Catch the Pain

I am currently reading Hearts in Atlantis and I am really enjoying the book. I am a huge Stephen King fan as his book triggered lots of emotion. As a child reading is my favorite hobby and I think I first discovered the wonders of immersing yourself inside a novel through Stephen King. I am writing this down because I thought I had outgrown Stephen King but after picking one of his novels again, I discovered he still had the power to mesmerize me.

Anyway a phrase from the book caught my attention, Catch the pain. Pain travels from the source to the brain, according to Ted Brautigan a character in Hearts in Atlantis. Ted said this to Carol an 11-year old girl who had a bad injury in her shoulder after 3 boys attacked her in a park. Ted said he can fix her shoulder but had instructed the girl to bite the belt he gave her when he said so. This will allow her to catch the pain before it goes to her brain. Doing so will prevent her from experiencing the pain.

I was amazed with the concept. Whenever we feel hurt, maybe the remedy to ease the bad feelings is as simple as that. Maybe we can really catch the pain…

The Eve of My 30th Birthday!

I wrote this last Friday but only had the time and the guts to post this now. This entry is one week late!

30 long years! God…it’s quite scary when I think about it, more so as I type it and even more is the thought of its impending and inevitable reality. I’ll be 30 in a few hours and even as I struggle to inject in my mind that it’s just another birthday there is something about the number that feels like I am starting over a new phase, leaving something behind…moving to a next level…leaving my comfort zone. It is time to face the real world.

You turned 1 with a bang but you are clueless. You’re not even aware that your parents will bring you to a portrait studio to have your picture taken. Even so, you managed to look nice in your one-year picture. You turned 7 and you are just grateful for the gifts and the celebration. Then you turned 12, very excited and impatient to be 13…when high school and the fun start. Then you turn 16, life’s a breeze and everything’s easy. Age 21 comes and you are quite sad that your teenage years are physically over but in your mind are wondering why you still feel 15. You dread age 25 but when it comes, you still feel like 15. Suddenly you are about to turn 30 and you can’t think of anything but the thought that you have probably spent half of your lifetime.

Can’t remember when I stopped getting excited for my birthday. I mean time comes when you don’t really count the years because it suddenly amazed you that you have been here too long and you hardly noticed it. All those years have come and gone so fast… you long for a rewind...a repeat performance. But one can never return and can even pretend that it never existed.

Anyway, I can say that before I turn 30, I have a few accomplishments to boast, learned a lesson or two, and have seen and experienced quite a bit of what this world has to offer. My life is far from perfect and I have not really followed the so-called right path. But at least I will turn 30 carrying my wonderful plans and dreams for the many years to come in my life.
I think being 30 sort of scared me because in a lot of ways it seems that the years just roll but I remain the same. It is funny because I am certain that after 10 years when I turn 40, I will start wishing I am 30. Oh we make life so complicated!

Happy V-Day!

It’s Valentine’s Day!!!  Well even if this day is dreadful for single people (I am not one of them this year) and in many ways is nothing but another opportunity for entrepreneurs to sell their stuff and services…we should still be grateful that we have a V-day. For one, it reminds people to be nice and appreciate their loved ones even once a year. And everyone can be mushy without feeling a little corny or perhaps guilty hehe (for letting our emotions rules our actions).

A Beautiful Quote

Somebody emailed this to me. Wanna share with you this wonderful quote:

"As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin."

Lovely Chinese New Year Poem

Kung Hei Fat Choy! I have a Chinese-Filipino friend based in Hong Kong who sent me a Chinese New Year greeting via email. I was touched with the gesture because I get to know him and his family only through the internet. He is a regular reader and contributor in one website I managed. At the age of 60 plus, he and his wife are both amazingly strong and alert (both physically and mentally). His wife can cook excellent dishes and he can still come up with interesting articles. Not to mention he is well-updated with the latest technology as he seems to use email ad internet often. They are based in Hong Kong but visits their families in Australia and Boston

Well, they are someone I looked up to as they seem to be leading a happy and fulfilling life. I feel like he is one person I can trust and I am grateful with the wisdom he imparts on me through the articles he submits and through our exchange of emails. Friendship can really develop via internet hehe  Well here’s the poem I want to share with you!
Year of the Fat Rat

In this year of the robust Rat
May your "choy" be always "fat!"

In Our Father's house, we store our Wealth
His kind blessings, we ask for our Health

For our family, we ask for Peace
Love and Joy, our Lord we plead

Kung hei, kung hei from
Mary and Dick Liong

Note:Fat (growing or sprouting - fa in pinyin) Choy (wealth – cai or sprotuig of fantastic wealth!)

15 Things About Me

I am a professional writer.
I have been published in magazines.
I have been on national television.
Studied at the Philippine’s premier state university.
My name appears on search engines (I am quite visible online.)
I am very simple.
People said I look young for my age (that’s a compliment)
I love pasta dishes.
I wish I am a great cook
I am in love with my B.
I am the youngest in the family.
I have written a 150-page guidebook.
I have written all the content of one particular website.
I am a delinquent student in college.
I am not afraid of the dark.