Just got off the hook...

...therefore, let's rock! ======================================================================= 
by PAM 


It's been another grueling week - physically tiring, the challenges were brain-splitting, and the earthquake-related tragedy in the Visayas absolutely numbing. But it's over now, at least the big part of it all is... and we got out of it 'alive', too!  Yay!  So we reward ourselves with some rockin' treats... just to sustain life,

"What you feel is what you are... and what you are is beautiful.

D'ya wanna get married... or run away?"

Yep, that sounds good... a piece of John Rzeznik's genius.  Why haven't I seen the Goo Goo Dolls live in concert yet is incomprehensible... my priorities are obviously messed up. :)  But thanks to YouTube, John R.'s music is just a few clicks away... and with Daryl Hall's, too.  Good to be alive, I tell ya! :)

Alright, here's another fave... Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty - con DH, of course.

"If they wanna know what the reason is, I only smile when I lie, and I tell them why...

...because your kiss is on my list."

A-ha, a-ha.  Don't ya just love that groovy arrangement right there?  Good, eh?  And speaking of nice arrangements to old sentimental songs, we have another 'winner' here...

"Things just can't go on like before, but can we still be friends?"

Beauty, beauty... that's beautiful, dudes!  

Speaking of beauty... let's load up with this...

"When I fall in love, I take my time... I won't worry my life away."

Wow, these pieces of awesomeness are affording me some energy to recover from the week's physical and mental strain.  

Let's see... we opened with a Rzeznik genius, so I say let's try to keep the sound of genius in our ears with this...

"When everything's made to be broken... I just want ya to know how I am."

Man, genius!  And we stop here... 'cause none can touch that piece of perfection right there.  Too good.

***

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

***

Saturday photo




Long weekend... therefore, looooong (cat)nap.


Yep, we have two "spoiled" furry companions at home. One is a "legal and official" member of the family, the other "forced himself" on us... sneaking in and out of our laundry area and the garage to look for something to eat. He looked like a very sorry heap of mess that time.  Our legit furry family member - the 'white one' -  took pity, and would sneak out to share his breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Now, they are the best of friends... but the "illegitimate family member" has become as "spoiled" as the 'white one'... and even exceeded the white one's ultra diva-ish ways. :)  Incredible, I tell ya! 

Anyway, here's to a good night...

"If you're lost, you can look, and you will find me...

...time after time."

It's for my niece who just graduated from High School.  Wow, milestone!  Congrats, bebeh!  We are very proud of you, we love you very much...  we wish you nothing but great things in the next Chapter of your young life: College life!  Mwaaah....  :)  

Good night, world.  See you tomorrow... on Easter morning!  God bless....

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

***

So long, February 2013...

...may our paths never 'cross' again.  You were too tough!  Whew!
==========================================================================
by PAM

"I should get some sleep because tomorrow might be good for somethin'...."


Ups and downs, laughter and tears, victories and defeats, love and disappointments ... yep, 'crazy' month.  February was exactly that for me this year... or, perhaps, Feb is just a 'little unwell'?  Uhm, yeah, maybe that.  Whatever it was, it was tough, tough, tough!  Even 'moments of victory' had to be won in tough 'contests'... mostly contests between work barking at me annoyingly like a mad dog and personal welfare begging for my attention.  'Madness' almost always won... but ya know, it doesn't matter now 'cause it's finally over! 

Farewell, February 2013....

"I think that my head is cavin' in...don't just stand there,
say nice things to me 'cause I've been cheated, I've been wronged.  
...I wanna push you around.  I wanna take you for granted... well, I will."

...you were cruel and gentle at the same crazy time, you crazy month.  But thanks for the lessons learned, Feb 2013.  I feel that they changed me - in a lot of ways, good ways.  I enjoyed the challenges that brought out some very fine moments of wisdom and strength of character behind this façade of fragile temperament... the hearty laughter that forged new friendships and strengthened old ones, and the priceless moments of affirmation that, hey, I do have a good life!  Priceless, indeed!

But, yeah, ya may go now, Feb... but I know that soon enough I'm gonna think of you... and how you used to be. :)

***

Alright, perhaps, a 'bonus video' is in order.  So, how 'bout this...

"I believe I have the strength to carry on... now it's up to me what will be."

***

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

***

Break!

Right now!
===========================================================================
by PAM

I need help... I'm drowning in a sea of heavy workload - and on a weekend, too!  :(  I need a break... an outlet to let-off some steam. The pressure is too much, I feel like my brain is about to burst out of my skull anytime. Does anyone have a hardhat to spare? ;)  

Anyway, yesterday I gave a Talk to our graduating students in the ChemE Department.  While I enjoyed giving the Talk, it grudgingly necessitated reminiscin' the good old days in good old Grad School... Cornell, basically.  It brought back warm memories, very good ones, happy ones... and it felt so good. However, it also brought back to the surface some 'what-could've-beens', a few 'what-ifs', a little regret, and some feeling of vindication.  Mixed feelings...  mixed emotions... and yet, I do believe with all my heart that everything happens for a reason - very good reason.  I know that, in time, I'd find out what the reason is for the mixed feelings I'm feeling right now, and I'm sure it will make so much sense. Therefore, I resolve to keep movin' on, and keep enjoyin' this journey... whenever possible, and as much as possible.  

In the meantime, I just want to take a break.  There has to be a song to match this 'inner chaos'. Wait...  'match'?  Right!  Hmmm..... So, how 'bout I take a break with this...

"If you see me out, you don't know me.  Try to turn your head.  Try to give

me some room... to figure out just what I'm going to do."

"... and everyone here knows that everyone here is thinking 'bout somebody else."  Really?  Uh, yeah, ya bet!  It's "Back 2 Good" by Matchbox Twenty... back in the days when Rob Thomas was just all about singing his thoughts and baring his soul through his music - in raw and naked truthfulness and honesty.  But, as his wonderful musicality deepened over the years, he became 'too serious' with sounds, rhythm and the impeccability of notes in his songs.  I prefer the irresistible charm of his 'imperfect rhythm', blended beautifully with the honesty of his soul, and his brand of 'let-lose' sort of emotional gnarling singing... how 'bout you?  Uh, yeah, 'you'!  :)

***

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

***

A glimpse of retirement...

... yeah. :)
=================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


Imagine listening to something like this - all day long...

"...caught up in circles, confusion is nothing new."

...under a tree where the cool breeze blows gently on your face in a soft carress. Just you and the music... without this to worry about anymore:

Hmmm... red ink + yellow pads + 100 x (inspiration killers) = "Waterloo"!

Ah, retirement... come, you are so welcome! :)

***

But then, you think about this...

They "grow" - every single day - and it's truly fun to watch.

...and it makes you think... hmmm, maybe a nice vacation will suffice - for now... just a little bit more... before retirement. :)

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

***

Wednesday nostalgia...

...Santana + Rob Thomas = Smooth, whew!
==========================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo

"You're my reason for reason, the step in my groove...
I could change my life to better suit your mood...."

I am sooo tired... and sick of... ugh, nevermind!

But I am so enjoying this song right now, I can't be bothered to say anything else! So, just do the same... and let's all be merry, okay?

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