Sunday, February 28, 2010

The 2010 Winter Olympics

I'm watching the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics and I'm enjoying the show, every bit of it! Canada, Northern America, one of the coldest places in the world, yet the warmest people!! They're beautiful!!

Thank you, Canada, for hosting this year's Winter Olympics. Some of the athletes that stood out were Apollo Ohno, Shaun White, Lindsey Vonn, Kim Yu-Na, but the one who stole our hearts was JOANNIE ROCHETTE!! God bless her and her family. God bless Canada.

Wealth and Abundance

One of Deepak Chopra's favorite stories about Maharishi was when they were talking about a world peace project Maharishi had in mind. Somebody in the group asked Maharishi where the money was going to come from. And without hesitation, Maharishi answered, "From wherever it is at the moment."

Unbounded, at the Source, he knew.

Recently, or shall I say, finally, I had this experience of unboundedness, of abundance, now I'm full... FULL & FULFILLED.

Jai Guru Dev.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Inspiring... and Inspired!

I called up work yesterday and Na, our lab assistant, who answered, says, "Hey, when are you coming back? It's not the same without you here, you know." - Sweet, isn't that!

I tell you, how much do CLS earn - $40s, 50s, 60s more or less/hour DOE.
And how much do words of encouragement like that cost - priceless!

Unrequited Love

Love calls
No answer
Nothing.

New Template

In the beginning of my blog last year, I started off with a black template, because, being new, I said on my post, Prelude Reviewed (August 2009), I felt like I was in the dark, thus black. But I love the color black too.

Anyway, I've decided to change the color. I thought it was time. It just feels "freer" for me.

Actually, I first had this strong inclination when something woke me up at 3 in the morning last December and told me to write about how I was feeling that moment. That's when I came out with my post, Free. That's what I felt! And I knew then it was time to change the template but I didn't know how. I wasn't sure if I should create a new blog to keep the old template the way it was.

Finally, it is time. Believe me, I would rather keep the black for last year's and have a new template starting with "Free", cause it just feels appropriate. Until I learn how to do that, (can anybody here help me with that?), this is my new template. I'm ready to be "in the light" now.

So, welcome and welcome back...

Confessions of a Cathoholic

Got this on email and it's so funny you'll enjoy it - Re: Catholic Info (DO NOT DIVULGE TO HEATHENS)
This information is for Catholics only.

It must not be divulged to non-Catholics.

The less they know about our rituals and top secret code words, the better off they are.

AMEN: The only part of a prayer that everyone knows.

BULLETIN: Your receipt for attending Mass.

CHOIR: A group of people whose singing allows the rest of the Parish to lip-sync.

HOLY WATER: A liquid whose chemical formula is H2OLY.

HYMN: A song of praise usually sung in a key three octaves higher than that of the congregation's range.

RECESSIONAL HYMN: The last song at Mass often sung a little more quietly, since most of the people have already left.

INCENSE: Holy Smoke!

JESUITS: An order of priests known for their ability to find colleges with good basketball teams.

JONAH: The original 'Jaws' story.

JUSTICE: When kids have kids of their own.

KYRIE ELEISON: The only Greek words that most Catholics can recognize besides gyros and baklava. (for you non-Catholics it means Lord have mercy)

MAGI: The most famous trio to attend a baby shower.

MANGER: Where Mary gave birth to Jesus because Joseph wasn't covered by an HMO. (The Bible's way of showing us that holiday travel has always been rough.)

PEW: A medieval torture device still found in Catholic churches.

PROCESSION: The ceremonial formation at the beginning of Mass consisting of altar servers, the celebrant, and late parishioners looking for seats.

RECESSIONAL: The ceremonial procession at the conclusion of Mass led by parishioners trying to beat the crowd to the parking lot.

RELICS: People who have been going to Mass for so long, they actually know when to sit, kneel, and stand.

TEN COMMANDMENTS: The most important Top Ten list not given by David Letterman.

USHERS: The only people in the parish who don't know the seating capacity of a pew.

Little known facts about the Catholic Church in Las Vegas :

There are more churches in LasVegas than casinos. During Sunday services at the offertory, some worshippers contribute casino chips as opposed to cash. Some are sharing their winnings - some are hoping to win. Since they get chips from so many different casinos, and they are worth money, the Catholic churches are required to send all the chips into the diocese for sorting. Once sorted into the respective casino chips, one junior priest takes the chips and makes the rounds to the casinos turning chips into cash. And he, of course, is known as The Chip Monk.

A Personal Letter to Joannie Rochette

Dear Joannie,
You have captured the world with your exquisite performance last night at the finals of the Winter Olympics following your mother's death only 4 days ago! I didn't want to watch you for fear that if you fell, etc., it would be another heartbreak for you and I didn't want to see that. I just prayed very hard that your performance would be perfect, that in the end, you would just be happy and proud, knowing you gave it all you've got, and especially doing it for your beloved mother. I purposedly didn't watch your short program after reading the news about your mom's. I just couldn't take it. I only watched it after I heard on TV that you were on third place so far, so I knew you did well and what an heroic performance! Last night, up to the last minute, I wasn't sure if I could watch you or not, but when I saw your face, I thought, "I can't miss this."

You got the whole audience on their feet, including me in my living room, for your performance of your lifetime and your receiving the bronze for yourself, your country and for your mother.

You stole our hearts! You're an inspiration to the world.

And such poise! I saw how you held back your tears while the National Anthem of South Korea for Kim Yu-Na was being played, not wanting to attract attention, but rather, giving the space and moment to Kim. Your mom is so proud of you. Let's not forget your dad who was proudly standing in the audience cheering for you.

Your performance was superb! Your winning the medal is great, I bet, most fulfilling for you, your family and your country! But your courage and determination amidst your family tragedy is priceless! It is your greatest accomplishment in life, your legacy to the whole world!!

Thank you.

With great love and admiration and respect,

Socorro

Thursday, February 18, 2010

A Smile from the Moon

Moon starts waxing! That must have been the longest waning moon! The other night, while I was in the car... finally, the moon was "smiling" a tiny lil' smile at me as it begins to move from new moon towards full. Thank God, I needed that. Lifted me up real good!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

2 Special Occasions in 1 Day!

Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Chinese New Year!!
What a day to start the New Year - on the most love-filled day of the year! Way to go on Valentine's Day - new beginnings!

Here's to life, to health, to love, music and you!

It's Valentine...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! Exactly midnight...

Luv ya...Goodnght. Sweet dreams...

Saturday, February 13, 2010

The Creative Panhandlers

Some beggars have such a great sense of humor you just can't ignore them. We've seen those cards that say, "WHY LIE? JUST WANT A BEER."

Then there are those who'll open the door for you like at the Post Office or direct you to a parking space and hope you'll give them some change. On one hand it may seem abrasive. On the other hand, hey, they're finding ways to "work" instead of just sitting down on the streets and beg! I commend them for that. Plus they smile whether you give them or not anyway. They're just hoping we'll give them some. So we can't be rough on them.

One of the funniest things that happened to me was when I was walking downtown many years ago with a bag of Mrs. Fields cookies. Yes, that was a long time ago, well, not so long ago, when I'd get myself a bag of Mrs. Fields almost everyday, and not share them with anyone. I'm done with that now.
Anyway, a blind woman, or seemingly blind, as she was wearing big sunglasses like what blind people wear, was walking with her cane. It was not the typical white cane for the blind. She was coming towards me. When she was right in front of me, she asked, "Change for the blind?"
I ignored her. I walked past her, making sure I didn't hit her. But before I could totally go past her, she says, "What about 'em cookies??"

Well... when I was living in Southern California, in a great neighborhood, there was this Oriental lady, in her 30s, 40s, and, mind you, quite attractive. She must be Korean cause Korean women are some of the most beautiful, most fashionable women in the world! She was dressed to a T and She. Was. Begging??? She was not sitting down on the streets, she was going to each car when the stop lights went red!! And she only asked for one thing, "Could you spare me a dollar.25 for coffee?" - that's all, nothing else! I couldn't believe it! Yes, she was well dressed, I guess, she figured she was in a fancy neighborhood, she'd better look good and boy, did she, ever!...WHOA!!

There are some creative beggars, I tell you!!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

KING TUT EXHIBITION

Finally, I got to see TUTANKHAMUN and the GOLDEN AGE of the PHARAOHS yesterday! In one word, MAGNIFICENT!!


P.S.
When I was at the gift shop, seeing all the souvenirs, I remembered that I have a King Tut jewelry box made of...well, ah...tin. It's been buried somewhere for ages! I better dig it out, clean it up, and check all my jewelry inside, sort them out, give away what I don't need, even have some stolen. Hey, many of the treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb were stolen and they were priceless, the jewelry were "Simple yet Elegant", so I can afford to lose some in my box as they're just "simple and...well, ah...plain". They're cheap. I shall rename my jewelry box, TINCANKHAMUN.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Awakening!

I was walking to the Ferry Building the other day when I saw a homeless man, 40s-50s, setting his cart aside, "preparing" his spot against a tree on the street. He was ready to put his plastic cup to the ground and just as quickly as he put it down, he took it back up to his chest, as if saying, "Am I ready for this?"
That hit me! He seemed embarrassed to be "begging" on the streets. At first, I walked past him, then I stopped by the next tree, turned around, looked back at him and looked at him some more, at the same time, making sure he didn't see me.
Something hit me! He seemed "new" to this. He didn't seem ready. I went back and gave him a dollar. I know it wasn't much, but perhaps, it's a start...

I usually don't pay attention to the homeless, thinking they're just plain lazy, content to be sitting down and waiting for coins to fall into their cups, rather than look for a job. Yes, jobs are hard to find nowadays, but these people have been there on the streets, same streets, same corners, for years!! They've been doing this same thing over and over! And sometimes, we see them conglomerating and then what, they talk about how much they've "earned" for the day, and how much more they need in order to buy drugs and alcohol and whatever else they fancy?? I have more pity for the dog or cat some of them "display" to get attention, to arouse pity?! It's a LIE, a BIG LIE!!

No, I have no compassion for them, for many of them! I refuse to give them money. Period. Don't get me wrong. I'm not heartless. On the contrary, I've personally given these people clothing, blankets, comforters, food, in the past, and I still do...but never money, not even change. Correction - I've given money, and still do, to those genuinely hungry, to those on whose faces, in whose eyes, are clearly written, "HARD TIMES!!" Hard times are real. These people are real. I've bent over and asked without hesitancy, "What happened??" before they could even finish saying, "Thank you".

However, there are those who just look too strong, too healthy to just be sitting the whole day on the streets and "beg" for money. It doesn't help them any, at least, not for me. It only makes them weaker and more dependent on us who truly work our hard-earned money. I give to street musicians, yes, because what they do is work. It's an honest job. Maybe, some would rather have gigs at a restaurant, or a show or a big concert, yes, whatever suits their fancy, but nevertheless, it's work. It's dignified work!
Sure, but they got talent! What about those who can't sing, nor play an instrument, can't dance nor paint, etc., etc., etc.?? Find something to do, damn it!!

But there was something about this man. All of a sudden, I wondered if hard times had hit him, cause he looks so "new"! If it did, is this true for everybody?? Could it be that homeless people, in general, once lived comfortably but went through great obstacles and found it difficult to rise up later?
I remember, one day, I saw a homeless guy right by our neighborhood pushing a cart of belongings and he looked very clean, decent, quite well dressed! I was walking right beside him and I heard him ask softly, "Where are we going now?"
I looked around him and he was by himself. He was talking to himself?! That was the first sign I saw that was "strange" about him. Next was his cart which didn't have a lot and, mind you, looked quite neat and tidy. I thought, "He's homeless?? Is this his first day as a homeless??"
He could have been living in the neighborhood and that's why he was there on his "first day". Maybe he wasn't that far from his home... not yet.

Are homeless people really victims of circumstances beyond their control, beyond their comprehension, perhaps, born to the poorest from generations past?? Or raised in families with great misfortune, they were never taught perseverance, determination, persistence?? Or plainly, due to lack of education, they were never given hope nor encouragement so that they learned to give up, instead?? But I've heard stories, seen documentaries, of homeless people who overcame adversities, one even becoming a Harvard scholar! I've read stories of people who "VOWED" to get away from poverty and have become successful businessmen, lawyers, doctors, musicians!! Are these the lucky few, more the exceptions to the rule?? Are there really those who were abandoned with no place to go and whose dog or cat now depended on them??

After the downtown incident, for whatever reason that these people cannot get started or motivated to do something better with their lives, whatever is the root of all homelessness, I've learned to look at homeless people more gently, with better understanding and with more compassion. I shall continue to give them food and clothing, and money to those who need it most. After all, whenever I pass them, whether I give or not, I am always touched when they politely say, "Have a nice day."

Love Fulfilled

Love calls
Love answers
Love is all.