moment; and in one's very own cyber space, too.  At times when despair looms, our 'cyber repository' helps us too keep rekindling the message of hope... in just a press of a button and a few strokes on the keyboard.  And it helps us to keep going... keep hoping, keep the inspiration to work towards a happy world where there are no discrimination, no inequality, and where children are loved and cared for, where children grow up to become very good people.

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What it all means to us...

It's incredible how a speech of the First Lady of USA could mean something for someone in another country.  I guess, we all do live in a moral world where certain truths are shared.  Therefore, some messages issued in one place resonate in another.

I just hope that the message lasts... and appreciated, and put to practice and good use - in our daily lives.  Even in our workplace, and especially in the Academia... when we "choose" the people to lead our organizations, our groups, our teams, we should think about how they will be shaping our Institution, and especially our students, for the next

It's all about students' success, and just a little bit about our own.

years.  Are they going to be good examples to our students... are they going to be models worth emulating?  In the first place, would they be able to, at least, communicate effectively with our new generation of learners?  Are they willing to learn 'the language' of our new generation of learners, and reach them in their 'own space' to understand how they thrive, and what makes them thrive in knowledge?  Are they willing to persevere towards this end... learning new things, exploring possibilities?  Are they willing to open their minds to understand the 'new style of learning' that this new generation adhere to and fight for rather than forcing upon them old and outdated methods that should have been long buried six feet below the hallowed ground of innovation in teaching-learning?  Do they have the drive, energy, inspiration and the right motivation to persevere towards this end?  After all, in this profession, isn't effective communication the key to successful teaching-learning; and that effective communication begins from the teacher's knowing and understanding the learner, and vice versa?

We often talk about commitment at work, and I believe that commitment is, indeed, very important to be effective in one's duties and responsibilities.  And yet, in the teaching profession, one need not have a lofty leadership platform to illustrate commitment, in ways that are both effective and positively 'affective' to help our students, and even our colleagues, to discover the very best version of themselves.  In fact, the 'quiet places' where one can concentrate deeply on one's mission as educator can be more conducive in creating avenues for student success in learning.  Often, it is these creations that endure the test of time, more so than those created in the often 'busy and noisy' environment that surrounds the leadership 'perched seats'. 

As an educator, whose mission, first and foremost, is to educate students successfully,

one has to be prepared to commit to the mission be it on "perched seats" or in "quiet

Leadership is an opportunity to serve, not an ascension to unbridled
source of authority that shackles one to its enslaving allure.

places".  And yet, there could be time to be effective in one or the other.  The opportunity to fulfill the educator's mission from a 'perched seat' comes rarely, and it is a "call to serve". Therefore, when an opportunity presents itself to perform one's duty as educator in it, one has to humbly seize the opportunity to serve and work one's heart out to fulfill the mission from there.   However, one has to be very careful not to be too attached to the seat lest it becomes a shackle in its 'imagined allure', and one is unable to extricate one's self from it without a crushing heartbreak in the end.  

Therefore, the 'perched seat' must be treated as a golden opportunity to serve - with humility.  And when serving, one must do so to the best of one's ability and with all of one's heart... but with a heart that's anchored on God.  So that when the heart 'whispers' something, one knows that that is God's voice, and following one's heart is following God's will.  One has to commit fully to accomplishing the task at hand at all times - joyfully and with love, always working like there is no tomorrow... so that when the time is up, when the time comes to pass on the baton to someone else, one moves on happily and freely with no feeling of dejection.  Instead, there will be a joyful feeling of fulfillment and a deep sense of gratitude to God for an accomplished mission... no heartaches, no regrets... only a priceless peace of mind.

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Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

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