Thanks, 2012...

...it's been a turbulent ride, but you got us through just the same!
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by PAM

Thank you...and farewell.

My favorite part?  The Sports scene, of course! 

Uhm-hmm, I'm all shallow like that!  Whatever!  'Cause who could forget the "Nofael Djodal" showdown in the men's final at the Aussie Open in January, and the "Return of the King" on the green, greem grass of Wimbledon in June?  Those were definitely for the history books - too AWESOME!  La Roja didn't disappoint either in the European Cup 2012.  The beautiful Spanish conquistadores left the world in awe by how breathtaking they were playing the 'beautiful game', taking home the Cup for the second time in a row.  This, while they hold the World Cup, which they won in South Africa in 2010.  The London Summer Games was superb... so full of surprises - wonderful surprises all - from the opening to the closing ceremony, and especially the games in between.  The world was posing the "Bolt Lightning" pose to celebrate the return to form of the fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt... and the "Mo pose" to celebrate the incredible success of Mo Farah, who inpsired Team GB to an unprecedented  medal haul.  Heck, it even made the usually emotional mess Andy Murray to steady his nerves to beat Roger Federer to the men's gold medal in tennis!  And, while Missy Franklin was the most beautiful Champ of a creature to watch in the Olympic swimming pool in London, who can forget how the most decorated Olympian, Michael Phelps, showed the kind of stuff that CHAMPIONS are made of in the Olympic swimming pool?  AWESOMENESS, definitely awesomeness!!  And in a way that only the powerful MP can illustrate, too.  Whew!

It was also incredible to watch the down-to-earth Bubba Watson not being able to hold back tears as he wore the green jacket in Augusta... even if I am not a fan of golf - yet.  Of course, it was tragic to watch Lance Armstrong get stripped of his Tour de France titles... but, it wasn't as if we didn't see it coming.  Even Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao collected his share of loses this year... but he remains the Philippines' "People's Champ", so I guess it doesn't really matter - much. 

Yep, victory and failure... we always see contrasting pictures from the opposite ends of the sporting arena.  And yet, the feeling is the same for the fans of the game - exhilaration.  Just seeing the sheer beauty of courage, determination, discipline and the will to win... all the incredible ingredients of sportsmanship, and the awesome distillation of the human spirit in its purest kind, while providing entertainment and fun... nothing ever beats that for me.  I'd go for it anytime! :)  Shallow... I already said I am, right?  At least, I am not a greedy politician... gosh, knock on wood!  ;)

Huh?  Hmmm... ahem, did somebody mention 'engineering innovation'?  Aaww!  In that case, I'm taking my word back!  Forget shallow!  ;)

***
Seriously now...

More than anything else... thanks, 2012, for the gift of family - the one true source of unending and unconditional love in this life, an abundance of understanding and deep joy for better or worse, warmth and nurturing care especially in times when these are badly needed.  All things and God's gifts are meaningful because of family.

 

Family... the one true rock,
upon which God's promise of joyful life is fulfilled.

With family, God's promise of eternal joy is fulfilled... even here on earth, on our borrowed time, in the simplicity of humble living.

***

Speaking of 'wishes'...

...here's another one in my list.
====================================================================
by PAM


I reiterate, I usually am not the "I-wish-I-were-a" sort of a person... but there are moments when I wish I could be in a parallel universe where I could sing/howl like Eddie Vedder, had the song writing genius of the Beatles, and play the guitar like Slash ofthe now defunct Guns n' Roses...

"Aw, where do we go now...?"

Aaww.... Impressed?  Impressive?  Awesomeness?  OK, I understand, you're stunned.  don't worry, it's normal.  Just don't forget to re-gain consciousness at twelve midnight to celebrate the New Year, OK?  Ya can do it.  ;)

And because we've been 'good'... Santa is giving us a bonus. :)  Here goes....

"You and I have got what it takes to make it... a little patience."

It's almost time to bid 2012 farewell... are you ready?  Can't wait for 2013?  Patience....  :)

***

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

***

The long and winding road...

...and small by-ways.
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by PAM


I am not usually the "I-wish-I-were-a" sort of a person, simply because I love what I've become in this life, with God's grace... especially thinking about the many 'adventures' that I had the great luck to have had as life allowed me to evolve to what I have become today.  Of course, my life is, at most, 'ordinary' and I am VERY FAR from perfect, but I am contented... I will always be overjoyed by the knowledge that I have 'enough' and that I couldn't ask for more.  However, if there's anything that I would have wanted to try in a parallel universe, it would have been songwriting.  And, for my first song, I would've written this beautiful, beautiful song...

"And still they lead me back to the long and winding road.... 

Don't keep me waiting here... lead me to your door."

...by the Beatles, of course, who else?! 

The song is so beautiful... it could mean a thousand things.  It means different things to different people.  In my case, it's a song that takes on a different meaning every time I listen to it... especially going through different phases in my life.  It could be a rant, or a prayer.  It could be a theme for a heartache, it could mean a struggle towards a goal, it could mean begging God to lead me to see His wisdom so I could know how to fulfill His will, it could mean frustration and sufferings... it could mean perseverance and hope, it could mean persistence and courage, it could mean love and passion. 

Aah, so many things indeed!  But I know that the 'long and winding road' will lead me to... 'your door'.  And so, until then, I'll keep waiting and working very hard.  

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

Saturday night nostalgia....

...because the air smells all randomly nostalgic.
============================================================================
by PAM


Enough work for now, I need a break! Therefore, I'm taking a break, after all, I'm on Christmas break! :)

So, I met with very dear friends yesterday - finally - after a long time!  Thank goodness for the holidays!  The "reunion" was worth the wait... it was like being in an old place, surounded by all-familiar things, warm and soothing - all wonderful things.  Animated, fun but always informative conversations, enriching as always.  And the wonderful time inspired good memories to come rushing in.  Old pictures, old books, old test papers (yep, test papers!  Freakily geeky, I know!)... and old experimental set-up and data notebooks.  Uh, nah, save it!  You don't have to say it 'cause I know... I'm too lame!  But, doesn't lame usually go with nostalgia though?  ;)  

Hmmm, something "clicked"... it was the latch of a memory vault that was shut close for a while now, and the not-so-distant past was out before I could catch the lid to shut the vault close again.  Oh, well... it isn't all that bad anyway.  I just thought I'd play this though....

"I know someday you'll have a beautiful life. I know you'll be a star... in somebody else's sky. But why, why, why can't it be, why can't it be.... mine?"

Whew!  Oh, boy... angst with a capital "A"!  Incredible! 

But, why, why, why... why can't I sing like that??? 😅😂  Probably because I've never had my heart as badly broken as Eddie Vedder's had been. 😉  His girl left him, and he howls.  Therefore, I leave all the howling, er, singing to the 'small man with a BIG voice'! 

Go, Eddie... howl away, dude!

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

QOTD

QOTD #10:  On  batteries, innovation and mentoring
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by PAM

 

"In a battery, I strive to maximize electrical potential.  When mentoring, I strive to maximize human potential."

- Prof. Donald Sadoway, Ph. D. 
  Energy Engineer and the John F. Elliot Professor of Materials Chemistry
  Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT)
  via TIME magazine, "The 100 Most Influential People in the World"

This makes me miss teaching my beloved "Innovation Course" in the University.  I am particularly proud of that Course just because I can say that I built most of it from scratch.  The challenge of turning what used to be a boring Course into something that is innovative and fresh was truly exhilarating.  Seeing students glow upon discovering their own strengths and talents as they clear the innovation "hurdles" along the way brought absolute fulfillment. 

So, why am I sounding nostalgic-and-all over this?  It's because, for the first time, since 2007, I am not teaching that Innovation Course, and  I miss it.  I miss interacting with students directly.  I guess, this is just another trade-off involved when sitting on "big chairs", you lose your daily dose of merry wonderment in the classrooms and research labs, and the tremendous joy of watching incredible talents unfolding and innovative minds lighting up and coming to life to bring forth solutions to pressing problems right before your very eye as the semester proceeds.  Oh, well.... 

Since I am already publicly lamenting over not teaching the Innovation Course this Academic Year anyway, let me just go all the way and 'wallow in grief', and turn pathetically green with envy over this...

"Perhaps, overlooked, Volta's invention of the battery, for the first time, also demonstrated the utility of a professor.....  So, you see, the liquid metal battery story is more than an account of inventing technology, it's a blue print for inventing inventors."

Aaawww...sweet!  Too good, too good... and I feel left out! :(

The happy part is, these "big chair days" will not last forever.  One day, they will come to an end, hopefully after a few of those many "challenging puzzles" on the equally "big tables" have been figured out... and all systems are up and running, and humming healthily.  Therefore, I look forward to teaching that Course again - the sooner, the better!  :)  In the meantime, I'll try to find comfort in the great challenge of filling out this "big chair" in my own little humble way, and savor the opportunities to mentor "big kids" from where I currently stand - around the vicinity of the "big chair".  Yep, I'm still uncomfortable sitting on the cold "bigness" of it... in fact, I think I will always find it "uncomfortable", just because I'm just a simple dudette with simple needs and wants...  I just want to set foot on planet Mars, that's all. ;)

Alright, let's get those "puzzles" figured out then so we could go back to the classroom/research lab soon... aw, yeah!  :)  Here we go.... one challenge/puzzle at a time.  We'll get to the finish line eventually... and then we set out to run the more interesting run, the run that all engineers and scientists committed their professional lives to: the "hard science" for "good life" run!  Leeeezdoit! :)

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

From my family to yours...



...a blessed Christmas!

Have a wonderful Christmas celebration, everyone!  Enjoy the holidays with your family and loved ones. :)  Love, joy and peace be with you.  God bless....

***

Thomasian Christmas...

...an echo of the University of Santo Tomas Rector's Christmas greetings.
====================================================================
by PAM

Happy Christmas to one and all!

A few days ago, the Rector of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) gave his Christmas greetings to the Thomasian community.  This happened, just a few days after the "Reproductive Health" Bill (in its "bicameral version") was ratified by both the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives, and its authors celebrating and crying tears of "victory".  Pres. Nonoy Aquino, who certified the enactment of the Bill as urgent, hailed the passage of the Bill by the lawmakers as a way forward in bringing about the "solution" to our "population problem".  Therefore, the Aquino government has something to celebrate for this Cristmas.

Meantime, the UST Rector's greeting geared the Thomasian celebration of Christmas toward how it should be: a celebration of the "greatest Love".  Please allow me to share the Rector's Christmas greetings with my fellow Thomasians worldwide.  Here goes...

In this joyful Season that speaks of the greatest Love,
May our hearts be inflamed with our commitment to the Truth,
For Christmas is a celebration of lives offered in the service of veritas in caritate.

May the cross atop the UST Tower be our Star of Bethlehem
Our beacon of faith, source of hope and reminder of Christmas love -
The timeless message of Christmas.

With the abiding presence of the Child Jesus and His unending grace
May you and I walk together in unity rooted in our shared vision
To build the Church, the country and the family.

Maligayang Paskong Tomasino sa Lahat!

- Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O. P.
  Rector, University of Santo Tomas

***
It's a "purple world" 

So, yeah, this is the 'last time' that we, as a nation, celebrate Christmas with the parents of teenagers among us seeing the beautiful glow on their children's faces as they wholeheartedly appreciate their Christmas presents, innocence radiating from their faces.  Some of these teenagers probably glow in the spine-tickling sweet excitement of 'puppy love', and yet, they look up to their parents for guidance and love, afraid to make mistakes, eager to preserve their innocence until such time when their love for one person is sanctified in a blessed union... because that's what their parents, the Church, and the society teach them... because that's how it should be. 

Next year, and the following years, parents will be holding their children close to themselves on Christmas morning, wishing that they could hold on to their children's purity of heart and mind long enough until such time when they have matured enough to be able to distinguish right from wrong and wisdom from foolishness. Parents will be wishing that they could protect their beloved children from a society that tolerates experimentation of the human spirit, starting from one's body, under the guise of one's freedom to explore one's (and specifically a woman's) sexuality without 'suffering' from the consequence of such 'exploration', and to manage population growth.  Well, it's already started anyway... just listen to the DJs/presenters of radio shows on FM band these days.  The way they 'freely' say 'jokes' with sexual implications and discuss their own sexualities and others' as if they were experts and as if what they say was the universal truth with loud female DJs screeching tastelessly, over morning coffee is completely jarring!  Whaaaat, they allow these now on FM radio with kids listening????  How sad....  So, what's next?  Abortion?  Divorce?  *sigh*

Therefore, we savor our last true Christian celebration of Christmas as a nation!  But, as I tell my students, no human law could corrupt the spirit for as long as we allow our spirits to constantly bathe in the Truth... only then can we celebrate each day as if it was Christmas day.


***
Art credit:  Dante V. Lerma, M. D., "Paskong Tomasino"

The stress level is high...

...therefore, we sing...
=========================================================================
by PAM 

..."Under the Bridge" by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

"Sometimes I feel like my only friend is the city I live in...

the City of Angels... lonely as I am, together we cry.

Take me to the place I love...."

Man, how awesome is that?!  Oh, and hey, kids, nevermind the tattoos, long hair and the bare chests.  They are RHCP... and you're you.  Stick to who you are. Just enjoy the exhilarating music... and the 'excuse' to scream. :)

And then, let's learn to "Walk" again with the Foo Fighters...

"I think I found my place... can't you feel it growing stronger?

Little conquerors... forever, whatever, I'll never say goodbye!

Learning to walk again...."



Feeling better?  I am! :)  Alright then, let's be 'good' again. :)

***

Rock it good....

Y'see, contrary to many people's belief that listening to/singing along with/playing rock music is a "rebel's thing", and therefore, 'evil'... it can actually be therapeutic. The "rhythmic noise" drowns out the angry protests in one's head against wrong, foul-smelling and unsightly stuff that surrounds them, and dissolves the emotionally crippling angst.  The "ugliness" in some of the videos can make some realize how 'ugly' they have allowed themselves to become, too, responding to the ugliness around them.  When they are done listening or watching the video, all the negative vibes are swatted away, and the soul becomes receptive to positive vibes again.  Then we can begin listening to "soothing music".  And then, with prayer, we can take care objectively of the "unsightly stuff" around... and make it vanish - forever! 

This is why, many engineers/scientists/innovators and other creative people are big fans of rock music... when the going gets tough in the lab/pilot plant/drawing board/computers, and all passages to success are blocked by seemingly unsolvable technical riddles, they need to fight back the frustration in their heads by screaming as loud as possible at frustration - through rock music.  That way, they avoid screaming at other people to let out their frustration... instead, they scream at the offensive 'air of frustration' that suffocates them, and rock music gives them the platform to do that.  Therefore, the louder the sound, the better!  After frustration retreats, then they go back to the lab/pilot plant/drawing board/computers with good old Beatles singing good old wisdom in merry tunes in the background while they accommodate the flow of creative juices once again.  OK, others would prefer Mozart's sonata or the music of Roberta Flack or David Foster, and that's wonderful, too. 

The point is, rock music isn't 'evil'... we just have to use it the right way, because anything that is used wrongly becomes an evil doer's instrument, like money for instance.  And that people deal with stress in various ways.  Some employ rock music to help them get through the rough patches with no evil intentions, after all, our minds conceive many a-wonderful things because God allows our imagination to touch the incredible beauty of the spiritual realms.  Such beautiful and refreshing experience precipitates to creativity... and rock music is among those precipitations.  And yet, it could be just "All Apologies", too.

"I wish I was like you, easily amused...."

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



A ray of sunshine...

...in my little world of sports, 'IKA' and Fulbie-ness!
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by PAM

'Sunshine' in the middle of all this Pacman-was-KO'd frenzy? I'm sure you're guessing that that sunshine's gotta be Lionel Messi's doing, right?  Ya know what?  Of course, you're right!  Hah!

Yep, he did it! With a
Thumb up... if you're the greatest!
(Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)brace of goals in FC Barcelona's La Liga contest with Real Betis last Sunday, La Pulga surpassed Gerd Mueller, posting the highest goal tally in one calendar year in the history of the 'beautiful game' - 86 goals!  INCREDIBLE, I know!  And, nope, he ain't done yet, mind you, ah, nah!  

Last week, during FCB's 1-1 draw with SL Benfica in the UEFA Champions League, we stared in horror as Leo clutched his knee in pain while on the verge of equalling Mueller's 40 year-old record.  The whole football world waited in nightmarish suspense waiting for the FCB medical team to issue word on Leo's injury.  Later in the week, it was described to be 'just bruises' and, therefore, he was declared fit to play in the La Liga on Sunday. Whew!  And play, he did... providing the two goals in their 2-1 win against Betis, and eclipsing Mueller's record on the most number of goals in one calendar year for Club and country as well! And he didn't think much of the record feat, not more than FCB maintaining their position at the top of the Liga Table.  Awesomeness? Definitely awesomeness, couldn't be anything else!  Woohoo!  

Alright then, Pedro Pinto (of CNN), you may keep promoting Cristiano Ronaldo as a human-too-sort-of-a-football-god, but it's all smelling like a fourth Ballon d'Or for Leo here.  Even you cannot deny that... so, just let Don Riddell talk some sense into you, sir, to cushion the blow.  I'm sure you'll recover... you always have anyway!  =)  

There, Pacman, and my dear kababayans, we have hope... let's pray that Manny Pacquiao's misfortune last Sunday was a mere glitch, a 'minor' error of judgement... although the blow couldn't be mere 'bruises' 'cause he actually passed out on his way down the canvass, and stayed passed out for a few seconds. Whew!  Horrific!  Later in the night though (Monday early morning, Manila time), Messi turned ugliness to beauty.  Let's hope that a ray of sunshine from Mama Mary's loving hands chases away the horror of Pacman's nightmare (and all Filipinos', too).  Like I said before, we're proud of Pacman no matter what.  Now, if he picks up where he left off before straying 'away from sunshine', then we'd be more than just proud. Hooray!    

***
Striking a balance... sunshine through my (TV) sked

For the first time in a few weeks, I was able to watch all five episodes of "Ina, Kapatid, Anak" on TV last week.  This means that I got home everyday last week on or before 8:15 PM.  Hooray!  And after that very intriguing sneak preview last Friday, giving us a hint of what the 'IKA Gang' has in store for us this week, I resolved to win back 'my weekdays nightlife' from the selfish grip of work, and catch all five episodes again this week.  So far, so good. Hooray!  :)

***
A ray of scholarly sunshine...

Yes, yes... and yes again!  I got to sit in front of a formidable panel of big brains again today with their intimidating stares and sharp, fast-moving thoughts darting at me like Legolas' arrows.  I had to swallow hard several times to make sure that I haven't passed out.  

Yeah, I attended a Fulbright/PAEF (Philippine-American Educational Foundation) meeting to fulfill a task this afternoon... and I got that exhilarating feeling back again!  Cold, sweaty
That good old feeling....hands shaking, my mouth dry, both ears on fire, and my heart beating like it was going to jump out of my chest... that familiar feeling when I first sat for a panel interview, vying for a slot in the 2002 Scholars line-up.  Today, 10 years later, I got the same feeling all over again, but this time vouching for the wonderful men and women who are vying for a precious slot in next year's line-up of scholars... the thought of how those incredible men and women worked hard to get their names in "watermark" in the line-up, and were later counting on me to make their case to the Big Brain Panel so their names could be written in permanent ink in the prestigious list, felt like a Marquez uppercut for me - I was close to falling face down on the floor even before feeling the blow!   Honestly, feeling like that twice in 10 years, I can't tell which instance was harder!  And, honestly, I LOOOOVE IT!  How exciting!

The lunch was also fantastic today, especially with a company who speaks tirelessly of wonderful things, things that I only get to speak about - with myself - when reading good books... the enjoyable conversation over lunch did encourage me to check that my ideals are in place.  I wish of more days like this.  This is my problem with sitting on "big chairs"... they tie you down, and run you dry - until you're almost empty to just realize that you're drying up.  Thank goodness they can't touch your soul, even in your most dry spell!  In any case, I prefer sitting on grass, under the shade of a beautiful tree whose branches and leaves play the most soothing of music when the wind blows gently... lots of sunshine for the mind... and the soul.  So, now you know why I rarely sit on the 'actual' big chair behind that massive table that felt more like a bullet block in that cold, cold office... and if I had no choice but to sit on it, I'd usually sit on the very, very edge, so I could get away as fast as I could when my obligation to sit had been rendered. :)  Ah, life... always beautiful, but never perfect.  And yet, we love living it, just because it is a gift from God.

Alright, enough of that sunshine talk now.  It's nighttime... time to work!  Right!  Ugh!  Bring on Batman then! :)

***

The lights dimmed in Las Vegas as Pacman went down...

...a sad day for millions of Filipinos around the world.
====================================================================
by PAM

I know, I know, I've always considered boxing as an "ugly sport" being a big fan of the "beautiful game", football (soccer).   But when Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao is concerned, I swallow my pride and join my family in a pay-per-view 'tradition' to support the valiant Filipino fighter. 

Today, Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico settled the dispute as to who is the better fighter between him and Pacman.  He knocked out Pacman in the 6th round of their match in Las Vegas, NV - SHOCKING, I know!  

Pacman went down in the 3rd round from a surprised big punch by Marquez.  But the Pinoy Pride just raised an eyebrow, smiled, got up quickly, and went back punching.  He came back strong, and knocked Marquez in the 5th.  For a while, it looked like Pacman had
Unforgiving ugliness... Pacman went down.
(Photo by Julie Jacobson/AP via LA Times)everything under control.  With Marquez's face bleeding badly, Pacman was winning the 6th round... he was surging forward, putting Marquez on the defensive with the Mexican's back against the rope, looking like he was about to put the match to a close with a big punch in the last 10 seconds of the round... when, all of a sudden, Marquez found an opening and quickly unleashed an unforgiving big one!  The surprised Pacman took the blow real hard and went down on the floor - face down - and stayed there for a few seconds, looking horrifically lifeless!  My whole family stared in disbelief, not caring that Pacman most definitely lost the fight, we were more concerned about his condition!  "Is he alive???" was all we can utter after a few seconds of silence amidst the frenzied noise from the TV. In a flash, we were all praying very hard for Pacman's safety.  Boy, that was hard to take!  Whew, incredible!  Ugly, ugly... boy, how ugly! And it happened to Pacman... of all boxers, and against Marquez, too! Dang!

In the interview later, Marquez was very gracious, admitting that Pacquiao could've finished him with his signature 1-2 punch, too, if not for that lucky opening. Pacman, as always, was gracious, too... until he was asked whether he'd entertain another chance to fight JMM.  He was saying something about resting... when the indomitable Bob Arum butted in to say, "why not?"  And then Pacman changed his tune to sing along with Arum. *sigh*  There, there, Pacman, greed can kill, ya know!  

Pacman, we're proud of you no matter what... but, please don't let Bob Arum and his greed for money take away that pride!  Time to think things over... if you fight again, prepare for it - HARD, with WINNING in mind - and don't just think of the money! Don't let Bob Arum pimp our country's pride and yours to greed for money! He has no right to do that, so please don't let him!

***