When I signed up for a Plurk account, I wasn’t really planning on using the darn thing. I’ve been thoroughly distracted by my other micro-blog as it is. But I thought it wouldn’t hurt to check the app out.

And then I found myself hooked.

Reasons why I Plurk:

1. Communicate. I reckon it’s a healthy way of talking to myself since it does encourage you to talk in the third person, i.e. Sasha is getting addicted to Plurk. LOL. Why healthy? Well, there’s always that chance for other people to respond to what you had just said, giving birth to conversation. I love how Plurk seems to have meshed a blog and its commenting feature and chat apps together. Very interactive.

2. Community. Blogging has become a whole lot more meaningful for me when there’s a community involved. Using a third party app like Plurk, somehow, seems like you’re placing yourself out there to mix, mingle and meet; reaching out to establish, join, or celebrate a community. It’s always a joy to meet new people and make new connections, don’t you agree?

3. Stress. Plurk has become an avenue of some sort for vents or to simply take your mind off of the things that may be troubling you. Sometimes, work can be stressful and I’ve found that Plurk can be a fun way to spend a work break.

4. Ideas. If you keep your mind open, there are a lot of things you can pick up while you Plurk. A sentence shared can inspire a long blog post. A question raised by a contact may be the very same thing you’re asking yourself since the beginning of time then you get to read lots of insights you learn from. An experience shared may just be the thing you need to do to make your day a bit more interesting. Or one of the best examples would be a suggestion to hold a blog carnival on your personal Plurk experience then participating in it.

5. Karma. LOL. I don’t know about the rest of you but I have this thing for numbers. I can’t explain it. Having been grade-conscious while I was in school, this Plurk reward system aka Karma wakes the beast up and somehow makes me want to Plurk, Plurk, Plurk! Gawd. All because of Karma and that little git of an arrow. Pah.

There you have it. I’ve shared the reasons why I Plurk, now, it’s your turn! Why do you Plurk?

Feel free to enjoy the rest of the Plurk Carnival:

Plurk Fever
A Look At Plurk
Why Does My Plurk Karma Keep Dropping
10 Things About Plurk
5 Reasons Why I Can’t Stop Plurking
Plurk
Why MamaisPlurking…
Standing Out From The Crowd With Plurk
Plurk Carnival, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Plurk!

Note: If you’re part of the carnival but you’re not on this list, just leave a comment below so I can include it the next time I update.

P.S. Add me as a friend on Plurk!

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It’s easy to fall prey to the need to self-preserve. It only means that you love yourself. You know what’s important. You have it in you to do what you know and feel is right. Which is good. But be careful not to mistake having an easy life with having lightness of being. Life is as difficult as it’s beautiful.

How do we get that lightness of being? Perhaps you may not believe it but we all have been searching for it our entire life. Some may even die not knowing that it was what they had been looking to have in their life. Looking around and seeing all the earth’s majesty, taking in the vastness of the universe, we can’t help but feel utterly small. Small and heavily burdened by that very desire.

What am I supposed to do with my life?

Personally, I’ve asked myself this question far too many times, “What am I supposed to do with my life?” I had found myself thinking of ways that gets the job done and I called it being industrious and resourceful. I had introduced myself to various activities that I had not dared imagine myself doing and called it being adventurous. And so on and so forth, you get the idea. But even after having done it, achieved it, I still find myself asking the same question.

What criteria do you base your decisions on?

We often focus on the mundane, thinking that these things compose the grander scheme which then monumentally makes them a priority. They do, actually, but I can’t help but wonder why we’re like that. And then I would further ask, what criteria do you base your decisions on? Esp when we think about priorities.

For some, they settle for the things that gets them through the day. It’s a sad thought but it happens. Others, have it made so they can actually allow certain luxuries, which by themselves can be considered grand. A number have a general idea but are still trying make sense of it. And the rest are simply fumbling to, at least, finish one thing.

Finding the Answer

The answer to my question isn’t really about finding that very thing I would want to do, specifically, but the realisation that, behind every activity or project I may involve myself in, my core being will remain intact. These things are mere products of who I am and not things that make me who I am. Did I make sense?

You are they way you’re made and you’re amazingly beautiful that way. Accept it. Know it. Believe it. Love it.

Knowing that we continue on with life with a sense of purpose, that being the act of finding within ourselves a positive answer to the question, “Am I significant?”, will make a whole lot of difference. You just may begin to experience that lightness of being.

Big world. Millions of opportunities. People. Yourself. These make up to an overwhelming promise of redemption.

And they all sit with you beautifully.

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For the past few weeks I’ve been addicted to watching series. Let me give you a quick run down on what I’ve been immersing myself with.

1. CSI Miami, Season 5

I’ve got to admit, I didn’t really expect I’d get hooked on this CSI series. I loved the original CSI Las Vegas. And I found David Caruso’s take on his character Horatio to be so funny that I had a hard time digesting the drama. I believe Jim Carey was able to hit the nail right on its head when he did his impression — him doing a Caruso-doing-Horatio — over at the David Letterman Show.

Rico didn’t make it any easier to watch since I couldn’t help but roll my eyes over his smirking and taunting whenever we reach a scene when Horatio/Caruso does his thing. LOL. Oh, dear. I really don’t know who to blame, the actor or the director. Heh.

2. CSI New York, Season 3

Why, oh, why did they choose Baba O’Riley by The Who as the theme song?

I know that the song is quite popular (covered by the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Mr. Big, Grateful Dead and The Flaming Lips) but it’s not a song I’d associate with New York, that’s all. Well, that’s just me.

3. Grey’s Anatomy, Season 3

I’m totally addicted to this TV series. I’ve now watched all three seasons and I’m so looking forward to the 4th season. Imagine my excitement when I found out that it’s starting on the 27th! I wonder if they’ll be airing it simultaneously across the globe. Otherwise, I’ll be waiting for the complete streaming months and months from now. Ah, well. I’ll try not to think about it too much.

4. Heroes, Season 1

Believe it or not, I finished all 23 episodes in less than 2 days. I actually sat through 21 episodes straight through. I’m your everyday couch potato, yeah? LOL. Can you believe that I’m actually on my way to starting on Rome II? Hehe.

Oh, I did watch films, too. They were Nomad, National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj, Evan Almighty, The Condemned, Grey Matters, The Shawshank Redemption and Marie Antoinette. I’m still trying to remember the rest but I can’t. Gah. But I reckon you have an idea on just how much time I’ve spent not blogging, yes? Funny cuz I did manage to meet my 6 posts a week across 4 blogs quota and a few more here and there. And there is the matter of going out on dates, attending events, processing photos, and reading Harry Potter (I’m on book 5 now, btw). Oh, yes. I still sleep and eat and check my email. Hehe.

Now that I’ve managed to break down how I spend my time, I’m quite surprised at just how much I’ve managed to cram in. Egad.

What about you? What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Images courtesy of impawards.com, wikipedia.com

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I’m posting them here so that the rest of you can see for yourself and perhaps you’d be able to get a glimpse of who these individuals are, judging by their answers.

Karla Maquiling said, “Stella or Helena, which are the two nicknames I’ve used in the past. Stella, especially, is so easy to pronounce and sounds very sexy (I know, so porn star!). I like the shortened Lena, as it just rolls off your tongue. :p”

Rico Mossesgeld said, “My new name will definitely have an easier-to-spell last name!”

Armand B. Frasco said, “Julian.”

Aileen Apolo said, “Charlene or Patricia.”

Ajay Jorge said, “Aga. mwehehe.”

Manuel Viloria said, “Rico. (Kidding!) I’d probably go for Rafael.”

Jerome Dela Cruz said, “Tough question sasha. i like my name lol.. but i like the idea of being original far too many jeromes and dela cruz’s out there. how about polo sevastian jerome legazpi ? lol”

Jonas Diego said, “Rajah Francisco.”

And, finally, Lauren Dado said, “I can’t imagine being called anything but Lauren. ”

Fascinating discovery, yeah? I happen to think that their choices say a little something about themselves, don’t you agree? I know that some answered in jest and some in truth but I consider all of them significant. Names are one of the best indicators of an individual’s personality. I’m no expert but I have observed and collated theories on people and their personalities with the simple use of their names. For example, most of the people I’ve met whose names start with the letter L is like X or with the letter R is like Y. Know what I mean?

The question may help us voice out a hidden frustration or insecurity, inner turmoil, or simply, the need to reinvent oneself in a radical way. Why radical? Because changing our name can mean changing who we are, that’s something big, innit? Anyway, it’s somewhat like a fantasy since we all know that chances of it ever happening is slim to none but there’s no harm in thinking it, right?

So, let me throw this question to the rest of you. If you were able to change your name, what will it be? Or, opportunity or none, would you change your name in the first place?

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I was telling Rico last night that I found it funny when I realised the kind of habit I have developed over the course of my life as a book reader. I used to go into bookshops and would then automatically zero in on fiction books first before moving onto classics but, lately, I’ve noticed that I tend to browse the business section first then classics, second. I find the change a bit odd. It makes me feel boring and old.

Last night, however, I made it a point to skip the business section (just glanced at a few books, heehee) and went over and thoroughly scanned the bookshelf that held all the fascinating classics. Of course, with my love of Greek Mythology, I was enraptured by the choices that was before me. OK. I’m being a bit overly dramatic about the situation — was just trying to relay the emotion of the moment. Heh.

Anyway, I discovered a great collection of books, “Penguin Epics: The Greatest Stories Ever Told” from Penguin Classics and when I saw the Epic Story XII, Cupid and Psyche, I knew I just have to have a copy (it was the last one at that!). Hehehe.

And earlier, when Rico found out that I already read Paulo Coelho‘s book, The Alchemist, he asked me if it was true that it was the Brazilian version of the book, The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I didn’t know the answer to that since I haven’t read the latter.

So, with little prodding from him, I grabbed a copy of that book, too. I’ve been meaning to read it for years now anyway. It’s just that a lot of other books keep distracting me. LOL. Soon after, we headed out to relax, have coffee and talk a bit before going home.

In our conversation, we talked about the first time we picked up a book to read for leisure and bedtime stories. I have no recollection of having been read a bedtime story when I was a kid, you see, and I only picked up a book when I was about 10 years old — twas one of them Sweet Dreams books, i.e. P.S. I Love You by Barbara P. Conklin or Love Match by Janet Quin-Harkin. And I only started reading the classics for book reports during highschool but learned to love them when I graduated from Uni.

Going back to bedtime stories, I was reminded of what I had witnessed when I was in Australia on how my sister (and my brother-in-law, too, of course) would read bedtime stories to my nephew, Cam. I found it endearing. I would’ve loved being in his shoes and hearing about the faerie tales (and other stories) that I’ve grown to love. Ah, well. I simply told Rico that I plan to read bedtime stories to mine, that is, if I get the chance to have kids. That’s why I’m working on accumulating as much books as I can! (I finally decided that I want to buy the Grimm’s Fairy Tales collection book that I saw last night!) I’d read them first, of course! Hehe.

I reckon reading to your child will help cultivate and expand his imagination, creativity, and articulateness, IMHO. It will contribute in strengthening the emotional bond between parent and child. And, of course, it will add onto the child’s knowledge since that time may be a chance for him or her to ask questions related or not to the story.

Anyway, I just can’t help but wonder just how many of you guys have had the experience of being read bedtime stories as a kid? Did you read to your child? Will you read bedtime stories if or when you have children? What sort of stories would you read? And, in your own opinion, do you see the significance that bedtime stories give to an individual?

Too many questions, huh? But I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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“Be faithful to that which exists within yourself.”
— Andre Gide

You’ve probably heard the words, “you got what it takes” said before but I wonder how many of us have truly seen and fathomed what it is that is in us. I suppose that having read a lot of self-help, empowering or inspirational books to shift or better one’s paradigm, this sort of thing is a walk in the park. For the less emotional individual, who would prefer to read groundbreaking thought prodders, I reckon they’d resort to materials that are less, er, emotional. I guess they prefer to think of the endeavour as research and learning rather than thoughtful introspection and spiritual retreats.

Regardless on whether the subject is tackled intellectually or emotionally, bottomline is that one will pursue the act of looking into oneself — asking questions on life’s machinations and purpose of their existence — all done in the vain attempt to find equal and sure footing and, hopefully, to bring them to a bigger and successful future.

I believe that your actions will reflect your character. How you respond to trivial things is an indication of your personality. The responsibilities (and problems) that you have, no matter how big or small, is directly proportional to your inner strength and intellect. How you conduct yourself with other people will show your true nature — despite all given assumptions or dropped judgments.

No one will care about the seemingly important people you know or the circle in society you run in. It’s not really important that you’re seemingly the “big man on campus”. At the end of the day, when you find yourself sitting in front of your computer (perhaps reading this) away from the man-made limelight, can you honestly say that you have been faithful to that which exists within you?

I hope you’re happy with the answer.

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“Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness.” — Sigmund Freud

love n. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
(source)

work n. exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil.
(source)

humanness n. the quality of being human.
(source)

The operative word that binds the thought, IMHO —

cornerstone n. the chief foundation on which something is constructed or developed; something that is essential, indispensable, or basic.
(source)

There’s a question of balance between the two esp when you see love as relationships and work as careers. If you render more attention on one than the other, does it jeopardise the quality and integrity of your existence? I guess I agree that these two are basic things you, as an individual, will have to build upon. A well-balanced foundation can guarantee a steady and sturdy structure — heck, you can even play around with the architecture thereafter just for aesthetic value.

Was I able to create an effective allegorical explanation of the Freud quote?

What do you think? Have you got anything to add? Give it a shot.

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“…simply imagine the person you’re speaking to as a real person, standing in front of you. Would you say what you’re saying to them if you were in the same room?”
— Tim O’Reilly

I love it when people underestimate others. Not in a bad way, okay? It just reminds me of the cliché, “I’ve dug my own grave” or some thought bubble that gives us that effect. I reckon in the event that it comes around, the resounding regret will remind us that the world is indeed a small one and you’ll never know when you’ll need that hand to help you stand back up, esp here in our own little life online.

I have to admit, extremes have their fair share of allure; such as words that are handled too tightly or loosely have their own particular repercussions. However, one will wonder if anyone can ever be prepared for what these words will attract. Human behaviour is such a great source of wonder.

There’s wisdom in all of these. I firmly believe that. Change is imminent. Perhaps when all the confetti have been swept off the floor, the plates and champagne glasses are piled high on the kitchen sink, and all we hear is the tapping of our fingers on our keyboards will we begin to understand that petty is a small word to describe everything that has transpired. What truly matters is our answer to the question, Why do you blog?

Thanks, Abe, for highlighting Tim’s post. I’m all for learning new things everyday.

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“What you believe in is a large part of who you are, and who you are determines your point of view in the world.”

- Philip Gerard

(via eWriteLife.com)

Sometimes, all it takes is to look at your reflection on the mirror.

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Silly fool.

However, we know deep in our hearts its not really up to us because we can only do so much. Simply letting go can be the scariest thing for a person without faith — even when its the safest and wisest thing — to do.

I’ve learned to trust God’s heart. He has never failed me. So, my answer to that question would be — his.

How about you?

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess” — Martin Luther

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