Does chivalry still exist in this day and age?
If you ask me, I think it's long dead... that or nobody has proven to me that it still exists in this dog-eat-dog world. Today, many people take advantage of the kindness of other people. Unfortunately, I am guilty of that. But many people really do serious damage to bystanders who did nothing wrong except offer a helping hand.
My dad used to tell me to just ignore strangers who ask for help. Better safe than sorry right? And right now, ideologies like chivalry and valor and honor are only seen in your comfort zones... in places where you know people will not make you regret you helped them.
And I pretty much admire those people, who are aware of this, and still try to do the right thing. You know, it's easier to turn a blind eye to those who are helpless and powerless. Omission is easier than commission. Because doing the right thing isn't as easy as turning away. Sometimes, doing the right thing is the hardest and most painful.
A lot of people in this world do things for themselves. Again, I'm guilty of that. Individualism is at it's peak. But that's not a bad idea because in the long run, it will benefit a lot of people (is now doing research on the Invisible Hand Theory). And it is rarer to see people doing things for the sake of other people. By other people I mean the strangers you see everyday. I think those are what you call heroes. They are people who believe and fight for something people don't see as worth their time anymore. They are strong enough to be more courageous than most people. They exemplify what people can only dream about.
They define the very ideologies that have started to disappear from our society. At first, I thought they have become extinct.. but I guess you just have to search deeper, harder.
I just found one. ^_^
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I want to dance beneath the moonlight...
I remember a distant memory wherein my family went to Yogyakarta to see the famed Borobudur Temple. It was raining and the temple grounds were slippery. Some of the stone slabs would shift and slide as you step on it. Intricate carvings of illustrations of Buddhist/Indian principles were slowly chipping away. As you go higher, what seemed like bell-shaped structures had figures of monks in lotus position inside them. It looked so real and yet, something that is out of this world.
It took us about 15 minutes climbing the whole structure. And when we got to the top, I didn't realize I had let go of my umbrella until I felt the rain soaking me. The view was spectacular. Being the tallest structure within miles, I could feel myself gaping with awe at the four corners of that earth I had created in that single moment.
It had seemed I could not take everything.
My thoughts and voice lay huddled in the corner of my mind. I could only stand still and watch the view unfold before my very eyes. It was breathtaking, yet terribly overwhelming. I had felt like I am on top and at the center of the world. My knees were shaking not only because of the bitter cold but because I felt this sense of 'lula'. My whole being lay powerless and at the mercy of this vast space. What I had been feeling wouldn't even come close to what a Divine and Absolute Being feel.
That feeling I haven't felt eversince... and I'm craving for this tremendous and uncanny euphoria. Right now I feel bound. Bound by society's rules and norms.
I wish to be free.
It took us about 15 minutes climbing the whole structure. And when we got to the top, I didn't realize I had let go of my umbrella until I felt the rain soaking me. The view was spectacular. Being the tallest structure within miles, I could feel myself gaping with awe at the four corners of that earth I had created in that single moment.
It had seemed I could not take everything.
My thoughts and voice lay huddled in the corner of my mind. I could only stand still and watch the view unfold before my very eyes. It was breathtaking, yet terribly overwhelming. I had felt like I am on top and at the center of the world. My knees were shaking not only because of the bitter cold but because I felt this sense of 'lula'. My whole being lay powerless and at the mercy of this vast space. What I had been feeling wouldn't even come close to what a Divine and Absolute Being feel.
That feeling I haven't felt eversince... and I'm craving for this tremendous and uncanny euphoria. Right now I feel bound. Bound by society's rules and norms.
I wish to be free.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Thursday, August 09, 2007
It's that Special Day
A quick commercial...
Happy birthday KIM!!!!! She is now 2x years old! And I can still remember the first time we met... it was grade 1 and our surnames were one after the other. Since then we have been inseparable. It was until around grade 5-ish that we had a "cool-off" when we didn't become classmates. But we got back together when we were classmates during 1st year high school. Since then, we made sure we'd never be apart.
Happy birthday KIM!!!!! She is now 2x years old! And I can still remember the first time we met... it was grade 1 and our surnames were one after the other. Since then we have been inseparable. It was until around grade 5-ish that we had a "cool-off" when we didn't become classmates. But we got back together when we were classmates during 1st year high school. Since then, we made sure we'd never be apart.
Of course, there were times that we didn't get along... but we tried to compromise. And I guess it worked coz until now, she's still my very best friend. My bridesmaid... the ninang of my child... my girl soulmate till the end.
Happy Birthday Sis! I love you! :)
Sunday, August 05, 2007
???
I've been doing some thinking recently. And it seems that the more I think, the more confused I become.
Don't ask me what this is all about coz I'm not sure myself...
Maybe a distraction? A self-inflicted questioning of the mind??
Maybe now that I have more free time (thank God Japan Gillette's over!), I have more time to think about me. The Now-Me, the Future-Me.
Sometimes, I wonder what God wants for me. Because I'm not sure that what I want for myself would be what God wants for me. Would I be selfish to think that my wants are ultimately for me? That, let's say I've realized I like this person and would ultimately want him for myself... would he want me too? What if he doesn't want me, and yet I've been persistent about it?
Crap...
Re-reading this, I've generated more issues than TIME magazine.
A friend of mine told me I've been thinking too much. I guess he's right. Scrutinizing every angle and every detail won't do you much good. And since it's the first time this has happened to me.. every imaginable scenario has already entered my mind... I've become paranoid about doing the wrong thing.
Why can't life get any easier?
Don't ask me what this is all about coz I'm not sure myself...
Maybe a distraction? A self-inflicted questioning of the mind??
Maybe now that I have more free time (thank God Japan Gillette's over!), I have more time to think about me. The Now-Me, the Future-Me.
Sometimes, I wonder what God wants for me. Because I'm not sure that what I want for myself would be what God wants for me. Would I be selfish to think that my wants are ultimately for me? That, let's say I've realized I like this person and would ultimately want him for myself... would he want me too? What if he doesn't want me, and yet I've been persistent about it?
Crap...
Re-reading this, I've generated more issues than TIME magazine.
A friend of mine told me I've been thinking too much. I guess he's right. Scrutinizing every angle and every detail won't do you much good. And since it's the first time this has happened to me.. every imaginable scenario has already entered my mind... I've become paranoid about doing the wrong thing.
Why can't life get any easier?
Saturday, August 04, 2007
A New Adventure
The last time Dad came here for the weekend, he had a big surprise for us all...
He would be assigned to Budapest, Hungary for 2 years!!
It all started a few months back... he sent an email only to me, Pat and Anne, telling us that he got an informal invitation that he would be assigned as CFO in one of his company's ventures in Kiev, Ukraine. But until he got a final approval, he would only tell his family.
The dream of finally having a gateway to Europe, aka Ukraine, was overwhelming. For someone who has frequently traveled to only one or two countries, it was a dream to finally get out of Asia! ^_^ We were very excited when Dad became one of the 6 representatives to visit Kiev for an inspection and face-to-face meeting with their Ukrainian counterparts. The fact that he was the only manager with a background in finance was very promising.
It was that time when I was in Japan for a business trip. I was at the edge of my seat every time dad would update us. When I got back home on July 21, Dad told us he was coming home the next weekend from Ho Chih Minh City. When he arrived, he told us that he would be reassigned to Budapest instead of Kiev. And that his boss wanted him to be there mid-August! What a surprising turn of events! I blinked and stared for a good 3 seconds before screaming and hugging dad, congratulating him on this promotion. I was happy that he got what he wanted, and more! And we were happy too that a new adventure is about to start for all of us.
He showed us some winter clothing he bought at Changi airport, knowing that his new assignment would be a country that would terribly be cold during winter. He bought this kick-ass Burberry trenchcoat and sweater and looked very comfy even during a snowstorm. The price was ridiculously high but I guess it would be a good investment for him since he doesn't do well in the cold.
Anyway, we were all planning to take a vacation in Jakarta, for the last time, before Dad ships his stuff back home and then move to Hungary. We're planning to go there at least twice and then do some city-hopping along the way. I just can't wait!
He would be assigned to Budapest, Hungary for 2 years!!
It all started a few months back... he sent an email only to me, Pat and Anne, telling us that he got an informal invitation that he would be assigned as CFO in one of his company's ventures in Kiev, Ukraine. But until he got a final approval, he would only tell his family.
The dream of finally having a gateway to Europe, aka Ukraine, was overwhelming. For someone who has frequently traveled to only one or two countries, it was a dream to finally get out of Asia! ^_^ We were very excited when Dad became one of the 6 representatives to visit Kiev for an inspection and face-to-face meeting with their Ukrainian counterparts. The fact that he was the only manager with a background in finance was very promising.
It was that time when I was in Japan for a business trip. I was at the edge of my seat every time dad would update us. When I got back home on July 21, Dad told us he was coming home the next weekend from Ho Chih Minh City. When he arrived, he told us that he would be reassigned to Budapest instead of Kiev. And that his boss wanted him to be there mid-August! What a surprising turn of events! I blinked and stared for a good 3 seconds before screaming and hugging dad, congratulating him on this promotion. I was happy that he got what he wanted, and more! And we were happy too that a new adventure is about to start for all of us.
He showed us some winter clothing he bought at Changi airport, knowing that his new assignment would be a country that would terribly be cold during winter. He bought this kick-ass Burberry trenchcoat and sweater and looked very comfy even during a snowstorm. The price was ridiculously high but I guess it would be a good investment for him since he doesn't do well in the cold.
Anyway, we were all planning to take a vacation in Jakarta, for the last time, before Dad ships his stuff back home and then move to Hungary. We're planning to go there at least twice and then do some city-hopping along the way. I just can't wait!
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