'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.
After speaking in my recent post here about how Duran Duran and their contemporaries in the second 'British Invasion' dominated the beginning of the MTV era in the '80s, I got reminded of the iconic collaboration between one of the best guitarists the world has ever seen, Mark Knopfler, and his famous band, Dire Straits, and the one and only legend himself, Sting. Their song is called, "Money for Nothing"... which started with Sting filling the airwaves with his peculiar voice declaring how he wants his MTV. And the very best time they shared the stage to perform their iconic song is at the historic Live Aidconcert on 13 July 1985 in front of 72,000 people at the Wembley Stadium in London while 100,000 more watched them live via satellite from the other venue of Live Aid, at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, PA. It was watched all over the globe via satellite... and it dropped on our TV set in the Philippines, too. And what an amazing experience it was!
"Listen here, now that ain't workin' that's the way you do it. You play the guitar on the MTV. That ain't workin' that's the way you do it. Money for nothin' and your chicks for free."
The Live Aid concert was the coming together of the greatest music artists of the '80s across the Atlantic, organized by Sir Bob Geldof of the Irish band, Boomtown Rats, of the "I don't like Mondays" fame, and the Scottish musician, Midge Ure of Ultravox, to raise funds for and awareness of the famine in Ethiopia, Africa. It started with the gathering of the frontrunners in the 'British Invasion 2' as a 'charity supergroup' called, Band Aid, to record the song, "Do they know it's Christmas?" (DTKIC) in 1984. I remember, I was freshman in College. I stepped out of my classroom one December morning to listen to it when it was played for the first time on radio... because I knew it was history unfolding.
One of the very best performances at Live Aid happened in Wembley Stadium. It was that of Queen with their larger-than-life late frontman, Freddie Mercury, showing why they are one of the very best music legends of all time. And, of course, the genius guitar player that is Sir Brian Mayshowed up, too, as well as their painfully awesome drummer, Roger Taylor, and their great bass player, John Deacon, strutted his thing on stage, too.
"Mama, ohh, didn't mean to make you cry. If I'm not back again this time tomorrow, carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters."
Ahh... didn't that make you feel nostalgic? And speaking of MTV and other music media that sort of pushed back that classic music medium that endured many generations: the good old radio, how does this make you feel...
"You had your time, you had the power, you've yet to have your finest hour. Radio, radio..."
Ahh... man, what I wouldn't do to go back to the '80s! Queen is too good, right? Right! Alright!
Of course, the great Irish band, U2, with their legend of a frontman, Bono, and their legend of a guitarist, The Edge, also made their mark in Wembley as they performed two of their greatest hits, "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Bad".
"How long, how long must we sing this song? ...'cause tonight we can be as one..."
Powerful, isn't it? Then and now, U2 and U2 music are just so iconic... in so many ways. They are absolutely brilliant! I saw them in the Manila leg of their Joshua Tree World Tour... and I lost it, I wept!
Let me end with a song that was staple in the '80s, "Everytime you go away", by the owner of the voice who sang the first line in DTKIC, Paul Young. He just turned 68 yo... and he just got married for the second time, too.
Ah... there so many challenges in this world, but with great music such as these, it just makes our burden a bit lighter. Thank goodness for good music, and thank God for brilliant music artists!
***
Video credit: All videos belong to Live Aid - thanks, YouTube, for the video links.
All these 'whispers' about one of my favorite bands ever, Duran Duran (DD), coming to the Philippines to give our current President a private performance on his 67th birthday is just distressing! It is putting DD in bad light. However, until I hear DD's side of the story, I give them the benefit of the doubt, and I remain a loyal Durannie!
Anyway, I am now reminded about a milestone in DD's career that I missed to chronicle here. Now, after enduring a very long week, indeed, I am definitely in the mood to talk about them and listen to their old and most current songs... and watch some of those interviews that show what incredible artists they are, indeed. So, yep, it's a Friday Night Music time!
One of the things that my 'rock chick' self is very proud of is that day when I finally managed to set foot on the 'hallowed grounds' of Rock Hall - home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF), in Cleveland, OH back in July 2019. It was incredible... I absolutely went crazy! But what is crazier is that, two years ago, the stars did align... and Duran Duran was inducted to the Hall of Fame, Performance Category, to join the illustrious RRHOF Class of 2022 with the likes of Carly Simon, Pat Benatar, Lionel Richie, Eminem and Dolly Parton. The all-British band that originated from Birminghan, England was inducted to the RRHOF by none other than Iron Man himself, Robert Downey, Jr... thank you very much!
"The origin (of the) story of this iconic band comes down to two words: confidence and faith... and the fact that they have always been transparent about being a work in progress like we all are, I feel that's why I adore these men. That's the gift they've given us. They bestowed that on their fans: permission to grow, and change, and age out of one mode and embrace the next... I'm grateful that these gifted souls are finally receiving long-deserved cementing of their legacy."
Listening to them accept their award brought back a deluge of memories from those days when my siblings and I would wait patiently for the publication of our favorite music magazines to see articles about Duran Duran... and to see whether our comments from the previous issue, which we sent via snail mail would be featured in the latest issue; and those days when we worked ferociously on our school homeworks in order to merit watching MTV and American Top 40, and all other shows that might feature them, their songs and their music videos... as our late Mother has the "undone homework, no TV" policy. In a way, Duran Duran and our other favorite music artists helped us become good students. Duran Duran were one of the first few artists that made MTV the iconic music platform that it is today. As such, they revolutionized the music industry... and I am glad to be a part of that revolution!
Some forty years later... here we all are, finally seeing Duran Duran get inducted to the RRHOF. What a milestone - for them and for us, Durannies!
"I am so very proud of these four brothers... the essence of our job is this: we get to make people feel better about themselves... music nourished us and gave us identities... we finally got here, it's a long way from Birmingham - thanks a lot... we are all driven by fans, and we were fans - thank you to all the fans."
While I got to see them perform live at the height of their fame in 1989 at the Araneta Coliseum in the Philippine segment of their "Arena" World Tour, I may never afford to have them perform for me privately on my birthday. It is enough though that I have been a loyal fan for more than four decades now, and my siblings and I have an incredible amount of memorabilia and a vault in our heads full of great memories as we grew with this band... and as they kept going until passing this incredible milestone.
Ahh... the rhythm section is tight, tight, tight!Whew!How is it possible that they sound even better now than some forty years ago? I am sure that this is a product of hard work in continuously polishing their gifts as music artists. Ah, such a commitment to one's craft - amazing! I am sure that, brilliant music artists that they are, their journey continues... and our own journey as Durannies continues as well, and that feels absolutely fantastic!
***
Video credit: The videos are from the RRHOF website - thanks, YouTube for the video links.
Crisp outside, light and airy inside... and many more... that is all good!
A very long introduction...
Living alone has its benefits, the most important of which - at least, for me - is the opportunity to savor solitude.
I like solitude, I enjoy it. These days, I realized that the one company I never get bored of is my own. No, that is not being self-important, self-centered nor being selfish. It's just my love for the quiet. I'd much rather listen to the sound of my own silent thoughts, and of others' whose quiet thoughts are in harmony with mine, than to be confused in the dizzying chaos of a many multitude of opinions and 'great ideas' from so many, many (many, many... many) 'brilliant individuals'. Today's basis of 'brilliance' has eluded me hopelessly... and I do not believe I have the energy, nor the time, to embark on a greatly futile journey and the great hopelessness of ever finding it. So, I decided to just take the opposite route... the route of quietness - the beautiful moments of stillness of an unhurried living... with ample time to walk silently as one pays attention to one's surroundings... and be filled with wonder. That is not to say that I don't enjoy being in the company of people with whom I share the appreciation of meaningful conversations... and fun endeavors that touch the soul and make the spirit soar!
I like reflection, quiet reflection... and I enjoy discernment. I like long walks... and prayers while I walk. These days, as I walk around my new neighborhood, I like admiring those green canopies above me that those marvelous trees make as they reach out to join their long and graceful branches from each side of the road. I like sipping coffee quietly as I read a good book at the front porch, and once in a while looking up to marvel at the clouds and the incredible beauty of the blue skies behind them. Yes, I do have time to contemplate these days... or, rather, I can afford to make time for contemplation these days... and I am, indeed, very grateful. But that is a story for another time. Today, I am just being the foodie me.
Finally, the 'foodie' part...
As I mentioned in another post on this blog, I now have a 'second home', which is very close to a new 'second work location'. I usually live alone in the second home. I was dreading it before... but now, I am beginning to appreciate it.
These days, I am discovering that another benefit of living alone is being able to choose to eat what one craves without having to feel guilty that others may not appreciate one's cravings. The other day, I was suddenly reminded of Italy, and the unforgettable trip that I took over there some years back.
Spaghetti - Filipino style
And that made me crave Italian food... specifically, my favorite Italian bread: ciabatta. So, I dropped by one of my favorite specialty stores, Santis Delicatessen, to pick up a loaf of ciabatta and a box of spaghetti pasta. Ah, ciabatta is so good, especially when dipped in olive oil with a dash of balsamic vinegar. While I love this very Italian bread for its light and airy texture inside and its crisp thin crust, I decided to make my spaghetti 'Filipino style', which is with red sweet sauce. I tried re-living my childhood days, enjoying sweet meaty spaghetti complete with slices of hotdog. I 'cheated' a little... and bought a ready-to-use spaghetti sauce... just to save time. Again, this is one of the perks of living alone, you can decide whichever way you want to prepare your food without making anyone roll their eyes. Uhm, wait... are you rolling your eyes right now? If you are, well... aren't you glad you're not living with me?
Ah, the mind meanders and stopped at the 'Bridgerton station'...
All and all, I had a splendid time eating my Mediterranean-meets-Southeast-Asian meal while I watch "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" (QC) on Netflix for the nth time... which is a story for another time. Ah, dear reader, you didn't think I'd stay quiet about Bridgerton - the version so 'mangled' by Netflix, huh? No way! I am a fan - of the original and authentic Bridgerton book series by Julia Quinn(JQ)... but not so much of the 'mangled' version by Netflix. But I do like QC, which is not a part of JQ's Bridgerton series. I think that the reason why QC was so good is because it stole, er, 'borrowed' many of the good things in the original Bridgerton series by JQ... which were omitted in the Netflix (mangled) version. Especially noticeable for me was how QC borrowed many beautiful moments from "The Viscount Who Loved Me" (TVWLM)- the second of the Bridgerton series by JQ. The reason why I know... well, it's because I so loved TVWLM in the JQ series. I read it at least five times! And the feeling I got while reading the tenderly special moments were the very same feeling that I had while watching the special moments in QC... and which I never felt in the Netflix 'mangled' version of TVWLM. And, the young King George III (KG3) in QC, uhm, on his sane moments, that is, is almost the exact same image of Colin Bridgerton in my head, except that KG3 did not have green eyes and his hair was not longish and curly. But the beautiful smile, the wit, and all that charisma... ah, they're all so Colin.
I hope that Netflix does not mangle "An Offer from a Gentleman" - Benedict's story - as much as they did the previous books in the upcoming Season 4 of Bridgerton. In case I have not been clear previously... let me be clear this time. This is a 'warning' from us, avid and loyal Bridgerton fans, Netflix! Leave the beautiful story alone!
But I digress... I did enjoy my spaghetti with my ciabatta. I think that is all the point I am making here, which took me forever to say. Hahaha... sorry, 'gentle reader'.
***
Image credit: I own all the photos in this post as I took all of them.
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.
"'Lightning in a bottle'... it's about you, Class of 2024. It's your story...
every step is an eloquent sentence in this beautiful narrative that is your story."
Nope, not yet time for 'Saturday Photo'. It's just that a few days ago, 18 June 2024 to be exact, I had the incredible opportunity to serve as the Presiding Official at the Solemn Investiture of the candidates for degrees of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) held at the Quadricentennial Pavilion. That was my second time to have such an incredible opportunity. The first time was last year at the Solemn Investiture rites for the UST Faculty of Engineering.
Just like the first time at the Faculty of Engineering, I had so much fun meeting CTHM's Class of 2024 and their parents - on stage. Although, also just like the first time, I had many sleepless nights days before the event. I was so nervous, I was unable to eat, sleep, or concentrate at all on even the smallest stuff on my plate. There were instances when I'd freeze just thinking about what to say in my Address of Concession, and whether I'd be able to say the formula correctly in the Degree Conferment part. I was so stressed out the whole time. When the moment came, however, it was heavenly.
The Class of 2024 is a very special cohort of learners in my University. They started their freshman year in August 2020 - at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. They came in on a fully online mode of teaching and learning. Even their 'Freshman Walk' - one of our most important traditions in the University, which is part of the Freshman Orientation activities, was held virtually as well. After that, they had to go through a couple of years of virtual instruction. Very fortunately, my University has a very robust e-learning system. We have been using Blackboard as our learning management system (LMS) twenty years prior. Despite that, it was still challenging as we needed to ensure that everyone had stable internet connection, and that they had gadgets with sufficient features to enable them to participate in the virtual classes. It's a good thing that the community spirit in the University helped us overcome the challenges. It wasn't perfect, but we know that we did everything possible to make the experience of our Class of 2024 as good as the more conventional teaching and learning mode that is only balanced by the use of technology through our LMS.
A daunting duty... but so worth it!
To capture the essence of our Class of 2024's remarkable resilience in enduring the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 in a seven-minute Concession Address was such a tall order for me. So much so that so many times, I felt like I was not equal to the task. I prayed so hard for the Holy Spirit to lend me wisdom and grant me the inspiration to come up with the right words to say that can sum up the Graduating Class's experience as 'the pandemic Class' so that they (and their loved ones) can all relate, and feel that that was truly their very own special day.
And then, one night, as I was re-watching the footages of their Baccalaureate Mass in bed, I saw something that sparked inspiration. It was an image of a group of graduates smiling so happily amid all the lights from their candles and the fireworks above them... their faces seemed to radiate from the light of the candles that they held. More images later... something 'clicked' in my heart and in my head. I whispered, "Lord, what are they holding? It's so radiant... like 'lightning in a bottle'?" I opened the Notes App on my smart phone... and before I knew it, I had paragraphs after paragraphs of write-up, all revolving around the 'lightning in a bottle' idea.
I started with: "With how your faces shone in the illuminating light from your candles, you appeared like you were holding a 'bottle of lightning'. Ever heard of that expression, 'catching a lightning in a bottle'? It's an idiomatic expression that means, 'accomplishing something that is extraordinarily difficult'. Look it up, it's a thing! It's a thing because... it's about you. It's about the Class of 2024. You all caught lightning and bottledit. It's your story... and an extraordinary story, indeed! Because... how does one catch lightning and bottle it, too? Lightning is a product of electrical discharge between two regions. It carries a powerful force that strikes in a split of a second with such lethal intensity... much like COVID-19."
And then I proceeded to likening the the light of their candles with 'that Light' that illuminates... the Light that is the Truth, the Light that is God's Love, the Light that is Christ Himself. The grace they received in their experience as the 'pandemic Class' enabled them to endure that difficult but glorious journey of finding the Truth in all their ordeals. And in the end, the Truth revealed itself... in the Love that guided them throughout their journey: The Love from their family, from their teachers and the Thomasian Community as a whole... the Love that is the gift from God... the Love that is Christ Himself. That Love is the Light that illuminated their faces and hearts in happiness as they celebrated the culmination of their journey at the Baccalaureate Mass. That illuminating light borne out of that 'lightning' that they caught and bottled, and that they now hold in their hands. In the future, when they meet challenges in their professional and personal journey, they should not be afraid. All they have to do is to hold out their hand... open, look down on their palm, and be heartened and inspired by that lightning in a bottle: their own contribution in that beautiful narrative of human courage and the astounding triumph against all odds through love.
The same is true for us in the University... Class of 2024 is our very own 'lightning in a bottle'. Their triumph is a reminder that as we did what we did for them - out of love... we, too, caught a lightning in a bottle. And it shall illuminate our hearts... especially in the darkest of days.
***
Image credit: All images in the collage above are owned by The Varsitarian - the official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines - thank you for the loan. The other photo is mine.
Friday night is normally 'music night' for me. Uhm, not that anything in my life's schedule is 'normal'. I usually spend Friday night listening to my favorite songs and discover new ones... except that all my Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube premium accounts are dedicated to Jungkook's music. That has been the 'norm' for almost a year now when "Still with you"and "My you" came out in July last year. So I am just letting JK own all my accounts... except when his hyungs release new singles or albums. In those cases, I kind of let the hyungs 'borrow' one or two of the accounts in support to and to show appreciation of their efforts. I am still an ARMY - the authentic kind. The kind that cares about all seven guys but with a 'bias'... and a 'bias wrecker' (or 'wreckers', to be accurate, in my case). Obviously, JK is my bias... although he's never been 'wrecked' really, just 'co-biased' every now and then.
***
Friday night, movie night
Anyway, this evening is not about music... it's about movies this time.
It's been a very busy, challenging... and exciting week for me - all rolled into one short week. Seriously, I need more days in a week! As darkness crept in, the day got drenched in a late afternoon heavy rain that is becoming more and more a 'regular' thing as we approach the 'wet season' in this tropical country of ours. Too tired to mind all the attention-seeking events of the early evening, including my endlessly beeping phone as it notifies me with this and that, I fell asleep after praying my favorite prayer: the Angelus.
I awoke just before 9:00 pm, and I felt so much better. Rather than going back to work, I decided to just call the night a 'me time'. JK's voice still fills my house... but, rather than watching his music videos, I decided to watch a movie instead. I scanned and scanned Netflix and my YouTube subscription... so many 'serious' films, but I paid them no attention. About five years ago or so, I decided that my days of watching, analyzing and getting emotional talking about serious films are over! No more 'intellectual' films for me... I just want entertainment because, anyway, which film can top the "Godfather" series, "Love Story", "The Way We Were", "Good Will Hunting", and the likes? Of course, all variants of the Avengers, Star Wars,Lord of the RingsandStar Trekfilms, and the likes are exception. Not to say that the movies I watch these days are shallow... I just want straight-forward message, no pretensions and trying-(too)-hard-to-be-deep scripts... and no 'artsy-wannabe' either... to pass the time while getting much needed relaxation and updates on 'pop culture'. I still rave over a number of films, of course... but if it's more than one-and-a-half hour film... I'd think twice. This is why, these days, I go for TV movies.
There are films that are as short as TV movies but as substantial as my old faves. I found one of these gems this evening, and I am so happy! The film is entitled, "Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong" (ATHK), and it's absolutely brilliant!
"You took a chance, and you went for it.
You never have to look back and wonder 'what if'."
ATHK is a nine-year-old film. It stars the fabulous Jamie Chung as the LA-based Chinese-American Ruby Lin, and the brilliant but so underrated, Bryan Greenberg as that "Expat" in Hong Kong, Josh Rosenberg, from New York. I love both Chung and Greenberg... and they portrayed their roles in the film so brilliantly.
The plot is simple enough... just a case of "right person, wrong time": two people meeting unexpectedly and connecting so wonderfully in the chaos of Hong Kong nightlife. You rejoice at how they just hit it off so naturally... except that one of them is involved with someone else. It's like seeing two people enjoying each other's company who are perfectly matched with each other... in wit, in sense of humor, in values and views of the world. They were strangers, and yet, they managed to uplift each other's spirit, and brought confidence when there was doubt. You'd wish that, after that evening when they first met, they'd meet again in the future... and have a chance to be together. And when they did meet later after a year, it didn't feel forced and fairy-tale-ish. The chemistry between them is so strong... it felt as if they were really meant for each other even when the impediments in their becoming a couple were still there, and even more complex this time. Perhaps, it's because Chung and Greenberg are a real couple... and they made the film just before they got married. The chemistry between them just colored the entire film, and it's nothing else but lovely!
The script is fantastic in that it seems simple and straight-forward enough. It feels like eavesdropping in the engaging conversation of soulmates (if there is such a thing) who found each other one fine evening when the stars aligned. The way the two actors brought life to every word with their body language, every glance, every stare, every smile, their tone when they speak... every pause, every small hesitation, every discreet sigh of masked disappointment, every expression of fascination that is pure joy but restrained by a touch of sophistication and the desire for propriety, every playful banter... ahhh, it's too beautiful, I loved it!
The film sets the scenario in which a tug-o-war between what feels right and so natural, and what feels unjust for the people the lead characters are committed to, was central to the story. "Emotional cheating" was a thing in the film. The way the actors showed restrain in fully giving in to the natural course where life seems to take them, and the overpowering longing of being together just because it feels so right was awesome. In the end, they let the viewers decide the ending... and it's brilliant!
Have you already seen this film? Not yet? Intrigue? Good! Go watch... I promise you won't regret it.
***
Video credit: The owner is indicated in the video itself. Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
I've just been watching this TV movie where a 'city girl' - a 'senseless one', if I may say so, was 'thrown' in the wilderness by a job-related project. She was thrown-in in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of outdoorsy people who, like her, were competing for a contract with an app developer who organized the 'wilderness throw-in'. She was doing so badly... and it's annoying how she was always insanely hysterical at every turn in the wilderness, which, by the way, was so breathtakingly beautiful. There was a good-looking guy in the bunch... and, predictably, he took notice of Ms. Hysterical. And, predictably, she was annoyed at first by his guts and confidence... but eventually, his charm and consistent good nature won her over. Not that I am not complaining... because I am. Uhm, yes, that's right, I am complaining! She doesn't deserve him! Uh, yeah, I know... it's just a TV movie!
But what's my point? I do have a point, see. 😅 In one of those scenes where the story belabored the point of how the 'opposites', Ms. Hysterical and Mr. Cool Outdoorsy, slowly fell for each other, they were crossing a gorge through a hanging bridge. Mr. CO was guiding Ms. H (whose eyes were shut close... what do you expect? 🙄) along the bridge. And then, he paused in the middle of the bridge to admire the beautiful view. Ms. H opened her eyes, and gasped... taken by the beautiful view, too. But, of course, she had to ruin the moment by her 'hysterically impressed' reaction. 🙄
A little part of the Boise River viewed from the Bob Gibb Friendship Bridge at the Boise State University campus.
I know, you must be asking - again, "so, what's your point?" Hang on, 'cause I'm not here just to bash Ms. H. I do have a point. Hmm... actually, I have a related story to tell. Back in AY 2021-2022, I was in a Humphrey Fellowship at Pennsylvania State University ('Penn State'). While in the Fellowship, I had a great opportunity to travel around the US again. I chose to go to some of the places that I haven't been before, and joined events that I have not experienced before... and I loved it! One of my favorites is my prolonged stay in Boise, ID. I did a part of my Fellowship there, specifically in Boise State University (BSU), where one of my sisters used to work. I loved it there! It's the closest thing to a real 'happy marriage' between the preserved beauty of nature and urban living. My sister's home, where I stayed, in the four trips that I took to Boise while in the Humphrey Fellowship (twice on vacation with my sister and her husband, and twice on official Humphrey Fellowship business) is located just several hundreds of footsteps from the BSU campus. In the opposite direction from the campus, several hundred steps away, is downtown Boise. There are several parks and points of interest in between... and that was why I loved walking to and from the campus... and taking a walk downtown during lunch breaks or before walking home.
"Boise is located in the Treasure Valley, along the Boise River.
The word 'boise' is French for 'wooded', and the name likely originates from
French Canadian travelers who named the area Boise because it was a rare
wooded valley in the context of high desert area."
One of my favorite walking trails from the campus, specifically, from the library, to downtown and back is through the Bob Gibb Friendship Bridge across the Boise River. There was a long walking trail along the Boise River - the "Boise River Greenbelt", which ran from one region of the Boise City to another. It is a famous walking, running and biking trail for the locals, including my brother-in-law who is an avid 'walker'. The first time I walked along the Greenbelt and crossed the River towards downtown using the Bridge, it was between Fall and Winter time: Thanksgiving Break. And, I was so astounded by the view of the mountains where the river seemed to appear magically, and then disappear again in the opposite direction. I frequented the trail and crossed the river through the Friendship Bridge, and the view took my breath away each time! Mr. CO's reaction in the TV movie reminded me of my own reaction everytime I crossed the Friendship Bridge. I took a few dozen photos and videos as well, especially when I was able to catch the sunset.
In downtown Boise, the Capitol Blvd. where the Capitol is found at its end, viewed from the Boise Depot on the hill.
When I returned to Boise for Christmas break, I was lucky enough to experience a beautiful white Christmas. One of the highlights of my vacation was a sunset walk along the Greenbelt, crossing the river towards downtown together with my sister. And, when I returned in springtime, I got curious, and the Bridge was the first that I visited as soon as I reached Boise... after eating lunch with my sister and brother-in-law, that is. The view at the river, the surrounding lines of trees so green, and the mountains, was just breathtaking! But what is most fascinating was that such sceneries can be found right smack in the middle of the City, and they bind the BSU campus with downtown Boise and the residential areas that were made so pretty by a huge variety of flowers. I enjoyed that very much... along with all those friendly people in Boise that I had the great pleasure to meet, and some became friends.
My 'I was there' photo, taken at the Boise Depot by my sister.
My longest stay in Boise was for five weeks, and it was towards the end of spring and halfway through summer. Naturally, I went crazy! Boise was so beautiful then... and the whole Boise was a-buzz with summer activities. There are days when the City was quiet as most people would spend a long weekend, camping in the woods located in the outskirts of the City, or up the mountains. I do think that it's a fascinating lifestyle, observing environmental sustainability and benefiting from it, too... and I loved it! I wish to be back... and I hope that, next time, it will be for a longer period.
Did I make 'my point'? Hmmm... I guess, not yet, huh? Well, stay tuned then... more to follow!
***
Video credit: The owner of the video is indicated in the video credits. Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
Image credit: All photos belong to me - I took them unless otherwise indicated.
