Where The Wild Things Are

Even in a place where the wild things are, where things are supposed to be simpler, everything is also complicated.


Max felt like everything is falling apart in his home. He wanted to get away from it all. Only to find out that in that faraway place where the wild things are, things can get complicated too just like at home. Things that you want to happen don't also happen in this make-believe world. As Carol said, it's like grown-up teeth, after some time, without you noticing it, all your teeth are quite far apart.

Just when Max thought he has his own kingdom, everything will just fall into place.

In the end, he realized wherever he may be, things may not turn out the way he wants to be. Not even a dirt clod fight can make it better or can make you forget your problems. And what better illustration of our selfishness than seeing it manifested on the people around us.

Sure, the fun can help you forget but it doesn't deal with the root cause which needs to be dealt with first.

Max learned that he needs his home, his mom, even his “evil” sister. Things may not be perfect at home but they're his family.

And that place where the wilds things are, is a good place to visit once in a while. It is for us to be reminded what we have and to appreciate them.

Covers

(Written on Christmas 2009)

In our attempt to cover up the emptiness seeping in our core, we throw in it people, activities or things that mask this vacuum. And yet upon searching for substance, all these things we use to cover these potholes turn out to be empty cisterns unable to hold any weight at all.

I have done this only to be proven lacking in the end.

In a desire to feel accepted, I managed to collect an assortment of anchors. Blinded by the glitter,  I prided myself in an illusion of steadiness.
I told myself I have to stop thinking it's all about me. Because it has never been .

God has paid for the prize, we need not do anything but be still and know that He is God.

Merry Christmas!

Fasting

I always hear this quote whenever it's fasting week:

"The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie.
It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for
heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not
the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we
drink in every night."-John Piper

2009

The last few days of 2009 were a blur. But with the blurriness came a sense of clarity that can only come after a bout of blurriness.


It was a year with its share of dramas. Some of my own choosing, some were shoved towards me. Things are meant to happen if they are meant to happen I guess.

When from afar it looked like a wall being erected, when I drew near, it turned out to be a new bridge being built. When doors were shut, windows have been thrown open.

There are a lot of places to be explored, hands to be held, backs to be patted, voices to be heard, ears needing to hear, shoulders to be leaned on and heads to lean on.

Here I am thankful to God for the year that was 2009.

Singapura

It has been a while since I experienced a different setting, a different taste. And as soon as I got that fix for a few days, I have been recharged.

Taking on the city for a few days showed me the many similarities and differences of Singapore and Manila. Consumerism pervades in every corner. Whether you are in Divisoria or Mustapha, it’s the same old banana. Every market is a collection of people trying to exchange stuff with your money.

Esplanade at night

At the same time, things are so different. SG is my first and only taste of the first world. And coming from this part of the world, I can’t help but stand in awe of its modernity and efficient way of doing things.

Working in the Philippine's central business district didn't make much difference. They mean much more serious business there in terms of efficiency of systems. Maybe that's why people smile less.

red building I saw on my way to 30 Cecil St.

Heck, even the pace of the escalators is much faster than what we have here. If these escalators are any indication of the difference in the pace of life, we have a lot of ground to make up for IF we want to catch on.

This trip was purely an escape. For a few days, I felt like living someone else’s life. It was a collection of missions for me, dog-bonding time, finding Pacita Abad's Alkaff bridge on foot, checking out the LKY school, trekking in Pulau Ubin, reconnecting with old friends and checking out the Platts office. As a throwback, we watched the movie Singapura at the national museum with Helen’s officemates. It was set in World War II’s Singapore.

Pacita Abad's Alkaff bridge

After six days, this SIMS-like place has grown on me. And I feel like I can better take on its smugness and toxicity.

Maybe that's what I need. A fresh perspective on something I've already seen.

The city and dog encounters have been a breath of fresh air.

in a bus stop in Toh Guan Road

I'm glad that whenever I feel like getting out of my daily grind. I have a fortress of solitude I can go to. As the Danish proverb says, the road to a friend's place is never long. Thanks to Bus 183. (I owe you a sling.)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Let your heart be light

From now on,

our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Make the Yuletide gay,

From now on,

our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,

Happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us once more.

Through the years

We all will be together,

If the Fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

Defying Gravity

Something has changed within me 

Something is not the same

I'm through with playing by the rules

Of someone else's game

Too late for second-guessing 

Too late to go back to sleep 

It's time to trust my instincts

Close my eyes: and leap!

I'm through accepting limits
''cause someone says they're so

Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!