At this point of time, I see no reason not to go shopping when I am down with love. If I'm in the mall and not spending a little time -- and money – over there seems to be unfathomable. Dropping money at the cash register table is, for me, an entertainment cost built into the trip's budget, no different from paying several hundred pesos to see a play or a trip to Italy-- If I lose every penny earmarked for shopping, well, I had fun doing so.
It never bothered me. I wasn't risking money we needed for the mortgage or groceries or my son's tuition payment. It was disposable income -- which I disposed of having my version of fun.
"If we have an endless amount of money that I'm not aware of," mom says, "then go ahead and go shopping in every outlet. Otherwise, I think there's a problem wasting this money that way when there are other things we can do for it. I'd love to go see a show, or go to the hotel spa for the day. But I would rather do without because I also know that money you can spend for your son."
It's hard to argue against putting family enjoyment above self-gratification. But I think it's an unfair way to frame the issue. You can always argue that family comes first, but doing so means you forever deny yourself any individual pleasures. I don't work simply to give everything to my family; they are doing just fine as it is. I work, in part, to make my ride through life enjoyable, too. And for me, wagering some money in shopping won't affect Christmas one iota.
But another point my mom makes does resonate: her desire to do something for herself. She works hard the entire week as well, and this getaway is in large part about giving her some relaxation. To that end, I've gladly given up a chunk of pesos I would have spent in shopping and I have decided for mom to put the money in the bank instead and attend Christmas invitations Kier.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR JESUS & MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!"
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Heart-pounding drumbeats surround the area of Fort Stip at Global City Taguig
by Khristine Talana on Friday, December 10, 2010 at 11:06am (on facebook)
I was surprised to witness tribal groups in the heart of Makati where mostly westernized Filipinos gather with other foreign nationals. I was drawn from both the dancing & the singing even thou I kept talking because of the new experience and ideas are pouring in my head.
As a Filipina who have worked my life abroad with my countrymen, music such of what I have witnessed will certainly awaken their sleeping soul. Seeing performers play their instruments match with their costume will make you feel at home. Proud of your roots for the music it plays doesn’t even need lyrics to be understood.
These kinds of presentations are needed abroad where there are a lot of OFW’s. Such presentation will enhance unity especially to those who have married other nationals and reside there. I know that my ten years of working experience abroad is probably not enough to know everything. But I am writing this blog as a Filipino who spends most of her life out there without her family.
With the new music technology we all have now, we still need to be reminded of our culture and that’s a fact. The need for an ambitious effort to promote the value of cultural learning is clear. Such learning offers social, cultural and academic benefits that will serve every Filipino abroad. Filipinos live and compete in a world of diverse cultures and races, a world where competence in more than one language is an essential part of communication and understanding. Our ability to understand and be understood by other nationalities can only enhance our own national security. We must be able to communicate with and learn from all people wherein Tagalog is not their native language. That success, in fact, will deliver valuable dividends to the businesses and organizations for which they work. And as for me, they deserve to be granted with this kind of music.
Ethnic presentations have traditionally been one of the cultural makers of Philippine national and tribal identity holds an important position in the society. Kulintang as far as I know holds a tremendous effect in the Philippines as integral for musical culture. Folk music is an important part of the country’s musical heritage, and spans a diverse array of regional styles, instruments and dances. (and I needed to experience this to help me remember.) I just wonder why Cultural attaché’ of Philippine embassies worldwide are not into ethnic shows. They should invite tribal performers abroad for the Filipinos & deliver a wider understanding of our heritage.
I thought I have seen it all and done it. I even knew that I have promoted Philippines well enough in Israel. To uplift every Filipino is my greatest weapon in accomplishing my goals. Either working together with Israelis or competing with them. I just wanted us to fit in and get the respect we wanted. Even combining different cultures in one show is my other way to blend in the community.
I never knew that I would miss this kind of thing…
I am happy to say that CarolEthnic actually achieved peace in their music and have done a beautiful presentation which I know for a fact that not only Filipinos will appreciate.
Bakit pa… Pinoy eh! Congratulations to Mauve Management & Entertainment together with Ikaw at Eco Foundation for a successful launching last night!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
JUST KHRISTINE
It begins with desire. A desire to know more. A desire to be more. Surely I can do something on my own is what I would say. Surely my life is worth something just for me…being me. It is then that the door begins to open. A hidden dimension in time right there at your side and then it begins, and you take a step forward.........
It is a separate movie being played right there with me as an addition to the reality that I already live in. It is another me on the ascending side of the universe. The natural me takes the mundane steps throughout a lifetime, it's the "me" that stays plugged into a world that stays grounded within the walls of physical boundary. Here you spend a lifetime attributing reality to as far as my five senses will take me. What you see is what you get.
Then there is the movie being played right next into my thoughts that questioned reality. Desired to experience more and I decided to walk through the doorway of hidden worlds. My reality and my fantasy both of it take steps throughout the course of a lifetime together side by side. My supernatural being that ascends with every step detaching itself it seems from it's counter half and ascending to the highest peak of human experience. Side by side as a paralleled universe two lives that are actually one split off as being two separate experiences that ultimately eventually greet each other in the descent of a spectacular spiritual awakening and meet each other back once more at the same doorway of entrance to other realms.
You unite again as one being. Transformed by universal law. Evolved through a desire to know more. A desire to be more. A life that is worth questioning itself and what it is all about.
I sometimes forget that I am leaving a dream & sometimes forget I am awake & that’s the truth about it. Do you get what I mean? Oh well, I simply don’t !
It is a separate movie being played right there with me as an addition to the reality that I already live in. It is another me on the ascending side of the universe. The natural me takes the mundane steps throughout a lifetime, it's the "me" that stays plugged into a world that stays grounded within the walls of physical boundary. Here you spend a lifetime attributing reality to as far as my five senses will take me. What you see is what you get.
Then there is the movie being played right next into my thoughts that questioned reality. Desired to experience more and I decided to walk through the doorway of hidden worlds. My reality and my fantasy both of it take steps throughout the course of a lifetime together side by side. My supernatural being that ascends with every step detaching itself it seems from it's counter half and ascending to the highest peak of human experience. Side by side as a paralleled universe two lives that are actually one split off as being two separate experiences that ultimately eventually greet each other in the descent of a spectacular spiritual awakening and meet each other back once more at the same doorway of entrance to other realms.
You unite again as one being. Transformed by universal law. Evolved through a desire to know more. A desire to be more. A life that is worth questioning itself and what it is all about.
I sometimes forget that I am leaving a dream & sometimes forget I am awake & that’s the truth about it. Do you get what I mean? Oh well, I simply don’t !
WHAT I FEEL AS OF THIS MOMENT
…After all this, I know she's leaving me for someone she doesn't love at all. She said she needed to feel secure of her tomorrow and she promised that I will always have a space in her life. She told me that I cheated on her first and that it's all my fault. I asked her to give up hoping for someone who promised to give her a happy life she thinks she couldn't get from me. She hesitated. Now tell me who's gambling?!
The hard fact of life is that hard currency makes the world go round, money makes the mare run, it is the be-all and end-all of civilization, and whether you be doctor, lawyer, prince or pauper, it's gold, diamonds, silver or even coins that give the dulcet sounds that make you smile. They also say that the most powerful force is love, so it is indeed a challenge when people are offered one, only to have the other taken away. To wit, the left hand offers love, while the right hand takes away the money. A fool and his money are soon parted, and who is more foolish than those who are really in love?
But how can you tell if a woman really loves a man or if she only loves his money? In some cases it's very simple as the look department can be an indicator. If he is old and she is young, it's usually not love, but money. No woman will be with a poor old man. If she is a fox and he looks like last month's rain-soaked newspaper, it's not love, but money. If he abuses her constantly, humiliates her mercilessly, even in public, and she accepts it, it's money, not love. If at first glance you think to yourself, "What the heck could she see in him?"
Your instincts are usually right, and it's money, not love. So often we see these drop-dead gorgeous women out with these weather-beaten, craggy-faced, pop-down men and we wonder, "Is he her ailing father?" Well, it's more like her godfather. The trend is growing and getting even more serious.
"So what is wrong if he pays my rent and supports me?
I give him what he wants, don't I?"
Oh fudge!
I remember a play that narrates the ironic "love story" of Zhou, a poor, handsome young fellow who wants to change his fortune through marriage. Dating two girls at the same time, he pretends to be a well-educated young man from a well-off company, who has just returned from overseas. He easily wins the hearts of both, however, all his efforts are in vain after a series of miscalculations and coincidences. Zhou's own clever schemes and manipulations lead to his downfall.
I am surprised to find so many similarities between Zhou and today's people, especially their attitudes towards marriage and money. They dream of becoming rich overnight, and some of them are even more than willing to trade love for money.
"You know that love doesn't always last forever --- but money can.
Why bother with jealousy, petty fights, and hurt feelings?
You rather just go shopping!
And while marrying for money may be lonely,
you'll always be well dressed, well traveled, and well fed."
Oh crap can anyone follow me?
Some people will lie down with a sow for money,
while others will do it with dogs,
such is their love and lust for cash.
I will never understand it.
As for me, I love money, I love all the bling-bling…
don’t get me wrong. I ran my ass off to get what I like. I risk my own life to see the other side of the world. I don’t care what it takes. I’d get it with no hesitations without using anybody. I’d do it even it would mean I will not see my son for a while. Simple answer is, I will take what I can regardless of anything for as long as am not hurting anybody & that will make me happy.
The hard fact of life is that hard currency makes the world go round, money makes the mare run, it is the be-all and end-all of civilization, and whether you be doctor, lawyer, prince or pauper, it's gold, diamonds, silver or even coins that give the dulcet sounds that make you smile. They also say that the most powerful force is love, so it is indeed a challenge when people are offered one, only to have the other taken away. To wit, the left hand offers love, while the right hand takes away the money. A fool and his money are soon parted, and who is more foolish than those who are really in love?
But how can you tell if a woman really loves a man or if she only loves his money? In some cases it's very simple as the look department can be an indicator. If he is old and she is young, it's usually not love, but money. No woman will be with a poor old man. If she is a fox and he looks like last month's rain-soaked newspaper, it's not love, but money. If he abuses her constantly, humiliates her mercilessly, even in public, and she accepts it, it's money, not love. If at first glance you think to yourself, "What the heck could she see in him?"
Your instincts are usually right, and it's money, not love. So often we see these drop-dead gorgeous women out with these weather-beaten, craggy-faced, pop-down men and we wonder, "Is he her ailing father?" Well, it's more like her godfather. The trend is growing and getting even more serious.
"So what is wrong if he pays my rent and supports me?
I give him what he wants, don't I?"
Oh fudge!
I remember a play that narrates the ironic "love story" of Zhou, a poor, handsome young fellow who wants to change his fortune through marriage. Dating two girls at the same time, he pretends to be a well-educated young man from a well-off company, who has just returned from overseas. He easily wins the hearts of both, however, all his efforts are in vain after a series of miscalculations and coincidences. Zhou's own clever schemes and manipulations lead to his downfall.
I am surprised to find so many similarities between Zhou and today's people, especially their attitudes towards marriage and money. They dream of becoming rich overnight, and some of them are even more than willing to trade love for money.
"You know that love doesn't always last forever --- but money can.
Why bother with jealousy, petty fights, and hurt feelings?
You rather just go shopping!
And while marrying for money may be lonely,
you'll always be well dressed, well traveled, and well fed."
Oh crap can anyone follow me?
Some people will lie down with a sow for money,
while others will do it with dogs,
such is their love and lust for cash.
I will never understand it.
As for me, I love money, I love all the bling-bling…
don’t get me wrong. I ran my ass off to get what I like. I risk my own life to see the other side of the world. I don’t care what it takes. I’d get it with no hesitations without using anybody. I’d do it even it would mean I will not see my son for a while. Simple answer is, I will take what I can regardless of anything for as long as am not hurting anybody & that will make me happy.
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