The Root of All Evil

There were two news that happened these past days:

1. The non stop rain brought by Habagat resulting to great flood (again!) and 

2. The pork barrel scam.

The first news makes me sad. But the second one? It makes me angry! It makes me sick to my stomach that there are people who can do that. While those affected by flood are struggling to survive, there they are with their scheming lies. Their greediness is disgusting that I am losing faith in the power of government. At this point I trust no one. Not even the president. It's just too much!

My puso ba sila? Tuwing gabi bago sila matulog, ano ang pakiramdam nila? Knowing that thousand of Filipinos are suffering, dying in hunger, fading away with poverty. I just want to know what do their conscience tells them everytime they embezzle millions of money. Is one million not enough? Two? Hundred? The news said the amount is billion. And if Benhur Luy didn't expose it, they will become trillioners. To them, its just numbers. But to the poorest of poor, that money could have been their life line. Where is their honor? Where is their integrity?

They say money is the root of all evil. But I don't agree with that. Money can help a lot of people. It can build road that connects people. It can give education to every kid. It can build factories and create jobs to million. It can make our quality of living better. Money can be an instrument of helping the people who needs it the most. It's the greed of those in power whose the root of all evil. Abolishing pork barrel may solve the corruption, maybe. But they'll just make another name for it (beef barrel?) and some f*ckin' smart officials will think of other plot to steal money. What must be abolish is their rotten ways. They must be punish! Everyone of them. 

How many corruption has not yet been expose? And how many times would the Filipinos be deceived? Presidents, chief of justice, now senators and congressmen - different scheming but it is always the same old story. They get to be a millionaire while millions are living in misery. What else is new?

Something got to change. The system, their selfish ways, the law, everything! They want war? Then let's give them war! GO People Power!

Only the Best

I came across this quote through Rica Peralejo's blog and I got inspired to make a blog out of it too. Some people think that when you're single it is either you're undesirable or unpretty or unlovable. It is not a happy feeling. It put shame and pity to some. It makes them feel less of the person that they are.

But there is nothing wrong with being single. In fact, you have more time for valuable things when you are alone. Take that time as a chance to discover your passion. To develop friendships. To enjoy the comfort of your own company. To help others. To devote your life in a good cause. The possibilities are endless! Don't wait around for men to affirm you are beautiful. Nothing would be more beautiful than women who is confident about themselves. Don't wait for men to give you flower. You can plant your own garden. Don't ask for security. You are stronger than most of them. And don't waste your time with someone who doesn't know how to appreciate you with all your quirkiness and splendidness. Women are made by God to be LOVED!

I'm guilty of all of that before. Being a plain girl, very few pursue my affection. Not having many choices, I thought any boyfriend would be enough for me. I rush into things. Pero hindi dahil nagsabi ang isang lalake na mahal ka niya e siya na ang the one for you. Hindi pwede ang pwede na. (San ko nga ba narinig un?) Don't settle for someone who is less than you deserve. Don't settle for the sake of settling. God has reserved someone really A-MA-ZING for you. The right man will find you at the right time. If he didn't come, then you are destined to single blessedness and that's not bad either.

You can choose to stay single not because you're undesirable or unpretty or unlovable. You can be single because you are worth any man in this world. Single ladies out there, you deserve only the best!

Les Misérables

Warning might contain spoiler.

I thought I should blog about this movie because I love it. And you know naman when I love something, I love to share it too!:) Its been weeks since I've watched it but I still think about it. Especially now that it invades my iPad playlist. (Lakas lang maka lss.) The cast are amazing. The story even more amazing. The production and the cinematography are outstanding. It's one of those films that touch me and warm my heart and makes me glad that I have watched it.

Its hard to choose a favorite part (dahil lahat maganda!) but I guess mine would be the one where Fantine (Anne Hathaway) sang I Dreamed a Dream. I cried the first time I've seen it. After finishing the whole movie, I watched that scene once again and I cried again. Fantine is a single mother. So yeah, I can relate, totally!

Which brings me, Anne Hathaway is one hell good actress. She deserved her Oscar award for her portrayal. Then I remember an issue between her and Ricky Lo. I Googled it  and I got disappointed. Ok, she's great in acting but nope I don't like how she handled that interview. But I'll just give her the benefit of the doubt.

This movie also makes me wish na sana maging theater singer si Riley. He watched with me kasi and I heard him humming. Sumasabay sa kanta. Hehe!

For me, this movie is all about the different kind of love. A mother's love (Fantine to Cosette). Love for country (the French Revolution boys). Love even if you're not related (Jean Valjean to Cosette). Romantic love (Cosette and Marius). Dedmang love (Eponine to Marius). So I'll leave you with my favorite line from the movie:

#BOTD (bag of the day)

What's great about my bag today........

...is that I made it myself...

..by hand stitching only! :)

I ♥ it!

Productive Weekend

I've had a productive weekend. First, I've finished my first DIY project. It was a hooded panda towel for my son. I'll try to post a separate blog about it. I'm into sewing nowadays inspired by a lot of talented and innovative people at Pinterest! Pinterest is my new Facebook. I can just browse for hours and always find something worth pinning. You'll discover a lot from that website. If you have Pinterest, do follow me here. I have another project in mind that I hope to finish next week.

Another thing I've done this weekend is baking! A simple recipe I read in my friends blog. It's called Banana and Nutella Muffins. Check her blog here for ingredients and instructions. Based from the reaction of my expert taster, it's delicious!

I've cleaned up a bit too and organize some things in the house. I think I'm subconsciously preparing the house for my mother's arrival. Every week, I'm cleaning something. First the kitchen, then the bathroom, last week the garden. Next will be the bedroom. I'm throwing or recycling things that clutter. I want her to see that I am a responsible daughter. That I can keep our home tidy and running even if she's not around. But I desperately wish she would be around soon. I miss her. The first couple of months she's away, I'm still ok. But come the third, the fourth month until now, I am dying of waiting for her. I've been homesick without her and I am counting the days until I can hug her again. 

Oh, I've watched Les Miserables too! Such beautiful story! Inspirational. I should read more classic stories. But the language sometimes bored me to sleep. Teehee.

I've accomplished a lot of things today and I am able to blog all about it! I should do this every weekend (or everyday!)

How did you spend your weekends? Productive or so-so?

The Mind Museum

Science is a wonderful thing. It's in every aspect of our lives. That's why I wanted to expose my son to it even if he is just two years old. We decided to visit The Mind Museum and begin our journey of wonder there :)

What makes it more fun is that the exhibits are explained in a light way. No scientific name or complex explanation. Simple yet very informative. You get to experiment everything yourself. When you have a toddler whose fascination comes from touching everything, disasters are inevitable! I always worry about it whenever my son and I are in the mall or in a restaurant. But here in The Mind Museum that is no problem. It is design for the young ones (and the young at hearts) to be interacted with and to be explore. And explore we did!

We were welcomed by AEDI. AEDI is idea spelled backwards.

Life size T-Rex skeleton.

That's how big the T-Rex footprint is.

Whale shark or Butanding. My son is in character here!

Evolution of human race.

That big metal ball when touched will make your hair stands on end. :)

Chocolate, anyone?

Look up bawal ang sad pose! Riley with the giant clams found in the Philippines.

Future archaeologist. 

We were allowed three hours maximum to roam the place but we didn't need all that time to check everything out. The regular cost of a ticket is P600. Too expensive in my opinion but because my sister and I were teachers we paid only P150 each. Hurray to the simple privileges of a teacher! Two feet below children were free of charge. My son is 3'2 feet tall so I pay P450 for him alone. His entrance costs twice as much of me and my sister! Oh, well. He did have fun, that's what matters most.

I hope I can bring him to a zoo next time. :)

The Mind Museum

JY Campos Park 3rd Avenue

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Website:  http://www.themindmuseum.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themindmuseum?fref=ts

E13

This is what's left of my indelible ink when I voted earlier today:

I wash Riley's clothes by hand, clean his bottles, wash the dishes, and clean Lucky's aquarium (Riley's pet turtle). My hand is pretty used up. But anyway, this post is not about my motherly duties. This is about the automated election. My sister is not yet home and its already 1:30 in the morning! She served as a Board of Election Instructors (BEIs). According to her text, they had problems with the PCOS machine and so they were delayed in transmitting the results. Apparently, 1671 incidents of PCOS machine problems were also reported. It makes me wonder, if an automated election is better than manual. The result may be faster with this kind of election, but what about the troubles, the glitches, the accuracy? When we deal with a non-living, non-thinking, no conscience machine, it's hard to rely on it 100%. 

Ah well, I'm hoping that we vote the right candidate. And let's just hope the machines would not fail to say so.

UPDATE: My sister is home. According to her, transmitting the results took a long while. The modem is slow or not working. She's even unsure if all the votes were transmitted. That's just her experience. I would have to ask my brother who served as PCOS technician about his experience.