The Christmas Air is Different Each Year Part 1

Photo by Ryan Carreon Aragon

Believe it or not, it is.
Sure, we may say, all Christmasses are the same. There's the yearly Christmas rush. We see it in the thick crowds in shopping malls, the looooooong line of road traffic everywhere, the sometimes "annoying", out-of-tune Christmas carols kids sing (pardon the bitterness, but kidding aside, Christmas is incomplete without them); On a happier perspective, there's the Christmas family and friends' reunions, the partying, the 13th month pay.

But every Christmas air is different.

Credit it to experiences and situations we're at during a particular year. These affect that way we cherish, and celebrate Christmas.

Each year we meet different people. No matter how long or short their duration in our life is, they create an impact on us. Some people become good friends. They become sounding boards, our "angels" here on earth. They support us in our endeavors, laughed with us, made pranks with us, and helped us survive difficult days.

Some people become our idols. They become our role models, and influence us to become better, efficient individuals.

Some, we meet to challenge us, shake us from our comfort zones, remind us from being complacent.

Some personal experiences happen to remind us of our lifestyle, and how we view our lives. When things go wrong, and we lose some things, we are reminded that nothing is permanent; When things become overwhelmingly good, it is a reminder of how God loves us; or how the Universe leans on our side, sometimes.

The experiences of the world remind us of life. The successes of others tell us that each one is given talents that need to be honed, talents that need to be shown to the rest of the world; tragedies happen to remind us of the need to go back to our core; to recognize the value of simplicity; contentment in whatever we have; and the love we need to show to each one.

So here's a toast to the Christmas spirit this year. And whatever pains or gains we experience, may these give us all the more reason to celebrate the season. Merry Christmas to y'all! :)

Sometimes You Need to Drift Away...

A year ago, I promised to stay true to my commitments: to actively participate in groups where I belong (there are about three of them, from different fields), submit articles on time, for some magazines I contribute for..etc, etc.

I thought doing such would mean I am doing most of my skill, and that by doing them, I am learning a lot about responsibility and diligence. But realizing it now, it doesn't always hold true. Merely making commitments, and sustaining them do not always equate to efficiency. Sometimes, doing a lot of things weigh one down, until one realizes that he or she is not doing them anymore out of love or passion. Things become repetitive, and one becomes mechanical. This is the danger.

Let go (of the crowd, of commitments, of obligations), if it means you can focus more on other important things like family, close friends, and self.
Drift away, if it means discovering peace.

Warning: This is an Emo Post

At 27, I oftentimes get asked the question why I don't have a boyfriend, yet. Aside from the reason that I don't usually go out on dates...it's just that I am happy this way.

I am comfortable being on my own. I get to do what I want, when I want. I can spend time with family and give them my full attention.

I can go out with friends, anytime. Make plans, or spend weekend nights with them for a chat, coffee, or dinner...without the feeling of leaving out somebody when I accommodate them.

I don't have to check out every now on then, messages on my cellphone to keep tab on a 'boyfriend'--ask him where he is, or how he is, or what he's up to. No worries.

The idea of being single all through out has crossed my mind a lot of times...and it doesn't seem frightening at all.

I have aunts who have lived that way, too (single hood runs in the family, I guess). And I've seen them live through it with grace.

From my perspective, they seem comfortable, at peace, at the same time, responsible. They took care of me as a kid, so do my youngest 'batch' of cousins, and of course, my dear grandma until her last days.

But it would still be too early to say that I'm going to be single all my life, or say that I'm contented giving my love to family, friends, and self.

One still needs to experience how it is to 'romantically' care for somebody. In one's mid-life stage, you need to at least know how it feels to 'love/care' for a significant other...just so you'll know if it's for you, or not.

Blank Page

...it is staring at me, too.
It's a bout against a blank white space again.
Trying to give context to something I have felt, something I have thought about, something I have learned or realized at the end of the day.
Writing or the act of blogging again...it's a feat I have to conquer.
I have forgotten when this has started--this fear, this frustration to write something decent.
I have forgotten when I started to surrender against a blank page.

Like a cripple, learning how to walk again;
Or a scaredy cat trying to or finally facing her fears.

Storytelling

Think of writing, not as a job you have to do; but a medium to tell a story, to talk about something.
Writing is not the output itself; the stringing of words to create something is not the end-all, be-all. It is just a medium.
Don't just be a writer, be a storyteller.

Old Ideas Told in a New Way

Jose Carillo, for the most part, is right in saying:

One is an effective writer when he is able to tell about old or existing ideas in a fresher fashion.

**Random Thoughts on a "post-gimick" Saturday night. I hope tomorrow I can tell you about something else. Something better. 

The Eiga Sai Experience 2012 (Part 2)

This is another film that I have watched during this year's Eiga Sai...

Aoi Miyazaki & Sakurai Sho for "In His Chart"

In His Chart
Year Released: 2011

Asianwiki provides a synopsis of the story:

"Dr. Ichito Kuriharai (Sho Sakurai) works at a clinic in Nagano Prefecture. He rarely has any free time due to the clinic's shortage of doctors and the constant influx of patients. Ichito even sometimes diagnoses patients out of his area of speciality and sometimes goes days without sleeping. He hopes to work at a major hospital where he can get more free time to spend with his wife Haruna (Aoi Miyazaki) and also specialize in his field of study. However, Ichito is also reluctant to add to shortage of doctors at the clinic and break his relationships with the patients.

One day, Dr. Ichito Kuriharai clears out the belongings of a terminal cancer patient who passed away. During this time, he discovers a letter made out to him thanking him for the care he provided to her, even though he could not cure her sickness. Dr. Ichito Kuriharai then has a revelation about the medical chart he keeps in his hand - filled with personal observations and concerns ..."

Dr. Kuriharai is played by (one of my fave japanese personalities) Sakurai Sho. And I admit, I felt excited to watch the movie because of him (haha!). Anyway, In His Chart is an inspiring medical-drama film that tells something about passion in pursuing one's career.

Here are some interesting statements from the film:

"You spend your whole life hurrying forward, when all you ever need is right there, in the beginning." -- We feel anxious at times, in pursuing what we want. Sometimes, we get jaded in the process that we tend to forget why we are really pursuing that thing we love. When we find ourselves asking why we are doing a certain task, go back to your first and foremost reason for doing it.

"The answer's already inside you waiting to come out" -- If you're one of those people who are yet to find his or her passions, assess yourself, and think about the things you are passionate in doing...and act on them.

And the ultimate take-home nugget from the movie: "What you need for learning is guts, not grades. Passion not style." --Enough said.

The Eiga Sai Experience 2012

For my third post on this blog, let me share about two films I have watched during this year's Eiga Sai (Japanese Film Fest).

Let me give a backgrounder first. Eiga Sai, organized by the Japan Foundation, is a yearly event, that happens every month of July. Since 2006, I have been a frequenter of the film fest. You can say that I'm one of those "Japanophile" who flock the Shangri-la Mall movie house, endure the hour-long, long line of moviegoers just to watch one of those interesting Japanese films.

This year, I was able to watch "Ninja Kids" and "In his Chart". These two films incidentally revolve on the same theme of pursuing one's goals. Let me give a rundown on these two films...or perhaps share to you some statements from themwhich struck me.

Ninja Kids
Year Released: 2011

This movie follows the (mis)adventures of a group of ninja apprentices at an "elite" ninja training school. Rantaro, the central character in the film, together with his other "ninja classmates" try to defend a schoolmate and his father against some rival ninjas. To save them, the little ninjas join a contest that ends with a race to ring a bell on top of a mountain.

Ninja Kids is a live-action adaption of the anime series "Nintama Rantaro" (Nintama actually means "future ninja"). It's an entertaining film, not only because it features cute, japanese eight-year-olds who portray slapstick acts; but because nuggets of truth/learning can be found in the film. The sensei here tells the group of nintama that "the important thing in life (especially for a ninja) is to have guts", and that "skill and strength is nothing without courage".

The film tells us that working towards our goal/s is not a walk in the park. In the movie, the ninja kids had to defend themselves against "caltrops, spikes, and shells" used by the enemy to hurt them. In life, we have to defend ourselves against trials which can discourage us from reaching our goals.

The film also warns us of the reality that there may be people who'll hinder us from reaching our goals. With their own, selfish ways, they'll do any means to keep us away from what we really want. "One will use any means to succeed (against us) because he (can be) desperate".

It also gives a lesson an aiming: "to stop the enemy, you must shoot". Not taken in a literal context though, but that statement means there is a need to toughen up...to defend oneself against adversaries. To reach for the goal, one has to stand his ground, focus, and "keep his eyes on the prize!"

Nintama Rantaro

Other cute Nintama!

Realizations on Life and Death

Death is an inevitable occurrence we all acknowledge. We know it happens, either in a natural or tragic way. But in whatever means, we are still left to deal with it, in varying degrees of shock and loneliness.

Shock and loneliness, the grief is something we are all familiar with. That’s why upon hearing of someone’s loss we rush and take time (out of our busy schedules) to attend a wake and pay our respects for the dead (through prayers and presence). For family members, both the immediate and extended ones, we attend because we stand as primary support system for one another; friends attend to offer condolences to family members, to stand as secondary support, offer more prayers and to testify to the greatness of that person’s life, and how that person has touched or influenced their lives in different ways.

In the process of dealing with the grief, and moving on to acceptance, we also realize some other things:

As we gather to pray and pay our respects we set aside our differences and misunderstandings

Every family member has their own moments of misunderstanding/conflict with each one. However, as we gather to pray for a family member’s soul, we set these aside; instead serve as support for each one. The death of a loved one can even serve as an instrument to mend broken relationships. We realize that no matter how big the conflicts are, we cannot change the fact that we are family, and at the end of it all, we turn to each other for support.

Wakes or funeral services gather family and friends together in one place

Upon hearing of a loved one’s death, we immediately rush to the aide of other family members. We extend our concern and our help with immediate family members to ease their pain and let them know that we are here for them. But then again, let's not wait for a loved one's death for us to gather. This occurrence reminds us of the need to spend more moment with other family members at more positive and enjoyable moments of life.

The need to appreciate someone while he/she is still alive

Let’s cherish the existence and worth of a person while he or she is still alive. To honor a person when he or she is already dead is still a good thing; for we let family members know that the person they loved has touched a great deal of lives. But that’s just it. There’s no way to bring that person’s life back. We won’t see his smile anymore, nor his reaction to our gratefulness.

The realization of each other’s strength

It is on these moments that we see the strength of one another. We see how loved ones grieve, at the same time, cope with the pain. We see how family members are able to smile still, to bond and joke around; as well as to care for other members despite the loss.

Dead is both an end and a beginning

For the person who passed away, it is an end of an earthly life. As Christians we believe that he has left this world for a life in heaven together with the Lord, and other family members who have passed away. For the loved ones he or she has left behind, it is a start of a journey. Of coping with the loss, continuing life and dealing with things without the help of that loved one who passed away.

We bid farewell to our Uncle Ding, the source of both laughter and “sakit ng ulo”. You have been such a dedicated family man, and you will be missed! Rest assured, though that we will take care of the family you have left behind. Prepare biko, sing your songs and play the piano in heaven, now for lolo and Uncle Bebeth 

Keeping Up with Good Habits

I usually place myself on a new self-improvement program. I do so with the goal of disposing off bad habits, developing a skill/skills, or trying to be more efficient and make the most out of my days.

I am proud to have succeeded in sustaining some, such as in cutting off from excessive alcohol drinking and going out (most especially with people I'm not even that close with); and in watching out what I eat (I don't eat pork anymore, nor binge on carbs and junkfoods) and drink (refrain from drinking carbonated and sweetened, commercial drink mixes).

However, I have also failed in adhering to some, such as regularly engaging in sports (such as badminton and running); managing my time (starting my day early and sticking to a daily schedule); and writing regularly.

Allan Loy McGinnis, author of a self-help book, offers an explanation on why (some) resolutions to improve ourselves tend to fail. According to him:

"...we jump to the conclusion that by changing things on the outside our inner world will change. In fact, it works the other way. Change starts from the inside and works outward. It has to do with changing our thinking and behavior; and if we can reform the way we think, if we can talk to ourselves and picture ourselves differently, then a great deal of our behavior will automatically change."

From this passage, we highlight two things that will help us carry out our programs and habits diligently. First is to view the activities not just as mere actions, but as means of achieving a bigger goal; and second, to properly motivate ourselves in doing such things.