I have a few places at home where I enjoy working (WFH whenever needed), or spending some quiet time - 'me time'. One of my biggest favorites is our lanai area - pictured above. It's like an extension of our dining area with only the glass doors and metal rails separating them. So, when the birds start to chirp in chorus loudly, invitingly, in the morning, I'd usually bring my coffee outside and enjoy listening to the birds while I think about the day ahead. I have to admit though that, these days, my 'me time' at the lanai is quite limited due to ongoing construction at our next-door neighbor, making the place quite dusty... and the noise of their construction equipment overpowers the melodious chirps of the birds. But on Sundays and holidays, when the construction is paused, I'd take advantage of the chance to enjoy the place. My old phone probably didn't do justice in capturing the coziness of the space but I tell ya, it's plenty cozy. 🪴💚
These days, as one of the most undeniable causes of floods and what-have-you in Metro-Manila that are detrimental to all aspects of human health becomes obvious - garbage (and, yes, corruption, which is... uhm, yeah, the most repulsive kind of garbage!) - I thank God for the opportunity to have an option even when our 'home #2' is so humble that the space it provides is 'tight' even for our daily living alone. While 'home #1' can be considered green, given its location - right smack in the heart of Metro-Manila - we make conscious effort to maintain the green nature of 'home #2' if it were to become our better option. It is not just about caring for our plants but also about waste minimization, waste segregation, recycling and reuse, and everything that simplifies life, lifestyle and living.
I hope that we, as a people, can turn things around as far as environmental degradation is concerned... and yes, as far as massive corruption in the government is concerned as well since corruption does not only lead to natural environment degradation but also to the degradation of our moral fiber as a society. The solution is in our hands, it is within our power... and it begins with the ballot in 2028. We deserve a better alternative, a better life, better living conditions, better health and well-being. We deserve so much more than what the incompetent people in our government (and, I mean, all three branches) presently can offer, given their foolishness and, yes, their inclination to corrupt acts and actions!
So, yes, we must demand better public service from our public servants. Let's make it work, fellow Filipinos!! Let's seize the moment... let's choose wisely in 2028! Let's pray for guidance, wisdom and the courage to choose wisely.
***
Image credit: The featured photo belongs to me. I took it and processed minimally for the purpose of this blog. It may not be used elsewhere.
A burst of vibrant colors all day... every day - these days!
These days, my source of daily joy has increased in number. As I look out of my window at our little house's receiving area while waiting for the kettle to whistle its announcement that it's ready to make coffee, I cannot help but smile as I see our fabulous Melendres plant through the sheer curtains. The Melendres plant is a shrub that is usually referred to as the 'cherry blossoms of the Philippines'. The round cherry-like pods of the plant turn brown by the month of April or May before bursting into colorful little flowers. The beautiful red and bright pink flowers lined with sharp white color around their velvety petals seem to give a cheerful greeting as the plant sways gracefully with the gentle morning breeze. It's like a
Seeing beauty through the window.
scene from animated movies for kids where every living thing around speaks merrily with the main character. I cannot help but breathe "good morning" to our Melendres plant... and all our other plants, which are, uhm, a lot!
In the afternoon, when I return from work, a few meters from our house, the vibrant burst of colors dangling out of our fence, swaying prettily, seems to greet me some meters from our house. Butterflies and singing birds seem to dance with the flowers amid the equally vibrant colors of sunset... and it is, indeed, a scene to behold. It seems to remind me of God's blessings everyday, and this, while very beautiful and joyful that it fills the soul with much amazement, is just one of the 'smallest' of blessings in the grand scheme of things where God is at the center. It gives the most organic reason to stay still for a few minutes and cherish the many blessings of the day, and thank God for it all, through the Angelus at dusk. No wonder that Angelus is my late father's favorite prayer, and praying it was a practice that, I observed, was handed to him by my grandparents, and their parents before that. I remember growing up watching my paternal grandmother light the candles at our altar, and gathered us around the altar as she led in praying the Angelus... and then the Rosary.
These days, I am beginning to believe that letting one's self to be lost in admiration of the beauty of nature and paying homage to its Creator is prayer in itself. And, these days, it's the kind of prayer that I most enjoy. I thank God for this opportunity to be in this phase in my life, and in the place where I am, to experience this daily sustenance of the soul. Life is, indeed, beautiful; and God is, indeed, good... all the time!
***
Image credit: The featured photos in this post belong to me. I took all of them.
A few weeks (or is it months already) ago, I was talking about 'decluttering'... and finding, uhm, no, not finding but experiencing joy in it. I also talked about using pieces of home decor that are beyond just 'pretty' but also functional and blend in with everything else in that decluttered space.
Later, a few months after positing that piece, and just as soon as springtime came, and the flowers started to appear in our surroundings, I had the reason I need to re-dress our throw pillows in the TV room as well as at the receiving room of 'Home #2'. My inspiration? Simple. It's 'texture'... once again. The color is
The cosmos flowers outside our TV room peep in with their 'silent giggles' echoing in the room.
simple - the color of sunshine. It's cheerful, pretty, and quite stunning. I see these pieces in the morning after I say my morning prayers with my eyes still closed, and as I grope my way to the kitchen with my eyes half closed. The sunny color makes me feel that the day is promising me something good and happy... and that helps start my day right. And even when the day falls short in fulfilling its promise, when I get home, these cheerful pieces restore good vibes. They make me feel like I am basking in sunshine inside my home even when it's actually the moon that's shining outside. They remind me of the great blessings that I am so fortunate to enjoy, and that I am so privileged to share with others. In fact, these pieces and the positive vibes that they invoke are part of those many blessings. In the end, my determination to continue hoping for the best is renewed. Indeed, the blessings of the Lord does not stop pouring in every single day. We can continue enjoying them if we are only faithful enough to keep paying attention and to keep our hearts open to recognize and to be grateful for these blessing. I know that for the skeptics, it's odd that I am talking elaborately about simple throw pillows... as manifestations of God's love and blessings.
These days, the 'sunny' throw pillows are accompanied by matching new curtains. However, this is not the only one that makes the whole scene lovely. There's the fact that the pretty cosmos flowers of similar colors as the throw pillows and curtains seem to peep inside the TV room from outside. They simply lighten the mood everyday as I listen to terrible news after terrible news at breakfast time, and they bring sunshine in and the 'laughter of the grounds'.
So, yes... our home can be designed in a way that reminds us of God's love and blessings every single day.
***
Image credit: All photos used in this post are all mine. I took them all.
At Dove Dr., Ithaca, NY; East of Cornell University campus in Ithaca
I feel like I only took this photo a few days back. It's incredible that it's been almost four years already since I took this photo! That's right, four and I am seeing it again only just now.
I once vacationed at my sister's place in the US. She and her husband took me with them in their winter vacation around The Rockies. We went on a long drive, stopping here and there... and it was exhilarating! I remember my brother-in-law commenting about the 'tons' of photos that I took wherever we went. I just can't help myself... I felt the need to document the experience, and the quickest way to do that is through photos. After taking 'tons' of photos, I usually get so overwhelmed that I am unable to make up my mind about which ones to keep and which ones to discard. I end up keeping all! And in our trip around The Rockies, it drove my sister and her husband crazy!
Ithaca, NY is an extremely beautiful place! Well, the Fingerlakes Region where Ithaca is located is, indeed, a beautiful place! And whenever I come for a visit after graduation, I usually stay at the Eastern part of the campus where Filipino friends lived. I usually stay with a family whose house is located up a hill, right next to the Equestrian facilities of Cornell, overlooking the planes of Cayuga... and where the sunset is mesmerizing!
The skies seem to be just a few meters above your head, and the clouds make a dramatic transition as the sun sets in the horizon, and the skies begin to darken... but only after it explodes in countless colors of utter beauty. It takes my breath each time. And it makes praying the Angelus all that meaningful and all that impassioned.
***
Image credit: The photo in this post belongs to me. I took it.
One of my fave breakfast combinations to prepare (and eat)... easy, healthy, filling.
These days, I prepare my own breakfast... I really have no choice though. It was a big effort in the beginning because it meant that I had to get up about an hour earlier than I need to. I needed time to prepare, cook... and then later, had to wash all the stuff I used for cooking - the hardest part... an ordeal, if I'm being honest. The thing though is, once the dishes and pans were done, I felt like I can take on anything that the day would throw my way, and that is a great feeling!
Now, I still feel harassed... just thinking about washing pans and pots - no, I do not have a dishwasher, and it is not 'a thing' in the Philippines. Lately though, I have developed breakfast menu, some of which lower the energy expenditures in washing pots and pans but do not compromise nutritive quality. An example is the breakfast in the featured photo today - one of my faves, actually. The ham and cheese sandwich has enough carbs, proteins and fats that would last me all morning. The apple slices and greens are loaded with vitamins and dietary fibers as well as minerals, such as the important potassium and calcium. Of course, this breakfast has enough caffeine in the 400-mL coffee. The 250-mL mango juice can seal us with a load of Vitamin C protection. And, by the way, this includes water, too... although not in the photo, sorry. The most important thing is, it only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to prepare (based on my very slow pace in the morning), and the pan almost does not need washing - minimal residue.
So, yeah, I love this breakfast combination... I have many more 'breakkies' that I can share in the coming days. Exciting!
***
Image credit: The featured photo is my own, I took it.
It's been 'raining cats and dogs'... again. Big drops of rain are pouring out of the sky, escaping the swollen thickness of air like desperate prisoners unleashing that unquenchable thirst for dear freedom. Thunderbolt and lightning echo the rains' desperation to drench the land left feverish by summertime.
In all those waves of mother nature's emotion, what called my attention was this little sulfur cosmos (cosmos sulphureus) flower at our backyard that was gracefully braving all that deluge of nature's anguish. One might think that after hours and hours of rain, the poor little flower would be falling apart from carrying the weight of all the raindrops on its petals... but it did not. It stayed upright, it remained pretty. It swayed with the wind, sometimes dodging a gigantic raindrop in the process, but it held on steadfastly. Its color remained sunny and cheerful... all eight petals unruffled and the pretty orange disk floret remained intact, punctuating the cheery color of the petals in contrast of their own that was quite fiery. And the flower is surrounded by the lush green leaves of the cosmos plant.
This resilient little flower is a beautiful reminder that no matter what the situation is, no matter how harsh and challenging, one's natural goodness can remain intact. And, when we focus on that goodness, we can remain good... no matter the relentless waves of emotional challenge around us. This is because our goodness is from God... God who is the being of goodness.
And, as we embrace our goodness - God's goodness, we can be beautifully delicate and vulnerable... but beautifully resilient, too... amid harshness.
***
Image credit: The photo in this post belongs to me. I took it using my old Samsung Galaxy Note 9.
Yep, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"... well, at least in my second home it is only 'beginning' to look a lot like Christmas, 'cause it's been looking a lot like Christmas in most parts of the Philippines since after 'Undas' (All Saints Day and All Souls Day). In most part of the country, it's been looking (and sounding) like Christmas since September!
We love Christmas in this part of the world. In fact, we did display our new little Nativity Scene
with a bunch of 'Christmassy' little things in our second home... also after Undas. Well, what can I say, we are Filipinos to the core, especially when it comes to celebrating Christmas!
We do believe that Christ is, indeed, the 'reason for the season'. And so, what is more important is preparing ourselves to renew our being one with our Lord. We prepare to accept the Baby Jesus in our homes, in our hearts and in our lives... and be renewed by the immeasurable love that is the very meaning of His birth. Therefore, before we get lost in the twinkles of glittering Christmas lights and the razzle-dazzle of Christmas parties, we remind ourselves of the true reason why we celebrate Christmas. And, usually, the Nativity Scene is the most important 'physical reminder'. So, in our family's practice, the nativity scene always comes first. Along with it is the Christmas wreath with advent candles - a reminder of how the whole Christian world come together in prayer to prepare for the birth of Jesus. All the rest of decorations come later. And, anyway, it is so complicated to put up Christmas tree and hang Christmas lights and other decorations... and getting them down and storing them away is even more painful! So, even if I did give in to 'national pressure' and put up Christmas tree and lights today, sometimes, I question myself about putting up Christmas decorations... well, aside from the nativity scene and Christmas wreath thats is. We only have two kids in our huge family now who still appreciate sparkly Christmas decors (uhm, at least, for a few minutes... and then back to their gadgets). All the rest are just a bunch of 'big kids'... who just want to sleep all day during Christmas break! 🙋😅
***
Image credit: All photos in this entry belong to me, and may not be used without permission.
'The best things in life are free...' Nature's unadulterated colors are simply the most naturally breath-taking.
These days, I feel that I am on my way to striking a balance between life and work... with life gaining a bit more of its lost ground to work in the past years. This is because I am spending more and more time in my 'second home' - close to my 'new work assignment'.
Traffic is almost of zero consequence here in my 'second home'. Although the distance between my 'primary home' and my 'older workplace' (I have two offices) in Metro-Manila is almost the same as the distance between my 'second home' and my 'new work place', the time I spend in traffic these days is nothing compared to the traffic that I endure when I am in Metro-Manila. I can leave home 15-20 minutes before my call time at my 'new workplace', and make it there on time, unhurriedly. The same when I go home, I only need about 15 minutes to reach home. In Metro-Manila, I allot 1 to 1.5 hours for traffic on my way to work, depending on the time of day. In the afternoon/evening, when I go home, travel time is usually 1.5 to 2 hours even when I leave my workplace at 8:00 in the evening! It has become so ridiculous and senseless to live in Metro-Manila, especially if there is a better option.
So, these days, I have time to sit by the patio, take a deep breath, read a little bit (that's leisure reading, mind you!) while JungKook sings in the background, and take notice of and appreciate how beautiful the skies are in this part of the world... well, my entire surrounding actually. Time affords me this 'luxury', and this new place affords me time without sacrificing the comforts and convenience of an ultra-modern life... and I am, indeed, grateful. 🙏
***
Image credit: The photo above belongs to me, I took it.
Having so much fun in the thick of preparations at the construction site for the
UST-Dr. William T. Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute (UST-WiTBIRIn)
in the campus of the University of Santa Tomas in the City of Santa Rosa, Province of Laguna.
These past days, one can say that, yes, I am 'in my element'. Finally, the 'boring' phase of my 'new job' has dissipated, and now, my Team is entering a zone where we all can be 'in the zone', indeed! Construction of the second building in our new campus is about to go on 'full swing'. And I hope that before we're done constructing it, we would be ready to begin the third... and the fourth after that... and the fifth... and so on - I hope. We have five years to build the 'necessary buildings', and 15 years or so to develop the campus in its 'first iteration'.
I often enjoy the 'planning stage' of any project, or any 'mission', especially when it is a pioneering endeavor. So, naturally, when our Office was created just two years ago upon my return from my one-year Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship at Penn State University, Cornell University and Boise State University, I had a great time thinking, researching and talking to many people, planning, designing, and building the foundation of our Office, which begins from building the Team ... and hoping and dreaming of the best outcomes - dreaming mostly.
One of the things that I love about this process is meeting like-minded people, and more so, people of very little to zero faith in what our 'mission' is about. The former reinforce our courage to keep believing and diving into the unknown, and the latter, serve as reminders to persevere and keep the faith if good results have to be had. In our current construction project, there are a few 'non-believers'. Unfortunately, they are the most exasperating ones... so, it has been very, very tough, indeed. It was so mightily boring to spend so much time and effort to make them see things from a different perspective, and to acknowledge that there are other ways of accomplishing things. Just because a method is 'tried and tested' does not mean that it can be applied on all things and in all situations. And that a 'seat of authority' is not always a seat of infallibility. In many cases, it is a seat that allows one to serve better and to serve more people. Very fortunately, I do have an incredible Team... they make me feel that not every battle is mine to fight... or fight alone. So, yep, I am lovin' my Team, and I am lovin' our pace despite the challenges! And when we do occasionally achieve something significant, we remind ourselves that we can see many wonderful things from our vantage point only because we 'stand on the shoulders of giants'.
So, this week, our current construction project, the UST-Dr. William T. Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute (UST-WiTBIRIn), reached a milestone. And we are, indeed, very happy and absolutely grateful. Faith, perseverance and teamwork do pay off. And, I am celebrating here through The Script's music, "Hall of Fame" just like how the namesake of the building that we are constructing (the 'giant' on whose shoulders we stand, in this case) is in our UST Engineering Hall of Fame...
"Yeah, do it for your people, do it for your pride.
Are you ever gonna know if you never even try?"
***
Image credit: The photos in the collage were borrowed from colleagues and used here with their permission - thanks.
in my 'second home' and in my 'other' new workplace.
These days, I am getting used to waking up in the morning with the view of the skies about to let go of of the gray colors of dawn in anticipation of the arrival of sunrise. It's such a beautiful scene... that sometimes, I stay transfixed on my bed staring at the scene in the window by my bed with nothing but the sound of my own breath and the happy chirping of the birds - so serene... until the sun finally burst in the horizon, slowly makes its way to the sky, brightening and intensifying the hues of the colorful surroundings, slowly spreading its fingers on the green, green grass visible in the opposite window until the last drop of mist disappears into the thinning air. I cannot help but be filled with awe... and, everytime, it makes me wonder what magnificent luck life is about to reveal to me in the horizon of the day that just began. Such wonderment puts a spring on my strides... and I go about my day with such excitement amid the serenity around me.
The sky as it welcomes the sun at sunrise - viewed from my bed through my window
The trip from my new (second) home to my workplace is about 6km but I am, usually, able to cover the distance in only 10 minutes or so, regardless of the time of day... usually, it just takes two BTS songs. From my new workplace, I am getting used to switching off my work gadgets as the air gently sways outside, making the branches of the seemingly countless trees and thick bushes around the building sway rhythmically as the chirping of the birds heightens, and the sound of crickets slowly blend in. I make my way out of the building where I work while the skies make play of its fast-changing colors... from blue to various shades of orange as the sun makes its way into the depth of the horizon... or red, if the skies are generous enough to promise a beautiful day by the next sunrise.
My new workplace will be the seat of the 'highest' of high-technology to be developed by Thomasian scientists and innovators in the future. It will be a buzzling place for interdisciplinary research for my University with its partners and stakeholders. As we have a highly comprehensive University, just thinking about the extent of interdisciplinarity of our research and innovation activities in the future graces my imagination with a bonfire of ideas - very exhilarating! But, of course, I make effort to rein in the excitement lest I resort to 'counting the chicks before the eggs hatch'. So, I continue to work hard and persevere with my awesome Team in transforming that vast space that we have into what the future needs.
One day... nature and technology shall come together in a beautiful harmony that attempts to sketch God's generosity and wisdom. The attempt shall fail, of course, as God's generosity and wisdom are boundless, and our attempt is merely to narrowly estimate... but the attempt shall be our way of expressing gratitude... and commitment to keep trying as we make ourselves worthy of, one day, seeing God's kingdom where the true beautiful harmony can be experienced... and not just estimated.
Until then, we dream, we persevere... and we bask in the beauty of the experience.
***
Image credit: All the photos in the collage above and the individual photos belong to me. I took them all.
I heard that quote in the photo collage above sometime ago. I'm not sure from which movie but I'm pretty sure it was a Hallmark TV movie. As I said over and over in the past few entries in this blog, my 'film-critique-wannabe' days are over. I watch movies to relax and be entertained these days... and TV movies are now 'my thing'. Anyway, I got reminded of that quote because, today, I felt that I saw 'soul and perfection' in what was otherwise 'common and familiar'.
Today, I spent 12 hours with the elder of my two nephews. We did what we love doing: long drive, eat good food, talk - a looot, and laugh our hearts out. We used to do this a lot with his siblings and cousinswhen he was growing up. We spent many days and hours going around nearby cities and vacation places - to relax, unwind, learn new things, go on adventure, go on foodie spree and shopping spree, just to be together... just making sweet memories. The only difference is, we used to be driven around by our family driver. This time, my nephew did all the driving... especially that when he let me take the steering wheel, our car flew from the street to someone's backyard! 😬😳😅
As I am 'partially' moving to a new little house outside Metro-Manila (for work), he helped me take care of a few chores such as furniture and appliances shopping, supervising and helping out as the builders add finishing touches to the new house. I think I will need another year or so to get the house in the shape that I need it to be but, for now, given the urgency of the need for me to be working in the new site, the mere essentials are good. To run errands for the home is merely an 'excuse' for me. What I really looked forward to doing today was spending time with my nephew... which I hadn't done in such a long time. So when he sent that one-line message, "I'll see you on Saturday, Tita," without any sort of introduction... I think anyone can hear my smile from ear to ear in my own one-liner: "Alright!" Well, uhm, I had to play it cool, y'know.
I missed my nephew. He is more handsome than I remember - very tall and good-looking in a very casual and relaxed way... and very articulate, too. I didn't realize how mature he has become at merely 25 years... he has a good job, a very good relationship with a wonderful young woman that he loves and who loves him, too... and by all the stories he told me, it seems that his heart is still in the right place - despite his success and a sweet young love that turns a new leaf everyday and that so many people of his age can only dream of. I am a very proud aunt - totally!
Sometimes, I think of the days that I might have spent for 'my own personal happiness', which were spent in another way in order that every member of my family would realize their dreams. In days like today, I realize that this is my personal happiness... seeing my loved ones, such as my nephew, enjoy the happiness that they so deserved. I am just too happy and grateful to God that I could feel this incredible feeling of having my heart swell with so much love, joy and pride. It feels like an ordinary day turns into something special - soulful and just perfect!
***
Image credit: All photos in the collage above are mine.
Yep, 'stunning'. That is all that I'm gonna say to describe how I feel about this photo. The view certainly left me speechless, I just had to capture the moment from where I was standing... at Diamond Hotel Manila. I was there for a week - for work. And, this view gave me the most compelling reason to limit work strictly until 5:30 pm. I just had to watch this view unfold right before my eyes.
The Manila Bay sunset remains to be one of the most spectacular scenes one would ever find in this part of the world. Too beautiful for words! But the fact that it took me nearly two months to share this here indicates how work has once again taken over my life, and it's absolutely ridiculous! Nothing beautiful about that to be sure... and yet, these days, I feel I have no choice. But right now, this very moment, I just had to free myself from the bondage of work and reconnect with 'my soul'. And so, here I am. Ah, stunning!
***
Photo credit: I own this photo. I took the shot and did the processing with very minimal color enhancement to remove the glare from the glass window. This may not be used for any other purpose.
How our purple hearts bleed... longing for our golden maknae.
Ah, JungKookie! Where are you, and what have you been up to?
It's been more than two months since we saw this young man 'doing his thing' in the cyberspace that brings happiness in our lives... in that distinct way that only he can possibly do. As the youngest in the family, he will always be 'the baby'... no matter what, and whatever the circumstances, he will always be that one 'kid' who is capable of making everyone happy with his antics, sweet gestures and golden maknae-ish perfection. He will always be that one who can bring smile to any family member's face - even in his 'brattiest' moment... not that JK is ever bratty. We are also protective of him, and we hope and pray for his happiness, safety and well-being. And so, when we don't see him often enough, we worry about him, we miss him... we long for his company. Right now, that's how I feel... and I hope to see him soon.
In the meantime, I hope and pray that he is keeping well... happy and healthy, and enjoying life as he always should.
Come home, JK. 😊💜
***
P.S.
This is not the post about the 'freakin' shop' that I was referring to in the previous post. 😁
***
Photo credit: I created the collage of photos in this post, which may not be used elsewhere. JK's photo is from Weverse - available exclusively for members - thank you for the loan. The background is my own photo.
Transitioning from the old Office to the new (non-existent) Office (yet)... exploring some parts of the pretty UST campus, and getting into the swing of things. 'Let's go!'
The 'heat is on'... and I'm feeling the heat! Whew!
Last week, I was in my University's main campus in the City of Manila. I met with key individuals as I am currently transitioning from my old Office to another Office. My former
Temporarily working from home and running/brisk walking in between.
Office for almost nine years is the Office of the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Santo Tomas (UST, or "USTe" - a term of endearment from alumni and friends of UST). Recently, I joined the Team of the Office of the Rector in the same University for a 'special assignment'... not that I am special though. Haha...Mabuti pa nga ang assignment, special, eh. Ang tao, uhm... 'regular' lang. Haha...
Anyway, the transition is not without challenges... as expected from any change, there are 'birth pains'. So, I am currently enduring that... and it's not all that easy. And, this is why I am here - to let off some steam - instead of getting agitated, getting upset and complaining, and feeling anxious. Life is short, and I am halfway through mine... if I'd live a hundred years, that is. Haha... I do not wish to spend my remaining time in this life in unproductive things, if I could find a way to be productive even when stressed out. So, aside from finding serenity in praying and meditating, I have a way of being calm in the comforts of my own room during quiet 'me time'. I am able tocommune with BTS - online and offline - through their music and many other multi-media stuff that lightens up mood. That is because I am an ARMY. Hmm... perhaps, I am 'special' after all! 💜
***
RM is first... who's next?
I've been wanting to post a feature on each member as I really like all of them. However, I haven't found the time to do that. I know that Lt. Hikaru Sulu of the Starship USS Enterprise (NC-1701) in "Star Trek" (the original series) once said, "if something is important enough, you make the time". It's not that this goal is not important enough. It's just that I have to have priorities. Writing about BTS is my personal goal, my personal joy. However, I do have a 'day job'. I'm a part of a Team on whose quality of work, many people's daily lives and future
BTS: seven purple lights that light up the skies.
depend. So, personal satisfaction vs. greater good? Of course, my work takes priority, right? After all, good outcomes from work also bring personal satisfaction and joy. And, if I'm efficient, I would afford to have the time to write about BTS. As it is, only family and faith are above work in my hierarchy of priorities.
Anyway, I finally posted a feature on one of the members of BTS. Of course, the first to be featured is our fantabulous leader, RM (Kim Nam-joon). Technically though, before RM, I posted some sort of a feature for J-Hope (Jung Hoseok or Hobi) when "More" - the first single from his solo album, "Jack in the Box" (JITB), was released last July. It was not full-length but the goal was to support the release of his first solo album, which he absolutely deserves. I do adore our dear Sunshine, and I was happy that I could support him in my own little way. I salute him for his boldness to go out there, stand on his own with the blinding spotlight on him (and him alone), and fire a canon loaded with sheer talent to bring the music world to its knees! He did it, and it was awesome! However, I still owe Hobi a full-length feature, and a promised full review of JITB. I hope to 'find the time' to do that soon.
Anyway, so after RM, who's next?
Actually, my ARMY friends might have found it surprising that RM was first to be featured in this blog. They may have been expecting Jeon Jungkook (JK) to go first. And when JK goes, SUGA (Min Yoon-gi) is not so far behind.
SUGA (Yoongi) is awesomeness+++ personified.
It would be a real feat to write about Yoongi as his character is so deep, it would be a challenge to break through the thick exterior to get to the core. I have so much respect for SUGA and his awe-inspiring genius as an artist that I am not sure if I could muster the courage to talk about him and his music, and all his other skills in that deep pocket of talents that he has. I feel incredibly small and unworthy to talk about him regardless of the (huge) difference in our ages - me, being ancient compared to him. Hahaha...
Same is true with RM, actually. He is so talented, intelligent and just awesome! But I did like his Swiss Vlog so much, and I can wholeheartedly relate with his passions. He is absolutely impressive in what he does. So, when his Vlog came out, I seized the moment and just ploughed through the post! I stroke while the iron was hot so to speak. If I waited a bit longer, I would've been so intimidated that I might not have had the courage to post that feature on him. Of course, the post is just a drop in a sea of things that could be written about RM, but I can only do my best. I'm glad, I did. Someday, when I'm retired... and RM is President of South Korea (uhm, ahem!), I will re-read that feature, and I know I would be so proud and happy.
Yeah, but, who's next...?
Alright, moment of truth! I'd love the next feature to be about JK. That young man is a person that is so difficult to write a feature story about. There is so much to write about him, and it is
JK - the closest being to perfection.
impossible to focus on just one. He is so talented and so close to perfection that it's almost unfair - seriously! When I think of JK, that song, "(God must have spent) A Little More Time on You"by NSYNC always comes to mind. I saw his Vlog... it seemed 'simple enough' to write a feature story about 'cause it was just fun, fun, fun... and more fun! And then, that touching moment of him writing that profession of love to ARMY on the sand in the beach... aww,I teared up a little bit, to be honest! It was extra-special since he has not posted on his Instagram (IG) or on any social media platform for a long time when his vlog came out. So, I made up my mind a few days ago, I will write about his Vlog! But there is "Left & Right" with Charlie Puth, "Bad Decisions" with the rest of the BTS vocal line - a collaboration with Benny Blanco and Snoop Dogg. And then, recently, there is that special 8-photo folio, "Time Difference"! Man, what to do?? Maybe, I should just focus on his singing, huh? But I always listen to their old and newer songs in one go while running or brisk walking... and, oh, boy, the evolution of his artistry is just phenomenal! Too hard to write about!
Jin (Kim Seok-jin) sneaked into my heart when he did that vlog, cooking with a famous Korean Chef. I was so tempted to shoot my own video cooking, too! Hahaha... and write a side-by-side features on our menbosha. Plus, I always enjoy Jin's funny antics... he is the most effective inducer of 'LOLs' among ARMY... especially when he 'yell raps'. Hahahahaha... When I'm in a bad mood these days, I just open saved post on IG about Jin... and in a few minutes, everything in the world is right again! Aww, thanks, Jin!
Jimin's vlog is adorable... ah, well, he is adorable! I've always been into Jimin from that time when he was still this little kid from Busan with chubby cheeks who rocked Seoul with his raw artistry as a BTS member - my ARMY friends know that. In the early stages of my BTS fascination, all I ever talked about was Jimin (Park Jimin). While all seven members fight for my attention when I watch them perform, there is always that auto-focus on Jimin. I am most excited when he posts something on IG or Weverse as he is always sweet and very caring to ARMY. You can feel the sincerity, and it's heartwarming.
Aargh... and I don't even want to think about writing a feature on V (Kim Tae-hyung). That will be a gargantuan task, and I am not sure if I am equal to the task... or, if I'd be equal to the task - ever! He is like a chameleon... he switches gears a lot, and the changes are impossible to predict - even for one with a doctorate on something that involves mathematical modeling (ahem! Haha...). What one writes about V today may no longer be valid two minutes after it's posted! Hahaha... that's how dynamic his personality and interests are. Hmm... perhaps, I should pay closer attention to him, and see what is the most 'permanent' about him. But to follow V is so dizzying... he 'moves around' a lot - physically and mentally. I think it's impossible for him to stay still (mind, body and soul) even for a few minutes.
So, who is next after RM? Now, I realized that I have no definite answer to that question. Oh well... we shall see in a few days.
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Photo credit: (1-2) The photos in the first and second collages are all mine. They were processed for the sole use of this blog, and may not be used elsewhere. (3) The photos in the second image were grabbed from BTS collection of photos online while the blue and pink light background was from RM's IG account - thanks for the loan. (4) The photos from the 3rd collage were from SUGA's IG account - thanks for the loan. (5) JK's collage were grabbed from various sources including Bangtan TV and BTS Big Hit official IG account - thanks for the loan.
Finally, I am back into the 'swing of things' - fully recovered from jetlag, eating some of my favorite Filipino delicacies that I missed while away from home, enjoying our little 'urban garden' with our beloved but camera-shy Lab, Bono, and just being my 'bakya' self.
I have been working regular hours, too... although still working from home as I do not have a physical office yet. As I mentioned in my previous post, I am starting a new and more challenging job at the University. Of course, I am quite anxious... but I am not letting anxiety beat optimism. So, everyday, I commit. Everyday, I do something to ensure a win over anxiety. Everyday, I do something 'small'... 'crawling' my way to getting 'in the zone'. I try to pick the 'low-hanging fruits', filling my 'basket of confidence' with them. At the end of each day, I try to 'look at' my basket... and admire my 'little pieces of ripe fruits'... and I get excited!
I haven't been brisk walking/running yet, though. It's a shame because that is my sure-fire stress-buster! Ahh... I'd love very much to get my new running shoes on 'break-in'... but it's been raining here in Metro-Manila, and I am not exactly thrilled about running on wet pavement. So, to avoid stress, I try to still play simple online games everyday... after work, and while on a short break. I choose games that sharpen the mind... targeted at getting the mind to be more strategic; sometimes with a little competition to get the adrenaline pump going, and always on a 'fight mode' over anxiety and pessimism! So, yep, we're good!
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Feel Good = BTS + Pied Piper
And because we're good, let's go and feel 'super good'! How? Well, with the help of our ultra-awesome friends, of course: BTS! Alright, what do we listen to today? Hmmm... I think I'd like to listen to "Pied Piper" today for this post... although, I listen to this song, at least, five times a day - no kidding - I love it! I love the melody, and the way the singing and wrapping mix in a non-linear progression. At some point, the rap line drops to intercept the beautiful singing of the vocal line, or move from behind to blend with the singing... in another, they go hand-in-hand as they build towards the chorus of the song... and as they ride the chorus wave, they circle the vocal line as the vocal line circle each other, too, until it was impossible to recognize where all the lovely sound is coming from... and yet, the blend is so, so beautiful! Perfect, in fact! They make our hearts beat on double time, triple time, quadruple time... and then one of them (or, was it all of them?) declared, "I'm taking over you!" And, that was it, they just sent us flying! And, the rhythm section puts a beautiful 'lace' around the vocal-rap/vocal-vocal blend, and it just makes the BTS voices explode in a beautifully sounding song that leaves you wanting for more and more... and more! And this is why, when you listen to this song, it has to be on repeat... trust me! In their live performances of this song, one can concentrate in the beauty of the song and the singing, just like the boys themselves can concentrate in pouring their souls into the song, because the choreography is simple enough.
I remember, when I heard this song for the first time, I realized that 'the Bangtan boys' have become 'grown-ups' - they sounded grown-up, they sang with grown-up emotions... and there's sexiness in the way the vocal line projected and focused their voices to sound like they were directly talking to each of their listeners... they sounded very up-close, and very, very personal. The rap line did not rap with their usual 'muscular rapping'. Instead, there was caress in the softness of their voices... in Tagalog, we call it 'lambing'. We say, 'may lambing'... sweet - very sweet, indeed. And when SUGA raps with 'lambing', ya know you gotta hear it, yeah? YEAH, for sure!
So, yeah, today is a "Pied Piper" day. But, I think I want to see them perform it live. So, here they are...
"Come here, I'm your paradise...
follow the sound of the pipe... follow this song...
it's a bit dangerous...
I'm here to save you, I'm here to ruin you..."
So, whether you want to be 'saved' or be 'ruined', these young men are your 'wing men'! Tae is on fire in this song - on fire! Did you hear me? I said, ON FIRE! I won't say more, otherwise, uhm, it'd be unwise! For sure, I'd make a fool of myself... if I haven't already, that is. Haha... And Jin is a revelation - you just want to revel over his voice and admire the emotions that he revealed in the sound of his singing with that matching gaze that melts us like... uhm, like 'buttah'. And then just cry because it's too much! When Jimin said he is "cutie, sexy, lovely", he was not lying! This song proves that he is all that... and more! He just did it again here... the swag! How does he do it - cutie, sexy, lovely with a swag?? It's not mathematically solvable, I tell ya! But, who's solving when everyone has passed out from listening and watching our Jimin? JK... ah, JK! When I saw them perform this song the first time, I realized that 'the kid' has grown, and he is g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s! He matched Tae and Jin's romantic singing - note for note, and Jimin's seductive singing - note for note and sideway glance for sideway glance... but keeping his limitless voice range on steady display - experimenting, mixing it up... and succeeding with vocal ferocity. The result? KILLER! Did you survive? No? At least you tried. Here's a purple heart for your courage, ARMY! 💜
And the rap line... man, do we really need to talk about the rap line... 'cause I am barely breathing here! Yes? Alright then... RM is not fair. He knows we admire how he strings those brilliant words with his 'fantabulous' rap voice... but to string something coy, and then throw us a fingers heart and a be-dimpled smile with a wink, too?! Aw, man, how in the world is that fair to all the girls who wish to be his Mom's daughter-in-law? It beats me! Go figure because I can't! And, speaking of in-laws and marriage and all that... Yoongi... tsk, argh! "Maybe I'm a bit dangerous..." was what our little genius said. Uh, yeah, tell us something we don't know, Min Yoongi! If you must know, we have been hanging on dear life here because... seriously, who can survive that rapping? Like, RM, no fair, Yoongi! And then, his royal awesomeness, J-Hope, who quadrupled the power of the rhythm section with his raspy voice and well-timed improvisation, mocked us with, "you can't escape, never!" And we just surrendered because we know he is right! Right? Right! Uhm, wait, are we even attempting to escape? No, right? Right again! Haha...
If you must know, I am laughing out loud in the middle of the night while writing this post. But that is BTS, they are a good company in this life... they make us laugh, cry, dance, sing, think... they just make us feel good - so, so good! With "Pied Piper", they just proved that a song and the performance can be ooh-lala sexy without using obscenities and/or showing flesh. This is good time... BTS music is good time! And we thank God for these seven wonderful souls.
Alright, anxiety, crushed! Optimism is victorious once again! So, let's go!
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Photo credit: All the photos featured in this post belong to me. I took and processed them for the purpose of this Blog. They may not be used for another purpose.
Video credit: The owners of the videos featured in this post are indicated in the video themselves. Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
One of the things that I love about living in Ithaca in Upstate New York is how one can be very close to nature. There is always an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of nature whatever time of year... although winter can be truly harsh.
An assortment of blooms in the Cornell campus in Ithaca, NY during spring time.
This is the beauty of studying at Cornell University, too, specifically in its Ithaca campus. Aside from it being an Ivy League... and, therefore, the quality of education is topnotch, the Ithaca campus is surrounded by nature in its unadulterated beauty. The campus itself is beautiful: dramatic in Autumn, surreal in winter time, deliciously prettyin spring, and totally smashing during summer time. More than anything else though, the company of brilliant and fun students, and awesome mentors, was totally wonderful and unforgettable. I spent five years in the Ithaca campus of Cornell as a PhD student in the mid 2000s. I thank the Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture scholarship program endlessly for the opportunity... because those were some of the very best years of my life!
So, in AY 2021-2022, I had the opportunity to return to Cornell. This time, I return as a Hubert H. Humphrey (HHH) Fellowship grantee. The HHH Fellowship Program is under the Fulbright Scholarship Program of the US Department of State. It is a highly competitive program that is usually awarded to professionals in their mid-career or leaders who are ready to move up to more influential leadership roles in their field of work. In my Humphrey Fellowship, I was primarily hosted by the Penn State University in State College, PA but I chose Cornell as the venue for one of my two six-week non-local Professional Affiliations. The other one is Boise State University in Idaho. I couldn't be any happier!
Enjoying a lovely spring time evening, walking around East Hill area of Ithaca, NY.
In Ithaca, I stayed at the eastern side of the campus... up a hill, towards downtown. The house where I stayed this time was the same house where I lived on my last year as a PhD student in Cornell. Its location is adjacent to that of the Baker Institute for Animal Health of the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, which is recognized as one of the very best Vet Schools in the world. The house has among the most beautiful views of Ithaca sunset, which gets dramatic during spring time because of the usually thick dark rain clouds that contrasted with the burning red-orange color of the sun as it sank in the horizon among the tall trees on the hills. It is absolutely lovely!
Every single day, I was motivated to start the day well by the cheerful tweets of birds outside my window... and the gentle fingers of the rising sun that knocked on my window with its comforting warmth. They brought smile to my lips as I prayed for that beautiful day that beckoned. All day long, the horses at the stable of the Baker Institute grazed around the hills, and they usually wandered at the house's backyard. I enjoyed watching them, especially the two most active ones who loved to run around. They are the ones featured in the video above.
Towards the end of the day, I put all my concentration on my work so I can eat dinner early with the kind family who owns the house... and relax as I watched the beautiful sunset at the backyard. In the evening, I put on my walking/running shoes, put on my earphones, and pull down my favorite playlist on Spotify - mostly BTS music, of course! I then joined some of our neighbors as I walked/ran a minimum of 4km, chasing the colors of the sunset fade into the night. Perfect day for Namjooning, indeed!
I usually went to bed every single night satisfied with my day... and happy that I got to rest well as I anticipated another lovely day to come my way in the morning. Looking back, those days that were full of hope reminded me of my favorite line in one of the newest BTS songs, "Yet to come". The line went, "dream and hope, and go forward - we're so about it!" Yes, I am so about it, too!
Ahhh... Ithaca! Take me back!
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Video credit: The video featured in this post belong to me. I shot it for the sole use of this post.
Photo credit: All photos used in this post belong to me. I took and processed them for the sole purpose of this post.
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