A Simple Gesture of Gratitude Means So Much

Last Saturday, I hurried to the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi knowing that I need to settle certain responsibilities there. But when I got there, I was surprised with the amount of people standing under the rain inside the church grounds. Instantly, I knew there was a relief operation going on. 

With my purpose forgotten, I decided to meet my friends who were in charge of the distribution. On my way to where they were, I overheard two guys talking to each other about a priest in the parish. I know they were joking, referring to him as someone he's obviously not, but it got to me that I had to turn back and glare at them. Hopefully, they noticed what I did because they were too busy snickering to themselves. 

Letting it go anyway, I headed to where my friends are. As I stood at the entrance of the multi-purpose hall where all the commotions were happening, I looked at the people. The person in-charge of handing the bags of goods were just beside us so it's kinda difficult not to notice the reactions of the recipients.

The first thing I noticed was that there were people who were asking for more than what they should receive. The distribution follows a 1 bag : 1 ticket ratio. This was strictly followed because there were just enough relief goods to give away. But of course, some people had to counter that they need more. I'm sorry that I'm not sorry that the parish staffs were strict not to give in to that. 

I also noticed some people being too demanding, saying that the lines should have been more organized or faster or there should have been more bags to give away. 

Honestly... That crept me out. I wonder how people can still be very demanding at times like that. I have a lot to say but I think it's better that I don't. So let me just focus on one thing that somehow eased away the annoyance:

FAITH IN HUMANITY RESTORED

"Salamat po."

When I heard this from an old lady, I realized that there is still hope in humanity. 

Saying 'thank you' and actually meaning is kind of rare among Filipinos nowadays. During times I observe people from public vehicles, streets or events, it saddens me that there are not many anymore who knows how to value others' efforts. It rattles whenever I think that perhaps, we're all starting to lack that one essential thing: the feeling of gratitude.

To be honest, I pity a society whose people don't know how to feel grateful. To me, a community like that is merely a group of people lifelessly depending on others to breathe - like if the person they feed off disappears, they'll die to themselves - clueless as to how beautiful it is to relish the fruits of their actual labor. 

I don't know if I'm making it clear, but let me just emphasize that working in the ministry for more than a decade has taught me that occasionally receiving material things in appreciation for what we do is not really as compensating (for the lack of better word) as hearing someone actually say 'thank you'.

That is why I feel a lot better knowing that in this place where I live in, there are still people who know how to give back despite having none at all. I see them as people who honestly deserved to be given more. 

I know I'm just being too serious about it, but I feel like for this world to be a better place, it is essential that we all discover the value of gratitude. It's not difficult to say it and mean it, anyway; so I wish more people, especially Filipinos, would be like that old lady. If that will happen, the world will surely be brighter. 

More Korean Fonts For You!

Knowing that my previous post of free Korean font downloads had been appreciated well, I have decided to find some more for everyone. :)

Download the zip file HERE. 

It's all from allap @ Naver and since I easily got it, I assume it's okay to share it. :) 

And there's another one which I think is my new favorite:

Click here to download.

Thanks to goyang84 @ Naver for this one! :)

The fonts are so cute, right?

I'm sure you'll enjoy it all ^^

Where do you think will it be best to use?

말해봐용~!!!

Back!

I started dancing when I was around 9 years old. My classmates and I first performed in class presentations until opportunities escalated and we almost represented the academy in an inter-school dancing competition. Back then, I knew it was what I do best. It was the only thing I have then to be really proud 

After high school though, I found myself so busy with academics that I eventually gained weight because of stress. I then saw myself drifting away from dancing. Add to that the fact that there were less opportunities in college because I began to find other priorities then. 

But I guess it's really difficult to forget something that has long been there. Dancing is imbued in me and we can say that my love for performing is innate. Thus, I have decided to take chances and go back to dancing, even though it's just myself. It was one of my major New Year's resolution on 2011. 

Until something happened...

On January 20, 2011, I met an unfortunate accident. I was hit by a drunk driver with his motorcycle from behind and my head bumped on the concrete road twice. Of course, I blacked out. But that's not the primary problem then. When my friends came, they said they saw blood on the area and that's when I noticed that the hood of the motorcycle's front wheel cut my right Achilles Heel. I can't really be sure but I think half of my foot was ran over because minutes after I got up from the accident (due to adrenaline rush, I suppose), I fell down and lost my balance. That's when they rushed me to the hospital.

For two weeks, I couldn't walk. My diet was ruined because the doctor told me that I need to eat as much carbohydrate as I could. But you know what freaked me out the most? I was told that if things won't get better, I can walk but it will be quite difficult for me to dance again.

I know it sounded like a drama on TV; but that's what happened. Since then, I got depressed seeing friends of mine actually dancing on stage. It frustrated me so much, even though I won't show it. 

But a year after, I realized that self-pitying won't do me good. If I love dancing so much, then I should go back to it, whatever the cost may be. It's not like I can't stop when I feel pain anyway. So that's when I decided to go back to lose weight and go back to dancing.

I'm not successful with getting fit, but I have found my way back to dancing. Although my busy schedule hampered this habit again, I went back to it six days ago when I decided to sweat by doing exercises and practicing some SNSD songs I've learned. An unexpected thing happened because my head fucking hurt a lot afterwards and my mom feared that it might be because of the accident too. 

But this time, I didn't stop. 

I felt all the rush coming back to me. That's when I told myself that 'to hell with my foot and my hurting head, I'm gonna go back to what I really love doing'. I decided to start with simple dances like A Pink's NO NO NO before I move on to something more complex like SNSD's I Got a Boy and EXO's Growl. Basically, I need to take everything slowly. 

You see, I'm not a professional dancer but I could have been now if only I didn't let the fear on what the doctor said overpower me... and if only I didn't let my insecurities get the best of me. So what if I'm fat? What's important is that I can execute the routines well, right? Gah. I should have gotten that mindset long ago.

I know I've said too much in this blog but I hope readers will get what I'm trying to say. People are just often barricaded from doing what they want and reaching their dreams by fears and insecurities. Once we get over these negative things, we'll be amazed at how we high we can fly. We can always be successful in whatever we choose to do as long as we put our hearts into it... as long as we're determined to achieve that top spot. 

I do not intend to be the number one dancer in the world. I don't even dream about getting popular. I just want to go back to dancing and perform in front of a crowd again. And I'm making it happen. Just wait. :p

Hidden Sanctuary... FOUND!

The vacation was planned; but at the last minute, there had to be a major change. We were supposed to go to a beach in Zambales, but thanks to the unpredictability of Philippine weather, we found ourselves on a jeepney to a nearby vacation spot.

Our choice was Hidden Sanctuary. It is a relatively new resort situated in Prenza, Marilao. It is a huge development that features a hotel and two wave pools. Wanting to actually stay for the night in comfort, we ended up booking a family room for all six of us. Now that I think about it, there really was no regret on this. It was actually a fun experience!

Those Few Friends

Contrary to what others believe, I am not exactly a friendly person. Due to the painful things that happened to me in the past, my safety is consistently turned on and I tend to close my world from others. I learned the hard way not to easily trust. I do not easily get comfortable. I believe that I do not need many friends.

Just a few, real ones, is enough.

Last week, I have spent time with some of these few friends. One came home from Abu Dhabi so we had a little get together. It was fun as stories kept pouring in. We went to a short getaway - something which we haven't done in like eight years - and we had a good time catching up.

As I write this, I keep on thinking about how amazing it is that even though a lot of things had changed, some things remain the same. It's amazing how we still feel like how we were in high school - carefree and young.

To be honest, it feels good to have people around you to remind you of who you were years back. Well, I meant the good side. Even though high school wasn't exactly the best for me, these few friends had made it all worth it.

Back then, I have always thought of relinquishing all connections from the era of my life. But right now, I feel grateful that I didn't. I feel thankful that although I've kept lots of people from there out of my life, I allowed these few to enter the door and fortunately, they chose to stay.

I can't really imagine life without them.

Because "I Hear Your Voice" Deserves All Sorts of Praises

I am the type of person whose span of attention can rival that of a 5-year-old kid. I don’t have the patience to stick to something in particular when it becomes boring to my taste. That attitude applies especially when I’m watching Korean dramas. There are lots of shows I didn’t finish simply because I find it predictable or eventually disinteresting. Plus, I am quite lazy in waiting for the episodes to be subbed.

With those said, it’s now plain easy to understand why I consider I Hear Your Voice as one of the best dramas there is.

First and foremost, it was never in my plans to watch the drama, if not for Manager Hyung. I didn’t watch My Daughter Seyoung even though Jungshin was there simply because it seemed boring to me (so I had no idea how Lee Boyoung is as an actress). That was the same thing I initially felt towards this drama, but boy, was I so grateful that I didn’t give in.

So the story began 11 years ago when Park Sooha’s father was killed by Min Joon Gook. Jang Hyeseong – who was having her own taste of injustice then – happened to witness the scene as she was fighting with Seo Doyeon. After having her self-worth challenged by her archenemy, Hyeseong found herself standing as a witness against Min Joonguk, who vowed to take revenge once he had served his sentence in prison.

And then the story escalates. And in summary, I got hooked.

SPAZZ ATTACK: I'M GROWLING

RELEASED AT 12MN KST AND IT'S ONLY NOW THAT IT'S FINALLY SINKING IN ON ME. 

EXO'S BACK AND THEY'RE GROWLING LIKE FUCK.

HATERS BURN.

I didn't even know it's set to be released today. I was too busy to notice. As I don't have plans to watch the KPOP Republic since I don't have money, I decided to stay away for a while. But one music video and I'm back on my knees.

Forget the fact that all of them are fucking sizzling in those uniforms. Leave behind the truth that they were both hot and cool in this video. Set aside the reality that this is yet the sexiest video and song from EXO. We're gonna focus on choreography for the review, baby.

Before the comeback, I've come across several tweets and issues bashing the group. I don't know how they arrived at such ridiculous conclusion but apparently, they were so convinced that EXO is nothing more than a visual group. They are so into convincing others too that these 12 boys are 'talentless' - which I so beg to disagree.

To be fucking honest, I pity them for being blinded. And I think this song's choreography's gonna be the best way to prove them wrong.

It has always amused me how EXO makes it seem like their steps are as easy as the gwiyomi shit but the dance routines for this song just brought such amazement into a higher level. The footwork isn't as complicated as the MAMA era and the moves aren't as strong as those in WOLF, but GROWL obviously requires stronger abdomen and stronger pair of thighs.

There are three parts in the dance routine which has completely taken me in awe: 1) the way they rolled and switch their legs on the chorus part and then quickly got up to move; 2) THE WHOLE CHOREO IN THE RAP PARTS especially the body turn-drop and the Only One step; and 3) everything else actually.

Basically, the choreography requires quick movements which those who aren't trained enough won't be able to comply well. Plus, the locks and leveling aren't easy. But look, the supposedly 'talentless' EXO boys pulled it so fine... if it's not even perfect.

And I just have to point out that it's fun to see that the caps get incorporated in the routine. DAEBAK.

At this point, let me not just congratulate the boys. Let me mention the choreographers too. I think Gregory Hwang's the main brain here as I often associate sexy body locks like this with him. He's really a treasure, and I mean it. 

Aside from the choreography though, what freaking makes this music video a lot more special is the fact that you cannot film this by cuts. Unless you want the video editor to curse you to death. Therefore, there is no room for mistakes when they filmed this. Every flaw must have resulted to going back to the first step. Tiring, it must have been. 

But it took them 13 hours to film how many videos? Add to that the time for make up, set preparation, and breaktimes. Therefore, we can assume that filming the video itself didn't take so much time. Meaning, they must have really gone through it professionally and exceptionally. 

Proof?

Burn yourselves, haters.

Grace 3.0

I have never really gotten the chance to prove myself that I've turned graceful enough this July although I'm pretty contented with how better I have become. This is some real talk, okay. It's pretty nice how I have managed to control all emotions and stayed focus and feminine (for the lack of better word) this month.

But I think it's not enough.

That is why I have decided to move on to Grace 3.0 for August. It sounds ridiculous but I'm planning to open up my world again to people so here goes real application of this virtue. I have never really paid great attention to this month since before but let me try to somehow make it special.

I have learned that one secret to being happy is maintaining gracefulness. It gives me the kind of impression on myself that things are going fine and I'm not being judged because for once, I am acting appropriately. Although I slip sometimes, I compensate it by acting more like a beautiful swan than a lost, ugly duckling.

Others may not agree on this simply because they don't want to; but who cares?

Anyway... yeah, August's starting. Can't believe we have 5 months left before 2013 ends. How fast time flies, right?