Up at 4 in the morning

Hello, world!

I am alive. Just so you know.

I've been up since 4 in the morning because troubled minds are restless. Well, my mind is not exactly troubled that much, just sad.

I have not posted anything in December because I went home to celebrate Christmas and New Year with my family and friends. It was exhilarating and quite festive despite meager fanfare and finances were not abundant. Like most Filipinos, we made do with what we had. We had a great time, and that was that.

Happy New Year by the way!

How was your New Year's celebration? Mine was fine, too. We did not have firecrackers though. We had somebody fashion a cannon out of cans (canyon lata), duct tape, some flammable liquid, and parts of a lighter. It is a safer alternative than using firecrackers, and packs a mean punch, too! All for 300 pesos. NOTE: Makers should do it correctly otherwise it would still be hazardous to your health.

Aside from welcoming the New Year without firecrackers, we did something different this year as well. We also welcomed 2013 with some backyard dancing, where young and old just let loose to various tunes under the pale moonlight. Some of the tunes played were Apache Indian's Boom Shak-a-lak, Psy's Gangnam Style, and other dance-able tunes. It was quite a sight, actually. Especially when the manly men imitated the Budots Dance as best as they can.

We were also able to celebrate the New Year by heading over to the nearest beach at the end of January 1. It was also known as my last day of happiness back at home as I had to board a plane back to Cambodia by January 2.

Happy times, sad times.

And now, I am back.

How goes it?

!Silenced.

I've kept mum as of the past couple of days because of several things.

I do not know how to start things anymore, and I know not how the flow of information comes and goes in my mind.

But if anything the past couple of days has taught me is that our freedom of speech is integral and a gift that nobody should take away from us.

Recently, the Philippines' lawmakers passed a bill that is so full of loopholes that when worse comes to worse, even saying 'hehehe' on any social media site or even blogging can be reasons enough to land yourself in jail. It is a terrifying thought, especially for somebody with a motor mouth or somebody who spews ideas about everything and anything - like me.

And yet this idea prompts me to speak out instead.

It angers me that certain people wish to silence those who have opinions. It angers me that there is that law that makes people think twice about expressing.. or maybe just stop expressing at all. On top of that... some supposedly honorable Senator made it possible because he cannot take criticisms. 

May we never be silenced.

Image from BakitWhy.com

Hullo!

So, I'm back.. on track. But maybe not that much.

Been quite busy for the past few weeks (read: lazy), and I was not able to blog much. I don't think it was because of a lack of things to say, perhaps because I was busy and at the end of the day I felt so lazy and tired that I just wanted to vegetate.

What's up?

Good news, about Marion. Although they are still in need of your help and kindness, I believe they have reached an agreement with the hospital to proceed with the surgery that Marion really, really, needs. So, thank God, Goddess, Allah, Buddha, and all the higher beings for their help and guidance.

In other news, the Philippines is being attacked by torrential downpour. There have been many lives lost, especially in Luzon, which is quite terrifying. While August remains to be the rainy season in the Philippines, I wish it did not have to be so catastrophic.

While I was traipsing through the web, I chanced by the Inquirer page and found some trolls making rude remarks on comments made by concerned citizens. While I normally do not bother with people such as these, it can be sad and annoying to find commenters who have nothing better to do than curse others and/or put people down. Peace and Love, yo! Peace and Love.

Meanwhile, in Cambodia, the heat is killing me. But, there are worst things in life, so I am thankful that I am alive, and I pray that may Angels guide, guard, and comfort those who are suffering.

So.. what have you been up to?