Day 73: Crossroads

"Strange and mysterious things, though, aren't they - earthquakes?  We take it for granted that the earth beneath our feet is solid and stationary...  But suddenly one day we see that it isn't true." after the quake: Thailand - Haruki Murakami

In the aftermath of the tragedy that struck Japan recently, I remembered this colletion of shorts Haruki Murakami wrote in reference to a similar event that happened to the country in 1995.  This is an aerial shot of a Tokyo intersection from my Murakami journal. 

I have a fascination with Japanese culture.  Blame it to a childhood heavily influenced by Japanese media and whatnot.  So, the news of the tsunami struck a bit of a fierce chord.  Seeing the video of the water running across a field carrying houses and boats with it brought several thoughts to mind.  One, the earth is bigger than us, and it's beautiful and violent at the same time.  Two, water is life.  Water, also, can take life.  The third thought is probably the most fascinating one.  This did not even come to mind until I have read the outpour of comments from various channels in the last few days.  There is solidarity in adversity, and the Japanese people could not have epitomized it better. 

Despite the despair and the pain of loss, there seems to be no hatred.  This is a country who is trained on how to react to these tragedies.  They could have all gone amok after and be justified.  If given that they've lost lives and property, they could have, but they didn't.  Instead, they find ways to make it easier for each other.  No one looted.  Drivers gave way to each other.  They shared their food.  Even gave strangers what they had.  When you're on a crossroad where you're made to choose between your own security against that of others, it's so much easier to make a selfish choice.  An entire nation, though, has managed to show that it isn't too difficult to give away.  It makes me wonder how selfless I could be if faced with the same consequences. 

I pray for the people of Japan.  I pray for the country itself.  I have learned more from you within the last few days than I have in the years of exploring your culture.

Deep River (Utada Hikaru)

Day 72: Here Comes The Sun

I was taking random photos to pick for the day when Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles) played in the background.  Perfect timing.  Just as the sun was rising, too.  It certainly goes with the thought I had while my friend and I talked the night away. 

Here comes the sun
And I say, it's alright

Here's to great mornings, and a great morning song to go with it.

Day 71: Bedtime Stories

I promised to read at least one book a month this year.  Which is why joining a book club was also timely.  Last month, though, I started reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson and was not able to read the assigned book.  Before the end of February, things got a little hectic.  Just when I was close to finding out what happened to the girl who disappeared, I somehow did not get to pick up this book again.  Until this week, that is. 

I want to finish this one if only to figure out what the hell happened to Harriet Vanger.  And to finally start reading The Remains of the Day, which is what I'm supposed to read this month.  Reminds me that I need to drop by a bookstore to get a copy. 

Bookworm mode: Tashika na Koto (Oda Kazumasa)

Day 70: Bean & Stick Stories

Another Ayala Triangle story.  Another four-hour long breakfast.  This is the coffee machine at the counter in Banapple.  I went back with another set of friends and loved it all over again.  I swear, I'm so stuffed, I feel like a tomato on toothpicks. 

This is probably not good.  Sure, I've always wanted to gain more than two plies of tissue, but I had hoped they would be in the right places.  Well, so much for hoping.  Pft.  I remember eating lunch the other day and stopping halfway through because I felt like I couldn't breathe anymore.  I may be taking this love for food one step too far.   I mean, my arms and legs still look like mangly sticks, it's just my tummy that's getting bigger.  If you grease me up, I could probably pass as a malnourished kid in some remote region.  Thing is, I cannot avoid food.  I love it too much to let go.  Maybe, this is nature's way of telling me to get off my butt and workout.

Hmm...  So, what kind of workout can I actually do?  *Google mode*  In the meantime, a slice of Cadbury Old Gold Oreo Cheesecake please. :)

Day 69: Frenemy

C: Bibili na ba ng tickets?
B: Hindi ako bibili.
C: Ay mahirap...
B: Hindi ako mahirap, mayaman lang lahat ng nagmamahal sakin.  E sa 'yo?
C: Ang kinis-kinis mo naman...
Faith: Wahahahaha...

I could have taken a better photo.  My subjects, though, were mobile and hungry.  So, I had to make do with this.  Here's a couple of my friends who lash at each other at any given opportunity.  They're friends, don't get me wrong.  They aren't hypocrites, either, who only go behind each other's back.  In fact, they seem to prefer to insult each other up front.  Thing is, every conversation they have comes out really funny.  Hanging out with them for fifteen minutes is enough to make me laugh hard enough to make me cry.  So, imagine hanging out with them for a couple of hours.  Or an entire day.  Laugh trip.  This is why I love my friends.  They sometimes work better than ice cream.

End of day: Funny Little Feeling (Rock 'n' Roll Soldiers)

Day 68: A Favorite Thing

This is probably one of my favorite things.  I like the ornate design and antique feel of it.  Very baroque.  At the same time, the silk necklace makes a nice modern contrast to this locket.  My sister gave it to me before she left for the States.  I think sisters are a funny sort.  You hate them a lot of times, but you love them anyway. 

Playing: Hey, Soul Sister (Train)

Day 67: Blue Sky Dreaming

There's a lot of things I'm anticipating recently.  One, it's almost summer!  Despite the weather being completely unpredictable the last couple of weeks, I can stilll smell summer approaching.  The heat is beginning to get scalding, and the skies are getting bluer.  At least, from this vantage point it does.  I've learned to love summer because, other than the Christmas season, I think this season defines my country's beauty best.

Two, I'm closer to getting myself a real camera (misty eyes).  I love my N82 to bits and pieces, but I am definitely looking forward to playing with an actual lens again.  And yes, play.  I'm an enthusiast, not a professional.  In all those times I have taken random photos, I have really just been playing.  I have no real intent of going pro.  I only want to take pictures that I want to see. 

Three, I just found out that Cirque du Soleil is coming to Manila.  Oh.  My.  God....  That's a blue-sky dream, right there.  I have always wanted to see 'O' at the Bellagio, but Vegas is too far away.  When I was in Macau, I regret not being able to book tickets to see 'Zaia'.  My friends who've seen it say it isn't as good as the Canadian and Vegas Cirque du Soleil shows, but this is still CIRQUE DU SOLEIL we're talking about!  This is like the greatest performing acrobatic troupe in the world today!  So, finding out that they're bringing the grand chapiteau to Rizal Park in June is just plain phenomenal! (Insert more superlatives)

There are simply so many things to look forward to.  All of them just in time for the First of Summer (Urbandub).