Lessons I have learned from teenagers

"When he was not yet my crush, I never noticed how often he would text me.  But now, when he stopped texting me, I suddenly had a crush on him and misses him.  It's okay, I HAVE MOVED ON."  These words were the coming from a 15-year-old daughter of a girl friend of mine.   How I wish I would have the same attitude as this teenager, wherein I can just easily move on and shrug off things after any hurts and untoward events in my life.  

I wondered how a teenager can easily say these words, "I have moved on."  I tried to look back to my teenager years, but due to memory gap (he he he) I barely remember most of my teenage years.  Remembering a few crazy things i have done during teenage years, I realized life was less complicated then.   I only wanted to be an adult when I was a child but now, I am an adult, I am learning from the teenagers :)  I remember only playing dolls and robots (yeah I did, my brother was a Voltes V addict) and never worrying about any pains or hurts except the physical pain that I might get from playing.  Life as a teenager then was so easy.

Now, as an adult, i learn from the young ones - teenagers who live a carefree life.  From them I learned...

1.  Do not make life complicated.  Stay cool.  Everything will come to pass.  Move on, it's easy!

   

2.  Be thankful, even for the broken heart. Yeah!

3.  Say what you mean and mean what you say.  Just like that.  No adds or subs.  Simply and plainly say it.

4.  Friends are important.  Take care of your relationships with your friends.

and lastly..... 

5.  Be T.A.N.G.A. T-otoo A-kong N-agmamahal sa’yo. G-aano man kasakit A-y titiisin ko. :)  Translated in English as sacrificial love.

Sandy Hook School Tragedy

I was in tears as I watch President Barrack Obama give his speech and condolence to the people of Connecticut after 20 children and 6 adults were gunned down at close range in Sandy Hook Elementary School on 14 December 2012.  He addressed the whole United States in an emotional speech sending condolences to Governor Malloy and the families of those who died in the killing.  He said, “I know there’s not a parent in America who doesn’t feel the same overwhelming grief that I do. The majority of those who died today were children, beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old.”  Pausing to compose himself, he continued, “They had their entire lives ahead of them. Birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own.”  As i watched the president gives his speech, i cannot help crying while thinking of my own son back home in the Philippines, while thinking of how the parents of these children who died would have felt when they heard the news, and what were the reactions of the children who were left alive, what trauma would they suffer in the future. 

Most of us, especially parents, have been heartbroken by this tragic incidence.  The only thing we can do to help is say a prayer for those who died and for their families.  We still believe in a faithful God who has the best plan for all of us.  Let us take this time and moment to utter a short prayer for the Sandy Hook tragedy victims.  

Father in heaven, we give you all our sorrows at the moment especially the sorrows of the families of the Sandy Hook tragedy.

In Jesus' name we ask that you heal them Oh Lord God.

And through the Holy Spirit, cover them all with the warmth of your love.

Our mother Mary, be their comfort and help the bereaved families face this tragedy just like how you faced your sorrows when Jesus was suffering on the cross.

Amen.

December 12, 2012 (12.12.12)

It's dooms day! There have been rumors that it's going to be the end of the world on 21 December 2012. So, where did this rumor come from.  I was thinking it could be from the movie 2012 wherein the world was destroyed in 2012 just like the great flood.  In the movie, there was a massive solar flare  causing the temperature of the Earth's core to increase rapidly.  Millions died in catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis all over the world.  

Why 21st December 2012?  

A New Age interpretation of this transition is that the date marks the start of time in which Earth and its inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation, and that 21 December 2012 may mark the beginning of a new era. Others suggest that the date marks the end of the world or a similar catastrophe. Scenarios suggested for the end of the world include the arrival of the next solar maximum, an interaction between Earth and the black hole at the center of the galaxy, or Earth's collision with a planet called "Nibiru".

 
According to Mayan calendar, 21 December 2012 is the end of the long count of the Mayan calendar.  Thereby, ending the world and starting anew.

Today is 12 December 2012, the last time before another 100 years that we will see a triple number in the calendar.  What is special with 12.12.12.  Astrologically, some of the planets would align tonight.  Whatever the effect it may have on earth, that we do not know.  There may be a lot of theories on what will happen today, but only God knows what the future holds for us.

For now, let us live one day at a time in its real fullness in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The truth about Manny Pacquiao's loss against Marquez

With the recent downfall of Manny "pacman" Pacquiao,  there have been a lot of opinions as to the reason why he lost the match against Marquez.  Here are my top five reasons why Manny lost the boxing match.

5.  He did not train well.  Manny Pacquiao was so busy with his "extracurricular activities" that he was not focused on his training.

4.  Marquez cheated.  Please see below picture.

3.  He wanted to show off his planking on the ring.


2.  Turning away from the catholic faith especially not wearing the rosary.



1.  Jinkee's hairstyle with bangs....




HA!  HA! HA!

The Heart of Worship

Just sharing one of the songs that struck me deep...

The Heart of Worship

Manga Sushi

Last night, my friends and I had a pre-U.A.E. (United Arab Emirates) national day celebration at an authentic Japanese restaurant in The Beach Plaza in Jumeirah, Dubai.  We bought a voucher from http://www.groupon.ae/all-deals/dubai for only 99 AED for a full course meal for two people.  There are a lot of Japanese restaurants in Dubai but what makes manga sushi different is its totally manga atmosphere.  For those who are not aware what manga means, you can check out http://www.manga.com/ for manga comics.   Manga is basically comics created by Japanese in their only language.  It has been so popular not only to children but to adults as well. 

Manga sushi is a themed restaurant serving authentic Japanese food like Sushi, Sashimi, Donbori,  Nigiri,  Temaki, Maki, Agemono, Tempura, Katsu and Robatayaki. 

Sushi platter 160 AED

Sushi platter using groupon voucher 99 aed

Manga Sushi's interior is designed like a spaceship.  Looks futuristic huh!  The glass doors are etched with different manga characters. 

The entrance of Manga Sushi

 The seats in the sushi bar are also designed with different manga characters.

Sushi bar with Luisa, me and Donna

We did not only enjoy the food but really enjoyed looking at the manga collectibles, manga comics which you can read and even watched anime on nine plasma screens.

Naruto characters

Manga puzzle

The barmaids or the waitresses are dressed in anime, just like any manga cafe's in other parts or the world but here in Dubai, their clothes are quite conservative.   They are named after an anime character instead of their real names just like Nami, our Filipino manga barmaid. 

 

Nami, the barmaid

We tried the miso soup (love it more than the other Japanese restaurants in Dubai), tomato crab soup (really yummy), crabstick salad (real winner!!), tempura (all time favorite), and of course the sushi platter (burp).  I even ordered for a take out of yakisoba.  

Crabstick salad

Tomato crab soup

Tempura

All in all, the experience was amazing as written by Luisa on the feedback card given by the barmaid after paying our bills.  I would definitely recommend manga sushi in Beach Plaza Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.