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It Never Ends

8:53 PM

True love doesn't have a happy ending, because true love never ends.

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Books

Where True Magic Lies (A Harry Potter Lesson)

1:26 PM

What makes the Harry Potter novel enchanting?

For me, it's not about the spells or the magical creatures. It's about the rare kind of friendship formed between the characters.

Where True Magic Lies

The friendship of James, Sirius and Remus.

All three of them died in the novel. Not together, but all three sacrificed their lives for a greater cause. That is for the boy who lived and for the next generations of witches and wizards. For both the wizarding and the Muggle world. My favorite line about friendship in the whole story is what Sirius said: "I'd rather die than betray my friends".

Then of course Harry, Ron and Hermione's friendship.

A friendship that started in a rather unusual place (they saved Hermione from a towering troll in a girl's rest room), but lasted for a lifetime. No abandonment, as they all went where ever Harry went even if it meant exposing themselves to grave danger (even after Ron left because the Horcrux around his neck made him, he wanted to come back immediately regretting his action).

Of course there's fighting and misunderstanding between them. I don't think it's considered a genuine friendship if there was no squabble whatsoever.

I believe that's why they were able to defeat the Dark Lord.

They stayed together and they're all willing to sacrifice each others' lives and comfort to protect the other. They're all willing to stop their time and drop everything that matters to them in the name of friendship.

Real magic happens when there is genuine friendship.

Friendship is where true magic lies.

Photos from Google images

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Rants

Reaction On Cyber Crime Law

11:14 PM

If liberty means anything at all, it means the right

to tell people what they do not want to hear.

-George Orwell

I don't want to write about something I don't fully understand. I honestly haven't read the article yet as whenever I click the link there's an error. Sabotage? Maybe. Do I go to jail with that presumption? Well, I'm out of the "territory" so I assume I'm safe.

Disclaimer: What you will read here is just according to my limited knowledge of the law and my response to it.

Reaction on Cyber Crime Law

So what are the grounds? With the number of Filipinos who are actively using Facebook and other social networking sites, how can the government keep track? What is prohibited? What is the penalty for such crime?

Not sure. But there's one thing I know; the government is trying to distract the Philippines again from the real issue. Every time something serious comes up, expect another attention-grabbing issue that will follow. Something of less importance as compared to the main problem. It's like a pattern. We're all aware of it but instead of focusing on the main issue, we let the media and the government distract us. Nagpapauto na lang.

I'm not a fan of news or T.V. so I'm not that aware. My only source is Facebook and you can't believe everything you read. All I know is that a few weeks ago, pro and anti RH Bill are posting photos and statuses one after the other on their walls and now, this. Did I miss anything?

I'm a little passive so when I've read about the news, I didn't react immediately. My first thought was just, "Sigh. Who's idea is this this time?".

Do we really need to waste time tracking statuses, photos, blogs, likes and comments (if the last two are really included)?

So how about poverty? What say you?

Will this cyber crime really solve our problem? Is everyone even aware what the main problem of the country is to begin with? Will this make us more progressive?

They say, you'll know what solution to take if you know what your problem is. So my dear countrymen, have you yet figured out what is the root cause of all these chaos? Or are we turning a blind eye again and sweeping the real issue under the rug like we always do? Diyan tayo magaling. Instead of keeping ourselves busy impeding freedom of speech, why don't we just think of ways that can help eliminate the real problem?

This sounds familiar. People busy scrutinizing another, searching for flaws but keeps on ignoring their own? Do we not see them everyday? These are the big time power trippers. Since hindi ma solve ang issue sa buhay, maghanap ng issue ng iba. Mas madali nga naman yun.

Well, they say if you face a challenge don't react, rather respond.

Let's fight for our freedom of speech. But let's not forget to attend to what really matters.

If there's one thing you think we should change in our country that will get us out of our situation, what would it be? Will this cyber crime hullabaloo save the starving children in the streets? Will it shelter the countless homeless family? Will it stop the flood when another storm visit our territory? C'mon. Akala ko ba magaling ang Pinoy?

That's all I have to say for now.

Is that police siren I'm hearing outside?

Damn.

Photo credit: Digitalmoz

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Travels

Got Lost Inside Harry Potter's World

6:28 PM

I've always been a huge fan of the boy who lived. I would stay up late and force my eyes to stay open, fighting sleepiness just so I can read one more chapter. Or one more paragraph. Or one more page. At least that's what I kept saying to convince myself to put the book down.

So you can just imagine how ecstatic I was when (some parts of) Harry Potter's world came to town. The Harry Potter Exhibit started last June at the Arts Science Museum at the Marina Bay Sands.

Plans to go there had been put off for 3 months, so the excitement grew and grew until finally, my dream came true--- to step into and get lost in Harry Potter's world. Even just for an hour or so.

Even just a glimpse of it means the world to me. I entered into my fantasy world literally and no words can describe the joy I felt.

Got Lost Inside Harry Potter's World

(Click individual image to view in full size)

Our ticket to Platform 9 3/4. Well, not really. But close. :)

Ready to get lost in the magical world of Harry Potter

I had to control myself from squealing when we finally stepped inside. The first Harry Potter movie prop that greeted us was the famous Flying Ford that Ron drove on their way to Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Harry's letter from Hogwarts

one of the knights in the Wizard's Chess Ron played in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I wish they used a real owl. But this cute stuffed animal will do. That way to the exhibit. Yehey!

All 8 movie posters of the movies were at the hallway on way to the main exhibit area

The last 3 best Harry Potter films

At the entrance of the main exhibit room

You can just imagine the will power I used to stop myself from going through this mist (which created an illusion of the curtain into which godfather Sirius Black disappeared after Bellatrix Lestrange cursed him in the movie) while waiting for the staff to let us in. That's where the main exhibit starts.

Unfortunately for us, it's "for your eyes only". No cameras allowed "or else you'll be expelled from Hogwarts" says the witch who welcomed us inside. Aw.

So since no cameras were allowed, I'll try to remember everything I've seen behind those mist.

First, the Sorting Hat was there but they only sorted 2 persons. Then the doors opened to the dark room where they showed a few clips from the movie. Then there's another door! And my journey began.

Inside Harry Potter's World

1. A replica of the Hogwarts Express. There were trunks scattered beside it too.

2. The (moving) paintings hanging on the wall. Well, there were some which are videos of the moving paintings as seen in the movie. There was even the Fat Lady in that scene where she was trying to break a wine glass with her voice. I passed through that door behind her. Just so I can experience stepping into the Gryffindor common room (kunwari. hehe).

3. The casts' clothes. Hermione's, Ron's, Harry's, Neville's, Luna's casual clothes and Hogwart's school uniform.

4. Hermione's enchanted bag she used to keep all their things when they were "on the run".

5. Harry', Hermione's and Ron's wand---with scotch tape!

6. Copy of The Quibbler that Luna was reading and the glasses she was wearing in the movie.

7. The time-turner Harry and Hermione used in the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to save Buckbeak and Sirius.

8. Harry and Ron's poster bed, their trunks, Ron's favorite Quidditch team's poster and everything else at their bedside.

9. Nimbus 2000 and Nimbus 2001.

10. Their school professors' uniforms

11. The board with school announcements.

12. A few things they used in their Potions including the Half-blood Prince's book.

13. Professor Trelawney's cups complete with the tea leaves she used to prophesy Harry's death.

14. Their other classmates' uniforms.

15. Neville's pruning kits.

16. The Marauder's map.

17. I pulled a Mandrake out of the pot! It was super heavy I had to use two hands. And it shrieked! I was like a kid playing, pulling out Mandrake after Mandrake from the pots at Professor Sprout's makeshift greenhouse.

18. Hagrid's Hut! And we were allowed to sit on his giant chair. Joan and I were able to sit comfortably in the chair that Hermione sat on in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The only thing missing there was Hagrid's enormous bed.

19. 3 hoops that were like that in Quidditch. And we shoot Quaffles into them. Heavy balls they are. (Have you played shooting balls at Timezone or the like? It's somewhat like that).

20. Quidditch uniforms.Yes, including Cedric Diggory's. Ha ha.

21. A replica of the Pesky Pixies at Professor Lockhart's lesson. Even his paintings, pictures and books were there.

22. Professor Umbridge's office. Her kittens' dish paintings on the sickeningly pink walls as Harry would describe it. Her tea cups, her pink uniform she was wearing when George and Fred made a loud "bang" before leaving Hogwarts. Her magical quill, the parchment Harry wrote "I must not tell lies" on, a copy of the Daily Prophet with news about her.

23. The Statue at the cemetery where Cedric died.

24. Death Eaters' masks and robes.

25. The giant tarantula, Aragog.

26. Voldemort's robe and wand.

27. The creature they thought didn't exist but Harry and Luna could see (the name escapes me at the moment).

28. Buckbeak was there! Her eyes looked so real.

29. The executioner's axe and robe. There were pumpkins scattered too around them.

30. The school rules that Draco and his cronies hung on the walls of Hogwarts during Umbridge's "regime".

31. The Great Wall. Of course not as huge as in the book or movie but looks like it, with floating candles. The ceiling was just dark though. ^_^

32. Some food that was served during meal time. Goodies like Chocolate Frog and Bertie Bott's every flavor beans.

33. The Triwizard Cup.

34. The Goblet of Fire.

35. The names on paper that Dumbledore got from the Goblet of Fire.

36. Dumbledore's Army list, which got me teary eyed. Just looking at their signatures as shown in the Order of the Phoenix brought lump in my throat. Mushy me.

37. The clothes they wore during the Yule Ball. Hermione's pink dress was gorgeous up close.

38. A preserved Fawkes.

39. Head of the Hungarian Horntail.

40. The Deathly Hallows; Elder wand, Invisibility cloak and the Resurrection Stone.

41. Luna and Xenophilus' clothes during Fleur and Bill's wedding.

42. Godric Gryffindor's sword.

43. Dobby and Kreacher! Well, in wax that is.

44. Colin Creevey's petrified figure.

45. Nagini's replica in wax.

46. Professor Lupin's wardrobe where the Boggart came out during his class and the giant Jack-in-the-box that one of his students feared.

47. Rita Skeeter's quill.

48. A copy of The Life and Lies Of Albus Dumbledore.

49. Goodies from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

50. Some of the letters that Harry didn't get from the mail in The Sorcerer's Stone.

Then there were the merchandise outside the exhibit door. We're not sure if camera's not allowed there. So we just assumed it's not. He he.

I felt like I stepped into a dream and never wanted to wake up. I felt so enchanted, until now. I didn't want to leave but some good things never last. My friend Joan had to ask me when we reached the end of the exhibit, "Ready?".

And just like after reading the last book and watching the last film, I am not ready to leave Harry and his magical world. I may return to reality but they will always be part of me. I know not everyone will understand but I know people who do. Some may say it's only fantasy, fiction. But as Professor Dumbledore said, "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"

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Life Lessons

Life's A Dance

10:31 PM

Life's a dance.

Move with the music.

Enjoy every step.

And if you stumble, make it part of the dance.

Faith

I Pray

11:05 PM

Dear God,

Today I pray, that You fill the huge space in my heart.

Lord, it's too big for shallow things to fill.

I pray that You will help me feel Your presence at times like these; when I feel alone, down and empty. I try so hard to see and feel You but my vision is blurred and my heart numbed.

It's taking all my strength and faith to remember that You are here, even if I can't feel You at all. I pray that You surround me with the warmth of Your love.

I pray You heal the wounds invisible to the human eye.

There are wounds so deep it's been here for years but haven't healed completely. Some of them caused by Your other children, mostly I've inflicted on myself.

I pray that You help me stop the pain they bring. Deep wounds, shallow wounds, bruises and scratches; I pray that You wash them with Your most precious blood and heal me.

I pray that You make me new again. I pray that You remind me how beautiful I am, because I am made in your image and likeness.

I pray that You remind me how precious I am because You Yourself knit me together in my mother's womb. You know when I sit and stand. You etched my name in Your palm.

I am worth more than many sparrows. You think of me every minute, every day.

I pray that You make me whole again no matter how broken I am right now.

I pray that You use me and my brokenness to bring light to those who are also in darkness.

I pray that You turn my trials into testimonies, my mess into Your message.

I pray that You wont let go of me, no matter how close I am to giving up.

I pray that You wash away all my tears and help me see the beauty of life again.

I pray for miracles. Make me believe in miracles again.

I pray for a heart longing for You, knowing You're all that I need; mouth never ashamed to give praise and hands reaching out to others readily.

I pray that I'll forget about me and make everything about You.

I pray that You make me like a child again.

I pray with desperation and hunger in my soul.

I pray, placing all my hope and faith in You.

In Jesus' name.

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Lux Thinking Aloud

Finding A Way Or Finding Excuses

12:21 AM

If you really want to do something, you'll find a way.

If you don't, you'll find an excuse.

-Jim Rohn

How badly you really need or want something shows on how you try to achieve it.

When tough times arise, do you keep going or do you stop trying?

Do you stand up or do you stay down after falling?

Do you get out of the situation or do you get stuck?

Do you act or do you let fear paralyze you?

What is there to fear anyway?

Do you let the situation control you or do you control it?

Do you let the inevitable "factors" decide what should and should not happen?

Do you let life pass you by?

How important a thing or person to you can bee seen on how you fight to have it/him/her.

No matter what you tell people around you, if it does not reflect on the way you handle challenges that may test your determination to have what you want, it's useless.

People are not as stupid or naive as you assume them to be. They will believe what they see more than what they hear.

What you do still outweighs what you say.

How desperate are you?

How sincere?

Everything you want or need can be yours.

It depends on how hungry you are to have it.

If there's an obstacle in the way (say test of time, distance, faithfulness, determination), do you find a way or make silly excuses?

It's your call.

Photo: Google images

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Music

Music: I Believe (Chris August)

11:33 PM

I believe that there is someone holding on to me

Sometimes I won't feel it, but that don't change a thing

'Cause it's by faith that I believe

I Believe

Chris August

I don't need a rainbow to know who made the rain

Don't need the waters parted to know who made the way

And I don't need a healing to know who is the cure

Of this I'm sure

I believe that there is something more than I can see

I believe that there is someone holding on to me

Sometimes I won't feel it, but that don't change a thing

'Cause it's by faith that I believe

If you had some heartache that made you cry a thousand tears

Then let me tell you now I know just how you feel

And that heavy weight of sorrow that you've carried for so long

Will soon be gone

'Cause I believe that there is something more than I can see

I believe that there is someone holding on to me

Sometimes I won't feel it, but that don't change a thing

'Cause it's by faith that I believe

You might see a miracle and give praises to the Lord

Don’t let a touch from heaven be the thing you're waiting for

Blessed are those who don't see but still believe, do you believe?

I believe that there is something more than I can see

I believe that the arms of Jesus are holding on to me

Sometimes I won't feel it, but that don't change a thing

Cause it's by faith that I believe

I believe, I believe

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Music

Music: Steady My Heart (Kari Jobe)

1:49 AM

Lord, thank You for keeping my heart steady.

Steady My Heart

Kari Jobe

Wish it could be easy

Why is life so messy

Why is pain a part of us

There are days I feel like

Nothing ever goes right

Sometimes it just hurts so much

But You're here

You're real

I know I can trust You

Even when it hurts

Even when it's hard

Even when it all just falls apart

I will run to You

Cause I know that You are

Lover of my soul

Healer of my scars

You steady my heart

I'm not gonna worry

I know that You got me

Right inside the palm of your hand

Each and every moment

What's good and what gets broken

Happens just the way that You plan

And I will run to You

And find refuge in Your arms

And I will sing to You

Cause of everything You are

You steady my heart

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Lux Thinking Aloud

Paglaki Ko, Gusto Ko Maging...

12:03 AM

"Paglaki Ko, Gusto Ko Maging ___", I remember hearing this line all the time as a kid. Adults like to ask this question to children. Whatever the answer is, their reaction would always be the same ---amazement with amusement.

I still hear this "paglaki ko gusto ko maging ___" line from kids until now. I love the way their eyes light up with so much hope whenever they say this. Like they know they can do anything and nothing is impossible. They believe they can go out there and conquer the world and no one can stop them. The smiles on their faces when you tell them how amazing they are---priceless.

This line just got me wondering, how many of the young once are now living their gusto ko maging dreams. How many of those who said "Paglaki ko, gusto ko maging doctor" are M.D.s now?

To be a doctor, nurse, teacher, engineer are the common answers. So how many whatever gusto ko maging have finally naging?

I, for one did not become the teacher that I so passionately wanted when I was in grade school. My grade 2 teacher inspired me on this. She was really good in handling little tyrants. She's very understanding and patient. She spoke to us like we matter, she's a good listener. I felt her concern. She saw to it that all of us understood the lesson. I must admit though, I still have a little ember of this passion flickering in my heart.

I still want to be a teacher---a preschool teacher, and I still keep on telling myself that soon I will be. But whenever I ask myself how soon is soon, I couldn't get an answer.

I also don't know how it happened, but in one of my yearbooks (I think it's from kindergarten), I said I wanted to be a nurse.

I don't know if my teacher did not have the time to ask me and just wrote whatever she feels like writing under my name or I just forgot I said it. But no matter how many times I assess myself, I can't find it in my heart to want to become a nurse.

So, I don't know what happened back then. Must be a case of miscommunication or something.

What else were my gusto ko maging?

Paglaki Ko, Gusto Ko Maging...

1.) Paglaki ko, gusto ko maging dentist.

Yeah, I used to want to be a teeth doctor. That's before my grandmother told me a traumatizing story (although now, I'm not sure how true the story was). She said there was this one intern who forgot to inject anesthesia to a patient before extracting a tooth.

That short but morbid story was the end of my "Paglaki ko, gusto ko maging dentist" love story. Sigh. Note to adults: careful with your stories. It can change a child's heart, which in turn can change the child's destiny which changes the world in a broader sense. Don't ever forget the Butterfly Effect.

2.) Paglaki ko, gusto ko maging psychologist.

Well, I was already in high school when this ambition crossed my mind, but as one of my friends would always tell me, I barely grow an inch since the last time he saw me.

So, there. My father was the one who suggested it to me. So I said, why not? After all, I enjoy reading self-help books. I love observing and studying people; how they react to certain situations, their habits, their attitudes, etc.

I love psychoanalyzing things and I can easily put two and two together (which comes in handy when I encounter straight-faced liars). I still want to be a psychologist. I even considered taking it up as a second course. Then again, what would I do after completing the course?

So, I decided to be content with reading psychology books, taking psychological tests on line (even those "what kind of___ are you" games in the social networking sites) and blogging my observations on people for now.

3.) Paglaki ko, gusto ko maging businesswoman.

This started when I was exposed to our little business back then. I would be the one in charged on weekends, which kind of pissed me off as I wanted so much to stay at home and rest but can't.

As I was the only one who's "kind" enough to do this extra chore, I had no choice but cut my weekend rest and go out of the house earlier than when I go to school.

What always ticked me off at the beginning though, I started to enjoy as months passed. Eventually, I enjoyed speaking with people. The most fulfilling moment is when I count the money at the end of the day. Aaahhh, that feeling of holding in your hands what you've labored for during the day.

It gave me joy and made me look forward to earning more! Then I started to value every cent in my pocket. Before I spend or give to spenders (that's the role of the other family members who refuse to wake up early and help out), I think twice.

Is it really worth it? I became frugal. My mother would say I'm Chinese because I'm kuripot. Gusto ko maging businesswoman and I've got attempts to make this come true recently.

4.) Paglaki ko, gusto ko maging dermatologist.

I was so naive then I thought Dermatology is just another medical course you take like Nursing and Pharmacy. I didn't know it's a specialization for M.D.s. What discouraged me to pursue this gusto ko maging was first of all the long years I'd spend before I can accomplish it.

Second, the pictures of skin diseases I saw. Some were so severe it grossed me out. So how can I treat a patient if I was the first to barf?

Last of course is the money my father will spend sending me to school. My course was already very expensive. Add to that the med proper years and the years of internship after that. I don't think he'll be able to make both ends meet if I did follow this gusto ko maging dermatologist dream of mine.

Now that I'm an adult, there are still a lot of things that's gusto ko maging.

On top of my list is gusto ko maging stock holder/investor. It's not as complicated as it sounds but yes, it's as lucrative as you've probably heard.

Until now, gusto ko maging businesswoman has not stopped. I still want to venture into business.

Gusto ko maging work at home person too. This I already started since last year. I don't have a gig at the present but before, I was handsomely paid by my client for my part time job. It's a sacrifice on my part though as I have to stay up coming from a graveyard shift but 3-5 hours a day does not hurt if you're just sitting in front of your laptop in your pajamas.

Gusto ko maging blogger with a high traffic on my blog, gusto ko maging full time housewife (although I'm not sure if working at home can be considered as full time still), gusto ko maging part of Gawad Kalinga, building homes for the homeless and changing lives, gusto ko maging full time in helping ministries especially orphanages, gusto ko maging yogi, gusto ko maging chef or at least learn to cook gourmet.

I know some are hard to achieve given where I am now and what my priorities are but I know they're not impossible. As one song goes, "If I can see it, then I can be it".