"(black) fridays with morkie."

i discovered/was reminded of something remarkable this after watching an afternoon's worth of mork and mindy (a classic. robin williams at his best). he made a report to his alien superiors about how every human being is vulnerable to the same illness...



loneliness.

emotional, spiritual, mental, physical loneliness. everyone is alone for all sorts of reasons. we all have felt or been alone at some time...even when we are in the midst of many. we may feel alone because of the fact that we are different from one another, unique, and one-of-kind. we all tend to live in our own worlds from time to time and that can be lonely. we all just want to be by ourselves every one in awhile and push others away. other times, we're far from good company or are separated from family and friends. every now and then, people can't understand us, argue with us, hurt us, upset us, and depress us...and that can make us feel alone. and the feeling can grow into feeling unloved...or even worse, apathetic. the cure? mork knew it. relationships ---> people ---> all of us. the simple act of being together with people that we are fond of, that we appreciate, that we care for. beyond that...even the people we push away, we have conflicts with, we get annoyed with, we are disgusted by, we oppose, we dislike and may even hate. ironically...they are actually the cure. we really are all connected. what each of us do has the potential to affect all of us. everyone can help us or hurt us. like an illness, the wrongdoings we commit against one another cause much pain. we need to cure ourselves and each other of this...we need to get better, be the cure we're meant to be.

for the first black friday in years, i wasn't in a crazy, huge line for a sale or working on the other side trying to appease one early in the morning or night. instead...i slept well after a great dinner with family and watching quantum of solace with three of the best people in my life (you know who you are). through my family and friends...there was no way of getting sick this thanksgiving. as the year ends and we go through the holidays, let's make amends with one another, spend time with each other, and be closer...our very lives depend on it. i hope you all had a great thanksgiving and may everyone have a merry Christmas!



stay healthy!

"the blaze of glory."

congratulations to ryan and jenelee for getting engaged saturday night.

this weekend was definitely unexpected.

it started out chill on friday night. met up with dub at the gym and then we dined at boston kitchen afterwards...we both had a hankering for some foo chow fried rice, garlic spare ribs and deep fried squid with pepper salt. the next morning...the two of us headed over to culver city with arthur for the rock and republic sale at sony studios. the selection was decent, the price was good, and we each came out with at least a pair. we saw glimpses of the sylmar fire when were in la but came home surprised to find a fire over in corona. immediately made my way over to riverside (dodging traffic and madness) to drop off parent letters at the retreat. by the time i got home, the fire got bigger and was over in yorba linda and anaheim hills. had lunch at lucille's for izzy's birthday. it was really nice to see my cousins and their families. i'm glad that a lucille's is now conveniently located two miles from my house. good food as always with a food coma as usual. another tko courtesy of lucille's bbq.

when i woke up, it was dark outside and the fire was even bigger. at this point...i really didn't think it would reach chino hills, let alone my neighborhood, so i went out. met up with joseph, yonas, matt duarte, matt elias gaby, noel, christian, and bojie to pray a holy hour. had dinner at yard house with christian, mike b, bojie, arthur, jen, and devyn. i came home around 11pm to find out on the news that the fire is getting more serious and it was making its way through carbon canyon. minutes later...my family realizes the fire is in chino hills state park (which we live near the entrance of) but not yet in our city boundaries. i decide to stay up while my parents sleep.

around 2:30am...i decide to step out of the house and see what's going on with the fire, only to be shocked at the sight of the fire slowly but surely engulfing the hills by our neighborhood. at this point...i knew we weren't safe anymore and we had to leave asap. i immediately woke up my parents and we rushed to pack up our cars with essentials. while i maintained a calm mood...i was definitely nervous and scared. i was worried about my cousins and relatives who live in the area. i was thinking about friends and their families. so many thoughts all at once and there wasn't much time to stop and take it all in. it was an adrenaline rush that didn't seem to end. the fire really put things in perspective, like what really matters and what is truly essential. three cars packed with the belongings we can't live well without... everyone in the neighborhood was running about packing up and checking out the blaze. my car stuffed to the max with 10 years worth of my life. i have never experienced a war zone, but this felt like one. the panic, the fright, the danger. one thing i noticed was that i have never seen my neighbors so united, so caring about one another. we all helped each other out and gave whatever comfort we could. while i didn't think much of it in the moment, it truly was a grace and a reminder that love is what ultimately matters, what will definitely last. the fire was both a sight to behold and something to fear. it lit up the darkness, but it covered the sky in smoke and threatened to destroy my home. i went through the house as if this was the last time i would be inside it. i had much hope, yet i acted as if this was the worst case scenario. packing up and leaving the house was extremely heartbreaking and hard for my mom but my dad and i were able to support her and help her depart. it was so difficult to not give in to my emotions...i had to step it up for the people i love. finally, upon finding out that some roads were to be blocked soon and the window for getting away from the fire was closing, we left for my grandparents' apartment in chino. the sight was unbelievable on the way there. the streets were filled with spectators, law enforcement officers, and firefighters. fire engines, fire trucks, and cars speeding about. people stocking up supplies and camping out at gas stations and the local albertsons. we met up with eric at the apartment. after spending some time to calm our nerves and get updates on the news, my parents left to check out the fire site while francis and tita susan picked eric and me up to return to the site and bring over more of their belongings to the apartment. confusion and panic was in abundance during this time, but that didn't really matter because the sun was rising and we saw the fires being contained. it wasn't before long that we found out that our houses were safe and that the houses of my friends and family were okay as well. this is clearly some of the best news i've ever heard. the five of us came back to chino were we rested up, and by noon time...my family was back home.

although i hope no one experiences what i have endured, i learned a great deal from this and saw many good things. i saw my family come together to get through this ordeal and persevere. i witnessed strangers treating each other like loved ones. my strength and endurance was put to the test and i grew from it. firefighters rose to the occasion, risking their lives as heroes. fires engulfed acres of land but failed to send our spirits into ruin. while these flames burned brightly and illuminated the sky...the fire within us, our passion and love, was greater and stronger. i saw the human soul prevail last night and it was awesome...right down to the wire, even through the fire.

ended the weekend with mass for the retreat and dinner at sandra's with the crosstrainers. as today comes to a close, i look back in sheer awe of what has taken place...and i look ahead smiling with faith, hope, and love.

this was just my experience...and it's crazy knowing that others had it much worse than me. i'm incredibly blessed and thankful to still have what i got in tact. please pray for an end to all the fires going on right now in southern california as well as for the victims and anyone affected by them.

"100."

this is the 100th entry...not that thrilling, really.

anyways, after months of hiatus...kp, nick, christian, meagan, pat, arthur, matt, martin, and i went to go monday night bowling. i remember the times (earlier this year and most of last year) when we used to habitually drop by yorba linda bowl every week. i don't think we'll go back to bowling every week but it was nice to bowl last night and i hope we get to bowl more every now and then. afterwards...we made it out to the hat and got our pastrami/fried onions/hot dog/grilled cheese sandwich/fries fix.

earlier that day...i walked to ashley's house to bring her lunch because homegirl was sick. nothing does a sick body better than some grilled salmon w/ ponzu, citrus fruits, and green tea. we then spent the afternoon watching a very special love...typical filipino super-cheesy romantic comedy. i don't normally take care of my friends like this...but i'm going to for sure now because i should if i can.

spent veterans' day playing basketball (for once) with the guys. met up with jen sarmeezy at peet's coffee...they make a legit white mocha. tiff also came around to chill. found out that there's a vegas trip for the may birthday people now...which i was oblivious to. charlene, dub, nikki, matt (turning 21), and i get to celebrate in a big way next year. i'm excited now because dub and i wanted a vegas trip for our birthdays this year. i suppose good things come to those who wait (or don't know they're waiting).

"an affair to remember."

last night was jen's birthday dinner aka. kiss on the lips party. if you're on point with gossip girl then you know what's up with the name of the party. rolled with arthur, christian, and pat to tantalum in long beach ---> "exotic dining and waterfront lounge." great environment and ambiance. kobe burger was a sure shot. in true og fashion...we were all dressed to the nines and keeping it fresh. hundreds of pictures were taken as usual. afterwards, most people left but steven, nick, kp, dennis, christian, pat, senpai, matt, jen, arthur, and i went over to newport to chill at dennis'. all in all...yet another good night, birthday celebrated, and experience to cherish.

please pray for brother bear because he got into a car accident last night. he's fine now, but the car isn't...and i hope everything will be okay in the long run.

"si se puede."

yes we can...




yes we did.




i'm happier knowing he really is going to be our next president. his time has finally arrived. a job well done goes out to john mccain...a good fight all the way to the end. he is a good man and a good choice, but in my opinion (and the opinion of the majority), obama is the right man... the better choice.

and i'm lovin' it.

"it only takes a moment."

just finished watching wall-e.
most definitely...super officially...on point.
good story, good message,
good romance, good music, good laughs.
pixar strikes gold yet again...
this has become one of my favorite animated films.

if you haven't watch it...go and do so.
if you already watched it...it deserves another viewing.

good night.

"where's fluffy?"

last night ---> went to watch achi, austin, and martin perform at expressions of faith in hacienda heights at the united filipino methodist church with meagan. good performance for sure. it was worth enduring the rain and traffic to watch them play. ate in-n-out on the way back to the hills...which would unfortunately give me gastritis today (kuwawa status). tiff met up with us at harkins and we watched nick and norah's infinite playlist.



awesome movie. good laughs. definitely good music.

a quote from the movie can sum up last night...
"i'm not missing it...this is it."

happy all saints and all souls day weekend to all...and to all a good night.

"full speed ahead."

the best halloween in years for sure...even without a costume. erika's debut was a definite good time. it was an honor and a pleasure to sing for her and to be a rose. ended the night at brendan's party. good times as always...it was nice seeing everyone just chillin' out.

november has arrived...and now there's only two months left in the year. 2008 is going by so quickly and it seems to be picking up speed as we move surely towards 2009. the best time of the year is almost upon us. 4 weeks until thanksgiving followed by 4 weeks of (hopefully) joyous occasions and advent leading up to Christmas. i'm probably ahead of myself (which is not unusual) but i'm going to go ahead with what i'd like to get out of this coming holiday season. all i want for Christmas is this...




and this...



but most definitely this...






the best gift of all:
love.
the gift that keeps on giving.
the gift that never gets old.
the only gift worth giving back and forth.

that's all for now...take care and much love!

p.s. reminder: daylight savings time starts tomorrow, november 2, at 2:00am.