Because I Am...

The type that kills the cat.

2010-09-22T10:38:00.001-07:00

Curious. That somehow always enters my mind when someone asks me what kind of person I am.

I've always been the type of girl who needed an explanation. I needed to know why it happened. Why did it turn out that way? Why wasn't it possible? Why not? Why now? Why not now?

Every time something happens, a billion and one questions always enter my mind and my brain goes on overdrive! I can't seem to put a halt to my thoughts and more often than not, it gets me more confused than I already was. And of course that didn't help me out one bit.

One time a friend of mine back in the day had a solution to my problem. He told me that I shouldn't think too much. He said, and I know I remember this correctly..."Thinking kills."

And of course that got my brain working overtime again. Does it really?

Does thinking too much actually kill somebody figuratively?

I guess in some cases thinking does make you go a little crazy, especially if you're in a situation where answers don't come as much as you'd like them too. I guess what my friend was trying to say was that over thinking kills. That part I do believe completely. You think too much about something that it leads you to a whole bunch of new questions which then leads to another series of questions! It's amazing and also a little bit annoying how fast our brain can work.

I admit that along with my curiosity comes my stubbornness. Sometimes I don't know when to stop asking, or when to stop thinking of things to the point that it gets me into a whole crap load of trouble. And then I think afterwards that I should've just stopped thinking in the beginning and just let things be.

I know this entry is a little bit confusing (just like my thoughts), but I also wanted to say that despite how much of a curious person I am, I've learned a lot of lessons via my billion and one questions.

I learned that being curious can be a good thing, because it tests your limits. You never really know how far you can go until you try.

I've learned that my friend was semi right. Over thinking does kill. Sometimes it's better to not think too much about something because it'll just screw up with your brain and get you into an even messier tangle of thoughts.

But the last 2 lessons I'm going to share with you which I learned because of my thinking are the 2 lessons that helped me become who I am today.

First, was that I'd rather think too much and feel too much than not think nor feel at all. At least I know the extent of who I am and what I'm capable of (or not capable of) and that makes me feel more human and alive.

Second and lastly would be that even if you're itching to know something so badly, sometimes there are certain situations where no explanations are needed. You don't need to know the reason behind everything, because sometimes things aren't meant to be understood. Sometimes, despite how difficult it would be to do so... some things are just better off accepted.

-Trina Lorenzana

Post Script: Speaking of questions! We know it's been awhile, but our Formspring is up and running again :) You can ask us anything and everything and we'll try to answer as much as we can. You can reach us through the little box on the left column of this page or via: http://formspring.me/becauseiam

Been up all night staring at you

wondering what's on your mind.

I've been this way with so many before

but it feels like the first time.

MindSet

2010-05-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

I once read that attitude’s that small thing that makes a big difference. Your approach, how you carry yourself, the way you tackle challenges, how you treat people; they all come down to attitude. With that in mind, I started thinking about what my mindset is like.

I live everyday thinking that there must be better ways in how we do things. I believe it’s that constant search for improvement that evolution takes place. I think about how I can deliver a better radio show, how I can perform a technique in jiu-jitsu more efficiently, how to create music that can move people, how I can develop my teaching abilities, etc. But not only do I think about what I can improve in myself, I feel it’s important to develop better ways on how we can be of service to others. It’s not the idea that the more you give, the more you receive that motivates me. It’s the fact that we’re all connected and with this mindset, it’s always a win-win situation. When you help people, they then can be of service to others as well. Pay it forward. It all comes in full circle and everybody ends up uplifting one another. Wouldn’t it be cool if everybody could win?

So never be stagnant. There’s nothing worse than knowing you could have left a bigger impact in this world but felt comfort in life’s routines and chose to be content with that. Your mindset shapes the way you view the world and the choices you make. Know the source of your actions. When you understand that, then you’ll realize that attitude IS that small thing that makes a big difference.

Limitations

2010-04-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

You ever wonder what you were in your past life? They say that what you’re passionate about in this lifetime can give you clues. Playing off of that idea, I think I was a teacher at one point. I’ve always had this drive to share and feed people’s hunger for knowledge. I’m intrigued by how people think and learn and how the mind works. The ideas of what triggers people’s excitement to want to take in new information and how they make choices fascinate me. The way you can capture someone’s attention, pass on knowledge and see them utilize it in their own way is rewarding to me. So why did I become a radio jock and not a teacher instead? Can’t I be both?

I believe that you should not limit yourself to your chosen profession. I see it all the time. You shouldn’t create limits to yourself, period. The thought of it holds you back already. And why do we do this? Because that’s what we see around us and we choose to accept it and make it a part of our reality. You are how you think and the choices you make. Why not create your own reality? Is it crazy to think that way? Will people look at you differently? Does it matter? I say, life is a journey and you’re the driver. What do you want to do? Where do you want to go? Explore and take it all in. The world has so much to offer and you’ll only experience it with an open mind.

So yes, I am a radio jock but my passion for teaching has not taken a back seat. I train junior jocks, teach concepts and techniques to my teammates in jiu-jitsu, pass on life lessons to my friends and family, and I often share words of wisdom on my show. If you love doing something, opportunities will always present itself for you to nurture it alongside many other endeavors you choose to involve yourself in. Don’t FIND time, MAKE time. Eliminate all time consuming activities that will get you nowhere. Remember, your limits are only what you set them to be. So what are your limits?

The Good Fight

2010-03-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

"We must never stop dreaming. Dreams provide nourishment for the soul, just as a meal does for the body. Many times in our lives we see our dreams shattered and our desires frustrated, but we have to continue dreaming. If we don’t, our soul dies

‘The Good Fight is the one we Fight because our heart asks it of us. The Good Fight is the one that’s fought in the name of our dreams. When we are young our dreams first explode inside us with all of their force, we are very courageous, but we haven’t yet learned how to Fight. With great effort, we learn how to Fight, but by then we no longer have the courage to go into combat. So we turn against ourselves and do battle within. We become our own worst enemy. We say that our dreams were childish, or too difficult to realize, or the result or our not having known enough about life. We kill our dreams because we are afraid to Fight the Good Fight."

- Paulo Coelho, The Pilgrimage (1987)

i am always held at awe with whatever Paulo Coelho says. his choice of words, the profoundness of his ideas which he magnificently conveys and the limitless positive energy which seeps out of every word that comes from his pen.

i got to read this passage about The Good Fight on Coelho's blog, and i read it back in December of last year, when i was finding myself drowning in medical school. by that time i had already found myself in deep water; i wasn't performing to the high standards i have set upon myself, i disappointed not only myself but my parents as well, and the person i love was having difficulty in coping with the demanding schedule the school has given me.

being a doctor was my absolute childhood dream. when i was a child i wanted to be whatever my mom was because i thought her job was cool. she was a nurse, so i brought it upon myself to become a doctor, because in my little mind that was male equivalent of whatever my mom was doing (which was being a nurse).

that idea stuck, and it hasn't left my mind ever since.

i remember doing the entrance interview for La Salle Med, when my interviewer posed me that question i had trained myself of answering: "with a pre-med course as (X), why did you still choose to pursue medical school?"

a little background storytelling must be done first before i answer that question. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Science, Major in Development Studies (previously referred to as X), which is a direct and polar opposite of any science course which would be a better pre-medical degree. now, i could give a plethora of rationalizations for sticking to the course which allowed me to enter college but suffice to say, my undergraduate course has given me a unique perspective of seeing the bleak situation of our country from the eyes of the toiling masses, the people most affected by the crass abuse and corruption brought upon by the people in authority. it strengthened my resolve to enter the vocation of healing, of becoming the best doctor i could be. i firmly believe that a healthy population is a productive population, and as future doctors me and my colleagues should be held responsible as stewards of our nation's health.

i vividly remembered what i said to the good doctor who asked me why i continued to medical school.

"it was my dream. and i am going to use every faculty, every skill, every ounce of talent and willpower that i have to make it come true."

whew.

if you take a cursory look at it, you could very much conclude that an 8 year old child can muster the same response as what i've said. looking back, i remember a lot of people i know who said back in grade school that they wanted to become doctors, yet seeing them now, a lot of them changed directions. i can only count in my fingers those who were intrepid enough to follow their dreams.

making dreams come true seems such a childish concept, yet so few people have the audacity to chase down their dreams and make them come true. being a child back then, nothing was impossible. we dream of becoming superheroes, being able to blast lasers from our eyes, we want to become mermaids or princesses so that someday a prince will come and sweep us out of our feet, or we dream of traveling around the world, enjoy the view and just suck it all up and marvel how our world is so awesome.

but then we grow up, and we learn to aspire for other things which are a little bit more feasible for us.

but i think that's just freaking wrong.

okay, so there's no way that i know of in which you can become a mermaid, or be someone who shoots lasers from his/her eyes, but giving up on a dream and regretting to live it afterwards? that's just sad to hear.

i remember having a really, really short chat with an old high school classmate in which he/she expressed his/her frustration in not pursuing a medical career. i told him/her that it's never too late and he/she should never give up on the dream. whenever i hear somebody say that he/she is a frustrated singer, writer, dancer, or a frustrated anything, i somehow grit my teeth because this person is not making any sense to me.

why give up? why let the passion that stroked the flames of interest wane and shimmer in the first place? we should always fight the good fight, like Coelho said. as children, we always took the road which had the most adventure, the most thrill, the scenic route. yung may maraming pwedeng makita at maranasan. but as we grow up and acquire the tools needed to make our dreams come true, we somehow find reasons to back away from taking on the journey of fulfilling them. be it frustration, embarrassment or just plain old fear of failure, most of us are continuously steered away from what we originally wanted. we take lots of steps forward, yet odds are we're veering away from the sole reason that we chose our paths in the first place.

we find a million reasons to give up, but we struggle to find that one single reason which can get us over the hump. i cannot remember how many times i have read these words while scouring the internet, and i think people tend to forget what started their lives in the first place.

for me, it all started in me trying to emulate my mother. but it now evolved into something bigger. i wanted to help others now. help heal the country, one fellow countryman at a time.

people tend to forget about their dreams and aspirations. it all starts there. all of us have them. they are the most primal reasons why we study, or take classes in the summer, or enrich ourselves and get better or learn something new if we have the time. dreams are the fuel to which our life rockets depend on. without our dreams, we may spiral down and degenerate, living our lives day-to-day without any direction or purpose. nobody wants that.

sometimes in our lives, an ounce of courage is all that we need. that ounce which can be just enough to compel us to take the leap of faith, and hunt down everything that we aspire for ourselves and for the people close to us.

BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE.

i love these six words. indeed, we only get one life, and it is imperative for us to live it to the fullest.

in our earthly lives any dream, goal or aspiration, no matter how little, is worthy enough to be fulfilled. so seize the day, and make it count because each day should be able to bring you closer to making it true.

ever since i was a child i knew it in my gut that i wanted to be a doctor. now i am glad to say that i am closer than ever to living my dream. i hope you incessantly make yours come true as well.

don't give up. fight the good fight.

(damn, this one is looong. i probably talked too much.)

-RC Fajardo

I Am...

2010-03-13T18:25:00.000-08:00

People know me as a radio jock, jiu-jitsu addict, and a music artist. But I feel limited when I’m labeled, so I’m beyond those three. I am where curiosity and passion take me. Life is a journey of self-discovery, purpose, and creation. We are what we believe, and I believe in love. Its essence is my foundation. Let love in and the rest will follow.

I believe that uncertainty is wonder. You’ll love and hate it at the same time but it’s what keeps you on the edge of your seat. It lets your imagination run wild and explore. It’s what keeps things fresh and opens you up to the world of endless possibilities.

I approach everything with an open mind. I have a hunger for wisdom and knowledge. I live life through the eyes of a child and look for every opportunity to be at a state of play. I used to want to be the best at everything I put my mind on. Now, I just want to be better than the person I was yesterday.

I feel that being grateful is key. The attitude of gratitude reminds us about the beauty of life and how blessed we are. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that puts a smile on our face. When you realize this, you’ll understand that even the simplest actions can uplift someone’s spirits.

Among other things, I see success as the impact I have on people and the world. I want to share, give, and elevate. I feel satisfaction in helping others believe who they can become and get to where they want to be.

I’ve grown to realize that it’s only when you have dug deep where you fully appreciate what you have known to begin with. But remember that what’s important is not what you know, but how you apply it. A genius is useless without action.

I believe that life is short depending on how you see it. For some people, they feel that way when they look back and realize they haven’t accomplished anything significant and ask for more time. Others ride the good vibe wave and are having so much fun that time seems to have gone by so fast. Which one are you?

They say I’m deep and at times I feel misunderstood. I’ve grown to like that. I see it as treasure people have failed to discover yet. I feel free by embracing my uniqueness. I am what I am.

I don’t wish for you to understand me through my future entries, but hopefully I can have some sort of impact on your life through my experiences, thoughts, and genuineness. So let the randomness begin! Let passion ignite passion, and soon we can all be our own inspiration!

On Childhood Dreams and Grown Up Dreams

2010-03-02T23:28:00.000-08:00

When I was a young boy, I wanted to be a doctor.

Not that I wanted to help people, it's just something that parents precondition you to want. Be a doctor, be a lawyer, be some wanker in a dark grey suit with a prefix attached to your name.

When I was 6 years old, I wanted to guest on a cartoon show.

I was very fond of cartoons as a little boy, and I wanted to be a guest star on the Transformers. When you're 6 years old, large robots are the counterparts of real action heroes.

Fast forward to when I was 11-13 years old. I wanted to be a basketball star.

Believe it or not, I played 1 year of varsity basketball for my grade school.During the summer, I played basketball from 7 am until late at night when I couldn't see the hoop anymore. I was pretty good. Until I stopped growing and other kids outgrew me.

I was 18 years old, and I wanted to be a writer.

I found that I was pretty good with words. Ironic cos I have HORRIBLE handwriting. I'd write poems, essays, even short stories. I wanted to write about how I saw the world, how beautiful and how bizaare it is. I've always wanted to write a book.

Forward to my 21 year old self and I wanted to be a photographer. To appear in a TV ad. To date a celebrity. To lose all this extra weight.

Snap back to right now, 4 years later and 30 pounds less. My 25 year old self wants to be an awesome jiu jitsu fighter. I want to be a machine.

Just so you know, I'm sitting in the office right now, I wear a barong everyday and I work for the family business. My occupation does not involve a basketball, a camera, or a Jiu Jitsu kimono. But it's all good. It doesn't stop me from pursuing my other "want to be's."

Life changes and we sometimes take a different route from the path we always thought we'd take. I realized that deep inside, I'm still the 6 year old who wants to guest star on a cartoon show. The 21 year old photographer, the 13 year old basketball star.

Here's a thought. There are dreams that you have(be a comedian, a unicyclist, a writer), and there are dreams that people expect you to have(be a doctor, or a lawyer, or a businessman). The dreams people expect you to have give your life direction and keeps you in touch with real life. The dreams that you have? They're the dreams that make life colourful.

I hope this made sense to you.

Niño

Late Night Pondering

2010-02-21T11:35:00.000-08:00

Questions. I can't help but ponder on them when they pop into my ever so passionate curious mind. I've been up all day, but fatigue seems to fade away when your mind is eager to find answers. It's intriguing how that works. It's as if turning on a power switch to an energy reserve we never thought we had. So here I am, making use of it while it still lasts and hopefully satisfy my hunger for wisdom.

Am I attacking too many things at once or do I just need time to adjust to the pace? That's the question. It's as if I'm spreading myself too thin and at the same time wanting to take full advantage of the opportunities presented in front of me. I know that balance is key, but sometimes it's easier said than done when you're swayed by both sides constantly like a pendulum.

For every question there must be some sort of answer. It may change through time but in the end you make use of your level of awareness in the moment to seek out your own conclusion. So this is what I found. I believe that there's no harm in riding the good vibe wave. If it feels right in your core, go with it. But then again, your mind and body can only do so much. When it gets to the point where your enthusiasm is no longer at par with what you love to do, then maybe you're spreading yourself out too thin. That's when you need to find your center and create a sense of balance.

So my parting words are these. Set your own pace, but don't always settle for comfort because then you'll never know how much further you can go. Test your limits and see what works for you. Understand the language of enthusiasm. Life is a constant learning process. Try and you will learn. Hold back and you'll be left behind.

- Pat Jamlang

A letter of some sort.

2010-02-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

Tonight, as of 9:27pm I have finally finished a book from cover to cover after weeks of trying to get my hands on it.

"Dear John," the letter read. And with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives changed forever.

I immediately wanted to write something after reading it, so here I am pouring my thoughts onto my 14" Compaq.

How should I describe a book such as this one? I've never really written a book review with much consideration. Not until I was in high school of course when we needed to do it for class. I've always been a lover of books, and always in my vocabulary means ever since I was in high school. Maybe it was due to the poems we were required to read, or the short stories that we discussed in class...I can't quite pin point the exact reason or time, but ever since then I've been a “bookaholic”

DEAR JOHN.

I guess it's safe to say that it was different. I can’t seem to classify it as a typical love story, but at the same time it somewhat fits into that category. A not so typical love story meaning it only happens to a quarter of a margin of people living on this earth, but typical in a sense that it's possible to have happened in fiction, on paper, in hopes and in dreams. I'm not going to give away too much, especially because I'm sure a lot of you are planning to read this book because of the film about to be released. But I do want to say a few things.

The book, was very Nicholas Sparks. He always had a mind that worked in a way that could conjure scenarios that make people (especially girls) go “I wish for a love exactly like that.” He was the first author that actually touched my heart, made it ache, make me want to cry and laugh at the same time and of course believe in love. He made my tear ducts dry up after reading “A walk to remember”, believe in old love with “Nights in Rodanthe”, trust time with it’s healing powers in “Message in a Bottle”, and of course simply believe in good old L.O.V.E. with his ever romantic “The Notebook”. Hell he was even the first man who made my dad cry by the pool side while reading the last book I mentioned.

Did I like it? For the most part, I did. It touched me in just the right places and was able to re-surface just the right emotions. It didn’t strike me too much as maudlin or over rated. It was lukewarm, and wonderful. I’ve somewhat have been a believer of love at first sight and having read about the love story of John and Savannah has made it easier to do so. In real life, I hardly hear stories which start with “When we locked eyes, I knew instantly…” or “Yes, it was truly love at first sight.” So having read this book gives me a little bit of hope that it might be possible to have something like it or at least something to that effect.

After reading this book, it made me realize a couple of reasons why I love to read. I do feel bad (I’m not sure if it’s the right word) for people who think of reading as a task rather than as leisure. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective. But as a lover of books it amazes me how a story, an author or even just one line from a chapter of a book can transport you to different places. I love how different words can be strung together and evoke such strong emotions you never thought you’d have. By reading, I feel more human in a way where I realize to what extent something can affect me. I like testing myself at times, and discoveries are always good. So whenever something from a book strikes me, whether it may be a line, a paragraph, in the blurb or even in the dedication, I always pause and think about why it struck me. By doing this, I get to know myself more and realize where I stand in life.

It’s also nice to know that even if in reality some things are not achievable, it’s possible to just live vicariously through characters that have been made up by such talented authors. For at least a day or two, or a week even…you get lost in a world where anything is possible. You get to go on adventures, or suddenly have magical powers. You get to fall in love and dream and be different. It’s such a great catharsis, and of course an awesome way to exercise your mind and widen your vocabulary.

I’ve always known that I’ve read a good book when I can’t seem to part ways with it. It’s as if the end of the book signifies the end of my relationship with the characters. It’s the way I felt when Harry said goodbye to Clare in “The Time Travelers Wife” (Audrey Niffiniger), my heart broke the same time Erik’s did when Stargirl Callaway moved to another city in “Star Girl” and the way I wanted to be different and lovable during the final pages of “Love, Stargirl” (both by Jerry Spinelli). It’s the way I knew the words “For you a thousand times over” would affect me differently after reading “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini. How I was for certain that Noah and Allie would be together wherever they were, and yes even how Harry, Ron and Hermionie would be able to save the magical world. With a good book, Shakespear was right in saying “parting is such sweet sorrow.” It’s so hard to let go because the characters seem to have been part of your life, and when their heart breaks… yours does too. When they receive good news, its as if you want to jump for joy and celebrate with them.

I’m very glad that I had 2 days off my busy schedule to be able to read. And I’m happy as well that the book I chose didn’t disappoint me. I’m pretty excited for the movie, although I’m sure that there will be some slight differences. I’m just hoping that it doesn’t disappoint. It’s weird how the book is almost always so much better than the movie (except for P.S. I love you wherein both the book and movie were amazing). Anyway, Channing Tatum is there…at least there’s some eye candy :)

I hope children now a days get the hang of reading. I hope that one day they get to feel the way I feel whenever I’m immersed in a good book.

I absolutely can’t wait to find another book, which will make it impossible for me to put down because of its awesomeness. I am waiting for the day when a line or a paragraph or the whole book will make my heart ache because I know that the ending is near. I can’t wait to find a good read that would distress me and make me feel all sorts of wonderful and beautiful.

Till then, I shall live in the memory of John and Savannah, and shall bask in their love for each other and for the full moon.

Shut the door to the moon

And let the birds gather

Play no more with the fool

And let the souls wander

And bleed

From the soul

TWENTY-TEN

2010-01-09T12:28:00.000-08:00

The beginning of this entry was written on December 31, 2009 (Up until the ~*~*~*~). I just wasn't able to post it.

Here we are again, standing on the brink of an almost end and a new beginning. Another year has come and gone, and I feel as if it's time for me to take a look back on the 12 months that have gone by.

As unbelievable as it seems, time has passed by so quickly. Back in June, I was about to embark on a new journey which excited and scared me at the same time. It's as if I just closed my eyes for a few seconds and when I opened them again...December was waiting with its arms wide open, ready to engulf me with all its Christmas spirit.

I think to myself, Has it already been 6 months?

I guess the calendars, Christmas gifts, and even the weather have given me enough evidence to believe so.

~*~*~*~*~

It is now January 10, 2010 (I like pronouncing this year as TWENTY-TEN, because I think it sounds better this way). The plentiful fireworks have been lit and thought of to be spectacular, the alcohol content in our body has shot up to an extra 40%(at least) and back down again, children (and even some adults) have jumped to their limits believing that they can grow another inch or so, and of course more than a handful of people have made their new year's resolution.

I've always wondered why people wait till the start of a new year to make a positive change, but I too am guilty of practicing such an old habit of the human race so who am I to judge?

I'm not going to share my resolutions, because I'd like to spare you of the long list. But in this entry I'd like to share rather what I've learned. Every year, every day, even every minute gives us something to remember by. They give us moments to relive and memories that teach us a few things worth learning.

Two thousand and nine has taught me a couple of lessons which I believe will make my twenty ten and even better year.

1. It has reminded me that some lessons whatever they may be, will be repeated until learned. It may appear through different situations, but if the main problem is still there, it will be on going until you realize what you've done wrong and then do something to make the wrong a right.

2. It taught my heart to be patient. It showed me what I'm worth. So, to all the girls out there who feel lonely at times... please remember to put a price tag on yourself. Never forget your worth, and believe that someday someone out there is going to come into your life and make you realize why it never worked out with anyone else :)

3. It helped me understand even better that sometimes, you have to live a life that's less for yourself, and more for others. I have been so blessed in more ways than one this year. Sometimes I don't feel that I am because these things that I have and receive aren't really what I ask for. I tend to forget that sometimes the normalcy of life like seeing your family everyday, having the same old friends, and plain old L.O.V.E. are the things that are most special.

4. I have become aware of the fact that you really really have to work hard to get to the place you want to be in. It's healthy to set goals, it could be easier if you have a plan, but it's true what Pat said during his previous entry... you have to actually be able to execute the plan and make a bee line for your goals. There's no way you'll get there without doing something about it, and you won't really be able to do something about it without passion. Which makes me come to my 5th learning.

5. Somethings in life just really go hand in hand. I'm not sure if I can explain this lesson clearly, but don't you just see how sometimes some things in life don't really work well without the other? Besides what I mentioned above, there are things like hard work goes will with appreciation and inspiration. You get inspired to do something, and therefore you do the best you can. You are able to produce your desired outcome, and if it's for the better a lot of people will appreciate what you've done. Sometimes I think life can be as simple as mathematics (the addition part at least).

6. I recognize that things get better. No matter how scarred you are over something, or how low you've sunk...there will come a day that things will get better. This quote will explain it better I think:

"All of us have had the experience of a sudden joy that came when nothing in the world had forewarned us of its coming - a joy so thrilling that if it was born of misery we remembered even the misery with tenderness."

-Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Someone once mentioned the following 3 numbers which I can never forget.

7. A little of something is better than a whole lot of nothing.

-I think this is self explanatory.

8. "There" is no better than "here". When your "there" becomes a "here" you will simply obtain another "there" that again looks better than "here."

- I now know that I have to be in the NOW. It's fine to make plans for the future, but never forget the present because there are so much things you can do in the right now. There are also things in life we wish we had or people we'd wish we could be. But there will always be something that we want more. This year taught me to be content with what I have.

9. Your life is up to you. Life provides the canvas; you do the painting. Take charge of your life -- or someone else will.

- Just like one of my favorite poets William Ernest Henley said. 'I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul" You make your destiny, so make sure you make everything count.

10. And this I believe I learn every year and is something I will never get tired of learning. There's no better way to explain it than through a line from a song by Nada Surf:

"ALWAYS LOVE. HATE WILL GET YOU EVERY TIME"

I'm pretty excited to see what's in store for me this year. I am hoping that if a change comes, it's a change for the better. If I fall down, I get back up again. I'm waiting for the extraordinary to happen. I declare that this year, I will do something that I will never ever forget in my life. Sometimes we forget how short life is. Let's make the most of it. This year, and the following years to come.:)

With that...

Hello twenty-ten! Welcome to my life.

-Trina Lorenzana

I usually end my entries with lyrics, but this time I'd like to end it with a video compilation of the top 25 songs in 2009. There's no better way to bid last year farewell than with an amazing mash-up of songs :)

Thank You 2009!

2009-12-30T16:25:00.000-08:00

I'm here in the booth, just finished my last show for 2009 and I just realized what a year this has been for me. Things didn't go exactly as I planned but I'm proud of myself for taking the steps in trying to make things happen. It wasn't a perfect year but I lived it to get to as close to perfection as I could.

Every year we set goals, but I realized that life is not all about accomplishments. It's about living it up and the little changes you make to better yourself each day. It's about not having people's opinions weigh more than what you want to do to get to where you want to be. It's about giving and not taking. It's a constant journey of self-discovery and working towards "being" love.

I've learned so much not by reading textbooks, but by living and wanting to live fully. My curiosity feeds it. My constant search for love drives it. By getting a whole new sense of clarity, I feel motivated to share and apply it. I want to be an example and see the simplicity of things. I equip myself with knowledge and experience to attack the days ahead. I want to awaken my imagination, set it free, and see where it takes me. I want to do so much, and as long as I keep this hunger, I know I'll go places.

People ask me all the time where I get my topics, the words of wisdom I share, and all the random thoughts I bring to my shows. You'll be surprised by how much you can learn through simple conversations, observations, and surrounding yourself with the right people. It's about creating that positive vibe and keeping it alive. 2009 showed me that and I always keep my ego in check. In the end, it's not about what you know but its application. Anybody can act like an expert about anything but it's only through experience that one gets a better understanding and appreciation of it.

2010 is just hours away. I'm looking to make it another memorable year. I don't think too far ahead, just enough to sense where I'm going. As long as I live the "now" I know it'll follow through well in the future. I realized that what made 2009 so worthwhile is that I did things MY way. I took my own path. I got what I could and blamed nobody for my actions. I realized that if I want something, I have to make it happen. I learned that belief is the most powerful weapon, and faith, in my opinion, is the highest form of belief. So as long as I have faith in myself, I can't go wrong. 2010, here we go!

- Pat Jamlang

You may say I'm a dreamer.

2009-12-14T08:45:00.000-08:00

Do you remember the time when you were 5 years old (or younger), and you had a dream? It was the very first dream you could actually formulate in your newborn mind and for you it was the best darn dream you could ever have. It was the purest of the pure, the absolute best. And if you think about it right now you'll probably realize that it was the most far fetched, craziest, most outrageous dream you've ever desired, yet in that moment, you believed with all your heart that you could actually really have that dream or be that dream. You could already taste it in your mouth and grab it by the hands as if it were right beside you. All you could think about was "Yup! One day, that's exactly what I'm gonna be."

For those who have read my previous entry: Someday ,you'll know that I am on my way to pursuing my latest dream: To become a great neurosurgeon. But I would digress if I talk about that. I'd like to tell you about the first few crazy ones I had.

When I was 5... I wanted to be a pop star.

I wanted to have a gazillion fans, a double, triple and all the "ipples" imaginable million peso selling album. I idolized Manilyn Reynes (I know what you're thinking! She was pretty big back then.) in all her...let's just say, singing sensation. But the real reason for wanting to be a pop star was because I loved to sing. I started singing songs by Jose Mari Chan during my 4th birthday. I sang "Please be careful with my heart" to my mum, and she cried like a baby.

Ever since then the mic was an extension of my hand.

As I got older I upgraded my pop star status to Broadway diva extraordinaire thanks to a fantastic character named Eponine from the high acclaimed musical "Les Miserables" and Kim and Ellen's "I Still Believe" from "Miss Saigon".

Until now musicals are my true love.

Still that wasn't my very first dream. This was my first...

When I was 2... I wanted to be a mermaid.

Go on...laugh it off. Done?

Come on! If you were born in the year of 1987, have watched "The Little Mermaid", and is actually a girl...you have got to admit that Ariel was way cool with her flaming red hair, green flippery tail, and her voice of an angel. PLUS, she was a princess! When did you not want to ever be a princess and a mermaid at the same time?! For the love of this mermaid, my cousins and I would pull our legs into the pillow case so we would have flippers as well, and we would pretend to be Ariel in that "rock scene" as the electric fan blew air through our hair. We loved taking baths just so we could use the bathtub and splash around while singing "Part of your World".

Another bonus about being Ariel was having Flounder as a pet. From then on I've always had fish for a pet, until I got older and couldn't stand the smell of them when they died.

My point is, we all have our crazy, fantastic, stellar dreams. Sometimes our very first dream is still what we want the most, but as we grow older, we realize that those dreams are actually really crazy and sometimes unachievable. I realized that I couldn't actually just sprout a tail and gills all in one night. It dawned on me that there were millions of other girls just like me who wanted to be in a band and be a famous pop star. I've accepted the fact that being a Broadway star would possibly take years to achieve. Yet these dreams remain in us and appear in small doses.

I've entered the real world and have decided to stick to my dream of becoming the worlds best neurosurgeon. Service and Passion for others. Although this is so, I still love to belt out a tune or two whenever there are parties, get togethers, and mini-concerts. I still pretend to win a Grammy when I'm in the shower (The shampoo bottle would be my Grammy). Most of the time I still catch myself daydreaming of singing on a stage to a crowd that draws close to a billion. I still absolutely adore the beach, and the bathtub, the rain and... basically water. Whenever I want to get away from the world, I still silently wish that I were a mermaid swimming into the depths of the deep blue.

It's good to escape the real world once in awhile especially when there's too much going on in your life. Remembering your first few dreams and ambitions gives you not just something to laugh about but something that will allow you to see how far you've come in life.

Ask yourself: What was the first dream I've ever conjured in my head? Then ask yourself where you are right now. More often than not, you find little joys in small things like these. And when you're really truly lost...sometimes you find yourself again all because of that crazy dream you had when you were 5.

Pursue your passion. Love what you do. Keep dreaming :)

-Trina Lorenzana

The Most Important Person In The World

2009-12-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

Who are you? A simple enough question—undoubtedly one you should know the answer to. I mean, how could you not, it’s a question about you? Surely no one could know more about you, than you, right? Yet, when you’re asked this question, when can you say you’ve answered it in its truest sense?

Who am I? Shit, I don’t know—well, not entirely anyway. We’ve been so well trained growing up, to look at ourselves from the outside in, instead of the other way around, that it’s only been recently, that I’ve been able to put the pieces together—well some of them anyway. It was a strange feeling to admit to myself that I didn’t know much about me at all. I marveled, at how so much could get lost in the seemingly simple process of aging. I’m just at the beginning of rediscovery. At 21, is that too late? I don’t think so. Shit, I hope not. As a kid, everything was so clear, the future apparent, and obvious. I knew what I wanted; it was just a matter of gaining the ability to do so. So off I went, submerged into the educational system, exposed to overwhelming media, and dictated upon by society. Slowly, as I grew older, what was once so clear started to get replaced by fear, other’s expectations, the reputation you want to uphold, the constraints of “reality”, and countless other factors. Before you know it, it’s all gone, replaced—until you find it again, underneath the fear, expectations, and constraints.

Getting to know oneself is a full-time thing. New pieces of information are given to you through various worldly interactions. It could be as simple as smiling back at someone, holding someone’s gaze, or laughing at a joke. Or it could be something more complex like, mustering the courage to kiss someone, refusing to adhere to common beliefs, exhibiting indifference towards terrorism, or fighting to live your dreams. If this was poker, where every betting round is a chance to gain more information, every check, bet, call, or fold represents new information about you. New information which helps us understand our character. How do I react under pressure? What do I do when presented with a lot of free time? Am I a man/woman of my word? Do I let external factors cloud my judgment? Do I stand up for what I believe in? What do I really want to do? All of these questions can only be answered through experience. As experiences with others shape your perceptions of them, experiences with yourself shape your understanding of you.

In this, lies another challenge. It seems people in general, have no problem in judging people around them—strangers, acquaintances, and even friends. But when it comes to judging ourselves, we tend to be either overly critical, or overly lenient.

There are some of us that just really have high standards, and continue to try to raise those standards whenever the initial standards are met. This is great for developing high-level performances, but has the effect of belittling achievements and playing down skills.

And there are some of us who don’t believe in our capabilities, and let our potential go to waste. It is great for living life with lowered expectations, where great things, are promoted to unbelievable things. Everything is wonderful, but everything is only by chance, and not from your own doing. That’s why it’s so important to go out and do different things—to experience life, act on instinct, get out of the comfort zone and test our limits. It is in this way that we learn about ourselves. Our true selves—not the selves we want to be, or the selves other perceive us as, just oneself.

After understanding the person that you are, another challenge awaits. What if who you want to be, doesn’t coincide with who you have observed yourself to be? It seems this is the battle that is most difficult to fight. Should we let our natural being take charge, or should my ambition drive my life? We are a contrast between who we are and who we want to be. The question is, which side are you leaning on? Is it possible to find equilibrium? Or should the question be asked at all?

Maybe there really is no side to lean on. Maybe it shouldn’t have to be so difficult. Maybe if we all just listened, and I mean truly listened, without bias or influence, we could hear what was once so clear when we were younger. We all know what we have to do in life. We all have that one thing or few things that we do that just embody us and fill us with mind-boggling satisfaction. There never was supposed to be confusion. We were made for this purpose. And we knew it from the beginning—we just forgot. Whether it’s to sing, to dance, to write, make music, design clothing, play basketball, to travel, go on adventures, or whatever it is that floats your boat—it’s time to remember what it is you’re here for. Forget the “safe” road, it doesn’t exist. Generation after generation have fallen victim to the system and conformed to suppress their desires in exchange for security and safety. And what has that led to? The world continues, in and out of financial crisis, war, and terror. Where’s the security, the safety? It’s time to understand that risks are inevitable and must be taken to live the life you always wanted. Go out, live your dreams. Stand up and do it. A wise man named Jason Mraz said, “Leap in, the net will appear.” Life is simple. Listen to your heart and follow. Everything else will fall into place.

We’ve lost ourselves over the years. Every year growing more and more interested in other people while losing touch of ourselves—becoming duplicates of one another. We’ve lived our lives in reverse, placing other people on imaginary pedestals so we can admire them. The most important person in the world isn’t Brad Pitt, Megan Fox, your boss, best friend, boyfriend or girlfriend, or even the United States president Barack Obama himself. That title goes to the person looking back at you in the mirror. That person is you.

- Jing

The one about being thankful.

2009-11-27T06:47:00.000-08:00

I believe that I have to put a disclaimer in this entry before I begin.

I am 22 years old, a first year medical student, and is 100% (plus or minus 10%) Filipino.

With that said, here we go.

Yesterday (November 26, 2009), a holiday which I consider to be very important was celebrated by the other half of the world. It isn't a holiday which we Filipinos celebrate, because it just isn't part of our history. Although this is so, on some level, it is as important to me as it is to the Americans.

Yes, I'm talking about the holiday that's celebrated during the last Thursday of November...

Thanksgiving.

It all started when I was 7 years old, an airplane virgin who was about to embark on her first family trip which entailed more than 4 hours of flying time. I remember how much I dreamt about that day because my boring life was sure to be filled with fun activities that a normal 7 year old would love. There was Disneyworld and Universal Studios in Orlando, the FAO Schwartz in New York, Golden gate in San Francisco, random fun hotels in Las Vagas (sadly, no slot machine yet)... etc. etc. I'm sure you get the picture.

But out of all these activities, one of the most memorable ones happened in a place called Philadelphia.

Believe me when I say that I expected Philly to be the most boring stopover in our agenda. All we were going to do there was visit my Lola's sister (Tita Doya) and her American Husband (Uncle Charlie) whom I both adore deeply. We were going to stay there for a good week, and they had already arranged my 7 day stay. It included the words Apple picking, pumpkin carving, and national parks. Sounds interesting right? Not really if you put yourself in my situation (7 years old and all). You would absolutely dread the very thought of this part of the vacation because you could actually die of boredom. Just imagine, no roller coasters to ride, no caramel covered apple candies, no autograph signing from Mickey and the gang! Just plain old picking fruits and vegetables.

So the first day in Philly came and went.

So did the second, and so did the third.

On the fourth day (the apple picking and pumpkin carving day), by late afternoon I was already tired from choosing apples and placing them in barrels, and carving sad faces on pumpkins. I swore to myself that I would never eat another piece of apple, or pumpkin till the day I died. I was dead set on crawling into bed and sleeping till it was time to leave for the next state. But as I was formulating my "escape" plan in my head, Tita Doya told me that she had prepared something special for me during dinner. All I kept thinking was, please don't let it it be apple strudel or pumpkin pie. I mean, what else would she have done with all those fruits and vegetables?

We were finally called from our room for dinner, and I was dragging my feet half expecting to see at least 3 kinds of apple dishes and 4 kinds of pumpkin pies. But as I entered their dining room, I was absolutely overwhelmed with what I saw.

Their dining table was filled with all sorts of Thanksgiving-y food! There were candied yams which were golden brown and slightly burnt. It was topped off with marshmallows that turned gooey and slid down the sides of the serving dish (just the way I like it). There were mashed potatoes with a hint of garlic and loads of butter which was served in a big bow. Right beside it was the stuffing made out of bread soaked in the turkey base, dried fruit, seasonings, and bread crumbs. Bread pudding made from scratch was already served on our plates individually. Soft rolls fresh out of the oven were placed in a weaved basket. Of course there was cranberry sauce which smelled heavenly, gravy and rice pilaf. And right smack in the center of it all... there was laying in all it's glory...a turkey that looked as if it weighed 10 pounds, oven baked to perfection.

It was beautiful.

And so my family explained how they wanted me to experience a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. They even told me about the Pilgrims and the Indinas, and yes...the famous rock, and how both exchanged a little bit about their culture.

Now I don't really remember the events which lead to this holiday. I don't even know if both parties had ended well. But I was sure, that from that day on...my family would be celebrating this holiday annually.

It was a nice feeling, seeing everyone laugh over good food and great company. We were all there exchanging stories, and memories. Each of us even gave a small speech about what we were thankful for. On that day, I was thankful for family and for my parents who were bent on taking me to Philadelphia. It ended up to be one of the best states in my own version of America's map.

I know you're thinking that it's not common to find a child experiencing a strong connection with her family at such a young age. But there I was, thinking about an escape plan 2 hours ago without knowing that the Thanksgiving dinner we were having would make me who I am today: A person who despite all the chaos in the world, does not forget to be thankful for what she has.

I think it's wonderful to have a holiday which will remind us to be grateful every now and then. It's so difficult now a days to find a single thing to be thankful for. With the busy lives that we lead (may it be with work or school or MEDSCHOOL!) and the problems we encounter, we find that it is so much easier to point out the mistakes and difficulties that we are faced with, rather than to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Sometimes we forget that there is beauty in the breakdown, that life has so much to offer, that we are loved, that we deserve to be loved, and that you're doing okay, because despite all the crappy things thrown at you...you are alive and is capable of doing good.

My name is Trina, I am 22 years old, a medical student and 100% (plus or minus 10%) Filipino.

I am thankful for:

1. My family
2. My friends
3. being able to follow my passion
4. For music
5. For life.

So, what're you thankful for?

P.S. Our desserts during dinner were pumpkin pie and apple strudel. No kidding. :)

-Trina Lorenzana

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

Keep On Moving: The Story of a Cancer Patient

2009-11-18T16:18:00.000-08:00

This is a dedication to all those who have fought, are fighting, and will fight the battle I currently face, so that they might see my story and fight a little longer, cry a little less, and laugh a little more.

I was diagnosed with cancer 2 weeks before my 20^th birthday. The funny thing about being diagnosed is that they don’t actually tell you what you have; instead, they give you a list of confusing adjectives and medical terms all pointing to one big bold word at the bottom of the page – Malignant. The doctor will say something comforting, your parents will cry, and whoever else is in the room will probably feel a discomfort unlike any other they have felt before. You, on the other hand, will only have one question on your mind: “will this kill me?” That’s a tough one, for anyone, especially a 19 year old who thought his chest pains were a result of an armbar gone wrong.

The answer, however, came months before I was diagnosed, in the strangest of places, at the strangest of moments: my first match in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Nationals. I remember it clearly with great regret. It would be my first of two losses in competition, and my opponent’s name still resounds clearly in my head. Christian Quismundo. I remember stepping onto the mat in my Gi, excited, scared, smiling like a retard. The match didn’t end in submission, although it almost did. It began with the regular feeling out process, until I sat down, grabbed a hold of his sleeves, and positioned myself in whats known as a spider guard. Once that happened I felt as if I was in control. I felt as if I could pull this mother off and look like a beast in front of my team.

Lord, how wrong I was. Quismundo was a strong guy, trained for about 2 years more than I did, in both Judo and Jiu-Jitsu, and had a game face that, to be honest, had me worried that urine would leak midway through the match. I felt as if I was in control until about halfway in, when he began passing my guard. I panicked and it wasn’t long before he had me in side mount. That’s when it began. A slow pounding in the upper left side of my chest. A thud thud thud. Not a heartbeat, but a pain that to this day can only be described as your heart humping your lungs. It was horrendous, but momentary. A few seconds later, I was back in the real world, where I was mounted by the Jiu Jitsuka midway through the BJJ nationals. I looked to the sidelines and heard four words from my coach that would define and inspire what was to come in so many ways.

“Angelo, keep on moving.”

At the time I had no idea what they meant, nor what they implied. Sad to say, I did the opposite. I froze, unable to think, trying to scan my brain for whatever escapes I had to side mount. In a few moments, Quismundo had transitioned to a more upright position, with a hold on my left arm. I knew what was coming but was too retarded to do much of anything. I squirmed like the fool I was trying frantically to look like less of an idiot then I already did, but it was too late. Quismundo won on points, and I lost looking like someone straight out of an anti-cocaine infomercial. After the match, my coach, Ali Sulit, looked me in the eyes and said “You should have kept on moving.”

I would remember those words avidly. Especially through out my first few sessions of chemotherapy. Right after the needle leaves your hand. The effects will kick in. I’m sure there have been enough tear-evoking cancer movies to paint an ugly picture. The truth is, it’s not always like the movies. Everyone should know that cancer is not a walk in the park, just like it isnt a death sentence.

However, the hardships one endures throughout the disease require a special strength to be mustered. A strength I was happy to find in the memory of a coach shouting at me whilst a stronger man mounted me. “Keep on moving”. I was happy to do so. I can remember to this day, being in the fetal position, rosary in one hand, Biancas hand in another, slowly whipsering those four words. “Angelo, keep on moving”. Those words became a solemn mantra, after every session, after every blood test, after every hardship that followed.

A few months after the tournament, I was a vague shadow of my former self. Bald, ten pounds lighter, and scared shitless in a sky blue medical gown. My close friends, parents and I were in the PET scan room in St. Luke’s. All of us were wondering what the extent of my cancer was, and whether or not it had spread since my last scan. Luckily it hadn’t, and the only new signs of it were two small specks dispersed on opposite sides of my upper body. Unfortunately, the PET scan also revealed that the tumor was a big one – about the size of my fist, right on top of my heart, and inbetween my lungs. The good news was, the doctors had finally determined what sort of cancer I had: Large B-Cell Lymphoma, which like most cancers these days is treatable and survivable. It also meant that I was a prime candidate for a study, which would not only pay for my treatments but give me the most advanced medicine the modern world was aware of.

It wasnt long before the blood tests, ct scans, injections, and even the chemotherapy became routine. The discomfort was easier to deal with, and the drama eventually subsided. Surprisngly, I started gaining weight, laughing more, even grappling a little in my living room when my brothers and friends were up to it. The CT scans began to show signs of shrinkage, and that feeling of relief slowly began to sit in. I was getting better.

Only then did I realize that the question I had asked myself all those months ago had an answer. However, it wasnt the one I was looking for, the reason being that no doctor will assure your survival nor will they resign you to your doom. The answer is: do not ask yourself whether or not you will live or die. Do not ask your self what your chances are. Ask yourself the purest question asked by every honorable human being who has seen what is to come and was frightened that it may take his life.

Will I keep on moving, no matter what the outcome?

You will always find that the most inspiring stories are not of men and women who have survived, but those who have passed, and had fought for their lives with the strength and passion that each life is worth fighting for. The individuals who stared the possibility of death in the eye and in the words of Edmond Dantes, said ‘Do your worst…for I will do mine’, because, unlike Quismundo, cancer cannot win on points. There is no bell to signal the end of the match. There is only you and that voice in the sidelines. Listen to it. Smile, and be brave. Keep on moving.

- Angelo Gayanelo

Make Everyday Count!

2009-10-30T05:25:00.000-07:00

We have 24 hours in a day.

Assuming you hate your job, subtract 8 hours. This is your 9-5er. You have 16 hours left. If you like sleeping, subtract another 8. This leaves you with 8 hours per day to do what you love doing.

This means that in a day, you have 8 hours to pay your rent. Your credit card bills. Your electric bills. Your mobile phone bills. Your mortgage. All those things in life which the ending balance must be zero.

In that same time span, you must also make time for all the things you deem fun. Movies, photography, sports, music, even softcore pornography. I turned 25 recently and I've been thinking about the time we have left to indulge in our passions. Assuming you are my age, in a couple of years time, you shall be thinking about mortgage bills, insurance fees, cost of having a kid, even a car loan for a car you don't like.

My point being? Make everyday count. Life is too short to waste your time watching mindless T.V. shows or playing (a lot) of video games. There is a lot that life has to offer! Get up, and grab it by the cojones. Do what you love doing. Be passionate about something. Go ape shit once in a while. If you don't go crazy now, when will you?

Love basketball? Go ahead and shoot hoops till you can't see the hoop in the darkness anymore. It worked for Michael Jordan. Love photography? Go ahead and share your work. Always had a happy crush on that girl on facebook? Go ahead and send her a message. Down the line its better to have a good laugh about a Facebook hookup attempt gone wrong than to think about the possibilities and that you should have just done it. Remember, lack of action is a prelude to regret.

Make everyday count. Sure, you can always "do it" tomorrow, but hey man, you can use tomorrow to pursue another passion.

-Nino de Jesus

Environmental Age

2009-10-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

Want to help out but don't know where to begin? Let me give you an idea where you can start.

- Pat Jamlang

Information by Daniel Donahoo

2009-10-17T00:49:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd share some spoken word with you. It made me think. Hopefully it does the same to you.

Listen. Reflect. Share.

- Pat Jamlang

She closes the lid
and unplugs the device
no bigger than her thumb
from the computer.

My life's work, she says. But, it isn't her life's work.

You see, we store information like an Escher painting.
It shouldn't all fit in there. But, it does.
And every day we manage to fit more and more into smaller and smaller spaces until one day
she says,
we will be able to fit all the information the world has
everything that everyone knows and believes and dreams
into nothing.

It will all be there. Stored and filed.
Tagged with any keywords you might imagine.

Our hard drives will be thin air.

They will make nanobots look like elephants.
And elephants will be in there too. Tagged. Accessible with search terms
like grey, ivory,
and the largest land dwelling mammal

We will process away at nothing and understand everything.
We will think of a word and the information will slip in, not through our ears or eyes
but straight thorough our skin. Information will breathe in and out of us,
permeate our skin.

Our knowing will be as deep as it is wide.
You see our work here is to learn so much,

to be so full of knowing,
that all there is left to do is unlearn.

Humanity must get to a point where we let go.
We leave the useless ideas and the spent ideologies in the recycle bin.
like an adolescent brain shedding neurons.
like a snake slithering from its old skin.
like an old man who has come to understand so well the point where reality meets the intangible that he is able to decide which breath will be his last. And, he will enjoy that breath more than any that he has taken in his entire life.

And, her life's work is more than a four meg flash drive.

My life's work, she says, is the impact that this has.

This is not about what I produce. It is all about what others receive.

Hesitation

2009-09-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

How sure can you be of anything? Everyday we're faced with uncertainty where we either sit back and wait for something to happen, or take the risk and see where it goes. I've always been the type to play it safe, very passive, making justifications in my head why I shouldn't go for something. I guess part of it is because things went my way a lot when I was young where I didn't feel the need to be aggressive. It got to a point though where I was sick of making excuses for myself and the number of missed opportunities stacked up, when I realized hesitation is a regret waiting to happen.

The last couple of years have been an eye-opener for me. I've reached a sense of clarity where there's direction. I’m learning more about myself everyday, who I really am, what I want, and where I want to go. But one thing that’s still holding me back at times is hesitation, particularly when what’s on the line is something I really want. I do believe change takes time, especially when you’ve been conditioned to think and act a certain way for awhile. It’s difficult to just break that. I sometimes hate myself though for not being able to overcome a reason to why I still hold back when I know I should just go for it and accept the possible consequences with a smile, knowing I took a chance to find out rather than wondering what if.

I’ve been on a mission to break bad habits and just let myself go. For awhile I thought I could think myself into doing things but I’ve realized I need to act to prove that I’ve overcome a fear. We tend to hold back because we over-think, making assumptions that most of the time don’t even happen. So why do we do it? Why do we find ways to hold ourselves back? I guess our minds just love excuses, because it’s easier to back out than to put yourself on the line.

Sometimes we don’t realize the possibilities of success because we hesitate, missing out on opportunities that could have gotten us closer to where we want to go. I don’t know about you, but I hate that feeling. For me it’s not enough to just know what is right, but to prove it to myself through action. That’s why this year I’ve taken more risks. Not everything went my way but knowing I took chances gives me a sense of ease.

So I say let yourself go. It’s an ongoing battle but you know what to do, it’s just the action that’s left to be done. Sometimes you’re just a step away from what you want. Don’t let hesitation take the better of you.

- Pat Jamlang

Appreciate

2009-09-14T03:40:00.000-07:00

I always end my radio show with what I call as the "Morning kick-off quote/tip of the day" to help start people's day off with a positive mindset. Most of the time, how you start off your morning affects the rest of your day. Being that my show ends at 6am, I always make it a point to get people in the mood to be productive and motivated whether through the songs I play or with what I talk about. I left them with a simple tip last week that goes, "Appreciate what you have." It's really simple but sometimes the simplest statements make the biggest impact. As long as there's substance and great intention behind it, it can really move people. Sometimes we tend to complicate matters to the point that we fill up our minds with worries that will most likely not even materialize.

"Appreciate what you have." Having the attitude of gratitude is key. Sometimes we focus so much on what we don't have that we fail to appreciate what we do have. We stress ourselves out asking for more all the time that we take for granted what is present in our lives. Let's be grateful not just for our material possessions, but most importantly the people that we surround ourselves with. Our families, loved ones, friends, work mates, etc. We also have to be thankful for where we are today, our experiences, and the lessons we've taken with us. There are so much to be grateful for and sometimes we just need to take a break from the fast paced lifestyle we live and take in all the blessings that have entered our lives. It feels good. You realize that life is not as bad as people say it to be.

You always have a choice. A lot of what happens in your life starts in your head. So put yourself in a positive mindset and start appreciating what you have, even the little things. Fill yourself up with all that positive energy and focus it on something great. Feel blessed. Feel good. Be grateful!

- Pat Jamlang

Wanna bet?

2009-08-19T17:06:00.000-07:00

The anticipation alone hypes it up. You can have two turtles racing and you'd probably catch yourself cheering your ass off. Shit can get intense!

Ever since I became a big fan of mixed martial arts, which I believe is a sport that can be so unpredictable, I've been putting things on the line as a way of getting more involved in the fights. Following the sport for awhile now, I always have a feeling I have the upper hand when it comes to betting. That doesn't seem to be the case though as I still owe a friend of mine a fro-yo and a freak nasty dance on command, so hopefully she doesn't read this so she won't remember. She's just too lucky to bet against. Either that or I've just been making some bad choices... Nah, she's just really lucky. Haha!

Josh Strike, who's also a radio jock from Magic 89.9, wanted to bet with me on the Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin fight in UFC 101. I took it on and picked Forrest to win because I wanted to root for the underdog. Forrest ends up getting his jaw broken, lost his hearing, and got knocked out. What was the consequence? It had to do something with nipples and a rubber band.

How did it feel? It stung like a bitch! There had to be another way for me to get back at him. Next bet, Ateneo vs La Salle. Even though I'm from La Salle, I had to pick the smarter choice and for the first time it felt good to be a traitor. Ateneo wins convincingly and now it's Josh Strike's turn to suffer the consequence. Five shots of hot sauce? Payback's a bitch! Bottom's up!

I don't know what else we can come up with in the future, but I guess that's the fun of it. Sky's the limit! So use your creativity to the point that whether you win or lose, you'll still have fun! So you wanna bet?

- Pat Jamlang

Switch It Up

2009-08-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

Got home from a night out at a time that's late for many but still early for me. I love the silence that the late night brings. I've grown to appreciate it and just feel one with myself. That sounds hella dramatic for some reason or could pass as trying too hard to appear deep, but it's like spending time with your mind with no distractions. The calmness allows you to just let go and focus on whatever enters your consciousness.

This year has been an eye-opener for me. Though many think that with clarity comes certainty, for me I realized that with clarity comes appreciation. The more I know, the more I appreciate how everything works and are interconnected. It's funny how when you come to realize something, you ask where your mind has been all along because some are so obvious and simple you wonder how you've missed it all this time. One thing that I have come to apply is keeping things fresh and never keeping the mind idle. It's all about switching things up.

When you work out, they always say to never do the same exercises over and over again if you want to see results. You have to keep the muscles guessing. The same goes with your mind. It gets bored quick and without a switch up, it'll lose motivation and inspiration. It'll be used to a routine and be content with it. Habits are formed and you wonder why it's so hard to break out from it. You need to push your mind not by simply willing it, but by providing a lifestyle where it can flourish and explore.

The mind loves challenges and spontaneity. Keep it guessing. It's in our nature to explore and not sit still. Staying in one place is wasted potential. By simply inserting fun in what we engage in makes us move. It makes use of our imagination and creativity. As Einstein once said, "imagination is more important than knowledge."

Switch things up. Try something new every week. Instead of going to the same club every weekend, try out a different scene. Eat at a new restaurant. Explore other hobbies. Meet new people. Help somebody out. Travel. Try something different at work. Read a new book. Delve into art. Change your hairstyle. Learn a new sport. I can go on and on. You just need to appreciate stepping out of your comfort zone. Even the little changes help keep things fresh. Whatever you decide to do, remember to have fun doing it. Explore, experiment, take risks, and surprise yourself.

To quote Einstein again, "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." We're like ships, we're not made to stay at the port. Switch things up and your mind will learn to keep things fresh.

- Pat Jamlang

Wonder

2009-07-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's that time again where I feel like just letting whatever's on my mind go. Just typing away not knowing where this entry will lead. I've grown to like it that way. I guess there's that excitement that goes along with not knowing what you can come up with on the fly. Just taking out the idea of how things are "supposed" to be and just basically flowing with whatever energy that has got me started.

It reminds me of uncertainty. That probably doesn't make any sense to you but I've realized that that's what 2009 has been about for me so far. I see myself like a tree with never ending branches. At times I feel lost within myself, in exploration mode, with curiousity leading the way. Most of the time I have no idea where it's taking me, but I know that as long as I stay "me," I'm still "home".

It's crazy how life can show you so much wonder if only you embrace uncertainty. If you can grasp that idea instead of trying to control the outcome of every decision you make, maybe you'll enjoy the ride a little more. To me, the knowing of not knowing brings about thrill and excitement. Imagine a life full of surprises. What's next? I don't know, let's find out!

Life is uncertain no matter how well we plan for it. It might sound depressing but that's actually where wonder lies. Uncertainty is wonder.

Here are a couple of lines from a song I just wrote last week called "Wonder" that I'd like to share with you.

...life remains a mystery,
the unpredictability opens doors to the world of insecurity
but freedom lies in this given state of mind
the knowing of not knowing gives purpose throughout our time
so, if you went and asked me, where am I destined to go?
I'm just enjoying the ride cause I'd rather not know...

- Pat Jamlang

A fight worth fighting for.

2009-06-24T06:10:00.000-07:00

A wise woman named Peyton Sawyer once said:

"Isn't it so much better to be fighting for something, rather than fighting over something?"

It was a normal day; a kind of day where I didn't feel like listening to music too much. Truly, those are very rare occasions because everyone who knows me understands how much a part of my life music really is. Instead of blasting my ears with the normal tunes I would listen to, I figured I would fill my brain with the musings of Ms. P. Sawyer.

There I was on my way home listening to the wise words that she could possibly impart, and this one really struck me...hard. I have around 14 or so podcasts made by her, but this one is def. one of my favorites.

Don't you think it's true though? Sometimes, I think that us humans can be so preoccupied with "life" as we know it, that we zone into stupidity without even realizing it. We tend to over analyze words, over think a measly situation, and most especially fight over the most inutile occurrences. Sometimes we get so wrapped up with our emotions, that there's nothing left to do but burst into pieces and then in the end, realize how utterly humiliating and wrong we were due to the decisions we made and words we said.

Awhile ago Marice (a friend of mine) and I were talking like we always did in her condo, and one of today's topics was our college days gone by. In a week it will all be over. College as we know it. I told her that there will be so many things I would miss about that chapter in my life, and it scared me a little because I could actually see the future of our friendships. Some disintegrating, others stronger, most...would be stagnant.

Anyway, an...errr...old friend of ours came to mind, and I told her that I might possibly miss this old friend. I had to laugh right after though, because V (Marice)...being the person she is immediately pointed out that she would not. It is true though, come to think about it...having that person in my life was just stressful, and sad. That relationship just really brought out the worst in me, even if I believe that most of the time...I was correct. I was a beast...a monster that just wanted to devour that person whole because of my resentment and anger. I then realized how much time and energy I wasted during those terms just being angry and a total bitch. It was not worth it. I accept that it hurt me because we were close...hahaha or so I thought. But the truth is sometimes life screws you over like that and we just have to accept it. We eventually fixed things...and now we're civil and it works best like this.

I totally digress, but my point is, I look back on it, and realize how much time we wasted fighting over something. I was stubborn, and mean, but during that time I thought that it was something that I had to do to be able to make that person see the huge chaos that was made just by the random personalities that were elicited.

Think about it people, life may screw us over and over again, lemons may be thrown towards us from left and right, huge boulders will be placed on our shoulders every now and then...and we sometimes are too busy to even see this that in the end we blame other people and pick fights. Next time, maybe we should just unscrew the mistake, make lemonade or drink tequila, (if you're weight conscious or allergic, then a lemon cooler perhaps) and turn the boulders into rubble by analyzing the situation, trying to see the right path to take...and realizing that these fights are infantile.

It's difficult just thinking about it, but let's go and try to fight for something...rather than over something.

Now THAT would be a wonderful change.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I wrote this a little over less than a year. August 22, 2008 to be exact. And I just realized that there are some old writings of mine that I'd like to share with you readers.

This is one of the many, and an important one I think. So check back every now and then, because it's good that we all learn a little something :)

Post Script: Wanna fight for something? Look for a good cause, there's plenty out there that I'm sure you guys can participate in. Find one that suits you. Give that a try today!

-Trina Lorenzana

It's been minutes, it's been days,
it's been all I will remember
Happy lost in your hair
and the cold side of the pillow
Your hills and valleys are mapped
by my intrepid fingers
And in a naked slumber,
I dream all this again

Dancing With The Universe

2009-06-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

He danced like no one was watching.

But the whole world did watch.

And the whole world got into it.

A friend of mine sent this over as an invitation to leave our desks and see the world. It was the jolt I needed to get back to turning my want-to's to just-did's. Hope it inspires you to do the same.

Dance with me now...

More information on: www.wherethehellismatt.com

- Cookie

Choices

2009-06-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

I don’t know what it is, but I’ve had this urge to write these past few days. What about, you ask? I have no idea! But something always comes out from nothing so we’ll see where this one goes.

I just came home from doing a radio show and I realize how blessed I am to be able to do what I love every week. I wake up everyday wanting to go to work. Now when was the last time you heard somebody say that? It’s not rare to meet people who really love what they do but it’s definitely not the majority.

I realize that your job should not be treated as if you’re still a kid back in school, looking forward to the breaks and the time you finally get to head home. I do believe that we all need to take a breather from time to time but there’s a difference between wanting and needing to take a break. I see it everyday, people bitching about their jobs that take up almost half of their day, five to six days a week. Why keep doing it?

Maybe that’s the reason why everybody seems to be looking for an escape nowadays. Some take time to travel, engage in sports, or get lost in art. It’s different for everybody. I say whatever gets your mind right then go for it. But what is it that we’re really escaping from? I realize that when you feel purpose in what you do, and you feel strongly about it in your core, why would you want to escape from that?

I noticed that I’ve asked several questions in this entry already, but it’s through inquiring that we open doors to the unknown. We need to take the journey within to get a familiarization of a new way of being. That sounds like something a monk would say, but I find truth in it.

So let me ask you, do you feel the purpose in what you do or are you just represented by the amount you get paid? Remember that it’s the choices we make that determine the quality of our experiences. I hope you start making the right ones.

- Pat Jamlang

Dear Stranger, I wish you one amazing kickass day! :)

2009-06-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

To every little good thing in life, Cheers!

- Paulina

Life will always be la vie en rose....

2009-06-07T00:43:00.000-07:00

As I write this, I'm actually sitting here and multitasking- painting, thinking of stores I can pullout from for some up and coming shoots and writing my next article for Inquirer.

Life wasn't always like this for me. It wasn't filled with photo shoots, meeting well- known and very talented people especially from the fashion industry, writing for a credible and well- respected newspaper and just filled with excitement, hard work, passion and good ol' fun. So a thought that seems to always find its way to my mind, especially on those rare occasions when I'm just relaxing at home, enabled me to write this article. How did I get to achieve and experience the things I never thought I would....

Well I suppose this dream of mine started when I was a little girl. Though I was boyish, getting into all kinds of trouble my 3 older brothers got themselves into, somehow I always found myself in my mom's closet, playing dress-up. This is where my love of fashion and everything beautiful began. Art, and creativity whether in the articles I've read, paintings I've seen and fashion editorials I've stared at for days, always fascinated me. At such a young age, I found myself painting, sketching, tweaking my clothes, making little knick knacks, and collecting books and magazines with beautiful pictures. I started collecting magazines like Vogue (which started when I saw my mom's own collection), Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Elle etc. not just for the fashion editorials but also for their articles. For others, it's just fashion, nothing more, nothing less. For me, it's another form of self- expression just like music, paintings, etc. It's like writing an article, in which you talk about your views and opinions on things but just more visual. You show others what you want them to see or what you want them to know about you. But don't get me wrong, I didn't know what I wanted from the get- go. It wasn’t only until early last year when I got out of my comfort zone and pushed myself to pursue the things I wanted. A lot of luck, passion and hard work got me to where I am today. I still have a long way to go but this is definitely the start of fulfilling my dreams.

Now, I occasionally write for Inquirer’s Lifestyle Section and I also have contributed to magazines such as Marie Claire (which I miss very much), Chalk, You, and Preview. I used to abhor writing essays when I was in High School but when my first article was published, I’ve grown to love writing since then. My love of styling on the other hand started when I interned in Marie Claire and I met Pam Quinones, whose work I’ve admired for years. I see her as my mentor and to this day, she may not be aware of it, I continue to learn a lot from her about styling, and even about life- how difficult it can be sometimes and how fulfilling it can be as well. Through my internship in Marie Claire, I was able to be a contributing stylist there, for Preview and even style for other publications. I was also able to help style for commercials, print ads and shows. Of course I had my share of ups and downs since I was spreading myself too thin with the demands of my work and my studies and I had to deal with my parents’ wavering support every time I had a shoot, but, I always tried to see the brighter side of things or the silver lining in every cloud. I stayed determined to excel in everything I put my heart into because at the end of the day, no amount of stress and difficulty can equal the sense of fulfillment I get when I see the finished product knowing that I did my job to the best of my ability.

As I’ve said, I still have a long way to go but where I am now is definitely a good start of brighter things to come. I say, do what you feel in your heart to be right and stop second- guessing yourself because you’ll never be able to start pursuing your dreams. Life is, after all, what we make it.

If you wanna know more about the nitty- gritty that come with the job/s, watch out for more posts. Till next time!

- Cit Cit

How Bad Do You Want It?

2009-06-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

How far will you go for P1K worth of Timezone GCs? Apparently a friend of mine, who was addicted to Tekken, was willing to get choked out for it. It started out as a bet that ended up being more of a challenge if I could put him to sleep in under five seconds. I love questioning the possibilities of whether I can or can't do something. I like testing myself and I'm always intrigued to find out the answer to "what ifs." So could I put him to sleep in five seconds? There was only one way to find out.

I've never had anyone volunteer to get choked out before so in the spirit of trying out something new that day, I went ahead and gave it a try. I've been training jiu-jitsu for a little over three years now, so I know how to apply a rear naked choke with control. When applied correctly, it only takes 3-5 seconds to put someone to sleep. Please DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME if you don't know what you're doing. You could seriously injure someone.

Joe Rogan applying the rear naked choke. This guy goes out quick!

Here's Randy Couture choking out a girl. If there was no time limit, I would've applied the choke gradually like you'll see in this video.

- Pat Jamlang

Someday.

2009-06-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

When I was 7... I had a family friend who was diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 8. His name was Mico, and at that time he was really one of my best guy friends. He was very thoughtful, and loving, and fun to play power rangers with.

One day we visited him in the hospital and found him in the ICU. I could see him through the glass window in his isolated quarter. He was unconscious or probably sleeping, and to me he looked so different. All I knew was he was sick with cancer, but had absolutely NO IDEA what that was. He was frail and looked so much older. I could even see the scar on the back of his neck due to his operation.

There was only one other man in the room with Mico, and he was wearing a white coat. I turned to my mum who was beside me and asked who that man was. She looked down at me, and this is what she said: "That's Mico's doctor. He's going to cure Mico."

From then on I wanted to be a doctor. I dreamed of wearing the white coat and planned to heal my friend.

As I got older different specializations were attached to my dream.

When I was in grade 6 I wanted to be a surgeon.

When I stepped into college after taking up BIOPSYCH, I wanted to be a neurosurgeon.

Now that I have graduated, it hasn't changed. I still want to be a neurosurgeon...and a damn good one if it's possible.

That dream of becoming a doctor was formulated 14 years ago. I am now turning 22, and entering med school this coming June. In fact, I just paid for my enrollment fee at exactly 5:03pm today (I took note of it because I felt like it was a historic moment in my life).

I never thought of any other profession as I was growing up, unless of course it was something unattainable like being a pop star or a mermaid with free flowing red hair. Whenever an adult would ask me what I wanted to be when I got older, I always responded with three words: A great doctor.

I graduated on October last year, and for 9 months I did nothing but bum around, eat, watch re-runs of my favorite TV shows and hang out with my friends. I couldn't wait for the time to come for me to actually step into my future of becoming Dr. Lorenzana M.D. So of course I did what anyone with burning passion for what they dreamed of becoming would do. I fixed all my necessary papers, applied to my preferred med schools, and prayed to God that I get in.

UST was my first choice. I was denied.

UE came in second place, and I was so sure that I would get in.

I was wait listed. Since May 4 (after my interview) I've been praying knowing in my heart that God would grant me my wish because it was me! The girl who wanted to become a doctor since she could ever remember. The girl who knew what her life's purpose was before she could even do algebra.

They put me on hold, and would ask me to call back to follow up. I did so profusely. Every single day for 31 days I would call. Every hour within the day I would call. And their answer was always "Wala pa pong list". I gave myself a deadline. Today, June 04, 2009, at 5p.m. sharp...if they still don't have a list, I'm going to enroll in my third chosen school.

So at 4:59 p.m. I called UERM up, asked the same question...and got the same answer. I then was accompanied by my mother to the basement of the school (that's where the cashier was found), and I handed in a check to seal the deal with my third chosen school. Right after the receipt was grasped by my hand, I cried.

I cried silent tears and my mother cried with me. She hugged me knowing the struggle I was in. I really wanted to get into UE, not just because it was a kick ass medical school, but because I also wanted a different environment. I've been sheltered my whole life, and I figured it would be a great adventure to see the world in the eyes of something new. That part excited me.

And as I was crying, my mother just hugged me and consoled me, and told me she understood. After a few more minutes she held my hand and told me that I had to move on. She told me that it was fine to let it out, but it's also time to let it go. I knew she was right. I had to get a hold of the fact that UE is not part of my future anymore, but this was. And truthfully, there's only so much you can do with what could be, and so much you can do with what is.

So why did I share this lengthy story with you? Because if there's one thing that I believe...it's that in life,

In the beginning though it all seems so murky, and unfair, and just pretty darn awful to not get things going your way. But eventually you'll see the reason why. You'll see God's purpose for leading you to another direction. It doesn't necessarily mean that he'll make you see it right away, but eventually he will. And you'll understand.

I don't know why I didn't get what I wanted. I honestly did everything that I could which induced me to stress out, cry buckets of tears, and snap at random people. It still confuses me, and I'm sure I'll continue being confused for awhile. But I am certain that one day, when I'm in the middle of studying at 4am in the morning for an exam at 8am the next day, or as I talk to a patient for a consultation when I have established my own clinic...He'll finally show me the answer to my question.

And I know that when that time comes, there's a possibility that I'll thank him for directing me to this path...instead of the one that leads to #64 Barangay Doña Imelda, Aurora Blvd., Quezon City.

Everything does happen for a reason. Never ever doubt that.

It's alright, I'm okay
I think God can explain.
I'm relieved, I'm relaxed
I'll get over it yeah.

- Trina Lorenzana

Try Something New

2009-06-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

Do you feel like you've been living a routine lately? Same shit different day? It's important to switch things up, and venture into the unknown. Get out of your comfort zone and feed your curiosity. Don't tell yourself you don't have time. As they say, if you got time to take a shit, you got time to read a book! Here's one thing I did during the summer that you might want to try out!

- Pat Jamlang

Do you want to get lost with us too?

2009-06-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

There's this "thing" that I do whenever I feel like I'm lost. May it be that I'm at a loss for the right words to say, or something deeper like losing my own sense of self. I do this often, not because I need to, but because let's just say --it's partly fun. My solution to finding myself again? It's very simple. I get lost even further.

I bet you're a bit confused so let me explain. What I meant by getting lost is that I get lost in the music. Whenever life throws me lemons, I don't make lemonade...heck I don't even make tequila! When life throws me lemons, I grab my i-pod, turn up the volume to 13, and get lost in the damn music.

I love how the melody rushes through my system, how the lyrics calm me down, or build me up, how the beat resonates in my body, and how for just five minutes, the world isn't the world... but is actually the world as I know it.

I adore how one song means the universe to my being, yet at the same time it means absolutely nothing to the person right next to me. It's amazing how it speaks to you in ways that only God and yourself can understand, and how everything just gets better after hearing a particular line or phrase in a song.

I believe that life is different for everybody. Pat recently mentioned that for him, life is like art. Others say life is falling madly in love. The rest say that life is a box of chocolates. My take on it is that life is definitely just like the music.

Everyone dances to a different tune, though sometimes two people find that they enjoy the same type of music. Some like it fast, some like it mellow, most are way too busy listening to the beat to the point that they miss the important message. Others, well others just like it the way it is.

We all have our different mechanisms for coping with life. For me, the best way is to listen to a song, turn up the volume, maybe dance your ass off a little bit...then get lost in it. And when you feel like you're ready, as the music comes to an end...you go and find yourself again.

Now, after reading what we've just written, we want to know your take on it.

Do you get lost in the music too?
Do you dance to a different beat?
Do you hear the same tune as we do?
How is life as you know it?

Welcome to Because I Am.

A blog which consists of people with different views on life and plenty to offer.

We're doing this for the people out there who just is...for people who want to get their voice heard, people who want the good to win over evil, and for people who just believe that there's something out there worth talking about.

Tell us what you think, because we pretty much believe that you are too.

Whenever I end my posts, I usually put a few lines from a song at the bottom right of the page, but for now let me end it with this...a song I more often than not choose to get lost into:

Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back to the Milky Way
And tell me, did Venus blow your mind
Was it everything you wanted to find
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there
-"Drops of Jupiter" by Train

So, do you want to get lost with us too?

- Trina Lorenzana

Just Be

2009-05-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

I feel that people have forgotten that the world is our playground, so play! It has so much to offer, which at times we fail to see because of today’s fast paced lifestyle. So slow down, take a step back, and enjoy life for what it is!

To me, life is like art. What is art if you can’t let yourself go in it and just be? Sometimes we get caught up in the game with our minds wrapped around the idea of how things are “supposed” to be, that we lose ourselves in it.

So take the steps to get a sense of clarity beyond reality. Who are you? What do you want to do? Where do you want to be? Discover yourself and let go. The road to self-discovery begins when you just be.

- Pat Jamlang