my journal

Since grade school, i always keep a journal, a tome of my thoughts and reactions about anything and everything.
It would have been a leisure to read my oldest entries and look about upon that pool of water on how i was...
but then, it would be impossible.
Before a year would end, i would read all my writings, shed tears again on some, laugh, and feel the emotion all over. Then, encrypting to memory, i would burn my journal, i would watch as fire eats up the paper and the ink - instruments of my emotional relief. it was pretty dramatic, i should say, and it has become a ritual for years.

why i'd burn it?
of all the emotions depicted in those journals, only one emotion compelled me to act on such a way.
fear.
fear that the person who might find them couldn't understand well,
fear that i would be misinterpreted,
fear that i would not be accepted because of my stance on things and my insane thoughts,
fear that i might feel derided and ridiculed.

it was how it pretty all started...when i write just for myself.
with contempt upon others who'd try even to cast a glimpse on my precious epistle of thoughts.
then, years went by...and the traffic of life has become so heavy i almost entirely forgot about my little ritual, but of course, i still continue to write.
as i perused over my older entries,
i realized that what i wrote seemed like a cycle of events and emotions repeating itself over and over again....and i was even unaware of it.
though, it was a continuous series of ups and downs, surprisingly, it wasn't a bore to read,
because every now and then, you'd learn something new from that experience,
and most often, those new lessons will eventually guide you through the next chapter.

and so, i decided to try to keep my latest journals with me.
a new light has shown not to fear, but rather to tell others about my adventures.
if i have benefited from it, then why should i be selfish and confine it to the dark damp corners of my cabinet?
if my journals helped me go through life, then with all odds, maybe others can, too.

-honey-

Why I Write

this blog could be just about anything...
photos, places, people, thoughts, emotions, anything one can think of.
yes, i may not update it as regularly,
but i think that writing, sharing a part of oneself to others isn't just about being a scheduled task to do, but rather when the passion wells up until it is unstoppable and you'd just burst out with so much inside you and then you begin writing it down.
i don't write to impress others, rather to impress and express myself.
it gives so much relief when i feel down and hurt,
an outlet when i get overwhelmed with joy and laughter,
a way of introspection when i have so much to think of,
and an inspiration to myself that i can always do better in life.

i started writing when i got no one to talk to.
yeah, maybe, i was sort of a loner when i was a kid,
part of the ramifications of being a precocious child,
with all the responsibilities and expectations of people as the eldest sibling.
i'd have to act maturely in a premature time (ahaha, that sounded not right).
but, writing has been my company ever since.
when i was asking for even just one close friend to confide with,
writing has been my solace while waiting.

that's why i feel so much attached to it,
and i take it seriously when one started to open up oneself to the world,
to be brave to show others who he really is,
that despite the judgmental minds of people, he continued to voice out his THOUGHTS....

for there is no measurement as to how much one should peel himself off for the world to peep. there's just expression.

-honey-

In the Land of Crocodiles and more

Off we went to Crocolandia, home of Philippine Freshwater Crocodile...
but not just that, it was the haven of common and extinct fauna that can be found from various natural habitats throughout the country. They also featured some trees and plants commonly seen in Philippine forests, but the Kingdom Animalia captured more our sight and was awed by the variety of species the Philippines is rich of.







apart from crocodiles, there are other animals, too:

Turtles













Birds



















and look at this fantastic friendship between an iguana and a coleto:







count how many iguanas are there in the picture (keep your eyes open wide):



lizards...oh, look at those lovers.





And because man was expected to be stewards of God's creations, we are therefore bestowed by a task to protect and nurture these wonderful creatures, for they, like us, are animate beings, but we, unlike them, are sentient rational animate beings.

Island Hopping

Island hopping: 9 August 2009 Sunday
It was a very spectacular event!
Going island hopping with family and friends is a perfect way to enjoy one's vacation, especially basking yourself with picturesque sceneries of the islands of Lapu-Lapu City.
It was my first ever island hopping with some friends who were also first timers on this breathtaking adventure. I had with me the love of my life, my family, high school friends and the president of CBS, hehehe...a pretty wild group, I should say.
Preparation and reservation was a bit exhaustive, but with my parents' help, there's no hard task left undone. It was all worth the fun!
After attending a 5:30am mass, we immediately made last-minute checks on the things we'd bring and waited for some friends. Off we went at around 8am, with flickers of excitement evident in each one. Everyone was vibrant and enthusiastic, raucous laughters heard during the entire trip and there was the spirit of camaraderie all throughout.
The group went wilder as we approached the beach and saw the motorboat floating, eagerly waiting for us and ready for the day's venture.




Man, the water is so clear and so blue! Hahaha, a sudden feeling of being one with nature enveloped us.
We ate our excitements out with lots of food, courtesy of my mom's culinary skills. Thanks a l0t, ma! We love you! Until we can't get a hold of satiety, a frozen delight of delicious fruit salad was served. How can we be so blessed in one day!



All were slumped on our seats after our glutonic episodes and just marveled at the clear waters around us, looking forward to the nearby island which would be our first destination... The Olango Island.
There was no easy way to describe how everyone felt as the boat stopped and the guide announced that we are ready for snorkeling. We were stunned for a few seconds... Fighting our way whether to just jump into the water or change into our swimming clothes and wear life vests. With a sliver of enlightenment that touched our too-excited minds, we finally settled for the latter...and then found out that we made the right choice since it was way too deep!
That was such a wonderful experience! We fed an entire school of colored fish with bread... And they did not even flinch away with the sight of a human. They seem to be too comfortable swimming around in groups. And man, they even touched my finger as they ate the wet bread. I felt their mouth sucking hungrily and playfully swam with much joy. I swam with much joy, too. I felt like being inside a humongous aquarium swimming with my fish friends and enjoying the cool water. There was so much fun!






And then, a few minutes later, we docked at the shores of Olango Island... Immediately, we "abandoned ship" to explore the outskirts of the island and we found some interesting stuffs, indeed.
I don't know what this plant is:



and here are some shots taken at the island:






Truly, Lapu-Lapu City has lots of kept treasures to be proud of, passed to its descendants not just from its mainland inhabitants, but also spread around its nearby islands. I am proud to be one!

-honey-

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

I already forget how I used to feel about you.

Director: Michel Gondry
Writers:
Charlie Kaufman (story) &
Michel Gondry (story), etc.
Release Date: 19 March 2004 (USA)
Genre: Drama | Romance
Awards: yeah, lots of nominations!

Cast:
Jim Carrey as Joel Barish
Kate Winslet as Clementine Kruczynski
Elijah Wood as Patrick
Mark Ruffalo as Stan
Kirsten Dunst as Mary, etc.

Plot:
A couple undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories when their relationship turns sour, but it is only through the process of loss that they discover what they had to begin with. (IMDB)

Comment:
Completely star-studded! And mind you, this has been the first Jim Carrey movie I've seen where his role isn't to make you rolling on the floor and laughing your heart out. But of course, he never missed to make you giggle once or twice. The plotine? Very sophisticated. This film would keep you on a rollercoaster ride until the end, and you'd be utterly confused most of the time. Why would you not? This film talks about digging into one's mind and erasing those "bad" memories you got there, but what if you changed your mind and doesn't want them to be erased anymore? hahaha, confused already? you just better watch this one.

Personal Rating: 6/10

more at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338013/

Finding Neverland

Unlock your imagination.

Director: Marc Forster
Writers:
Allan Knee (play)
David Magee (screenplay)
Release Date: 13 April 2005 (Philippines)
Genre: Biography | Drama | Family

Cast:
Johnny Depp as Sir James Matthew Barrie
Kate Winslet as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies
Julie Christie as Mrs. Emma du Maurier
Radha Mitchell as Mary Ansell Barrie
Dustin Hoffman as Charles Frohman
Freddie Highmore as Peter Llewelyn Davies, etc.

Plot:
This movie is the story of J.M. Barrie's friendship with a family who inspired him to create Peter Pan. *no spoilers

Comments:
The character of Sir J.M. Barrie was somewhat complicated in the sense that there was a bit of childishness in it to appeal to his playmates and at the same time having a touch of maturity to work out his marital relations and to that of his financer...but it was brilliantly played by Johnny Depp! Kate Winslet looked nice and she appeared more mature being the mother of 4 boys. Forgive me, but I wasn't able to recognize that Dustin Hoffman was there in the movie. That beard and facial hair concealed his identity really well.

I'd like to give credit to a young actor's performance in this movie. Freddie Highmore who played the character of Peter Llewelyn Davies gave an astonishing dramatic act. I first saw his movies, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)and August Rush (2007), and was impressed by him ever since. This time, he's done it again, though, obviously Finding Neverland came way before than those 2 other movies. Nevertheless, he's such a cute and talented kid. Kudos to you, boy! No wonder he's got nominations for the Best Performance by a Younger Actor. Look for more awards of the movie here.

Personal Rating: 6.5/10

more at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308644/

My Life Without Me

Director: Isabel Coixet
Wriers:
Isabel Coixet (writer)
Nanci Kincaid (book)
Release Date: 7 March 2003 (Spain)
Genre: Crime | Drama | Romance

Cast:
Sarah Polley as Ann
Amanda Plummer as Laurie
Scott Speedman as Don
Leonor Watling as Ann, the Neighbor
Deborah Harry as Ann's Mother, etc.

Plot:
A young woman conceals the fact of her terminal cancer to live her life with a passion she never had before. (IMDB)

Comments:
A very sad movie...but despite that, it somehow shows a wonderful perspective about dying. Though dying per se isn't a good perspective in itself, it gives light in the famous saying that goes...live life to the fullest because we may never see tomorrow. I may not have gotten that right, but you get the idea. A very calm and sad movie, but I liked it overall. Look, it garnered some awards!

Personal Rating: 6/10

more at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314412/