People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you've got and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, It's between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway. --Mother Teresa |
I was sitting in my Microbiology class at 9:20 this morning and even though I felt physically exhausted, my soul was still and at peace. Life is in perspective and I want to just cling to this moment, I am not anxious, my soul is stilled and and is at peace. I've had a glimpse of the real journey of a soul that I have come to love. The funny thing is, seeing that soul as it is, contaminated with the desire to love itself, to be self-absorbed, to worship itself instead of the One who rightly commands the soul's devotion, seeing it for all its ugly selfish tendencies pinned against its huddled figure, with its head bowed low, shoulders slumped in humility, and eyes downcast in shame, that the soul itself is grieved by its sinful tendencies, made it so amazingly beautiful. It is as though I saw a glimpse of God dwelling right in the midst of that contamination, willing to roll-up his sleeves and begin to transform it. |
2005-03-23 19:16:24 2005-03-24 00:16:24 open Publish post 227846065 cool page. Yea i have to get ready for college soon. Is it hard? 1 2005-03-23 19:54:00 2005-03-24 00:54:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 391179671 Lol my name and where im from is on my xanga site lol 1 2005-03-23 22:27:00 2005-03-24 03:27:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 391459070 reafortes Tue, 22 Mar 2005 19:54:51 -04:00
"He said not thou shalt not be tempted; thou shalt not be afflicted, but He did say, thou shalt not be overcome." --Julian of Norwich
2005-03-22 19:54:51 2005-03-23 00:54:51 open Publish post 227209783 reafortes Thu, 17 Mar 2005 11:18:09 -04:00Daylight fading
Come and waste another year
All the the anger and the eloquence are bleeding into fear
Moonlight creeping around the corners of our lawn
When we see the early signs that daylight's fading
We leave just before it's gone
--I like Counting Crows
2005-03-17 11:18:09 2005-03-17 16:18:09 open Publish post 223793492 reafortes Tue, 15 Mar 2005 21:52:42 -04:00I miss my sister.
2005-03-15 21:52:42 2005-03-16 02:52:42 open Publish post 222906316 hey this is the cutest picture, i love it!! i hope your doing well...dae 1 2005-03-19 09:10:00 2005-03-19 14:10:00 Daeselome [email protected] http://daeselome.xanga.com/ 0 8993877 0 385047842 reafortes Tue, 08 Mar 2005 21:10:04 -05:00Thanks so much for coming Soo...
2005-03-08 21:10:04 2005-03-09 02:10:04 open Publish post 218528854 np :P 1 2005-03-14 10:03:00 2005-03-14 15:03:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 378657807 by da way. i got ur letter. thnx.... i don't know wut to say...sorry i gave u hard time while i was up there. lol
take it easy~ 1 2005-03-14 12:08:00 2005-03-14 17:08:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 378737489 reafortes Tue, 01 Mar 2005 16:58:54 -05:00
Tuesday, 1st of March, 2005 8:15am
I woke up with a gnawing feeling of intense isolation. I slept straight through from 1am to 7am, none of the usual waking up briefly somewhere around 4â5am. I sat up when my alarm clock sounded and almost immediately I could feel that unpleasant intense feeling. I sat at the edge of my bed almost wide awake for 5 minutes. I couldnât figure out why something felt wrong. Very wrong. I tried to think about a dream I might have just had, but couldnât remember anything.
Iâm not sure that I can adequately describe in written words what I felt, and am still feeling⦠But it was so intense and the fear and uneasy insecurity I felt came from the deepest part of me. And I was desperately scared of the bewildering anxiety that seemed to envelope my whole being. It seemed to magnify out from the core of me to the rest of me. All I wanted to do was run to my grand mother, crawl onto her lap and let her arms assure me of safety, and allow that fear and intense feeling to dissolve away. To find security and comfort in the physical awareness that I am not alone. Against such refuge this intense feeling of isolation melts away as if its existence could not compete with that of love from another and the comfort and assurance that comes with it. Is this the reason why God created us to be inter-dependent? And is this the reason why love is like breath to our souls. Why there is a sense of incompleteness, of meaninglessness when we don't sense the presence of God, who is Love.
I was only met with the suffocating walls of my room, and the darkness and silence that are not uncommon at 7am. I attempted to go about my routine, and walked to the light switch and flipped it on, naively hoping that the light will chase this feeling that Iâve associated with the darkness as it chases the darkness when it is present. I was quite surprised that the brightness of the light compounded the feeling I felt, as if instead of chasing it away it exposed the depression and loneliness even more and its ugliness was even clearer. I instinctively reached for the light switch and quickly flipped it back off. And walked over to my lamp, bent it over, and turned it on. The dim light from my lamp felt more appropriate; it did not seem to paralyze me with fear.
At times like these, I am afraid to cry. Crying isolates me even more. I have been withdrawing my tears since Iâve woken up. I donât want to cry alone. But I am alone.
I donât understand why this feeling absorbs me now. Itâs not the first time. But I have not felt it this intense for awhile. And it just seems so sudden. Iâm really not sure what brought it about this time.
This morning I wanted desperately to see Philip. To see and be with someone who I know echoes similar experiences, someone who has some understanding of this feeling that Iâm having difficulty articulating in written words. Am I being completely unrealistic and silly when I feel like I can find a soothing comfort that would dissolve this fear, just by being with another who might share this with me? I know that being with him will not solve the problem, but yes, it would alleviate the pain. It was just so strong that it was almost crippling. I found myself crawling back to bed after brushing my teeth and getting ready for class. I was very tempted to just stay in bed.
2005-03-01 16:58:54 2005-03-01 21:58:54 open Publish post 214015480 i'm comin' to get u~~~~~~~~~ 1 2005-03-03 01:56:00 2005-03-03 06:56:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 364874188 reafortes Mon, 28 Feb 2005 00:24:52 -05:00"I do want to turn my eyes from, O God. There I want them to stay and not move no matter what happens to me, within or without." ~Catherine of Genoa
2005-02-28 00:24:52 2005-02-28 05:24:52 open Publish post 213021987 reafortes Sun, 27 Feb 2005 00:44:16 -05:00Once upon a time...
2005-02-27 00:44:16 2005-02-27 05:44:16 open Publish post 212370497 reafortes Sat, 12 Feb 2005 11:36:15 -05:00A Night of Swing Dancing.
KC and Scott, Paul and I, HiUan and Will.
Last night a bunch of us went swing dancing... I almost didn't go, and after my original date (Dan Holcomb) became too ill to go, I was rejected three times before Joey finally decided to be my partner for the swing dance. Thanks Joey It was quite exhausting. Especially dancing with Paul! Paul you're great! Uannie and I were quite worn-out by the end of it. But it was great fun and I hope to do it again sometime. Philip, I'd like you to be my partner next time
2005-02-12 11:36:15 2005-02-12 16:36:15 open Publish post 203420094 hey when are u gonna come visit me here in jersey? its only 15 mins away from the city so just incase u stop by manhattan, give me a call and reply to my comment damned! Lol.. ok bye 1 2005-02-16 11:06:00 2005-02-16 16:06:00 FaBu_4_LouS [email protected] http://fabu-4-lous.xanga.com/ 0 729871 0 346765057 oh btw its kai just incase u dont know.. hehe.. 1 2005-02-16 11:07:00 2005-02-16 16:07:00 FaBu_4_LouS [email protected] http://fabu-4-lous.xanga.com/ 0 729871 0 346765241 reafortes Tue, 08 Feb 2005 21:57:07 -05:00 Don't judge me tomorrow by the way I'm acting today... --Skye S. 2005-02-08 21:57:07 2005-02-09 02:57:07 open Publish post 201527890 reafortes Sat, 29 Jan 2005 14:42:14 -05:00The Apl Song by the Black Eyed Peas.
I went to my little bro's page and he had that video by the Black Eyed Peas playing. Another video that gripped my heart. I miss home so much. I almost feel a strange mix of feelings. A part of me wants to cling to Africa as home, but another part of me continues to grow more and more attached to the Philippines. I almost feel like if I allow to let Manila feel like home, then I'm replacing Maputo and Nairobi. Like I'm somehow being a traitor.
2005-01-29 14:42:14 2005-01-29 19:42:14 open Publish post 195680099 reafortes Sat, 22 Jan 2005 20:22:06 -05:00 "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President - or that we are to stand by the President right or wrong - is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public" - Theodore Roosevelt 2005-01-22 20:22:06 2005-01-23 01:22:06 open Publish post 191845077 reafortes Tue, 18 Jan 2005 20:52:36 -05:00 What do I mean when I say I'm a Christian...? 2005-01-18 20:52:36 2005-01-19 01:52:36 open Publish post 189615958 reafortes Tue, 18 Jan 2005 20:45:06 -05:00I AM A CHRISTIAN - By Maya Angelou
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin."
I'm whispering "I was lost,"
Now I'm found and forgiven.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need CHRIST to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and need HIS strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
who received God's good grace, somehow.
Hannah's and my beautiful snow angels!!!
2005-01-16 02:01:26 2005-01-16 07:01:26 open Publish post 188090493 reafortes Tue, 11 Jan 2005 12:13:10 -05:00 Oh, and Happy Birthday to Soo, his birthday was on the 10th, and Happy Birthday to Meredith, her birthday was yesterday! 2005-01-11 12:13:10 2005-01-11 17:13:10 open Publish post 185621964 reafortes Tue, 11 Jan 2005 12:12:18 -05:00I am back at Houghton!!! It feels nice to be back. I am greeted by a slowly rising mountain of snowfall! It is quite pretty... And quite cold All is good. I'm still a little bit nervous about being the Houghton Academy Girls' Dorm RA/Proctor. They've been good so far, quite energetic, I'm sure I'm going to get worn out soon... Classes are all, well, good... I just had the Sociology class (Individual & Society) that I'm really excited about! And I just finished talking to Dan Holcomb (Phil's brother) twin, Dan Holcomb (Houghton-Holcomb). Really weird...
It was snowing when I woke up this morning. I was out the door at 7am and it was still dark out! And it is still snowing out... Need to go make some snow angels in my bathing suite! And run around in flip-flops.
2005-01-11 12:12:18 2005-01-11 17:12:18 open Publish post 185621776 reafortes Wed, 05 Jan 2005 10:47:09 -05:00This is so amazing!
I'm sitting in what is called "PC Connection Points" in Singapore Airport, Terminal 1. There are two nice, wooden/glass desks where you can plug in your computer and connect to the internet using the airport's broadband access I'm currently the only one sitting here, and it's tucked at the back area of the terminal, where it is a little quieter and darker. Behind me are rows of reclined chairs where people are sleeping and taking naps. Unfortunately there isn't one available for me
It's 11:30pm and my flight to Hong Kong is at 6:45am If I still don't get that paper done that I've been putting off, I am really pathetic!
This has got to be one of the longest journeys I have ever made... 10-hour lay-over in Singapore (which I'm not really complaining about, if there is any airport I could have a long lay-over in, I would definitely choose Singapore airport in a second!) And then a 3-hour flight to Hong Kong, and then a 16-hour flight from Hong Kong to O'Hare. That will be lovely. Oh, and then a 1.5-hour flight from O'Hare to Buffalo. I can't wait to sleep on my roommate's fat bed when I spend the night at her place! I do like that feeling of... finally! a proper bed! And then sleeping properly... It's like a stream of cold water on parched lips
Actually, what I really wanted to do right now is go out. They have this free shuttle service from the airport to the city and back. And if I did have my father's approval I probably would go out... maybe...(I know my dad is going to read this so... )
2005-01-05 10:47:09 2005-01-05 15:47:09 open Publish post 182502962 be good. see u soon. 1 2005-01-05 20:47:00 2005-01-06 01:47:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 303076261hey this is kai.. listen email me ur number at buffalo where i can reach u at [email protected] so we can contact each other.. ate cha just left actually like on the 2nd.. maybe we could meet up before my classes start on the 24th..
-kai
1 2005-01-05 23:11:00 2005-01-06 04:11:00 FaBu_4_LouS [email protected] http://fabu-4-lous.xanga.com/ 0 729871 0 303273785 reafortes Sun, 02 Jan 2005 22:35:06 -05:00
How much are we supposed to be able to take before enough is enough?
2005-01-02 22:35:06 2005-01-03 03:35:06 open Publish post 181278841 dat's hot. i love u too rea. 1 2005-01-03 20:12:00 2005-01-04 01:12:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 301057480 reafortes Fri, 31 Dec 2004 09:31:29 -05:00I hate feeling like Icarus... But the brighter the sun shines, the more I want to reach out and just touch it. Maybe I can. Maybe my wings aren't made of wax and plucked feathers. Maybe these wings are real wings that will take me to the source of light.
2004-12-31 09:31:29 2004-12-31 14:31:29 open Publish post 179868067 reafortes Tue, 21 Dec 2004 06:19:34 -05:00Soo is spending Christmas break at Philip's.
2004-12-21 06:19:34 2004-12-21 11:19:34 open Publish post 174843085 yea i am... aren't u jealous? 1 2004-12-21 20:23:00 2004-12-22 01:23:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 288885944 Soo... I'm not really jealous because I know you're not being treated like a princess! See... you're not his special friend ;) I hope you are having a good time over there. 1 2004-12-22 07:50:00 2004-12-22 12:50:00 reafortes [email protected] http://reafortes.xanga.com/ 0 6963576 0 289278482 reafortes Mon, 20 Dec 2004 01:55:30 -05:00Why do I have the idea that everything... or at least most things, should and will work out for the best? Sometimes my own optimism sounds like a shallow joke. Like Pangloss, who contracted an STD from a chambermaid who had become infected because of her relations with someone who brought the disease from what was then called, "The New World" and in Pangloss' attempt to still be optimistic he explained to Candide that it was all logical and for the best because if Colombus and his men had not sailed to the New World then Europe would not be enjoying chocolate. [From "Candide" by Voltaire]
This world is never going to be the perfect kind of world that I desire, the kind that I was originally made for, it will never be, at least not until after Jesus returns. So I do have hope. But if I must be honest, I do often fail to focus on that hope. And what does it actually mean to focus on that hope? Sometimes I fool myself and believe that I am focused on it, but if I look a little deeper all I'm really focused on is myself.
2004-12-20 01:55:30 2004-12-20 06:55:30 open Publish post 174279895 reafortes Fri, 17 Dec 2004 03:23:49 -05:00 Minsan nakakainis ang buhay... pero minsan nakakatawa. Maraming iniisip, maraming problema, maraming frustrations sa buhay... pero kahit simpleng bagay lang ang nakakapagpasaya (ang makasama ang pamilya ko), lubos naman mag pasaya. Kaya this Christmas, sana ma-appreciate natin ang mga pamilya natin because they're the ones who will really always be there... kahit ano pa ang mangyari. 2004-12-17 03:23:49 2004-12-17 08:23:49 open Publish post 172893595 reafortes Tue, 14 Dec 2004 02:52:53 -05:00 ...well, I suppose this is proof that technology isn't as reliable as we tend to think... still not sure when I'll have internet working again at home. Hopefully sometime next weekend. 2004-12-14 02:52:53 2004-12-14 07:52:53 open Publish post 171415773 reafortes Thu, 09 Dec 2004 23:11:39 -05:00 Our dsl has been down these past few days... so here I am sitting at an internet cafe, checking e-mails, etc, etc... Not sure when I'll have internet at home again, hopefully soon. 2004-12-09 23:11:39 2004-12-10 04:11:39 open Publish post 169476070 reafortes Tue, 07 Dec 2004 20:39:39 -05:00 I'm back home. Enjoying being home thoroughly... haven't had a lot of time to write stuff, but all's good. I love my family 2004-12-07 20:39:39 2004-12-08 01:39:39 open Publish post 168393659 reafortes Sat, 27 Nov 2004 12:05:48 -05:00I'm thoroughly enjoying my time here in Honiton, Devon. Today Norrie and her friend, Jane, took me to Sidmouth... the beach is beautiful!!! It's a few degrees warmer here in the south, quite pleasant. Tonight Norrie and her husband, Peter, will take me to one of the more famous pubs here, "Hare & Hounds" where they will introduce me to English carvery, I'm looking forward to tasting different kinds of roast meat! Yum!
2004-11-27 12:05:48 2004-11-27 17:05:48 open Publish post 163376558 reafortes Sun, 21 Nov 2004 04:05:56 -05:00 One would think that a TCK would find it less difficult to depart from a place after spending some time living there. That it would be less difficult to cope with the fact that, once again, you have to say good-bye to people you have become fond of seeing and being with everyday and bid farewall to places you have started to get used to, and actually enjoy being in. Dr. Pollock always reminded me not to shut-off, close-up, or build an invisible wall around me, not to allow unhealthy coping mechanisms to develop in me, which, he explained were the common tendencies of TCK's. But it's so difficult not to. The more I have to say good-bye with the uncertainty of ever seeing the person again in this life, and in some cases, in the next, the more difficult it becomes to keep doing it. But if I must be plainly honest, I would admit that I have found it well worth getting to know people and allowing them to become a real part of my life for a short while and then saying good-bye, than allowing the people around me to not become a real part of my life and never having to say good-bye. 2004-11-21 04:05:56 2004-11-21 09:05:56 open Publish post 160487643 reafortes Fri, 19 Nov 2004 02:10:03 -05:00"If everyone ... lived like Americans, then you'd need three planet Earths... to sustain that level of consumption." --Peter Raven, Botanist and Conservationist
(thanks Karli )
2004-11-19 02:10:03 2004-11-19 07:10:03 open Publish post 159624519 reafortes Wed, 17 Nov 2004 13:02:01 -05:00"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." --T.S. Eliot
2004-11-17 13:02:01 2004-11-17 18:02:01 open Publish post 158839496Oh goodness. Sorry, i was sitting on my brain and apparently my body weight cut off the firing of whatever bits of brain are supposed to fire to make you remember that you didn't leave your name on your comment.
Yeah, this is matt.
Heyhowsitgoinhowveyoubeenforthelastumpteenyearsetc.
--Trick Magnet
1 2004-11-17 14:19:00 2004-11-17 19:19:00 afteritsover [email protected] http://afteritsover.xanga.com/ 0 4718888 0 261568162 So it is you!!! Matt Starcher it's been a long time! Good to hear from you :) I left you a comment on the first comment you posted on my xanga. Something about my hair being long. --Rea 1 2004-11-17 16:59:00 2004-11-17 21:59:00 reafortes [email protected] http://reafortes.xanga.com/ 0 6963576 0 261669500 feel free to use the peter raven quote 1 2004-11-18 17:54:00 2004-11-18 22:54:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 262439691 Rea, long time, i just saw that you had posted on karli's page and that's how i found this page, how are you? ~Dae 1 2004-11-18 20:01:00 2004-11-19 01:01:00 Daeselome [email protected] http://daeselome.xanga.com/ 0 8993877 0 262552950 reafortes Sun, 14 Nov 2004 13:33:28 -05:00It's been a crazy weekend. My past has caught up with the present! On Friday I met up with Sarah Adjah, an old friend from Maputo whom I haven't seen for a little over 6 years. On Saturday I met with Helio Cumbi, then spent the whole day and evening hanging out with a bunch of people from Maputo at his friend's Miko's apartment... it felt like the old days... kind-of weird. It's amazing how the kids I hung out with in middle school have grown up to be such interesting adults.
Everyone remembered my brother. He's like a legend... Ralph, the big guy who was not afraid of anything, the guy who spoke his mind, the guy that other guys followed, the notorious rebel with a good heart that won his peers' loyalty and admiration. We all talked much about those days, reminiscing... And then Miko played his favorite film, Azumi, since I hadn't seen it (for everyone else it was the 2nd time at least that they were watching it).
Sitting in Miko's little bachelor-decorated living room, with glasses of cranberrie-vodkas resting on wooden side tables, watching Danilo blow smoke rings, hearing the familiar maputo-portuguese, and watching them interacting with each other so differently from the interactions of my high school and houghton friends. Even though my head was buzzing, even though I was beginning to thoroughly smell like used cannabis, I felt quite refreshed. At least these people were real with eachother.
2004-11-14 13:33:28 2004-11-14 18:33:28 open Publish post 157552446i am not lost yet... i'm still alive and thinkin' of u. aite?
1 2004-11-17 08:19:00 2004-11-17 13:19:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 261441234 reafortes Fri, 12 Nov 2004 14:24:34 -05:00The cost of preserving the american way of life: "There's no water. People are drinking dirty water. Children are dying," Ibrahim told aid workers in Habbaniya, a makeshift refugee camp 12 miles to the west of Fallujah where some 2,000 families are sheltering. "People are eating flour because there's no proper food." [US Battles control of Fallujah]
2004-11-12 14:24:34 2004-11-12 19:24:34 open Publish post 156697388 reafortes Tue, 09 Nov 2004 02:22:09 -05:00The world is shrinking... High mobility is when you end up doing a course in London with a girl who went to university with the brother of your really good friend from Kenya! That's Sara Schumacher and I, posing for Phil's older brother and her good friend from John Brown University, Dan Holcomb. Hi Dan!
2004-11-09 02:22:09 2004-11-09 07:22:09 open Publish post 155204928 Awesome!Hey, I had been hearing about this picture that was floating around the London underground...
I wish I could be there with you guys! Cheers. You guys made my night! 1 2004-11-09 05:20:00 2004-11-09 10:20:00 kosharidan [email protected] http://kosharidan.xanga.com/ 0 7857617 0 255820777
Goodness, Rea with long hair. How inspiring, if somewhat suprising.
--Trick Magnet M. Ice
1 2004-11-16 15:50:00 2004-11-16 20:50:00 afteritsover [email protected] http://afteritsover.xanga.com/ 0 4718888 0 260864413 hahahahahah 1 2004-11-17 08:18:00 2004-11-17 13:18:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 261440831 Hey Penguin, or Matt... you said my long hair is inspiring??? That's new. I like new. So thanks! :) --Rea 1 2004-11-17 16:56:00 2004-11-17 21:56:00 reafortes [email protected] http://reafortes.xanga.com/ 0 6963576 0 261667204 reafortes Fri, 05 Nov 2004 16:40:57 -04:00Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of a New Man, 1943, The Persistence of Memory (Phil likes this one), Clock Explosion (I prefer this one), Twisted Christ, 1976, Gala Contemplating the Mediterrenean (Gala his love interest), Apparition of Face and Fruit Dish on a Beach, 1938, Swans Reflecting Elephants
Did you find it fascinating? For more: Salvador Dali Art Gallery
2004-11-05 16:40:57 2004-11-05 21:40:57 open Publish post 153631636so many links... crazy crazy...
i like swans relfecting elephants cuz dat's the only one i clicked on. puhhahahahaha
1 2004-11-06 17:37:00 2004-11-06 22:37:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 253991274 reafortes Fri, 05 Nov 2004 12:56:10 -04:00By Dali - Untitled (1977) ink & pencil on paper
I sat in a Waterstone's Bookstore yesterday... on the comfortable sofas in the Cafe. My mind was busy wondering about what it means to be an artist? I feel like I've wasted this gift by not choosing to spend my four years in college studying an aspect of Art more closely.
I picked up a book about the life and works of Salvador Dali. Quite fascinating! Somehow his work leaves me with such a bewildering feeling, kind-of like a weird after-taste that occupies your mind even after you've set your eyes on a different image.
The Persistence of Flytown: Salvador Dali's cousin, Welhello Dali, painted this surrealistic version of Flytown in 1925.
2004-11-05 12:56:10 2004-11-05 17:56:10 open Publish post 153567892 reafortes Thu, 04 Nov 2004 16:27:48 -04:00Okay Katie, here it is, just for you: (I really like this one, I think it might have been taken when he visited Rome) Philip Scott Holcomb
And here's another one, no hugs, no arms around eachother, we even kind-of kept the 6-inch rule! We also had just seen eachother after over four years: Philip & I in Vancouver
2004-11-04 16:27:48 2004-11-04 21:27:48 open Publish post 153185710 reafortes Thu, 04 Nov 2004 02:48:32 -04:00 "We stand four square behind America in defending the ramparts of freedom, collective security, and the rule of law everywhere. I am confident President Bush will unite America behind these principles," --Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (in her speech of congratulations to the re-elected president of the United States). 2004-11-04 02:48:32 2004-11-04 07:48:32 open Publish post 153024748 reafortes Wed, 03 Nov 2004 15:55:04 -04:00Bush wins another four years of being the world's most powerful leader as Kerry conceded defeat. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens next...
2004-11-03 15:55:04 2004-11-03 20:55:04 open Publish post 152708908 reafortes Wed, 03 Nov 2004 10:59:43 -04:00Philip wears a "Don't mess with Texas" cap... meanwhile, Bush, the Texan, is allowed to mess with the rest of the world. Phil contemplating the results of the votes so far...
2004-11-03 10:59:43 2004-11-03 15:59:43 open Publish post 152625989 reafortes Wed, 03 Nov 2004 02:55:02 -04:00The election of the next leader for the world's most powerful nation has left everyone's eyes glued to the United States. I wish I could know exactly how the election of either Bush or Kerry would affect my country.
An interesting article I read last night: The Filipino Hearts Beat for Kerry
I agree with the non-partisan view:
Non-partisan view
Representative Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (NPC, Tarlac), however, took a non-partisan view.
"Whoever wins, the Philippines will be treated the same way, which is one that suits America's interests as a nation,â he said in a telephone interview.
Teodoro said the task that lies ahead for Manila is to strive to forge bilateral ties based on "mutual respectâ whether it's Bush or Kerry who wins the election.
2004-11-03 02:55:02 2004-11-03 07:55:02 open Publish post 152552590
hey you!!
just wanted to drop by and ask if you'd like to join my blogring.
If you do, thatd be grrrreat!! If not then it's cool.
Click here if u want to join:
http://www.xanga.com/groups/group.aspx?id=9437
well take care now.
trina
1 2004-11-03 03:01:00 2004-11-03 08:01:00 BuBbLy_aZn_LuV [email protected] http://bubbly-azn-luv.xanga.com/ 0 191864 0 251560629 reafortes Fri, 29 Oct 2004 16:03:24 -04:00 2004-10-29 16:03:24 2004-10-29 20:03:24 open Publish post 150577707 reafortes Thu, 28 Oct 2004 18:06:31 -04:00My appreciation for poetry began in 7th grade when my English teacher had us read Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Lady of Shalott"
2004-10-28 18:06:31 2004-10-28 22:06:31 open Publish post 150223216 reafortes Sat, 23 Oct 2004 05:43:24 -04:00A music video that gripped my heart: http://www.worldonfire.ca/
2004-10-23 05:43:24 2004-10-23 09:43:24 open Publish post 147977535 i will take it slow... aite.. don't worry too much about that. aite? 1 2004-10-26 01:06:00 2004-10-26 05:06:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 246227188 reafortes Sat, 23 Oct 2004 04:54:51 -04:00Info on sweatshops:
-United Food and Commercial Workers
-BBC News: an article
There's actually a lot of information on-line about sweatshops, big corporations, and campaigns and preventions and solutions... But somehow I'm still left with a lot of questions. What I would really like to do is see the real, raw thing, behind this skin of processed, biasly-tainted, information.
2004-10-23 04:54:51 2004-10-23 08:54:51 open Publish post 147973255 reafortes Thu, 21 Oct 2004 07:16:00 -04:00Today I recieved a different kind of prayer, a different kind of blessing... from a class mate, Christopher Young:
''May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deeper within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.''
2004-10-21 07:16:00 2004-10-21 11:16:00 open Publish post 147204869 reafortes Wed, 20 Oct 2004 09:12:14 -04:00I am continually challenged to really think about what it means to be a Christian in a rapidly changing world. I feel like I am being immersed in a sea of information, almost like my eyes are being opened to new things. What do I do with the information that I now have? Don't I have a responsibility to these situations of injustice and oppression that I am being exposed to? How do I become a socially responsible person? I wonder if I might be looking at things from the wrong angle because at the end of the day I feel so helpless. It seems like the injustice that plagues this world is so huge, how do I contribute in making this world a better place for everyone?
Helen Parry has challenged me continually, all of us in this program, I hope. I am forced to really think about even what I buy and where I buy it. For example, in the comfort of my ignorance I was perfectly fine with going shopping at WalMart, in fact, I really liked it because everything is so much cheaper. I may have heard rumours but nothing that really blatanly told me of the possible gross circumstances in which WalMart sustains and generates its business. After Helen's lecture on ''A Biblical perspective on Poverty & Wealth,'' I could not not look further into what really might be going on behind WalMart.
Here's what I've discovered so far: Boycott International a website with articles describing the conditions which the factory workers that make garments for walmart are forced to work under. And the website of The National Labor Committee for Worker and Human Rights.
2004-10-20 09:12:14 2004-10-20 13:12:14 open Publish post 146804092 reafortes Mon, 18 Oct 2004 19:44:11 -04:00London Institue for Contemporary Christianity, off Oxford Street, London. A group picture of all of the students taking the Christian in the Modern World program and some of our lecturers, Mark Greene, Helen Parry, John Stott, Brian Draper, and Nick Spencer.
Taken on Monday 11:15am.
2004-10-18 19:44:11 2004-10-18 23:44:11 open Publish post 146158834 reafortes Wed, 13 Oct 2004 16:37:40 -04:00Look at how amazing God is, and his amazing creation! Click on the link and watch the short video clip: http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html
Psalm 8:
1 O LORD , our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise [2]
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings [3]
and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD , our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
It's done!!! I did it! My nose is officially pierced. I got it done on the left side... Before getting it pierced I tried to find as much information as I can about nose piercings, just so I have an idea about what I am getting into. And here's some interesting stuff I found out:
Nose piercing can accentuate the face, because the nose is the face's most prominent feature; Leonardo Da Vinci believed that the nose set the character of the whole face.
Nose piercing was first recorded in the Middle East aproximately 4,000 years ago, it is mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 24:22 Abraham requested his oldest servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, the servant found Rebekah, and one of the gifts he gave her was a "golden earring" the original Hebrew word used was Shanf, which also translates as "nose-ring".
This practice is still followed among the nomadic Berber and Beja tribes of Africa, and the Bedouins of the Middle East, the size of the ring denotes the wealth of the family. It is given by the husband to his wife at the marriage, and is her security if she is divorced.
Nose piercing was bought to India in the 16th Century from the Middle East by the Moghul emperors. In India a stud (Phul) or a ring (Nath) is usually worn in the left nostril, It is sometimes joined to the ear by a chain, and in some places both nostrils are pierced. The left side is the most common to be pierced in India, because that is the spot associated in Ayuvedra (Indian medicine) with the female reproductive organs, the piercing is supposed to make childbirth easier and lessen period pain.
In the west nose piercing first appeared among the hippies who travelled to India in the Late 1960's. It was later adopted by the Punk movement of the late 1970's as a symbol of rebellion against conservative values, and conservative people like parents and employers still don't react well to it.
Just as an IMPORTANT side note: I am NOT a punk and and my nose-piercing is NOT a symbol of rebellion. I just find it quite aesthetically pleasing. And my parents don't mind it and as for my future employers, well if they have a problem with it then I will remove it.
2004-10-03 04:56:23 2004-10-03 08:56:23 open Publish post 140078936 reafortes Wed, 29 Sep 2004 11:31:47 -04:00TO PIERCE OR NOT TO PIERCE?
Okay... So, I have been wanting to get my nose re-pierced for some time now. I didn't want to get it done in Manila again since I don't want to risk it getting infected again due to the humidity. I am currently in London and some of the best body-piercers are very close by in Camden Town. I did see a good deal to get it done with a gun but after some research and consultation I think I am convinced that it is not safe to get it done with a gun and I really don't want to risk it. Today I went to Camden Town after classes and explored the many scattered Tattoo And Body Piercing Studios and found a few that did it for 15pounds, while most did them for 20pounds. I looked at the shops with legal certificates and professional piercers. But I still can't decide whether I want to do it or not. I should do it soon if I wanted to do it so I can allow for it to heal before I get back to Manila's humidity. So what do you have to say?
2004-09-29 11:31:47 2004-09-29 15:31:47 open Publish post 138649918 do it! 1 2004-09-30 03:35:00 2004-09-30 07:35:00 kosharidan [email protected] http://kosharidan.xanga.com/ 0 7857617 0 230163592i'd say do it..
it'd look good on u
1 2004-10-01 01:05:00 2004-10-01 05:05:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 230730499ur call big sis...
its me gino.. its my xanga.. and ive read that u like poetry.. iwrite poetry myself but its nothing good.. jus alot of inspiration and stating facts... jus as long as the one ur makin it for likes it.. thats all that matter right? well nice xanga... peace!
1 2004-10-01 13:15:00 2004-10-01 17:15:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 230893206 reafortes Thu, 23 Sep 2004 11:10:10 -04:00 Today I got flowers!!! Beautiful purple orchids!!! They are perfect! I've been wanting flowers and I nearly did buy some in the underground the other day but I refrained. It is much nicer to get them as gifts. 2004-09-23 11:10:10 2004-09-23 15:10:10 open Publish post 136390318ONE HAPPY GIRL!
1 2004-09-25 03:34:00 2004-09-25 07:34:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 226979031 reafortes Sat, 18 Sep 2004 09:52:04 -04:00I am finally in London. I went out for a walk this morning. I must say... I really do like watching people. They never fail to capture my interest. I saw a guy with long, bright pink hair. And a girl with a tiny skirt, long legs, and pointy boots that looked like it could be a deadly weapon.
I like exploring places by myself. At least at first I like it. As the hours passed I became rather lonely. That lonely feeling that makes you feel like you want to go somewhere, but you don't know where. Where the sadness you feel seems so cold that it freezes your heart. I felt like everything would be so much more meaningful if I could share it with someone. God definitely made people relational-people. But I knew I didn't want just a friend... I wanted someone who can and will share this life journey with me for the rest of my life. Someone who is like me in the sense that they are a tangible, living, breathing, visible person. Something deep inside of me yearns for that kind of intimacy. And I don't think that it is wrong, in fact, I think it is beautiful! Well, maybe I will get married before I'm 30!!
2004-09-18 09:52:04 2004-09-18 13:52:04 open Publish post 134496255 hey.... hit me back with ur phone number... aite? just write dat in my xanga.. talk to u soon. hope you r enjoying london. Soo 1 2004-09-19 22:33:00 2004-09-20 02:33:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 223914586 reafortes Sat, 18 Sep 2004 09:48:47 -04:00Happy 18th Birthday to my beautiful, lovely sister, Regina!
2004-09-18 09:48:47 2004-09-18 13:48:47 open Publish post 134496003 reafortes Tue, 14 Sep 2004 05:25:16 -04:00I leave for London on Friday I guess I'm still a little bit nervous about it. Below is a picture of the Foreign Missions Club, the place where I will be staying it. I guess it is supposed to be right next to the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. Looking at the pictures has gotten me more excited to go! It's going to be so pretty there!... that is if it doesn't rain all the time
2004-09-14 05:25:16 2004-09-14 09:25:16 open Publish post 133014555 reafortes Wed, 08 Sep 2004 04:37:23 -04:00 Soo, I think I figured it out 2004-09-08 04:37:23 2004-09-08 08:37:23 open Publish post 130754721 figured? wut? out? TELLL ME!!!! 1 2004-09-10 12:01:00 2004-09-10 16:01:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 218228270 reafortes Mon, 06 Sep 2004 01:35:49 -04:00 Sometimes life feels like a puzzle... Sometimes the pieces seem to fit but it's still hard to see the whole picture... It takes patience, time, commitment and effort to put the rest of the pieces together to see the whole picture. I really did like puzzles when I was little, actually I still do. But life puzzles are a little bit different... 2004-09-06 01:35:49 2004-09-06 05:35:49 open Publish post 129918404 reafortes Fri, 03 Sep 2004 19:15:21 -04:00My story for today: "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema" by Horace Miner
If you can handle satire and like descriptions of strange and different cultural practices, please read my story for today, you will like it. Just click on the link below and it will take you to the story. I refrained from cutting and pasting the whole story as one entry because Soo said that my last entry (story by LeGuin) was way too long! So here you go Soo, I hope this one isn't too long for you
"Body Ritual Among the Nacirema" by Horace Miner
AND because Soo had complained about my last entry being "by far the longest weblog entry EVER" I have deleted it and instead you can read my story for the other day by clicking on the link below:
"Those who walk away from Omelas" by Ursula LeGuin:
OH, and if you like the story by Ursula LeGuin, check out her latest book "Changing Planes."
2004-09-03 19:15:21 2004-09-03 23:15:21 open Publish post 128901960 reafortes Tue, 24 Aug 2004 02:49:36 -04:00The situation in Darfur leaves me in despair... How can anyone still be aloof after realizing what is happening over there? It's so easy to become blind to those suffering around us when all we choose to see is the comfort of our own mediocre lives. Find out more: Human Rights Watch
2004-08-24 02:49:36 2004-08-24 06:49:36 open Publish post 124855432Lives are taken so lightly in 'developing' countries. I think the value of a person or a human being is the same regardless of their circumstance or how much money they have. The world cannot oversee everything that goes unjustly and control it. I think there is justice because there is the opposite which balances it out. I'm getting all philosophical (i really don't mean to) Well, what I want to say is this...
I've been your friend since 9th grade and we've known each other on and off. Sometimes, we all feel like giving up the friendships that we have due to circumstance or distance. What I have realized is that you are still a friend of mine regardless how many days we haven't talked or how many times we've seen each other since we parted. What really matters is that the friendship is still alive in our hearts and minds. I almost want to compare it with the faith we have in God. We must believe that there is a God even tho we can't see him. Or call it trust... I trust that you are still friends with me though i have screwed up n didn't call or visit. And also I think of you as a good friend because I can't forget about someone that easy.
I have pushed ppl out of my mind in order to cope and live with what i have now. It's not by choice... You know that much better than I do. We have to go through things to grow and age. Yet, the distance does not hold us apart forever. ah~~~ i'm gonna have to write on forever if i go at this rate.
so here is the point.
Yo~ I love you as a friend and I do care about you.
Soo
1 2004-08-29 23:25:00 2004-08-30 03:25:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 211280845 reafortes Wed, 18 Aug 2004 22:18:59 -04:00Okay, so Soo finally came online today after, well, actually... let's see... it's been... about 6 months since we last chatted. He probably doesn't even remember that Anyway... this is a page from one of the journals I kept in Kenya, it has the very first poem that Soo showed me back in 9th grade, when he had a big crush on a certain beauty whose name begins with the letter "M" Do you remember this Soo?
Okay, this is what it says: "Is not and Is" A poem is not a poem when there is no passion in it. But a love is a love though it might be only one way. No matter how much I chatter and scatter, she won't open her heavenly, heavy, heart. And a man is not a man without a love to ask-out undoubtfully. A hot cup of coffee, on a cold day with scarlet colored classmates is cool. Sometimes it is my day, but everyday is not my day. Paying all I have, saying all I had. Broken mentally and physically. I'm silly. It's impossible, mumble. It's not possible, gamble! Shucks! That sucks! Why don't they stick it up their...(ahem!).
I really like that poem, Soo-Min Park, you really are a talented poetry writer! Do you remember this one? It's only the last verse, but it's the last poem you wrote for me:
I was really touched and flattered that he wrote me a poem even though it was for his 10th grade English homework. He titled it "For R.F." Here it is: Taught me the meaning of, "friend." Caught me by giving a hand. Brought a word "girl" to my dream. Thought I was melting like ice cream. We were there on rainy or sunny days. Didn't care what the heck the others say. Nothing more than a talk but it was ok. All done was hanging yet we agreed to stay. We shared our happiness and the pain. What I did drove my dim light down the drain. Took no one's word and left like a late train. Drops of water fell from my eyes like rain. Regret and anger for I was a fool. Laugh in pity since that wasn't cool. You didn't mind though I moved school. Told me to love it cause I chose to rule. "Friends Forever!" shouting with all my might. Love you forever for you were so right. I'm very sorry cause I took you so light. But I kneel to pray for you to be in my sight.
I actually cried the first time I read this poem because I knew exactly what he was talking about.
I miss you Soo-Min.
2004-08-18 22:18:59 2004-08-19 02:18:59 open Publish post 122847370i was in middle of writing u a comment n my monitor decied to give up on me. weird huH?
hey, i have no idea what to say cuz i'm flattered. i'm not sure if dat is the right word to use in this case.
u definately bring the mushy side out of me. hehe..
yo, i miss u very much n i unno where u went.... u left me hanging woman. get back here. jk jk
Soo
1 2004-08-19 20:22:00 2004-08-20 00:22:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 205238480 reafortes Tue, 17 Aug 2004 03:59:17 -04:00My story for today: "Ingem: Unto the least of these"
One day a "mad man" entered a well-known Christian hospital. His clothes were dirty, his hair long and unkempt, his smell revealed that he had not take a bath for quite some time. The guards at the gate took one look at him and tried to throw him out, but he was determined to enter because he was sick and in pain.
Once in the hospital, no one attended to him. He went to the pharmacy but did not know how to get drugs or how to get a prescription. So, in his frustration, the man laid down on the floor, blocking the main entrance of the hospital! Everyone stared at him. Some laughed, some complained, everyone talked.
Just then, the UFM (Urban Frontiers Mission) Discipleship House Leader, entered the hospital. She was on her way to take care of one of the sick disciples on admission. When she saw the man lying ong the ground shivering, she went over to him and asked him what was wrong. People found this strange and stared at her.
She sought for the hospital chaplain and the two of them saw to it that the man recieved attention. Once he was admitted into the hospital, she rushed back home and got a nice T-shirt, jeans, and her scissors.
When she got back to the hospital, she asked the man if he would accept some new clothes. Surprisingly, he agreed. So, the hospital staff gave him a bath and changed his clothes. She then asked him if she could cut his hair, and again he agreed. So she proceeded with her scissors and cut his long, matted, unkempt hair.
The next day, on her visit to the hospital to see him, she explained the gospel to him and asked him if he wanted to give his life to Jesus Christ. The man said yes!
For days, people talked about the mad man on admission and how he laid down on the ground, blocking the hospital entrance. Someone was even overheard saying that a mad woman came to help the mad man. But, things look a little different from heaven.
When she saw that man shivering on the ground, in her heart she asked, "Is that You, Jesus?"
Matthew 25:34--36
(Taken from the book "Is That You, Jesus?: The Many Faces of Ministry in the City" pages 41--42, a book written by the Urban Frontiers Missionaries in Jos, Nigeria).
2004-08-17 18:29:39 2004-08-17 22:29:39 open Publish post 122178001so this is that soo from rosslyn (back in the days)... hey, it's interesting to know that you can hold the good ol' memories when i'm just trying to live thru a day without lookin' back. wutever dat means.. i meant to say that i miss it n miss u n da rest of the crew. i'm in london now and will get to boston after another long flite. hahahhh
don't deny the fact dat u r an asian. aite?
it's so hard to catch up on past 4-5 yrs of ur life. i'm a real perso so don't let me just be part of the memory. i wanna get in touch again with u n phil.
soo
1 2004-08-18 02:43:00 2004-08-18 06:43:00 [email protected] 0 -1 0 204217700 reafortes Mon, 16 Aug 2004 05:22:29 -04:00This is for you Soo!
Okay, so I told myself for awhile that I would never do this online-journaling thing... And, look, here I am doing just that! And I also said that I would never join Xanga because all the Asians join it. Well, Soo... it's your fault! No it's not really your fault, I just really enjoy reading your xanga stuff and I think it's a good way to express thoughts.
So here it goes...
2004-08-17 18:24:19 2004-08-17 22:24:19 open Publish post 121782897 reafortes Mon, 16 Aug 2004 21:32:21 -04:00I met Soo-Min at Rosslyn Academy, Kenya. We were in the 9th grade. It was in the middle of May. It all started when Brad told me that Soo wrote poetry, and that he was really good. And I love poetry so I was curios. Things just seem to fall together. Soo started hanging out with Phil, Stussy, and Brad a little bit more and since I was usually with those guys I got to know him too. And I pestered him a lot about his poetry, it took him awhile to finally show me one! Do you remember that Soo?
2004-08-17 18:23:55 2004-08-17 22:23:55 open Publish post 122038972