If one's great...

...one's really great.  And it's great!

#Federer through to the quarterfinals! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Trk7Oto2q9

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2017

This is great...  Roger Federer is great!  

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Video credit:  Thanks, Twitter and @AustralianOpen, for the video share.

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Saturday Photo

Foodie break...

Just because we are back to work in the University, I, too, am back to my 'unbearable' work schedule.  This simply means that I have been working, too, during the holidays... it's just that the work load is quite bearable then... well, I 'forced' it to be bearable, anyway.  But now, as classes begin next week, I am pulling an 'all nighter' (again). :( 

Therefore, I need to give myself a little consolation...and that would mean foodie-ing on something sugary and fatty... forget weight and all that!  Well, at least, for now... because I have a big deadline to beat.  Yep, deadline on the first week of classes!  My life is beyond boring, I tell ya!

Oh, retirement, why won't you take the 'express way' to me?  Please?  Or... should I go to you instead?  Now, that's an idea worth pursuing! :)  Hang on.... 

***

He's back...

...and he's great - as ever!
==========================================================================
by PAM


Yes, he is back! :) Ed Sheeran is back... not that he's ever left our lives though.  We were just sucked into the Bruno Mars planet for sometime now with 24K magic and all that magical stuff that The Bruno weaves.

"Come on now, follow my lead.  I maybe crazy, don't mind me...

...I'm in love with the shape of you.

...come on, be my baby."

That was a fun tune right there... kinda catchy lyrics as well.  It's definitely a departure from Ed's usually heart-breakingly beautiful songs with cool and yet incredibly romantic lyrics.  This new song does capture how commitment-phobic people these days use language... they are careful to not bind themselves with anyone and/or anything by correctly spelling their feelings, and use 'detached' language that allows them 'space', and leaves the back door open - for quick escape.  Well, it's either that, or Ed is just singing about some boy just giving in to the peer pressure of being with someone... and "discovering something brand new" in the process.

Whatever it is, I'm one happy (big) fan listening to another hit from The Ed!  

Hmmm... lower backache's gone, I think.  Gotta 'love this body'.

***

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

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No, no...

...and no!
=============================================================================
by PAM

No way, James (Corden)!  You're not going to make me write a "Farewell post" on the passing of George Michael.  I have written so many "farewell posts" in 2016 for people that shaped my life over the years, and were 'stolen' from me by death.  So, no, I'm not going to write another one - and for someone that I spent most of my teenage days with, too - although, of course, he didn't know that I did.  But no matter, it won't change the fact that I did - through records, music videos, photos, TV appearances that he did with Andrew Ridgeley in those many years when I believed in my heart that I will become a Rock Superstar!  And now he's gone.  It's heartbreaking.

So, nope... there is NO way!  But I do like your way of saying goodbye to him, James... based on an experience with "your man".  It's good that you have an experience like that to talk about.  No, I'm not envious or anything 'cause some people are luckier than most, I know that.  But, man, aren't you lucky, James!  You're raking good luck to your front yard like it's nothing at all, and that's awesome given that your 'front door is shut'. *sigh*

But you did give a heartwarming farewell to our George though, I give you that...

"It was the weirdest feeling going to bed thinking that when I wake up it's gonna be...

...because George Michael is on the phone, and I'm gonna talk to him...

...and we talked about music, and I felt very privileged to be able to tell him

how much his music meant to me."

Oh, dear... my heart is breaking.

Ah, whatever!  Thanks for the music and the memories, George.  I won't miss you, no... because you will live in my thoughts and in my heart - that part that sings and adores music.  For as long as I know what love is and what it's likes to be hurt in the name of love because love makes one vulnerable, too, I will be humming Careless Whisper with the heartfelt emotion that you helped taught me how to feel.  Then and now, I will always be hopeful in love because I Knew You Were Waiting (for me), if there is not anyone else out there.  And, of course, I learned that singing can be really sexy even when a dreadful feeling is being expressed through it with your Everything She Wants. Of course, you and Andrew were the 'original' singing-is-crazy-fun most effective advocates for me with Wake Me Up Before you Go, Go... even when I was too young to actually understand what you were trying to say then in that song.  You bad, Bad Boys! ;)  But you are my man, too, George.  Ah, you did take me to The Edge of Heaven, which is also called the "golden era of pop music", and gave me my strong Faith in '80s music.  So awesome!  

But, yeah, a big 'drama queen' that you are, you chose to sneak out when people were planning a great Christmas holiday and preoccupied by all that merrymaking, did you?  And you waited to be the last one to go in 2016's 'exodus' of stars... just to prove that you were the biggest star of them all?  Ah, so typical of you, George!  Well, guess what, mate, Princess Leia (and her Mom) beat you to it!  Then again, slipping away on Christmas Day???  Megadrama!  But, oh well, what can I say... I love you?  Gosh, I do!  And I'm so sad that Christmas 2016 was our Last Christmas together.  With David Bowie and Prince gone last year, too, what are we, '80s people, supposed to do?  We're not done 'partying' yet, and you already shut down half of our lives' music theme!  I hope you know that we feel miserable!  But it comforts me imagining that you are now reunited with the Mega Drama Queen, Freddie Mercury... and singing your lungs out on the clouds, gliding and swinging like a dream - on bare feet.  You lucky, lucky queens!  Meoow....

Alright, let's get the whole James-George thingy here - for the love of all that's happily queenie...

"Let's be honest, you don't want me to come with you because you don't want

to be seen with a gay man."

***

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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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