A true friend

The past weekend, I heard a quote that just sort of blew me away. It goes:

A true friend is someone who knows your song, and will sing it back to you so that you won't forget.

Do I know my friend's songs? And what if their songs are songs of sadness? I guess the speaker meant 'song' in terms of their life goals and promises, but I can't help but wonder, what each and everyone's songs are. Sometimes, I forget my song, but I hope I've a friend who hasn't forgotten, and will sing it back to me every once in a while to remind me where I'm headed.

A Weekend Weekday

I think this week is taking a bit too long to pass by. Granted, my days have zoomed by pretty fast. But for each day I thought about what day it was, I felt like the weekend just couldn't come soon enough! Not that I have crazy plans for the weekend anyways. =/

So what's on tab for Ed's fantabulous life this weekend? Well, to start, he's got a dentist appointment at 9am, bright and early on Saturday morning! No morning cartoons today! Just some drilling and filling. This followed by some gum treatment [more like gum demolition] and 2 hours of recuperation before heading out to a wedding, yay! See Ed swollen on his right cheek, wearing his fashionable Hugo Boss suit and pearly white half-smile [full smile not possible until the numbness wears off... hehe].

This followed by the reception where I should get some feeling back, enough to drink water without spilling it out the side of my mouth. [How's that for sex appeal?] And then to finish off at church to discuss the salvation of 3 dozen teenage souls. Ah yes... the yummy, tasty souls of young teens to offer to Mr. You-Know-Who! [Before you start thinking, there's just one answer... God, duh! hehehehe]

And so, by roughly 5pm, I would've done a perfect 9-5shift filled with random tasks that almost make my weekend not really feel like a weekend! Hopefully, my post-5pm shift will be something more relaxing, perhaps along the lines of some cardio workout and reading a book or... I don't know... I'll figure something out, as I usually do. =)

I guess Sunday sounds pretty nice compared to Saturday though. Just spending the entire day fighting crime and saving souls. All in a day's work I guess.

Anyways... why am I sharing my schedule with you guys? This is totally off from the stuff I usually write here. Oh no... is this turning into a personal journal?! Ack!

Well, I guess it cannot be helped. It should only come to show I'm a perfectly normal human being like any one of you, and therefore the life of passion I live can also be applied to all of you as well.

What? You think I'm crazy? Well, y'all crazy too then! Same rules apply ;)

Happy Friday! Thursday!

Home sweet home

My blog is titled "Life and the pursuit of happiness." I think that's what we all strive for, no matter how you look at it. We all want to be happy. We all want to be rich, because wealth leads to comfortable living. We all want to have someone to love, and someone to love us. It is human to feel so, and it is simply how we are.

When thinking about life and happiness, I think one of the first things we think about [as we get older and become adults] is to have a place to call home. We want to own our own home, as it is a reflection of achievement that we call the "American Dream." You've heard it before. To have your own home with a white picket fence, with a beautiful wife/handsome husband and 2.5 kids [the 0.5 being a pet, like a dog], etc.

It's unfortunate, however, that the past decade has recently seen a boom in housing that has inflated prices well beyond what's affordable, especially in california! The average price for a home in southern california is around $465,000 right now [a big dip from 560K around this time last year!], which is well above the 200~250K range that it was before things went out of control. In fact, I remember a 2 story, 5 bedroom house next door to my apartment complex, which sold for about 350K back in 2000.

To tell you the truth, if that house sold again for 350K, I'd jump on it so fast, not even light could catch up. As a working professional with some money saved up, I sometimes wish I was born 6~8 years sooner. Not only could I have picked up on the tech boom in the 90's, I could've taken full advantage of cheap housing and bought me some nice investments and a place to call my own.

However, no big deal. And for those of you who think you lost your chance, no biggie for you either. Why is that you ask? Well, for one, there's been a trend of housing 'collapses' every decade, where prices fall to an affordable low before prices start kicking up again. Though I do have to admit, the 2000's have extended it's stay a bit too long, and due to reckless behavior by lenders, the housing market sustained a bit longer than usual.

On the bright side [not bright for the general population, but perhaps for future home buyers], the prices are dipping. Subprimes are resetting everyday and the bulk of it will continue into the end of this year. This spring and summer will see the most resets like never before, and current owners under those evil 2/28 plans are gonna financially bleed to death with no way out [save for winning the lotto]

On top of that, ARMs rates will also reset in 09, causing quite a few more to bite the housing dust. Mix that in with our currently above-average unemployment rates, and the painting depicts a bigger picture in which people simply cannot afford housing for a while. Sellers cannot comprehend the situation as they just want to get bailed out with a sell with minimized loss, but more likely than not, this is not reality.

Short sales are still up and climbing, and inventory is still overstocked with homes [up to a year's worth and not the usual 3~4 months worth!]. The numbers don't lie, and these trends only come to show that the other numbers, the price of homes, will continue to dip down lower and lower until consumers decide that they could afford homes again.

Right now, though, it's neither a buyer or seller's market. Buyers need to wait out and sellers, unfortunately, have to be at the mercy of buyers or the banks.

So "When should I buy a home?" you ask? Well, for one, buy it when you can afford it! But if you feel that you have the financial power to do so, my best guess would be sometime around summer of 09 into fall of 2010. Prices should continue to slide with our current economical standing, especially within California [with the exception of rich areas where people can afford homes regardless of price].

I'll be waiting and monitoring as we go and giving updates every once in a blue moon on this blog. I'm no professional, mind you, so do compare my statements with other sources and decide for yourself. However, as a potential buyer, I can promise you that I have no intention to do you wrong.

To wish you and I both the chance at the American Dream

Pearly Whites

So it's been a hectic past few days [and therefore the hiatus in my blogging!]. For those of you not familiar, it was the holiest week in the Catholic calendar starting with Holy Thursday all the way to Easter Sunday! And I hope you're all glad to know that I've survived! hehe... and I also wish you all a Happy Easter =)

On that note, I got my teeth whitened last Thursday! I have to tell you though, for all those who are as 'vain' as I am, that the process actually hurts! You figure you just dab some gel on your teeth, and about 30 minutes later, your teeth are pearly white and ready to go, right? Well, that's only half the story!

It seems that the gel treatment [with a high concentration of peroxide] leaves your teeth pretty sensitive, and it my case, I felt shooting pains like I've never felt before! Well, to be honest, I have, but that was during a one time root canal treatment that hurt no longer than a minute. But yes, there's a painful price to teeth whitening, and if you want to get it done the 'right' way, do prepare for a little bit of pain.

On the bright side, the pain lasted only one night, and I had to be careful of hot/cold drinks for another day. It's day 4 now, and I'm doing totally fine. WOOHOO!! Unfortunately, though, I still have to watch what I eat! DOH!

Yes, you heard me, I gotta watch what I eat. I'm not supposed to eat foods with color, especially foods that are 'wet' and can stain my teeth, like coffee, tea, curry, wine, etc. As a result, I've been on a white food diet the past few days, and have FINALLY picked up a decent eating habit to keep up with my workout and normal nutrition plan. It's too bad I've only 3 days left, but I think it's good to know for future references.

My menu items are along the lines of:
-jack cheese quesadillas
-plain/egg bagel with cream cheese
-egg white omelette w/ mushroom, onion
-hashed browns [lightly grilled so it's not too brown]
-baked potato with sour cream
-any white fish with steamed cauliflower
-white peach, banana, pear and coconut
-vanilla flavored protein powders [they're usually white, so all good! drink with milk]
-white rice
-ice cream
-fettuccine alfredo and other pasta w/ white sauces

and the list goes on~ hehe... so if you guys ever decide to get your teeth whitened, feel free to use this menu. Aside from the last two options, this is a healthy menu that people can follow without too much hassle, and you can maintain your workout routine while on it.

I think overall, I am still unsure as to whether I'll get professional teeth whitening done again, as the pain really sucked, but if I ever fall into the trap of coffee/coke in some other point in my life, perhaps I will. I learned my lesson though. If you want to keep your pearly whites, don't just brush! Floss once [or twice] a day as well, and get a cleansing done 1 or 2 times a year, with a deep cleansing [this hurts too btw] maybe once every several years.

As I get older, I'm starting to appreciate maintaining my dental hygiene as well as taking care of my body overall. Same goes with taking care of my intellect and staying sharp in life, career and relationships. Sometimes it feels like you gotta be superman to handle it all, but I think it just requires a bit of diligence and discipline, and lots of sacrifice.

The path of least resistance should be resisted the most. Do your best. Run as fast as you can, and I promise you that you won't be complaining how your life sucks everyday. Maybe just once or twice a week. =P

March Madness and the Faithful

Couldn't help but to enjoy a little something from Dan Wetzel's blog post:

3:01 p.m. EDT: In 1985, my mother won a big NCAA pool by picking just the Catholic schools. That year Villanova, St. John’s and Georgetown came in for her. Now, as a fine young lady from Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Queens, N.Y., she’d never change.

However, my father, always looking for an angle, is wondering which religion he should be this week to better his bracket chances. And on further review, going Catholic makes a great deal of sense.

The Catholics have Xavier, Mount St. Mary’s, Notre Dame, Butler, St. Joseph’s, Villanova, Siena, Marquette, Gonzaga, Georgetown, St. Mary’s and San Diego.

The Protestants have Oral Roberts and Baylor.

The Mormons have Brigham Young.

The Jews have Temple (kidding).

“Isn’t Austin Peay some religion?” my father asked.

“It doesn’t mean all of the teams don’t have some God-fearing young men,” noted Tony. “I like this. You’ve got to have a system.”

Well, tomorrow is Good Friday.

Yea, I'm biased. I'm Catholic! But I do have to say, Catholics make some pretty good ballas! HOLLA!

Starbucks revisted!

So last night, I went on my whole rant about Starbucks, the latte and the California dream, and interestingly enough, I ran into a report on Bloomberg on some changes going on at Starbucks:

March 18 (Bloomberg) -- Starbucks Corp. Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz may introduce a plan for a loyalty program to stanch declining U.S. sales at a shareholders meeting tomorrow.

Schultz will probably offer free coffees or discounts to customers using prepaid Starbucks Cards to entice the chain's most frequent customers to visit more and avoid competitors led by McDonald's Corp.

You can find the entire article here: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&refer=home&sid=aybc7Mp4Kbmk

So apparently, some of the nation has indeed decided their Starbucks latte are no longer made of dreams, but of real money that was earned through good-to-honest hard work! Furthermore, with McDonalds ushering in a new era of caffeinated drinks at a much cheaper cost, it seems to me that you can have your burger with your latte, and eat it too!

Of course, the point here is not so much having a burger with your latte, but understanding the current situation that a lot of us face today in the slowing economy. We must spend more wisely, and in things we need and especially in things that help increase our wealth [though they may be harder to find now]. Think and plan, because what you do over the next couple of years can seriously change your life tenfold!

There are still people out there drinking their $3 sunshine lattes while barely making ends meet, but you, on the other hand, will know that sunshine lattes are temporary highs. Because as my dear friend Stacie once said...

"there's gotta be more to life than chasing down every temporary high to satisfy me"

One day, you'll dot your i's with happy faces if you make the best out of this situation, and when you do, be sure to make check payable to Edward Kim in gratitude for the morale support! [haha.. sorry, couldn't help but to push that in!]

Comeback special... starbucks and the economy!

So it's been a 2 week hiatus! I'm really sorry for not keeping updated. I promise to update more often nowadays. To be honest, I broke out of my rhythm and didn't know what to do about it. You know, like how those ants totally freak out when you place a rock on the line, and they start scrambling like it's the end of the world? If you don't, feel free to give it a try. Be sure not to crush our little buddies though =)

In any case, I lost my rhythm, but I'm slowly picking it back up again. I do have to say though, life has not skipped a beat. With each day that passed by, it seemed the longer it took me to get back in the game, the more I things I had to figure out or just let pass by, and I do have to say, leaving things be might be a great thing sometimes, but in general, you don't want to let things be! You want to be the mover and the shaker. We move, we shake, and we set the pace in this life. Because life's no fun when you're trying to catch up!

On that note, I was thinking, as I always do. As you all know, our economy is in near shambles. The fed keeps making these cuts and loans to try to keep the economy going, but in all honesty, our country is in some serious financial trouble, and I can't help but think about what my folks told me today about the new starbucks that opened across their shop.

So yes, big bad starbucks has pitched up tent and decided to make a splash into the little commercial area that's slowly turning into lots and lots of condos and apartments. Never mind the whole credit/housing crisis for now, and let's think about the other aspects of our little mess, that which is unemployment and high oil prices.

Now, we're currently all a bit tight on money. We gotta pay for rising gas prices, rising food prices and also for some of the unfortunately growing minority, we gotta figure how to acquire that next paycheck. Yet, despite it all, when the starbucks opens shop, people rush on over to buy their $3 lattes which not only costs just under a gallon of precious gas, but it also cuts into the lunch they will have to buy a few hours afterwards.

Why? I wonder, when I think about these same people, most of whom work for not-for-profit agencies earning barely enough to get by, that they would condone such action and try to thrive within it? I guess it makes sense considering the current spending habits of the average american, but it does make you wonder, doesnt it, of where the priorities are.

Of course, I could certainly entertain one thought that has come across me from some notes from the great depression. Most of you may not know, but the 1930's were some booming times for hollywood. People came out to see movies despite the brutal reality of their once wealthy lives be washed away as each day passes.

And the reason? Suppposedly these movies provided a quick escape and some hope for the american people, and therefore, no matter how broke people were, they still came out for a movie, or two, or three... oh heck... how about 10!

Well, as I flash forward to 2008, I wonder, then if the latte has a similar holding. $3 here and there adds up, but it's not so significant that it'll cost you a paycheck or two. You might starve a meal, or force yourself not to drive out to play once a week, but perhaps the latte is the current American hope? That no matter how horrible life might be, we can still live our great southern california dream... sipping our lattes in the forever burning and brightly shining sun, hoping that someday, we can have some cake or salad with our latte.

Whatever it is, I hope that this current economic recession will be a time of learning for all of us, and for those of us few who are wise and responsible enough, that the enduring times of today will lead us to thrive within these hard times, and shoot even higher when the good times roll. We have a few years before the market and the economy picks up again.

Where will you be when it happens? Make the most of the next couple of years, and let's kick some major butt. Success is not too far away. Put your mind into it! Put yo back into it! Let's go! =)

Postponement

Apologies for not posting in a bit. Was out of town over the weekend and had a long day yesterday. I've been pretty hectic with 'life' as you would call it. Honestly, I don't know what I got done in the past few days, but I've been busy nonetheless!!

So what knowledge will I impart today? None at all. I just thought it would be nice to let y'all know I'm alive and well. [Though I guess you readers won't return the favor!! BOO!!!]

That said, I leave today with a quote =)

"My reason for living is for the one[s] whom I will love and cherish all my life"

progress

sometimes it seems the slightest progress is unseen until much later, when all those little drops come together to form a small puddle... i guess even drizzle can eventually get someone drenched!

quote of the day:
constant dripping can hollow a stone

Where need meets possibility

I often read other blogs. Most have to do with some of my more immediate concerns, like real estate, the economy, tech news, the market, health, etc. I read them because they have something to teach me, and I believe that if I knew these things, I could somehow find my way to a better life. I'd be more prepared to see what's coming, and be able to act accordingly. Such is knowledge, such is the synergy between it and my ability to think and process that knowledge.

So what, then, could I possibly offer to you, my valuable several readers who come on and read my blog posts every other day? What knowledge can I impart on you that you may go on your life, better prepared and able to kick butt in life?

Well, I thought about it, and I'm not really sure at the moment. All I know right now is that I've picked up a passion for life. I've acquired this desire to go out and live my best, and I wanted to share it with you. Fully knowing that I am not a professional in any field [besides software engineering], and that I cannot teach you the intricate details of how amino acides are delivered from your stomach to your muscles, or how the market will ultimately react to the constant bailouts by the government.

I guess in a way, this blog then becomes a jack of all trades, as it will contain bits and pieces of random information and knowledge, but most of all, the message of wishing you the best in life. As I thrive, I wish for you to thrive. As you thrive, I wish to thrive even more. A cycle of neverending improvement that leads us towards one goal after another.

I am not a man of genuis intelligence. Nor am I a man of courage that can stare any fear in the eye without flinching. I am not the holiest guy out there, despite that I haven't commited any dire crimes. But I will say that I am a man of vision. I can see from different perspectives and feel through different hearts. And though I have lots more to go to sharpen this vision, I firmly believe in it.

It was once said that vision is where need meets possibility. More than ever before, I can start to see possibilities. Endless possibilities. It's not so much a lack of opportunity anymore, but which opportunity to pursue. No longer a matter of whether or not I can do it, but whether or not it's worth the investment.

I've picked up the "I can do it" mentality and fully believe in the possibilities that are laid out before me. I pick, I choose, I practice my freedom, and I do. And someday, I hope these visions involve all of those around me, and all of those whom I don't even know... and see them walk towards a brighter and glorious future. One that of greatness, full of love, joy and success.

Freedom

The greatest freedom in life is not money, or physical strength, or sheer charisma. The greatest freedom you could ever have is the freedom to choose.

Before you use your money to create opportunities, before you use brute force to make things happen, before you charm yourself into a favorable position, you make a decision. Whether or not this decision will bring you the results you desire is irrelevant to the principle of freedom that having a choice holds.

The world could declare war against you, but you still have the freedom to surrender, or go down swinging. You could be face to face with a ferocious lion right before it opens its mouth wide open to take a bite out of you, and you have the freedom to get eaten, or give life a shot and lay the smackdown on the goliath.

A choice. A decision.

When you think about it, that's the only thing that separates your actions. In between actions are simply your decisions. Your decision to do good, or do evil. To do something, or do nothing. It's beautiful, isn't it?

Granted, there are many influences around us that play into the decision we make. There are influences from within us that have somehwat been programmed as we were raised. But ultimately, we are free to choose what we want to do.

This is where no is as much an option as yes! Where 'have to' turns into 'want to.' And where a life of slavery to external factors become a lifetime of freedom coming from internal factors.

You have power to choose. Don't let anyone take that away from you. Because ultimately, this will determine whether you'll succeed in life. Successful people choose success. Unsuccessful people follow others in their success. Which one would you rather be?

Friday night blues...

Home on a friday night... While the rest of the city are out and about, having fun and doing things, I find myself at home, with books lying around, and my new whiteboard filled with notes.

I promise you, it's not what it seems. I tried to go out tonight, I swear!! It's just that plans fell through, and I happened to end up home by 10, and not out to my next destination...

On one count, I'm sorta glad. I mean, I've been working out hard, and a day of binging on alcohol could set me back a couple of days. But at the same time, sometimes, you just want to stay out and do something, ya know?

Well, perhaps tonight just wasn't that type of night. I guess I should be thankful, that in place of endless drinks, I can sit down and think about the stuff that I'm doing. My goals that I've been writing down on my board. Heck, maybe someday I'll take a picture of that board and share it with you guys. [But only when I get off my lazy butt to take a picture and transfer it to my PC!]

So.... Friday night at home. What do you people do? Me, times like this, I wish I had someone next to me. Maybe cuddle up to a movie or have a nice candle-lit dinner and follow up with some coffee and a long conversation. haha... sappy romantic? Very much so! But that's who I am, and I'm proud of it!

I guess with all the things I have to say, I have very little to say about my love life really. For one, I firmly believe that the love life should stay private. But even in the case that it's not, there's no love life right now for me, so I can't share even if I wanted to! hehehehe

Anyways, I guess lately, my blogs have been injected with some ramblings as of late. Don't worry. I'll pick up the fire right where I left off. Just give me a couple days to digest this horrible night and a couple days of writers block. I'll be back with a passion yet again, and who knows, maybe I'll talk about a new topic? YES!

What are you waiting for?

"To thirst for something, and live in waiting for it. It's an important part of life."

What are you waiting for? What am I waiting for?

I know what I'm waiting for. I'm waiting for the day I finally get around to start up that company. To run my own show, and see how far I can go in life. I'm waiting to succeed, and share that success with those that I've always wanted to. I'm waiting to find out new things about the world, about myself and those around me. To see in a different light so as to see the beauty of it all. And last, but not least, I'm waiting for HER. The person whom I'll spend my life with, for richer or poor, in sickness and health, whatever the conditions until death do us part. =)

However, let's get one thing clear. I may be waiting, but I'm not lying around. I'm working hard. I'm learning and reading books. I'm exercising and doing. I'm taking action and producing results. It's just that I'm doing all these things, I'm still waiting for the day to come when short term and long term goals are achieved. For instance, my goal can be to start up a company that will someday become a multi-billion dollar company. And while I work towards it, I can certainly wait in anticipation.

And I think that's the underlying theme of the quote stated above. Waiting in anticipation is not merely lying around, but the anticipation is the motivation behind which we act towards the goal. As mentioned a couple posts back, what's your motivation? What's your desire? What's making you burn inside that it makes you want to move?

The answer to those questions are simply answered by answering "What am I waiting for?" What are you waiting for? If you're not waiting for anything, you're missing out. Find something worth waiting for, and worth working really hard for. Then you'll realize a new passion for life, and the anticipation in waiting will lead you to higher places.

Certainly, you will find greatness in the path ahead... so... what are you waiting for? =)

gear switch

So I've been working out a little more recently, and have been TRYING to get on a stricter diet. For the most part, I've been all right, minus the occasional chicken sandwich or burger at a fast food joint before I head off to the gym. [No more than once or twice a week though] I think I've been pretty good about it, and a lot of people have been saying I look like I lost a lot of weight. Little do they know, I've actually lost ~14 pounds since October! hehe

Anyways, I've come at the crossroads of my training, where I've decided that I've lost enough weight, and it's time for me to bulk up a little. While I want those 6 pack abs by summer, I realize I've gotten way too skinny along my limbs. My arms and legs have always been skinny, but I guess now I realize that it's because I've had NO muscle in them, and ALL fat.

Mind you, just because you have a high body fat % doesn't mean you have to look fat. If you have NO muscles, then the fat will simply take it's place, and you may simply look skinny. Unfortunately, such people still have a belly that sticks out, and I am one of those at the moment!

I've come a long way since I started. I went from the 2nd notch on my belt to the 5th and final notch. I'd say that's a good 2 inches of my waist since i started, and nowadays I could actually squeeze all my fat in my hands! haha... sounds gross doesn't it? But it just shows my progress, and now, it's time to switch things up.

Gain muscle, more and more, because even though the 6pack wont come just yet, in the long run, I'll be better off! I'll be working on gaining muscle until mid to late April, and depending on my progress, switch back to fat loss. Hopefully, by then, I'll have gained enough muscle to speed up losing body fat.. and then come july... i'll be RIPPED!

if all else fails... i guess i'll play hunky santa by christmas! muahahahha

Feel the burn!

Sometimes, you can't help but feel down, and you just can't shake it off. You know there's nothing really wrong. It's just that you feel there's nothing really right. But why do you go on about just sitting there and pondering about it?

"I don't know what to do." A response I know all too well, because I've used it quite often! I realize now, that such an answer should only lead to another question. "If I don't know, then what can I do or try to figure it out?"

Take an action, get a response, and work from there. Remember a few posts back? I talked about feedback. About keeping track of progress. Feedback is one of the greatest things that's part of the process of making process!

Nike commercials used a great quote, that which is "Just do it!" Of course, people twist and pervert this for their own personal convenience of doing things that should not be done! But at the same time, I can't help but be mesmerized and awe-inspired by it! I mean, whether for good or bad, it's great principle that helps one to achieve goals of whatever intent.

Just do. hehe... I'd love to!!! But let me rewind just a little bit, back to the earlier part of my post. So you feel down. You don't feel like anything, and even if you did, you don't know what to do, so instead of doing, you shut down your brain and sit there.

Unfortunately, you can't shut down the feeling of lacking. The heart doesn't stop even if your brain does. And if your heart DOES stop, I sincerely hope you haven't gone off to kill your emotions and rob yourself of some of the greatest moments you'll have in life! Sure, there's pain, but there are those times when life is just so sweet, you wouldn't trade anything for it! But now I digress...

I think that in times like this, when you're just not motivated, you should just sit down, and think about how you'd be if you did nothing. hehe... you know what's coming if you do nothing. You'll go through the same feelings and inclinations, and the same empty feeling you've been trying to avoid.

Think about it long enough, and I hope it burns your insides. Let it burn a gaping hole that hurts your inner self so much, that it pushes you to go out and do something about it. I hope it hurts too. It's a healthy sign of passion and desire.

It was once said that the biggest sinners make the biggest saints, and I think in a similar way, the biggest losers have most potential to be the biggest winners. Take a look a James Cramer! Sleepin in his car to rich, wealthy wall street man! Gotta see the dark side to know what it's like to bathe in the light. I can go on and on...

With that, however, I would like to say, look within yourself, and break out of dullness. Let your frustrations grow if need be. Let your desire burn in you to the point where it makes you move and think, and once you do, go out and live life. Passionately, with burning desire, to a life of GREATNESS, to what you're called to be... to be great =)

[sorry, this was kinda rushed... i'll edit later if i can! hehe]

V.D.D. [Valentines Day Declaration]

Wow, almost a week since my last post! Sorry all for not posting sooner! Valentines day is coming up, and well, I got to thinking through a lot of things! I've been single for quite a while now, though some people think 2+ years is not nearly long enough, but I don't think those of you who've never dated in your life count! hehe... I'm hope that didn't rub salt on your wounds! I mean well... I really do! =)

It's a matter of affairs in the heart that I've come to a decision to pursue love in the most fulfilling way a human being can, to simply love with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. However, I believe that the path ahead lie dangers and traps that may quite possibly push me over the edge. Not that I believe that I will fail. Otherwise, there would be no point to begin with! I try only because I CAN succeed, and I dream a dream worth dreaming!

As it is, I am but a dreamer that keeps dreaming and trying until that dream ultimately comes true. I must admit, that the dream changes according to the changes in my own perception as well as my limitations. Nothing is impossible, but the past cannot be changed in such a way to ensure a future. We merely look back and adjust to it, so that we may still push forward and find our way if ever we get lost.

I think, as a result, the real push in life becomes the moments when we make the bold decision to move forward. In the face of darkness and doubt, to muster up the courage and faith to take that step into darkness, and finding the hand on the other side reaching out. Of course, I could just be the crazy dreamer who never finds the extension of another, but life is pretty crazy anyways, and I could be perfectly content with staying mad not only for life, but for love.

To the ones we love dearly, I offer this blog post to say that I love you. Though right now these words lack meaning, someday they'll hold true, tested by fire and the enduring lifetime. Someday you'll know. Someday you'll see. And soon, when the future becomes now, you won't regret the moment you decided that it was OK for me to be this way. Because you and I will be living a dream that intertwines between us and takes us to a new happiness that one cannot simply now on his/her own.

Happiness is the most feasible possibility, but the greatest happiness is one of synergy.

Happy Valentines everyone =)

knowledge is power

"If you don't read, you're no different than those who are illiterate" or so the saying goes.

I've been doing a lot of reading lately. 5 books in the past 2 months to be exact, and going on finishing 2 more maybe over the next 2 weeks, and that doesn't cover all the newspapers and magazines and online articles I read. This effectively beats the half book that I read in the span of graduating from college up until last November! Granted, I did read sports articles during that span as well. hehe

In any case, the past couple months have really taught me a lot in many aspects of my life, and I've found that many books on self-improvement touch upon concepts that are universal. Books on negotiation could be applied to dating while books on business management could be used for interpersonal family relationships. It's an interesting web that seems to be ever expanding into the depths of what I would call the very lesson of life itself.

Every book has a story, each with it's own lesson to teach. Even picture books. I mean, playboy magazine teaches us that some women on this world are just plain HOT! hehe... of course, I only kid and I unfortunately do no subscribe to such publications. But I digress! Each book has a story to tell, and from it we gain an experience that we could apply into our own lives.

There's a wealth of knowledge in books, and with increasing technology, on the internet, and this knowledge is so powerful, that people ought to really think twice about how they spend their time. I mean, TV is great. Games are great. Sleeping an extra hour is GREAT. But you know what? Knowledge is greater. The power it holds within will change your life, and let you do things you've never even imagined doing.

I can vouch for that as I've been living out a life I could've never imagined living. It's not like I do crazy things, or have undergone a divine transformation. I'm still the same me, but deep inside, my perception of the world has changed, and I've acquired something that a lot of people in this world seem to lack. I've acquired freedom. The freedom to act according to my own will by my own strengths through my intellect and knowledge.

That.... that's power. And make no mistake, if you want this power, go start reading and make the most of your literacy. If you don't, you're not different than the illiterate. They're not reading anyways, and so are you.

Think, learn, think some more, and do.... and someday, I'll see you at the finish line in all your greatness.

failing towards success

If it doesn't work, then try something different. If it works, keep doing it. It's a simple concept, but it didn't hit me until today how this basic principle could be so inspiring. It's very common sense, but nonetheless so profound, that it's hard NOT to be excited about it!

When I think about certain times in my life, and maybe you can empathize, there are times in my life where I would have a goal, and I take steps to reach it. However, I stay so busy carrying out the steps that I forget to stop and take a look at my progress, or worse, don't know how to measure my progress. During those times, I am lead into the emotional trap of simply believing things will work if i keep pushing.

I've done a lot of believing in my life, and have seen plenty of things with my own eyes that I could only attribute to the divine, but I'm grounded enough to know that some things in life simply don't happen because you tried and you believe in it. Life, your life, moves forward through diligence IN THE RIGHT THINGS motivated and blessed by faith.

I could run a rampage through the city shooting people with an AK in the name of peace. I could believe I'll win the lotto and never buy a ticket. I could sit here waiting for the perfect girl to show up and madly fall in love with me.

I can confidently say that all of those will fail in accomplishing my goals. Not because of a lack of faith, or a lack of effort but simply because I did not focus on doing the right thing. To promote peace, I should serve. To win the lotto, I should buy first a ticket. To fall in love, I should seek to love.

Progress. That's been the word of my life the past 2 years, especially within the last 9 months, and even more so within the past 4 months. But in order to make progress, I must know how to measure it. Am I headed in the right direction? Or am I ending up in the wrong?

It's easy to fall into the many traps that prevent progress. One of the biggest ones being laziness. Being too lazy to monitor progress is the biggest pitfall out there. You've been working so hard and moving forward, and you don't want to expend more energy making sure you're doing it right. Your brain's already been wired to think you are, and therefore you're safe to assume you're moving along just fine. There's a saying that goes "ask even though you already know the road." You can never be too sure, and never too confident.

Other pitfalls can be ignorance and actually being too busy to measure results. These are not taken to be lightly either, as I know that my parents fall into the latter category. Work, work, work they did. It wasn't really until the stress was too much and they were forced to sit and think about it that they were able to progress forward.

Ultimately, though, it only comes to show that progress needs constant monitoring. You need to know what works, and what doesn't work, and get feedback. This feedback is what will take you to where you need/want to be, and if you keep doing so, you will never look back. There's no step backwards in this kind of life, but merely a side step, as all failures are pseudo-steps that move you forward.

As such, it is said that failure is simply a part of the bigger picture called success.

Where wrong becomes right

I think more than wealth, more than intellect, more than good looks, or an army of friends and family that love and support you... the single most thing that's most important about you is that which is inside of you. It is the one thing that I've realized has been missing in my life, and perhaps explains a lot of why I am the way that I use to be, and also how I've changed myself over the past few months and will change in the months to come.

The word to describe it is 'character.' I think that the majority of my life and even now, my character has been mostly incomplete. I lack the integrity and consistency that the greatest people of this world have. That which turns them from normal human beings into the heroes of the world. They are the CEO's that have revolutionized the market, the social leaders that stomped injustice in the face of disaster, the unknown and unsung heroes that have gone by and brought hope and warmth to the lives around him/her.

I have a lot of great characteristics, but lack in character. I think those characteristics have carried me thus far, and have allowed me some credit among those around me. But ultimately, there have been a handful in my life, especially those closer in my life, who have called me out. They never said I lacked character, but I could tell, that they wanted a person of character in their life, and I did not have it.

What a tough lesson to learn, only now, after having looked back at my life, and all the times where I could've steered in the right instead of the wrong. All the times I had the opportunity to learn what it meant to have character, but continued a path in which I could only grow within only a few facets of life, but not the one that lies at the core of my personal existence!

Well, I guess the saying goes that it's better late than never. And if those of the past have already given up on me, I can only pray that one day, I'll find that chance once more. But as each day goes by nowadays, I get a slightly better idea on how to build my character. I can't say I'm good at it yet, but I'm getting there. And hopefully, soon enough, I will have the inner strength to be a man of integrity, of faith, of much warmth and love as well as strength.

Some of you might be thinking I'm being hard on myself. Perhaps I am? Character is something that everyone has a little bit of, but it is just my observation that I haven't had enough of it in my life in the past in order to claim victory over the problems I've faced in my past. Perhaps it was my destiny to learn it now, and not before? That, I won't know, and I'll leave it to the powers that be.

However, here and now is what's important, as well as the tomorrow that will come. As each day goes by, I will get stronger. Emotionally, intellectually, physically, spiritually. And someday, I'll be that person who will live in greatness. Not so much a hero with great fame, or a hero with superhuman powers... but simply a hero who can make the right decision when it comes to face those difficult times my life and the life of those around me. Without fear, without too much hesitation... with confidence towards the path of victory.

I'm slowly on the path from wrong to right within my inner soul. And a man of character will be coming... just you wait =)

Gut is where the heart is

Sometimes you just get that gut feeling, that things will happen the way you envision it. That even though the situation tells you the opposite, you just have that feeling. I don't know if it's just my own personal delusion in believing in my gut feeling, or if there is some sort of truth to it, or maybe it's a bit of both, but I find myself clinging onto this small feeling, and believing it until I see no possible way of it not happening.

At times it just breaks my heart though, putting a hope in something that doesn't seem all that right in the mind. It's like the mind and heart don't communicate and agree on one thing. But then again, the main culprit involved is the gut. What to say about it, I don't really know.

I guess sometimes you follow your heart. Sometimes you follow your intuition. Sometimes you follow your thoughts. When to follow which is still a loss to me. I'd like to believe in myself, but I tend to get fooled sometimes too. I'm just trying to figure out how to do the right thing.