"this could mend a broken heart."

and just to ensure i made my point...



okay i'm done...good night for real real. - jl

"clash of the titans."

i study at both barnes and noble and borders. i used to study a lot at borders...then "converted" to barnes and noble once it opened. i studied once again at borders this afternoon and was inspired to come up with this list...enjoy!

barnes and noble:
a classier vibe...i feel intellectually
inspired every time i'm there.
st. paul is (kinda...not really) across the street.
better magazine selection.
better book selection.
more people = a socially warmer environment.
better selection of moleskine notebooks.
xxi forever (okay, heritage1981 for men) is a walk away.
cleaner bathrooms.
feels safer.
more options for food.
opens earlier, closes later.
study at the right time and you can enjoy
the happy hour at yard house and ra as well.
cheesecakes from the cheesecake factory.
quotable (the brand) cards and accessories.
borders:
has a seattle's best...their green tea lattes are on point.
nordstrom rack is a walk away.
it's closer to target...a definite plus.
easier to navigate.
less people = more peace.
better parking.
i get discount coupons every week.
customer service is more accessible.
usually cheaper book prices.
doesn't have pesky high school kids
clamoring about and being so...high schoolish.
higher chance of finding study space.
better presentation of bestsellers and new books.
has been dependable source of gifts during
the holidays and other special occasions.

---------------------------------------------



these three soldiers ran the boston marathon.

let me go into detail...

they did it in full uniform, gear, pack, and boots.
they finished in 3 hours, 31 minutes, and 41 seconds.

shoot, i can only finish 6 miles in about an hour so i can
definitely understand what an amazing feat this was.
just wanted to share this example
of human endurance and perseverance.


good night world - jl

"on/off."

on point:
sigg water bottles.
barca fc.
nike shoes with flywire.
target.
pastrami.
marvin gaye "got to give it up."
american apparel t-shirts.
rey mysterio jr.
dole whip from disneyland and the dole plantations.
mr. rodriguez.
ananas (pineapple) gelato...
the closest thing to dole whip.
the los angeles dodgers...russell martin ftw.
cheesecakes from the cheesecake factory.
tom ford.
love, resonate.
gossip girl (people got to stop hating on it).
sportie la.
tony's little italy in placentia.
ray j "sexy ladies."
disneyland annual passes...and the monthly payments.
wingstop fries and lemon pepper wings.
hines ward and the pittsburgh steelers.
pineapple express...i seenth it!
seared salmon with miso sauce.
all-you-can-eat korean bbq.
the los angeles lakers....mamba time.
cajun fries and corn on the cob at boiling crab.
rafael nadal...agassi v2.0.
monte cristo sandwiches.
ninjas.
off the mark:
the boston celtics.
ed hardy.
ra for any reason other than
work/happy hour/special occasion.
all-over print (leave it to the luxury brands).
roger federer (he is damn good though).
salami...something about it just isn't right for me.
j. crew during the late spring/summer season.
jeff jarrett.
flo-rida "you spin me right round."
shemagh/keffiyeh scarves worn out of the
proper cultural context.
planned parenthood.
pcns with the wrong social agenda.
chivas usa.
anchor blue.
air jordan ii, viii, x, xx...sorry mj.
america's next top model.
true religion.
the lack of a men's h&m at the shoppes.
ms. duncan.
the excessive use of leggings.
famous stars and straps.

"we want re-up! we want re-up! yeah!"

last night...i went to the shoppes to study at barnes and noble. there's nothing quite like reading up on mental health while listening to placido domingo (it's an absolute must to check out one of the greatest opera singers of all time) and the fray (their latest, self-titled cd is impressive). it was at this moment that i realized i've rediscovered the joy of learning...the pursuit of education. i thought i rediscovered many times over in the past couple of years. it's been since early high school i must unfortunately admit that i've felt this way. the thrill of wanting to earn an A and then the elation that comes with getting it. i haven't had the feeling in so long, i've forgotten how much i loved it. then again, it's ironic that i lost something i loved so much to begin with. anyways...it's good to be back in (that kind of) love.

"rise."

i'm (officially) back from my lenten hiatus.
i realized how much i missed
posting thoughts and all sorts of nonsense.

here's a quick update on what i was up to during lent...
manna with devyn, tiff, and arthur. sojuboytellem.
element for aimee and tracy's birthday.
sponsor-candidate retreat.
usc pacn...don't worry, usc is still wack.
chat sum bul with jay. i'm seriously lovin' korean bbq right now.
roscoes at pasadena.
roscoes again and yogurtland with vanessa in the lbc.
jee's birthday dinner.
claremont/pomona gallivanting with dub, jee, betty, and chris.
anavie's baby showers
at the dy residence and mccoy's equestrian center.
kim's birthday celebration at d&b's.
met pacquaio and mayor antonio villiargosa.
cleaned up the streets of historic filipinotown
with the kabalikat society.
joshie's birthday at yard house.
chili's and stinger's for tanya's birthday.
ribs night at the leelin residence...props to mike juloya.
r.i.p. jon saligumba.

so basically...i ate a lot of good food with a lot of good people
for a lot of different and good reasons.

for the most part, lent was a relatively peaceful time for me. it had its crazy moments but i feel as if it's going to be the calm before storm. a lot of pcns and the confirmation ceremonies are happening this month. a plethora of birthdays await in may...especially my own. my sister is leaving for the carmelites in less than a month...the same amount of time until anavie is due to give birth to ever marian. a grip of people are graduating this spring/summer which means a lot of ceremonies and celebrations. and slowly but surely...i'm getting closer to my graduation date of july 7. during lent, i learned to be a little more simple and humble. i realized the urgency of becoming a nurse and growing up so i can start the rest of my life already.

"you are only starting on your path to success." that's what my fortune cookie said today at lunch. yessir...i will take what i've experienced in lent to produce a great aftermath.

"pacemaker."

one night only in lent...i have returned to express my thoughts on the recent passing of my brother in Christ,

jon saligumba.

i know so little of your death at this moment, but i knew your beautiful life and that is what matters most. it is a great misfortune of mine to have another retreatant, another student of mine leave this earth so abruptly. you were definitely one of my favorites, something i would never have shared publicly if you were still around. you inspired me to keep serving the Lord, to keep making a positive difference in spite of any hardship or suffering. i remembered that you loved to sing and dance...you lived a passionate life. i remember you being a peaceful soul, easy to get along with and easy to become friends with. you were so open to loving and eager to show it to the people in your life. you were a remarkable person and it was a definite pleasure and honor to have served you with austin in your faith journey.

i will be simple in my expression...i am very saddened by your death and i will mourn you. this much i can take comfort in, have hope for...that you will become an angel for all of us that are still here. that we now have another blessed soul who will watch over us and deliver God's grace to us. all of us here who knew and loved you will become closer in life because of yours. that is what i think is the most beautiful memento anyone can leave behind...a multiplication of love after death.

jon, in the moments we feel sadness due to your demise, in the times our hearts are struggling to endure such sorrow and pain...help us persevere. if not by your memory, then by your soul in Heaven let your love, your heart keep us going strong. give us the strength we need to make it through.

i will smile knowing you will no longer feel pain, sadness, suffering. you are in a much better place. your soul no longer has to bear the pressures of this world and will only experience the great love and joy only Heaven can provide. you no longer have to hope like us for the sincere and ultimate happiness Christ promises each and everyone of us...you are there. i don't know if this was to be your time...but i leave that thought and you in the hands of our God. your absence now leaves a space in all our lives, but our love for you will fill the void in due time.

i will continue to pray for you and all your loved ones.




i won't believe "in anything that brings you home to me." i will believe in anything that brings you home to Him.

thank you jon for everything...especially your final act of charity. what is it? your escalation to Heaven lets me know why i choose life, why i choose love every day...and why i never regret that.

may you rest in peace my brother...vaya con Dios. amen.