Friday, September 24, 2010

MATERIAL THINGS WILL NOT BRING YOU HAPPINESS

From the book: The Teenager's Guide to the Real World by Marshall Brain

Read this. Material Things Will Not Bring You Happiness.

Material things do not necessarily bring you happiness. That is a fact of life. It is a hard fact to understand sometimes, especially in a society that tries very hard to teach you otherwise.

It is very common to get into a mode where you think, "If only I had object X, my life would be perfect and I would be happy." You REALLY want something: a new TV, a new car, a special pair of shoes, whatever. Then you buy it and you LOVE having it for a few days. But over time you get bored or it wears out. You can see this pattern repeated constantly in your own life. For example, your parents and grandparents likely spent thousands and thousands of dollars on toys for you as you were growing up: Dump trucks and Barbie dolls and video games and electric cars and on and on and on. All of those toys got boring or broken or outgrown eventually. They brought happiness for a moment or a week, but over time they became worthless and your desire turned to a new object.

This pattern begs the following question: "If material things bring just a temporary and short-term happiness, then what does that mean?" It might mean that you have to buy material objects at a rate of perhaps one per day to sustain the temporary and short-term high of getting something new. The problem is, that begins to sound a lot like a drug habit. This train of thinking can get you into some very deep areas. Things like:

What is happiness?
What does it mean to be happy?
What do I want to do in my life?
Does life have meaning?
And so on.
Very deep.

There is a difference between material happiness, which implies having all the basic (or extravagant) comforts necessary to live life, and spiritual happiness, which implies something else altogether. I had a friend whose philosophy was this:

No matter how much money you make, you always want more. So if you make $25,000 (1997) you believe that if you just made $50,000 you would be happy. But then you begin to make $50,000. At that point you believe that if you just made $100,000 you would be happy, and so on through life. This pattern is true whether you make $25,000 or $10,000,000 a year, because as you earn more money you acquire more expensive tastes. It seems to me that you might as well learn to be happy on $25,000 a year, figure out an easy way to earn it and then have the rest of your time free to do what you want. This sort of philosophy implies that you can find something other than material happiness to give meaning to your life.

The thing about "wealth" is that there is more than one way to measure it. Traditionally it is measured in dollars, but there are many other scales. You can be "rich" in ways that have nothing to do with money. For example:

Rich in friends—A person who cultivates friendships and who is a joy to be around can have hundreds of good friends and can be rich beyond the wildest dreams of others.


Rich in health—A person who spends time eating right, exercising and relaxing from stress can be extremely healthy, and this health can be far more valuable than any amount of money.

Rich in strength—A person who works out with weights every day, runs, swims, etc. can be rich in strength and will have an attractive body.

Rich in family—A person who devotes time to his or her spouse and children will have a strong and happy family that is rewarding throughout life.

Rich in knowledge—A person who reads and studies will become rich in knowledge.

Rich in skill—A person who practices anything daily (a skill, a sport, prayer, whatever) will become excellent in that skill area. Excellence has its own rewards.

Rich in character— A person who works hard at being honest and truthful in all situations will become rich in character and will be trusted by everyone.
One funny thing about all of these different areas is that none of them are taxed. You are taxed on the money you earn, and that is it. There is no knowledge tax, for example. You can learn freely throughout life and acquire a huge "bank account" of knowledge. No one can steal it or diminish it in any way. Presumably, knowledge is the one thing you might be able to take with you to Heaven.

All of these alternative types of wealth are different from financial wealth, and yet all of them can be equally rewarding in their own ways. The point is that the act of buying things by itself, despite what television tells you, may not be what will bring you maximum happiness in life. Things like good friends, a loving spouse, well-raised children, a home built on love, a good relationship with God, a clear conscience, a worthy goal and a job you truly enjoy bring you contentment that lasts and has meaning. These things are often very hard for some teenagers to understand, but as you mature they become more important.

As you look at the world around you and come to understand what is important to you, keep these things in mind. Think about what it is that you enjoy and what makes you truly happy. See what you find. In thinking about it consciously, you might be surprised by what you discover. Money is incredibly important—you need it to survive. But it is not the only thing you need, and money itself will not bring lasting happiness to most people.


Man does not live by bread alone.

As you ponder things like the importance of money and the role of happiness, you often end up at the question, "What is the meaning of life?"(my quote)Love gives meaning to our lives – as do friendship, or art or faith in God. These are factors of true happiness, of inner peace, of feelings of harmony, allowing meaning to our existence. Family, friends, special someone and love what you're doing on your job well that's really the perfect way to be happy, than having all the material things in life..



Material things, of themselves, mean nothing. It's not that they're bad. It's that they're nothing.

DAMN, I HATE INSTALLING PIRATED APPLICATIONS!

And so again, I am having problems installing this sick Adobe Illustrator CS4 I bought yesterday at Makati Cinema Square for 60php!


Naman, paano ko gagawin ang assignment ko? Now see, I am serious about this whole graphic designing class. Nappressure ako e. I hate having not to do anything about this serious installing shit! I skipped work because I wanna pay attention to my work. Tapos ito lang ang mangyayari?! Paano ko na lang gagawin ang mga ganitong pamatay na design kung wala akong Illustrator? :D

THE TRUTH BEHIND THE UGLY CREATIVE OFFICE

Usually when people are sad, they don’t do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.

Naisulat ko ito, limang buwan na ang nakalilipas. At dahil down ako ngayon at medyo kailangan kong magfree up ng memory sa laptop, e ipopost ko na din ito. Sayang e.

April 9, 2010

Kasalukuyan akong nagbbrowse ng CDs na galing sa dati kong trabaho ng makita ko ang mga images na galing sa PC ko doon. Nalungkot ako na masaya. Kasi naalala ko kung gaano ko kabisado ang ginagawa ko kahit gaano katoxic dahil sa mga tao. Bigla kong naisip, kaya ko naming tumagal doon sana. Kung hindi lang ako napagod sa mga taong nakakasama ko. Puro away, puro chismis. Hindi ko akalaing isang araw, maaapektuhan ako ng pagiging mapulitiko nilang lahat doon despite the fact that before, wala akong pakialam sa kanila. Siguro yung point na nakatrabaho ko ng diretso ang taong walang sariling desisyon at isang salita, doon ko narealize na ayaw ko na. Ang tagal ko palang nagtiis. Masaya naman ako noon e. Kung sanang napansin nila ang mga effort ng bawat isa at hindi sila naghahanap ng butas para ituro ang mali ng iba at sila ang bumango sa mata ng big boss, nandon pa sana ang mga taong nagresign sa loob ng isang taon. Si Madam, January. Si Senior Artist, August. At ako, October.

Akala ko kasi, kaya kong tiisin. Pero dumating ang isang araw na nasali ako sa isang hindi magandang sentence na nilabas ng isang kaopisina. Doon nagpantig ang tenga ko. Sa loob loob ko, hindi mo pwedeng sabihin sa akin yan! Ako ang napasama sa boss mo na boss ng lahat, ako na naman ang tanga, ako na naman lahat! Nakakasawa! Kung gusto kong magbago para sa sarili ko, magbabago ako. Kaya lang hindi. Kahit anong pilit kong pagbabago, nandyan pa rin sila at hinihila ang katauhan ko. Mababa na nga ang tingin ko sa sarili ko, mas lalo pa nya akong hinihila dahil sa ugali nyang patapon! Ngayon, pwede ko ng sabihin na may mga tao talagang hindi mabait professionally. Kunsabagay, sa mga lumalabas sa bibig nya, alam ko ng hindi sya mabuting tao. Sa mga kwento ng kanyang kaibigan na pribado at sasabihin sa akin, doon pa lang, alam ko na hindi na sya dapat pagkatiwalaan. Ang dami kong naranasan. Nagbulag-bulagan na lang ako. Dahil sabi ko sa sarili ko, mas magiging propesyonal akong tao kesa sayo kahit pumapasok akong nakatshirt, jeans at sneakers. Napagalaman ko din na wala sa sinusuot ng tao yan. Nasa ugali yan at pakikitungo sa tao. Ang ganda nga ng damit mo, binili mo sa Marks and Spencer o sa Lacoste, ang cheap naman ng ugali mo. Mas cheap pa sa mga bilihin sa Divisoria. Mas maganda pa nga ang tinda doon kahit mura. May kotse ka nga, nakakasakay ka sa aircon papasok at pauwi. Hindi ka naman makasakay sa usapan ng regular na tao sa advertising. Hindi mo alam ang sinasabi mo. Naturingan kang Alpha E, hindi mo alam ang takbo ng artworks at ang prosesong ikaw mismo ang nagpropose. Sayang lang sya. Sayang ang mga oras nyang nagppretend syang alam nya na alam naman ng lahat na hindi nya alam.

Mahirap pag mabait ka sa kanila. Mahirap pag hindi ka nagsasalita. Ikaw ang masama dahil iniisip mo ang magiging pakiramdam nila at kung magiging ano sila sayo pagkatapos mong depensahan ang sarili mo. Hindi rin ako naniniwala na magiging dalawa ang katauhan mo sa loob at labas ng opisina. Sa loob ng opisina, pwede kang magalit sa kanila. Propesyonal ka e. Kumbaga, trabaho lang. Pero sa labas, “Uy prenship, lafang tayo sa labas! Treat ko!” Pagtalikod mo, hindi mo alam may nakasalubong na syang kaopisina nyo na buddy buddy nya. Ayun, naikwento ka pa! Ang tanga tanga mo daw, hindi ka marunong makinig at kung ano ano pa. Sabay hila ng konti para neutral: “Pero mabait naman yung taong yun. Minsan lang talaga, parang wala sa sarili.”

Ay sos! Binawi na, nanagasa pa. Okay lang, pinakain ka naman e. E malas lang nya, prenship mo naman yung assistant nung sinabihan nya. E sinabi sayo.. Patay tayo jan! Hindi mawawala yan sa loob ng opisina. Palibhasa kasi, may oras chumismax. At yan pa yung mga taong mayaman sa pambili ng pabango sa mata ni bossing ha. Punong puno na ng meeting yan ha. Partida. San ka pa?

Nakakalungkot. Napromote na ako sa posisyong trip na trip ko. Nagpplano sila ng hindi ko alam. Para ano? Para subukin kung ano ang kaya ko? Para subukan kung kaya kong pumasok ng maaga at ayusin ang updating ko? Isa pa yan e. Ang updating.

ANG UPDATING

Kung sanang yung mga Alpha E, kayang sumunod sa patakaran, hindi ako mahihirapang magtrack. Kilala ko ang sarili ko. Tamad lang ako, pero hindi ako tanga. Lagi na lang akong nababaligtad sa mga paniniwala kong instructions na alam kong sinabi nila sa akin. Walang labis, walang kulang. Ang advantage nya lang sa akin, kaya nyang paikutin ang mga tao at paniwalain na lahat sinabi nya ng maayos. Walang dagdag bawas. Ang diperensya lang sa akin, alam kong hindi ako naniniwala sa kanya pero hindi ako kumibo. Mabait ako e. Anong laban ko? Malakas sya kay boss. Anong mapapala ko kung makikipagtalo ako? Ako lang ang magagalit. Manahimik na lang ako diba? Hindi daw maayos ang updating ko. Kesyo hindi ko daw napafollow up. Putangina, e bago ako magresign, napagalaman ko mismo sa bibig nya na tinetrain nya ako para maging Alpha E!!! Wala akong alam doon! At hindi ko pala dapat yun trabaho! Kaya nagkakandaloko loko ako sa trabaho dahil sa pagpapahirap nya na wala akong kaalam alam sa plano nya. Ginawa nila akong tanga! At ginagawa ko ang trabaho nya! Yan ba ang pagiging propesyonal? Sabihin nyo sa akin. Hindi ako tanga. Hindi ako mangmang na kahapon lang pinanganak. Isa ako sa bumuo ng proseso. Alam ko ang bawat isa nyan. Naging mabait lang ako. Piniling maging bulag sa mga pangyayaring hindi na kagandahan.

Masarap magpalate. Masarap maghalf day. Masarap magdahilan kung bakit ayaw mong pumasok ng maaga. Masarap magleave ng biglaan. Masarap maging tamad sa opisinang nagbigay sa akin ng dahilan para magrebelde. Ganon pala yon. Pag ayaw mo na, sasabog ka. Hindi ka nga magsasalita, mang-iinis ka na lang. Nagwagi ako na nainis sila. Natalo naman ako dahil ako ang unang nagresign. Ako pa rin pala ang napikon, hehehehe.

Walang katapusang pagaayos ng proseso. Mismo atang si Big Bird, hindi alam ang ginagawa. Nalulungkot ako dahil hindi ko na rin nakakasama ang mga kaibigan ko. Hindi ko na nagagawang magdesign ng paunti unti para patunayan ang sarili ko na mas productive ako sa ibang bagay. Hindi ko man lang napatunayan sa kanilang mas magaling ako sa graphics. Para kahit pano, nakaramdam man lang sana ng hiya sa mga sarili nila na nung umpisa pa lang, ginawa na nila akong personal maid. E ilan sila? So ilan ang amo ko kuno?

Tuloy, kanina at ngayon, hindi ko na alam kung anong gusto kong gawin sa buhay ko. Nalilito na naman ako. Ang dami kong gusto. Pero hindi ko alam kung tama bang ipursue ko lahat yon. I aim for higher education. Pero pakiramdam ko, wala akong pera para tustusan ang lahat ng iyon. Hindi ko na alam. Parang gusto ko na namang magisip. Nakakalungkot lang isipin. Parang kulang ang oras ko para gawin ang gusto ko. Ewan ko. Wala na akong natapos sa mga naumpisahan ko. At kadalasan, wala pa din akong nauumpisahan. Napufrustrate na naman ata ako. At baka dahil dito, maupset na naman ako. At ayoko na mangyari yun.

Gusto kong maglamyerda. Gusto ko na namang hanapin ang sarili ko. Parang hindi ako makakasurvive magisa.

Nalulungkot ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong iisipin ko. Alam ko, ang edad numero lang yan. Pero hindi sa trabaho. Hindi ka bumabata sa trabaho. Alam kong hindi ako makakapagaral kung wala akong goal. Ngayon narerealize ko na yun.

Hindi madaling magdecide.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

THE EDSA SHANGRI-LA EXPERIENCE

Sa tagal ng pagpunta-punta ko sa EDSA Shangri-La, ngayon lang ako nagsulat tungkol sa mga karanasan ko doon. Hindi pa nga halos lahat e. Ang eng-eng lang. I've been visiting them for six months already and deymmmmm, napagtanto ko: ang bigat pala ng laptop ko!
  1. Cappucino is better with an extra fresh milk. 
  2. When brewing cappucino, you have to watch out sa tube for the "foam" baka kasi sumabog. 
  3. Mabigat pala pag pinagsama ang dalawang laptop sa isang bag.. :( 
  4. Masarap ang blueberry tart pag paubos na. 
  5. Mas masarap din ang croissant pag kinakamay. (Mga sosyal, beware!) 
  6. Pag may dumating na Chancelor, wag kang gagalaw. Wag kang maingay. Tumingin ka lang sa papel mo. Wag kang kukurap! 
  7. Maglakad pag nabore sa kakaupo sa labas ng function room. Libutin ang lahat ng daan papuntang Isla function room. (Kasi may event ang Canon. In winter wonderland. Baka may freebies pag nag-sign sa registration) 
  8. Iwasang tumingin sa katabing event. Baka akalain nila, terorista ka. Do not stare, do not stare, do not stare!! (Oh God, I love her Mac!) 
  9. Pag mga 10:00 AM sumasakit ang tiyan mo, wag ka ng kumain ng madami sa HEAT. Madami kasing event ang nakabook ngayong araw. Ibig sabihin, maraming tao sa rest room. Mawawalan ka ng privacy. 
  10. Ang daming gwapong butlers! Lalo pag umaga. Kaya watch out for them! 
  11. Pag naumay sa lunch, mag ice cream na lang. Maraming choices! Strawberry, ube, cookies and cream, vanilla and TADAAAAAA... Green tea flavor! (Imagine mo ang C2 green na frozen. Ganon!) Tapos budburan mo at lunurin sa chocolates, peaches, bananas, almonds, mallows, cereals, etc. Diabetes ang abot mo Tsong! 
  12. Pag may road trip ka atleast a month ahead at need mo ng mga stocks na bottled mineralized water, dito libre! All you have to do is just grab one, put it inside your bag and within a minute may replacement na! Tsk, toxic lang sa earth kasi ang dami nilang plastic bottle pala na tinatapon. 
  13. Dial 8 pag outside call. 
  14. Magpatugtog ng classical na music habang ineenjoy ang pagkakape. Para feel mo ang "daylight (DSLR setting ito ha)" set-up ng paligid mo. Tapos floral floral pa ang wallpaper sa hallway. Parang bahay lang ni Beethoven. 
  15. Shut down mo na ang laptop mo pag 11:30 AM na. Kakain na!! 
  16. Beware sa presyo ng food sa Lobby Lounge!!
  17. Oh my God, Oh my God! Sa presyong yan, kakain na lang ako sa Max's, ililibre ko na lang ang mga kapatid ko!
  18. Magrespond sa mga tao pag binati ka ng "good morning" at "good afternoon". It is not everyday you'll encounter such hospitality. (And a stranger will acknowledge your presence!) Oha! 
  19. Ang mga cup saucers nila are made from paper. To peel them out, all you have to do is soak the gilid wet, and peel it like a sticker! VOILA! Dalawang cup saucer in an instant! 
  20. It will take them a minimum of two minutes and a maximum of three hours bago ibigay ang car pass! OMG! 
  21. May BPI ATM card sa lower lobby. (Just in case you ran out of cold hard cash!) 
  22. Pag nagserve sila ng coffee, dalawang klase ng sugar ang ibibigay nila. Isang ordinary sugar at brown sugar. Gamitin mo na lang yung ordinary sa coffee mo. Tapos yung brown, ibulsa mo. Pwede mong papakin pag inantok ka. Pero kung hardcore ka, ibulsa mo yung dalawa at magrequest ka ng Splenda.. :) 
  23. Wag kakalimutan ang sauce ng lechon. 
  24. Masarap ang combination ng ube at cookies and cream with banana sa mango crepe. 
  25. Kung gusto mong mawala ang asawa mong epal sa buhay mo, ilapag mo lang sa table ng HEAT kasama ang soiled plates mo. Pagbalik mo, bagong plates na! AMBILIS! 
Hay naku po! Naka limang set ako ng ice cream kanina. 2 scoops sa apat na set. Yung pang lima, isa na lang. Hindi na kaya e. Hehehe.

Friday, September 17, 2010

TOMORROW'S THE BIG DAY! ANONG ORAS ANG CLASS MO?

Finally, after years of long wait; TADA!!! I'm now taking a course on Print Media Arts. And I'm gonna start tomorrow. I'm kind of excited because even if I ain't setting my foot on their building yet, I wanna spend my hours working on my portfolio-style-assignment!


Gee, it's my big day tomorrow and I felt like it's my first day at work. Hahaha, walang pakiaelaminenin! Excited ako e! The feeling is different. Parang nerbyos na ewan. Kasi para ngang magttrabaho lang ako. And I wish this course isn't for Saturdays only. :(

I was chatting with my best friend earlier, we were talking about stuffs and suddenly, out of nowhere she asked me: "what time ang class mo?" ampupu, ang sarap pakinggan! (as if naririnig mo ang kausap mo sa YM e no?) I answered 9:00. Hahahaha! A few minutes earlier I said: "ask mo ako ulit kung anong oras ang class ko, dali! And she did! Tanginang yan, uto-uto! Seriously, ang sarap basahin.. ANONG ORAS ANG CLASS MO? HANGGANG ANONG ORAS KA? ANONG PAGAARALAN NYO BUKAS? Ang sarap. Damang dama ko.. Pangarap, tatlong hakbang na lang, magkakasama na tayo.. :)

I've been dreaming about this stuff since I graduated college. (And hadn't done anything about it then) I felt like a part of me is crushed into maddening pieces and all that's left to do is to hurt my hurting ego. I felt so helpless and used. That I want to break free from the reality that some Communication Art students will end up doing all the crazy paper works. The payment follow ups are crazy! Don't get me wrong. I am not against the administrative jobs. But it is really not my thing. And I find it real hard to, well, join the corporate world. I don't like the ties, the heels, the big "texan" hair, the red dress, the power suit, the boring gray cubicle and most of all: the stiff boss. And oh, let me add another thing: THE BLACK SLACKS..

I love wearing sneakers. See that?


















This is my 2009 Chuck Taylor. My first ever! At ang isang reason kung bakit ako nagpapapulpitate pag slacks at black shoes ang labanan because I don't like wearing any of that. It's a free country! Kaya nga may freedom e. Well, I can't imagine CEOs and VPs wearing chucks. But hell, I'm lovin' it! :) the more na maraming putik ang sapatos ko, the better. Hindi ko alam! (sigh) Hindi naman ako pinalaking nagbababad sa kalye at uhuging tumatakbo palabas ng bahay habang sumisigaw ng: "TANG-INA, NANDITO NA AKO!"

So ayun, balik tayo. My first day tomorrow at school and I'll having those one of the Wacom Tablet and Pen when I make bayad for the downpayment. It's not free of course. But I'll be having one tomorrow. And I hope to make good use of that since then on.



















I remember having a conversation with Tina at Binondo Church. Sabi nya sa akin, "para mahanap mo kung saan ka masaya, i-eliminate mo ang mga bagay na alam mong ayaw mo". She's right. Minsan, dapat may mga tao akong nakakausap kasi ang dami kong bagay na napupulot. I just love getting back to those days. Yung may mga matatalim na "point" na tutusok sa kailaliman ng budhi mo. Sobra. And then, I said: "Oo nga no.. But where to start?"

So eto na. Maraming salamat sa Novartis Job, sa panahon, kay Ms. Joy Cayetano, kay Tina, kay Aivy, kay Riyah, kay Camille at syempre sa cute na cute kong Ate. The best talaga sya! Sobrang makabuluhan ang mga bagay sa mundo. Hindi ko pa lang makita ang kagandahan ng lahat talaga.

Nakakatuwa. Mag-aaral ako bukas ulit. Will post pictures ng school ko pag may time. So it will remind me everyday how lucky I am.

Bagong mga tao na naman.. Masaya na naman ito.

I also would like to thank my friends for the encouragementsssss! And my family for supporting me. Sobra. Ang saya saya ko! The last time na naging masaya ako na excited na parang natatae was the time of our Conquer Sagada. :)

Thursday, September 2, 2010

CONQUER SAGADA

I combined Tina's blog with mine to give her a credit for her beautifully written Sagada adventure article. I am just so overwhelmed by her innocence and her sense of kid-humor. (I'm so sorry Aquaman!)
(Italized articles are written by Tina.)

I say “wonderful”, “beautiful”, “nice” and “wow” almost always. That is so because of two things: One, I am generally easy to please and I get touched over the simplest gestures. Two, I think I need to brush up on my English vocabulary. Business memos, the kind of writing people in the corporate usually do, are allergic to adjectives. I love adjectives, so I am allergic to business memos.

I personally (literally) would like to add the word “Holy Mary Mother”, “Shit, this is a nice place” and “fuck, I don’t wanna go back to Manila!” during our bat-shit-touch game inside the cave. Not like Tina, I am not easy to please, nor get touched over the simplest gestures. In contradiction to this statement, I can easily appreciate the things life has to offer. Mountain climbing is way sooooo out of my league. But seeing the magnificent wonder of God’s creation, I can’t help but to thank Him because I was able to walk around the cliffy and edgy rice terraces. Thank you Lord! Hallelujah! (Even if I am the sweeper, I don’t care. I managed to get down and climb back up anyway.)

Thus, my current state of unemployment.Thus, the urgent need to get out of the city which has set too high a standard for university graduates.Thus, my gratitude to that youthful stubbornness two months ago when two of my friends and former colleagues said “Amen” to my invitation, “Tara! Sagada tayo?”

This, I have to thank Tina. I have been searching for a perfect travel buddy all this time. I’ve known her for three years now, and yet I didn’t even know she’s into this kind of thing. (Until one summer of 2010 when she asked me for a Binondo food trip with Mark, a food blogger and a good friend of ours). My long search for a travel out of the bustling and polluted city is finally over! Thank God!

Thus, amidst news reports about a typhoon in the Northern Luzon in the last (and long) weekend of August, we hopped on the bus together with six other willing and adventurous souls and braced ourselves for an experience of a lifetime which I hope to share not through the sites I have feasted my eyes with, not through the food I ate, not through the places I have set my foot in, but through the people and lives I have been given the privilege to become a part of. Kahit ilang araw lang.

I don’t really care even if we battle our way up the North with typhoon and all. I am so daring that I feel the adrenalin all over my body. Maarte lang. Really, even if my niece died a day before the Conquer Sagada, loneliness didn’t pull my excitement down. I fear death, I love adventure and yet, God mysteriously brought events simultaneously. Ewan ko, to balance my feelings or to balance the world. No one can tell. I lost one precious little girl in my family and yet again, I gained six friends from different walks of life sharing the same hunger for adventure.