Then What Am I Taking My Shoes Off For

From USA Today...

Most fake bombs missed by screeners

Come to think of it, I've had my Swiss knife go past the security check point in 2 of my trips. The first time was when I went to Chicago back in March, and the second time was when I went to Dallas last month. Both times I realized, after checking in on the counter, that I still had my keys (which include the Swiss knife). So I just placed them in my carry-on. Nobody noticed it in the X-ray thingie on both trips.

And when I did check in my keys w/ the Swiss knife, the plane loses my suitcase. I ended up working from home for 2 days, as I waited for my car keys. How does the story end? I don't have the Swiss knife attached to my keys anymore.

Things I Learned in Costa Rica

• Latin Americans love to worship.
• Always bring a Spanish phrase book if you want to be understood.
• The sun is a gift from God.
• Heredia is like Tagaytay.
• When running in the rain you think you see a light blue floormat, don't step on it. It's actually a pool overflowing with water.
• Take Dramamine 30 minutes before riding a plane, if you didn't learn the first time.
• The trampoline is a gift from God (through a human being that invented it).
• Do not panic when the cab driver charges you 2000 colones. He's actually charging you 4 dollars, not 2000 dollars.
• Just because there are a lot of common words between Tagalog and Spanish does not mean you know Spanish.

Things I Learned in Europe

• People in Paris let their dogs poop on the sidewalks.
• Lourdes is like Baguio City.
• A Mini Cooper is actually a mid-size car.
• If you want to order regular Coke, you have to say "normal Coke." All others are abnormal.
  
• The French language is sexy.
• So is the Italian language.
• I think the Germans are mad at me.
• The Handmaids are crazy... and I mean that in a good way.
• The real Maria Von Trapp made a cameo in The Sound of Music.
• Walking around Paris with a backpack containing your laptop, SLR, hard drive, cables, water, etc. is not good for your back.
• 8-hour layover in Rome's airport = boring
• Take Dramamine 30 minutes before riding a plane or train.
• Condoms are sold at sidewalks to tourists.
• When Filipinos in Vienna say something that sounds like "aso," they're not talking about a dog.
• Before dining in a restaurant in Lourdes, learn French or Spanish first. Your English is useless there.
• European chocolates taste much better.

Blessed

Love is the Answer

The Beatles were asked to write a simple song that everybody could relate to. They figured, what can be more universal than love? And so the birth of All You Need is Love.

The ability to love is a gift given to us by God. Whatever problem we're having in any kind of relationship, the simple solution is love. Love takes away the crazy little thing called pride. The more we love selflessly, the closer we get to Jesus - the ultimate symbol of love.


I always forget about this simple solution. For the past few days I've been getting messages to love. Love my household, love everybody in the community, love my family, love the poor, love my co-workers and our angry clients, and most of all, love God. Each day contains a new message of love. It's like God is knocking on my head (imagine Biff in Back to the Future - "Hellooo McFly!" tap tap tap - but in a more loving way) reminding me of this simple act.

The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace. -Mother Teresa

We are all human who have our own faults and weaknesses. Sometimes we tend to attach ourselves to worldly things, instead of to what is pure and holy. But we need to always take a step back and examine our actions - do we do this out of love? Do we love our neighbors as Jesus loves us? Once we realize that everything we do must be done out of selfless love, only then will our worries and negative emotions go away.

I'm a revolutionary artist. My art is dedicated to change. -John Lennon

All we need is love.

Generation Now

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a near revival
Staring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees, we're on our knees
-Hosanna, Hillsong

It's time for us to stop waiting for people to tell us what to do. It's time for us to rid ourselves of worldly things. It's time for us to be pure, in mind and heart. It's time for us to step up. Time for us to uphold peace and unity.

Because in these, there is hope.

This just in

I haven't posted in a while so for the sake of updating this blog, here's some reading material for your pleasure...

You may now call her Reverend Tori Spelling
Just one of the many reasons why the sanctity of marriage has to be protected. And the sanctity of the holy order. And anything 90's pop culture.

It's like Bedknobs & Broomsticks, only with a lawn chair
"When you're laying in the grass on a summer day, and you see the clouds, you wish you could jump on them." I beg to differ, I'd wish I had the latest Harry Potter book and some Cinnabon.

Ginormous mushroom
He better be careful, Papa Smurf might still be sleeping inside.

GEICO's letter to Optimus Prime
I never realized that Megatron could be a woman.

Wash your hands with hands
What sick mind thought of this?

iPhone in a blender
Do not watch if you're an Apple fan with a weak heart.