On overcoming adversity

I just finished watching Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray story. We talked about that movie in passing at B's place while waiting for the January 1 sun to rise. So it made me revisit that movie over at surfthechannel.com since I barely remember how it went. All I know was that she was homeless and she got a scholarship to Harvard. So when I watched it over again, it was like seeing it for the first time.

It is a very moving story about overcoming the worst obstacles life throws on us. Liz's story was so real. She still lives, by the way, at 28 years old. She didn't live decades ago, her story is as real as today. She grew up in the Bronx and crawled her way to an education. It really is possible to have a 360 degree turn in your life. You just need to believe and don't let anyone shoot you down.

"Don't look at the people around you who are doing things and think that they are made of something more than you. They learn some stuff and they're putting it to use and they're probably willing to work really hard for it but they're not made of anything different than you are, don't get psyched out" - Liz Murry

Watch this video about her.



Watch the movie.


Part 1: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/n9H5oTR52VM/
Part 2: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/gQ7JfpkNeY4/
Part 3: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/01RlTSGDWTY/
Part 4: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/a3YPBXVFDcU/
Part 5: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/Qy_8KQt6ZVk/
Part 6: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/uqN3K29xPjU/
Part 7: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/9xGOyqK9pYY/
Part 8: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/Yb6JgxbU4x4/

When the silence breaks

How do react to this. After months of no communication, the person who puts a prized friendship in question suddenly reaches out? Must I act cold and or grab that opportunity to have back whatever was left in this friendship. I have been telling myself that if there was someone who has changed, it wasn't me. But why did my reaction change. I wont deny that there was still some hurt lingering somewhere between the things left unsaid. I think I am entitled to that. Will I still be there when she needs a friend in me? Ask me again, I'll say yes no doubt. But why is it so hard to do?
I'm loving country music these days. So as faith hill would put it -- I hope she would just cry a little. Lie just a little. Pretend that you're feeling just a little more pain. I gave not wanting something in return so cry just a little for me.
You can pretend it never happened. It leaves me no choice to pretend also until I can fool myself that it never did. But for now, can you just die a little so I would feel just a little less pain? Why don't you just cry a little for me.

The two-minute date

Watched the latest How I Met You Mother episode. The one where Britney Spears guested in. The following contains spoilers. In that episode, Ted Mosby gave a two minute date to his hot doctor. She doesn't date her patients and is also a single mother. I felt heavy hearted and a bit frustrated because it was so romantic. It was such a heartwarmer that it hurt! Why, oh why!? Hahaha. It took awhile for the feeling to subside. My housemate O, was laughing at me because I couldn't get over the episode just yet.

I wish that someday I can do that for her. When you really like someone you should really go for it and not give up. Even if everything seems so gray. Look at Ted Mosby. Patient, positive and persistent. Traits that I have to acquire big time.

When the fighting is over. At least for today.

Nothing beats a good night out after a stressful day at work and a semi-aching heart. Went to mag:net high street last night to watch a gig with my pals Jo and C. For 150, pesos I was able to unwind and vent out all the stress through music, booze, great conversation and a couple of cigs. Yes. I have broken my fasting from yosi and now consider myself a social smoker. Meaning of social, those boundaries I still need to define. It was such a recharge to hear familiar beats from Urbandub and Taken by Cars. Lalay played all out last night. For that, I crush Lalay even more. Hahaha.

We opted to stay outside so we can smoke. The place was pretty full. Good thing there was an empty sofa by the balcony. Downside was there was a glass pane preventing us from hearing the bands play in their full glory. Also saw my college professor A. I told him i wanted to teach and he told he could help me get in with his recommendation. Yesss. I'll try next school year. By then I should have the program of my elective prepared and syllabus.

It was a worth it night. Totally compensated for the shitty day I had yesterday.

Quote of the night. Nothing worth having ever comes easy. Thanks J and C and Scrubs for sharing those wise words.

Weekend Realizations

It's nice to know that there are friends, no matter how seldom you see each other, are still your friends. This has been proven time and again with my carpool mates. After 2 months since we last saw each other and almost a year before that, the gang hung out again last Friday at M's house for some pizza, alcohol and such sinful desserts care of J, our resident pastry chef and also the reason for the night. J is to leave a few weeks from now for the states, again. Back to being the head Pastry Chef in this Hampton Summer Lodge she wowed everyone over. Good job! We haven't tasted any of her desserts ever since she went into culinary school, left for the states, and got back - only to leave again. And because she now jokes on how baking cupcakes are so amateurish, it makes me wonder how advanced her baking prowess is now. She brought us cheesecake and creme brulee. I was so rich and definitely sinful. A purist as she would describe her baking philosophy. The desserts melted in my mouth no less.

In the middle of eating pizza, drinking and eating J's desserts, we look back on our favorite carpool memories. The first time we formed the group, our first impressions on each other, and our most memorable experiences as a carpool. And just like the good ol day, we talk about the usually things we talk about to and from Ateneo. An hour to an hour and a half of honest to goodness banter. Usually crazy things and sometimes we talk about serious stuff.

One thing that can take from that carpool night was when we started talking about our plans for the Holy Week. M has been going to missions and she was narrating how sometimes these voluntary works really tires you physically and how it can really brings you out of your comfort zone. Serving until it hurts. And because you choose to be there, you continue to stick it through. It goes to a point that it's not much for self fulfillment anymore. Or maybe this comes in retrospect. But you continue to serve for its genuine reason, that you chose to do it in spite of all the things that you have to endure throughout the mission.

I always like it when we go deeper into ours conversation. It makes me realize a lot of things. It makes me real thankful for having friends like them. We are a group different from each other. You wouldn't immediately associate us with the same circle of friends in school since, we don't really hand out with the same group of people. Though there could be some overlaps, you can say that we really are an odd bunch. But we are one that clicks. That what makes this group significant to me. In our diversity we learn a lot from each other. And during our carpool trips we just see each other for who we are as individuals.

From the previous night's conversation with my carpool mates. I have come to realize during the prayer session with my unit mates the morning after, that going out of ones comfort zone is not the goal. In tough undesirable situations, we convince ourselves that we should go beyond our comfort zone and stick it out to make it work. But why should we get out of our comfort zones? It was such a coincidence that what we were sharing during our carpool night was continued in my prayer session hours after. It amazes me how my own perception of things can evolve into something deeper in a matter of hours. To expand ones comfort zone is something I can associate best with how Scott Peck explains love. Loving is expanding ones ego boundaries. It is allowing yourself to be more accepting of the things and situations that you don't normally like. Living a life of love can therefore be an expansion of ones comfort zone in times of hardships and trials. Saying that these hardships are not different from you but a part of yourself. You take ownership of what you go through, thus making it more you.

Susubukan kong maging Pilosopo at ipapaliwanag ko ang aking sarili si Filipino: Sa pamamagitan ng mag 'papalawak ng nakagisnan' tuwing nakakaranas ng paghihirap, inaangkin mo ang nararanasan mo at inilalapat iyon sa iyong pagkatao. Dahil dito masasabing ikaw na ikaw ang dumaranas ng pagsubok. Mas may talab ang pagpapalawak na ito sa iyong pagkatao kumpara sa 'paglabas sa nakagisnan', tuwing nahihirapan. Ano mang kaligayahan o gantimpalang makukuha mula sa pagdanas nito ng buo ay siguradong mas masinag at matalab kumpara sa pagdanas nito mula sa labas tungong paloob.