The Wandering Deity's World

11/10/2007

Tis Not Goodbye

I have found a new place under the sun. A place where I could rant all day long and still be regarded as an immortal.

Those who wish to know where I am going to wreak havoc in the next millennia, please come and see me  here...

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10/21/2007

The Deity is No Gifted Child

Your Score: Smart enough

You scored 112 Intelligence!

You're smart. Did you know the average IQ of a doctor is 116? Yep. You're just right around there. You're cool. I'd probably prefer to hang out with someone like you with this IQ. You're a little above average, but not quite a genius so that you annoy me with useless crap. Stay cool.

19:05 Posted in Me! | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this | Tags: quiz, intelligence, blog, journal

10/10/2007

Bummer Week

Been sick for almost ten days now. Cough, colds, flu. You name it, I have it. Went to see the doctor because I got bored sneezing and coughing, taking meds and speaking with a voice that sounds from the grave. 

Surprisingly, doctor's diagnosis of the headache and earache I have been experiencing for almost three years now is caused by Temperomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ). The symptoms, which I have consciously ignored over the years, include dizziness, constant headaches, migraines, tooth pain, pain down the arms into the fingers, pain upon jaw movement, ringing in the ears, grinding of the teeth and chronic neck and backache, etcetera...

(And, according to some articles that I have read online, "a bad TMJ can even cause problems with chewing and thinking. It can put you into a chronic "fog," making it difficult to think or make decisions..." )

Anyway, the doctor's verdict? I gotta wear braces. Almost 40-ish woman, wearing braces. What a sight to behold. Gross!

Speaking of "chronic fog", I am now thoroughly convinced that the primary reason why my entry to Seoul.go.kr essay writing contest was denied... is because... of TMJ!

Not.

I forgot to attach the pictures. 

How stupid can I get?

I was so psyched to win that contest because the grand prize -- 2,000 bucks -- will bring my loved ones here in Korea this Christmas. Moreover, last year's winner of  gold award is a Filipino. Aren't those enough reasons to egg on someone like me to win? Two grand is two grand. I can never earn that anywhere by just writing an essay.

For days, I completely cut-off contact with any breathing specie just to finish that entry to make it to the October 1 deadline.  

But I blew it. Big time.

*Wail, sniff, cough, sneeze*

Looking at the bright side of it though, I now have a year to polish the essay that will make me two grand richer next year.  

Whatever.

23:15 Posted in Me! | Permalink | Comments (14) | Email this | Tags: lofe, sick, journal, TMJ, headaches

09/21/2007

10 Things I Hate

Tagged by Rhey. I should have done this a long time ago. I forgot the first one who tagged me. Gah.  

Food: I basically eat anything under the sun, except this one Filipino dish that a former roommate cooked. It’s pechay with tuna. It was the most disgusting thing I have tasted in my whole life. I’d eat tuyo and daing anytime of the day, just don’t feed me with that crap again, ever.

Fruits: I don’t like star-apple. I also don’t like fresh cherries. I prefer the bottled one.

Veggies: I don’t like okra.

People: Like Rhey, I hate user-friendly people. You know, the type that hangs around if they know they can benefit something from you. I can smell them within ten-mile radius. I also abhor manipulative friends, the kind that pretends to be caring and all, and subtly suggest how to run your life, like you don’t have a brain at all. LASTLY, I detest people who pretend to be good friends -- call or e-mail you when you're down, offer "HYPOTHETICAL" comfort, bless you in the name of God... and... GOSSIP about the details of your agony to everyone who cares to know, with a guffaw to boot, like your misery is a total comedy for them. Gah. I wish they drop dead, right now.

Event/Situation/Incident: You are fired! Gawd, I hate that.

TV shows/movies: I hate stupid reality shows and dramatic soap-operas... no wonder some people are so full of shit, they watch too much crap on TV.

Music: Any music with incomprehensible vocals. Can anyone really enjoy music with the vocalist mumbling something like a voodoo curse?

Household chores: Yeah Rhey, I hate doing the laundry, too. That and washing the dishes. I rather clean the house all day long. 

Thing/s around the world: Racism.

Thing/s about myself: Pickle-mindedness and getting bored so easily. I wish to be more stable. 

Will someone make a 10 Things I Love The Most? That would be awesome. If we could write about the things we hate, I guess, it's appropriate that we write the things that we love.

I am tagging everybody... just do it if you want. And let me know.

11:55 Posted in Me! | Permalink | Comments (6) | Email this | Tags: tag, life, journal, friends, people

09/08/2007

Survey Says

G, the hunk, planning to get a blond wig,  posted a stolen survey in his blog so me decided to follow the trend and here's mine. 

By all means, everyone is invited to steal this from me.

Kissed a friend? Yeah. Of course. Haven’t you?  

Got a hicky? Now, why would you want to know?

Cheated on a test? Yes. Haven’t you?

Cheated on your homework? All the time. Bwahahhahah!!!

Told people someone's deep, dark secret? Nope. I don’t remember secrets. I usually flash them out in the toilet.

Lied to your parents/a boss? Yes. Tell me you haven't and I am going to kick your ass!

Spread gossip? Nope. Only stupid people do this. Do I look stupid to you?

Made up a false rumor to get back at someone? Nope. Gah. That’s very sad. Might as well shoot them between the eyes.

Stolen money? Yes. You want some of them? I don't mind sharing them with you.

Talked about an enemy behind their back? Are they even worth my time?

Gotten in a big fight for no real reason? Yes. I have the tendency to be juvenile sometimes.

Gotten in a big fight for a real reason? Yes. Fights are herbs that spice up life.

Thought lustfully of someone? Yes. Does imagining me sitting on Beckham’s lap count?

Stalked somone? Lol! That’s so sad again! I have better things to do with my life. I know someone who does to me though. Bwahahahha!!!

Been Stalked? Oh yeah. The Skirmisher stalks me. I know that. I can feel it. I see him everywhere. Hahahahha!

Made out with someone of the opposite sex? O' course.

Made out with someone of the same sex? Oh yeah, that, too! Even better. Harharharhar.

Laughed at a joke that wasn't funny? I usually smirk and roll my eyes then give out a silent fart as a sign of disgust.

Hurt yourself physically (on purpose)? Now, why the heck would I do that? I hurt myself in my sleep though. I dunno. I just woke up sometimes with scratches on my face. Apparently I dreamt of having a fight with Godzilla...

Taken a crazy dare? Ate some live baby octopus to win a million won.

Mooned/Flashed someone? Lol! Yeah. Lol! You want?

Caused someone major embarrasment? None that I am aware of.

Pushed someone into a pool? Yes and would love to push someone on the subway tracks, too. Wanna volunteer?

Got in a fight with someone and never made up? Yes. They are not worth making up with anyway.

Copied someone's homework because you didn't do it? Yes. All the time. I’m a bad student.

Skipped school to get out of a test? Yeah. Said I am having some allergy. Exam related allergies. Lol!

Wished someone was dead? All the time. Would you like it to be you?

Murdered someone? In my head, I have mutilated a lot of people. But even if I did, do you really think I am that stupid to admit it on the internet? Gahhh!!! 

Kissed someone the day you met them? Yes. The BF :) Saw him first time in the airport and kissed him right there and then.

Gotten pregnant/gotten someone pregnant before marriage? Yes. Being a single mom rocks... but...

Like the person that posted this before you? I’m the first and yes I like myself. No. Let me correct that. I love myself.

Drank/did drugs/smoked a cigarette? I smoke. A lot. Got any problem with that?

This is the end of the survey? Oh, thank goodness.

Have a great weekend everyone.

19:45 Posted in Me! | Permalink | Comments (5) | Email this | Tags: life, journal, blog, survey

06/22/2007

Why I Am The Deity

Very interesting question, this new online friend asked me tonight. "Why did you name your blog, The Wandering Deity?"

When we were very young, Mother used to tell me and my siblings stories about Gods and Goddesses, who roam around the world, punishing little boys and girls whenever they deem necessary, or giving supernatural powers to those who take afternoon naps. I know by now, that it's my mother's twisted version of the Greek mythology.

Anyway, those stories awakened my interest in supernaturals and immortals at a very young age. Then it dawned on me one day, that perhaps I was a Deity in my first life, and/or destined to be one. Does that sound vague? Let me tell you this.  

When I was a little girl (five or six I think, not sure anymore), I wanted to be a singer. I always sang along to any Carpenter's songs, but mother was quick enough to point out that I sang out of tune, she being, my number one critic since the day I was born.

But you see, I was never that type of person who gives up easily.

In fifth grade, a wonderful opportunity came. A classmate invited me and other friends to join the church choir. She thought that because I have such a high-pitched voice, I'd be good for the alto part. I thought of it as my chance to finally shine. I remember looking forward to each choir rehearsal and the day that I'd be singing "The Messiah" like an angel.

However, after two weeks of singing in the church, I was told by the choir vocal teacher that I needed to practice more and that I could only sing if there's an absentee member... which never happened. 

My dream of a singing career died that day.

Imagine how cool would it be, if anyone did encourage my singing talent. People would be calling me Pop Deity by now. How mesmerizing it would be to see a giant billboard poster, with neon lights glowing underneath the print, "The Rock Deity In Concert (In the Nearest Stadium Behind You)". Coolness!

Forgetting my singing career, I focused on becoming a nun.

Practicing my act as a holy apparition one day, mother told me that "malditas" (Filipino for bad little girls) like me will never be a nun. That was the second time she killed my future*. 

I thought it would be overwhelming to hear people calling me "Sister Deity" or "Mother Deity Superior" someday. Then when I die and become a saint, people would be praying to my pagan statue, where under my perfectly sculpted feet, Saint Mary Deity, is engraved.

I dismissed the dream of becoming St. Mary Deity. And I certainly don't have any passion for it anymore. I am too old to be a novice. I don't think I'd like donning a habit anyway. It's so monotonous. And I have to wear the same outfit everyday, for the rest of my life? I'd die of boredom, am pretty sure. Also, I don't think the mother superiors would like it that I call my rosary, bling-bling. "Sister, have you seen my bling-bling? I left it on the altar."

Having my dreams castrated at an early age, I was almost willing to give up on my Deity identity pursuit.

As fate would have it, came this chance to write for an ESL Teachers' website. I needed an alias and friend O, thought Wandering Deity fits me like a glove since I am known among friends to possess a "wandering brain" (lutang na utak)-- always bored, never focusing/settling on one thing, forever trekking to that Never Heard of Land, where Deities like me roam around freely without being regarded as an escapee from a mental asylum. 

Naturalmente, when I started this blog on the 2nd of February 2005, I used the same monicker. And let it be  known that I am going to be The Deity 'til the day I cease to exist... online.

Anyone got a problem with that, now is the time to speak!

========== 000 =========

*In fairness to mother, she was the one who insisted that I take BSEducation back in college, which, needless to say, is my bread and butter these days. See? Mother knows best... but she is yet to find out that I call myself the Wandering Deity. Ha!

22:40 Posted in Me! | Permalink | Comments (6) | Email this | Tags: life, supernaturals, journal, deities

06/16/2007

Interview With a Deity

I saw this entry in Rhey's blog and thought I should be interviewed, too.  I don't know who started this but it's pretty amusing. I asked her to make the questions easier, as my brain is a little fragile and anything that has to do with calculus or political issues, breaks it.

The Rules: 

1. Leave me a comment saying "Interview me."

2. I will respond by giving you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment, asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

We decided to meet up in a Starbucks branch somewhere in the Caribbean. There are lots of celebrities around but I am sooo oblivious of their presence. This is my first interview ever and I want it to be perfect.

Hi Johnny. Oh yes, I saw your last POTC movie. I think it's okay. You want me to replace Keira? Cool. We talk about it later. I have an interview in a few minutes. I'll see you around. I love you, too.

So sweet of that guy. Really.

Hellooooo Brad! Fancy seeing you here. You want me to baby sit Shiloh? Are you serious? Do you have any idea who I am? Come on Brad, you do know I am a lot better than that. Angie's calling you now. Go!

Hey Mr. Clooney, you are not going to seduce me with a cup of frappucino. Haha. And do you really think I'll accept that part in Ocean's 14 where Andy will tie me to a vault then he'll blow me into pieces? Can you please ask the writers to redo that scene? Thank you. I'll give you a call. Okay?

Hell these people. Where the heck is my interviewer?

I decided to wear my Vera Wang micro mini ball gown to impress Rhey, who donned a Ralph Lauren black suit, which really looked good on her. Dang! She trying to outdo me? I'm supposed to be the interviewee here.

After we checked each other out from head to toe, the interview started.

Rhey: Why do fools fall in love?

Deity: You already know that the difference of mankind from the rest of the species is their free will. The power to choose what they want, what would make them happy, the intelligence to decide on life-changing matters, etc… However, when humans fall in love, they do crazy stuff -- things that they have never done before in their entire lives. Some even commit gross macabre crimes which, what them, CSI's call, crime of passion.

In short, humans before falling in love are sane. However, as soon as they fall in love, and let that "chemical substance" brought about by that feeling, runs in their veins, they are reduced to that category – fool.

Hey, I am in love and I am no fool. And why do I fall in love? I guess because even fools need to love and be loved… I think.

Next question, please? I am getting nervous here.

Rhey: What is so inspirational with the line 'who moved my cheese?

Deity: Hmmm… I read that book. I forgot the name of the author. It's one of those books I borrowed from a friend, read in the subways and buses to pass time.

Anyway, the book is about these four mice, actually representing people. Everyday, the mice get out of their little mouse house, grab the cheese waiting for them, and do about what they have to do for the rest of the day. The cheese represents the everyday thing in a man's life, the daily routine, that is. Then one day, someone moved the cheese and the rest of the book tackled how each mouse reacted to that change. Of course, there's this helpful solution how to go about the change. Blah. Blah. All those stuff self-help books are made of.

I will pretend for a moment that I have not read the book. That line would definitely inspire my adrenalin to surge, to turn into a Rambo Deity (garbed in a pink leather suit   armed with stiletto boots and nail file), and hunt the one who moved the cheese; to castrate that person, skin him alive and rub his exposed skin with rock salts. Ha!

Rhey: Describe your first 'titillating experience'.

Deity: Gawdness, that happened like centuries ago, when you were still in the womb of your momma, happily swimming in her placenta, protected from the vanities and insanities of the world. I cannot, for a single moment, recall the experience. Did I have an orgasm? Not so sure. Really. I must be soooo drunk I passed out and remembered very little of it the following day but considered it to be the first ever titillating experience.

You should have specified with whom. That would be a lot easier to answer. Hahaha!

Rhey: You are a super hero, what super powers would you like to have and why?

Deity: Okay, I always like to think that I am a Deity but everybody knows am another mortal suffering from suppressed ADHD and well-maintained catatonia.

Granting I'll be given a super power, I'd choose the Gorgon stare. You know that myth bitch who turns everyone into stone with her deadly gaze? Yes, I like that. A lot. I want to be able to turn any human being who crosses my way into stone. I think it will also work good on my students.  They turn nasty and bratty, I turn them into pebbles!

Rhey: You find yourself in a room full of all the things that you have ever WANTED, but you can only choose one thing to take with you for now. What would you choose?

Deity: Let me imagine for a moment that I am sitting in a Waldorf Astoria penthouse suite, fresh from my nth birthday party. I got tons of Prada and LV bags, choices of Manolos, Jimmy Choos and Steve Madden shoes, Channel and Burberry coats, Gucci purses and perfume, and other gorgeous designer stuff, birthday presents of my beloved family and friends.

The clinker is I can only choose one? Dang! Why can't I have them all? Anyway, I can always come back for the other items. Right? Yes? Hello?

Okay, I'll grab first the lifetime gift certificate from Clinique before somebody else steals it. Everybody knows it's costly to maintain beauty. Heck, a lifetime certificate will guarantee that y'all will grow old and wrinkly and ugly, while I, the Deity, I'm gonna be beautiful for the rest of my living years, without spending a dime! Ha!

Now... who wants to be interviewed?

00:20 Posted in Me! | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this | Tags: journal, interview, life, dreams, paranormal

04/09/2007

National Holiday

In my native land, the working class is still savouring a week long vacation, which started last 4 April, the day being Holy Wednesday, and today is Bataan Day.

If I were back home, I would be spared from partying. I normally enjoyed this special day before without the usual badgering of friends to treat them out. No work, no party. That was my usual excuse. 

And today, as I turn a new leaf in my years, I contemplate on the blessings that God has showered upon me for the past years. I am eternally grateful to the Almighty One for life has indeed been great. With its ups and downs, I can't ask for more.

By the way, greetings are good, but I need cash! Hahaha!

03:50 Posted in Me! | Permalink | Comments (9) | Email this | Tags: birthday, happy, blog, life, sad, pain, friends

03/31/2007

The Best Things in Life

"The best things in life are free,
Now that I've discovered what you mean to me
The best things in life are free,
Now that we've got each other
The best things in life are free..."

~ Luther Vandross

They say that the best things in life are free. I beg to disagree. They say that owning the latest cellular phone model, for free, is the coolest thing on earth. Nah. I don't think it is.

Having existed for nearly four decades now in this chaotic world, I  have amassed things that definitely did not come free. Things that I never have to buy though.

Things that I will always be grateful of.

And some of them are:

1. The family. My parents, my son, my siblings and their families -- the loved ones that I will never exchange for anything in the world. In times of despondency, their unconditional love keeps me lucid. Yes, it's kinda costly to call them everyday, yet just hearing their voices, especially my son's, is priceless.

2. The fiance. Although distance sometimes causes unwanted conflicts; trivial issues are overshadowed by his undeviating love-- something that money can never ever barter for. There's no wealth on this planet that could gauge his affection. I found the pirate's treasure. 

3. The students. They may unconsciously entice me to mutilate all of them most of the times; they doubtlessly always make my days (albeit not often good). Their constant shrieking, whining, crying and fighting is invaluable. No amount of Korean won could ever equal the joy they bring to my days.

4. The friends. The few ones here in Korea. The old friends I got back home. The online friends. Their loyalty, the moral support they provide, the blogs they write that allow me to peek into their world and entertain my most arid  moments -- that, can never be bargained. These friends were, are and will always be treasured. I am glad they made me a part of their lives.

5. The daily trials. The inevitable problems. I certainly didn't ask for them yet they keep me up on my toes. Without these worriments, my life would be a big BORE!

I have the best things in life anyone could wish for. God knows how much I appreciate them... I am and will always be.

But hey I didn't say I will say no to a FREE Manolo Blahnik sandals for my birthday. =) 

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02/18/2007

Happy Year of the Pig!

새 헤 복 마니 바두새요! Se hae bok mani paduseyo! Happy New Year everyone!

Koreans celebrated the Seol Nal by visiting their ancestors to give respect; I embrace the turn of the year by laughing  my ass off. Here, as a special treat, I bring you this video-- a parody of James Blunt's monumental song. Enjoy!

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01/26/2007

Teacher did you have a nose job?

It's natural for the curious obnoxious students to ask that. Aesthetic alteration such as nose silicone, eyelid lift, jaw sculpt, etc.  -- is quite a vogue here in Korea. Not that Koreans are vain in nature; they are not just happy with how they look. Who isn't anyway?

You see, I know my sniffer is far from Nicole Kidman's perfect adenoid but I am happy with it. Granting I win the lotto, I will never ever have my nose changed. Seriously. My boobs? Maybe. I might get a lipo or a botox... but my nose? Nah.

So why am I sporting this band-aid?

I am not telling... but if you wanna hear the gross-ish details, I might.

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10/06/2006

Strange Questions

I went to visit G's blogsite and had fun stealing his entry, which I posted in my yahoo 360. I took another one to satiate my boredom.

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08/01/2006

My Alter Ego

Dear friend Attator is a little confused with all these alter egos I have. Oh well, unconsciously, I didn't know that Mj''s

... movie star double is Reese Witherspoon.

Who's Your Movie Star Double?
Brought to you by Tickle

Harharharharhar.

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07/16/2006

Tagged Again!

Spenze, a friend in mypace posted this in his blog. Another blogging friend had tagged me before and sadly I can not recall anymore what I wrote, so  here are the very first things I can come up with tonight:

1. I chew my nails not  out of habit (or a sign of insecurity) but because I can't find my nailcutter.

2. I write not really because I want to write but simply because I just want to keep my fingers busy or else I'll find it strangling somebody else's neck.

3. I keep receipts of groceries, restaurants, vanity stuff, meds, etc... because I just like keeping and recomputing them sometimes. And also, in case the cashier made a mistake- the receipts will give me the power to demand for a refund, which is super useful I guess in case I ran out of dough. Moreover, these receipts make my wallet look full. Like I got a lot of money you know.

4. During subway rides, I compute and recompute the number of hours I have been awake for the last few weeks, the last few months and sometimes if my brain permits it, the whole last year. Sometimes, I also compute the number of hours I spend commuting to and from work.

5. I talk to myself even in public not because I am a nutcase. It's simply to amuse myself.

Those who read this entry are tagged. Failure to do this in your blogsite will ensure bad luck for the next 13 years!

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06/07/2006

I Plead Pretty Your Honor!

Earlier, while waiting for the BF to go online, I got bored so I decided to meddle with the folks in Yahoo Answers. I honestly got a kick before posting silly questions and getting sillier replies. 

Later on, after kissing the BF goodnite via the PC screen, I fixed to go to bed when suddenly I got an in-coming e-mail alert from yahoo. Here's what the message says:

Hello arteako (arteako)

You have posted content to Yahoo! Answers in violation of our Community Guidelines. As a result, your content has been deleted.

Question: How can you kill someone without going to prison?

Details of Violation:

Reason of Violation:Incites Violence or Hatred :

If you feel you were not in violation, please contact our Customer Care and tell us why.

Yahoo! Answers Team

WTF??? Why are some people such a spoilsport? I mean, that was just an innocent question. Hello! I haven't done anything wrong, have I? Give me a break! It's not like I enticed genocide, paricide, homicide, pesticide, or any side of anything with my really really thought provoking innocent question! It's not so fair!

I thought of sending Yahoo a delusionary sort of juris prudence to defend my case but I'm afraid they won't like what I was planning to write; they'd decide instead to ban me for life. Ay shibal shike! Shesh! 

Now, I will be forced to find another means of amusing myself. Arrghhh...

Anyone care to answer my question?

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06/06/2006

Vain is I

As you have noticed, I changed my blog name to ArteAko. I sort of got bored with the "Wandering Deity's World" as the title suggests I am some kind of schizophrenic living in my own fantasy world or something.

"Ako" means I or me. "Arte" is a Tagalog (main dialect of Filipinos) term for vain? I post a question mark, because honestly arte doesn't only mean vain. In all honesty, I can not exactly define arte in English, as it has various meanings in Tagalog. Actually, it depends on how someone intend to use the term in a sentence. 

For example, if a Filipina girl is ma-arte, it means she's a vain, obnoxious, irritating, annoying. I am not really sure... I grew up believing that ma-arte is synonymous with irritating.

When I was younger, I always hear mom say: "Kung ayaw mong kumain, eh di wag. Nakakainis ka, ang arte mo." (If you don't want to eat, then fine. You are annoying.) As I grew up, I would hear my friends say, "Bakit ayaw mong isuot yan? Ang arte mo naman!" (Why don't you wanna wear that? You are so vain.) In reality, my friends meant I was obnoxious; they were, however, too polite to point out the the obvious.

Anyway, I guess my blog's new title suits me well. Who better to judge me but me. Ha ha!

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04/09/2006

On This Special Day...

There are a thousand and one thing that I would like to thank the Lord above. Another year in my age, another round of blessings from the Great Provider who showers with so much graces that I should be thankful of.

So much has happened for the past year. Some unpleasant, unforgettable, the rest truly remarkable. Things that never in my dreams did I even dare would ever happen. I, however, would like to stress on the wonderful things rather than the bad ones that occured since that fateful birthday I had last year. Tonite I am thankful to Father God for the following:

• My thoughtful son, for being matured enough to know and understand our fate; who makes me proud in his own little ways;
• My wonderful parents who never cease to provide for my son in my absence; for their health and strength;
• My siblings who are always there to comfort me in times of distress and for inspiring me in such ways that I continue to strive to make myself a better role model for all of them;
• My great boyfriend who loves and accepts me for what I am; my eccentricities, ocassional dementia and ranting;
• My one-of-a-kind friends who are always there in times of good and bad; whose mere "hello" lift me up in times of despondency; and lastly
• My jobs, without which, I would not be able to provide for my only son.

I am glad that another year is here. I embrace the new lines in my forehead with such enthusiasm for it meant that God truly loves me for allowing me to praise His glory continually. I am grateful for another year of God's protection.

God is so good. Happy birthday to me.

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07/29/2005

Homeworld Shirt From Israel

I dreamt of butterflies last night. I don't know. It must have been the movie that I saw before I went to bed. Actually, I have no idea why I had this head trip of butterflies. In my reverie, I was hunting butterflies, fervently chasing them that I woke up really panting to my ears. In the middle of my fantasy, I heard a soft knock on my door - my room mate. She told me that a package came for me and I have to sign the receipt. I did not want to go out of my room as I was just wearing my undershirt. Then I thought of what Lilly told me a week ago. Maybe this is her package. I dashed out of my room.

Yippeeee!!! It's the limegreen shirt with the Homeworld logo, a bird and butterfly design on it. Wasn't it stupefying? I mean the butterflies in my dream and on the shirt. I was just so astounded with overbearing felicity that I shrieked in delight. This is actually the very first time that someone sent me something else aside from chocolates. Of course, I do appreciate all those mailed chocos but a t-shirt, made with sheer talent is just stunning. I was really really thrilled, so thrilled  that I wore the t-shirt right away and paraded it around and boasted that a really cool artist from Israel sent it to me. And the shirt fit perfectly well. Nope, I didn't have to pretend it did. Really, it does fit. I will have to stop eating for some days. Urggh...

My friend Lilly also enclosed a touching missive along with the t-shirt. I am so glad to know that in her times of despondency, I made her smile. That's enough for me to know that at least am on  my way to sainthood.

I am just so overjoyed today that I think I could see butterflies and birds anywhere I look. This is one of those happiest moments in my life. As I wrote to Lilly, receiving her personalized t-shirt is actually better than sex.

Sex or t-shirt? I will dig the shirt, thank you.

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07/22/2005

Veni, Vici, Vidi

It is of Julius Caesar, the last dictator of Rome, that I took the inspiration of making this line an inspirational quote, a mesmerizing chant that I reward myself whenever I ventured into the unknown.

I came. I saw. I conquered.

I have to come to this land, South Korea, to explore the potentials of earning more, of conquering the depleting state of being a forever dependent child and friend. I came here to change the course of my life. And boy, it did, tremendously if I may say.

It is still premature to say that I have seen what I needed to see, that I have conquered the contingency to rely on other people for my needs. It would be modest to say the least that I am getting there. I am finally learning the ropes of life, of understanding the fact that the world does not revolve around me, that I am to adopt to my habitat now. That the people are around me did not mean to harm me in the ways that I perceived them. They are just part of this whole enterprising experience. These people that I  have unwillingly shared my life with are all pawns of this great game called Life.

Being here in Korea for more than a year now taught me a lot of great things: the value of friendship, the value of money, the value of trusting, the value of educating children, and most of all, the value of my family. I have realized it all, through hardships, through keen observations, through labor of persistance.

It may take a while longer to know more, to acquaint myself with life's intricate wisdom. It may take more courage, more tears, more sweat, more despondency, however, I will not refuse to sit down and accept things the way they are. In my own little rustic enthusiasm, I know, I will make it. The pain, the tears, the heartaches, the yearning to be with my family once more are all but a passing ordeal that I have to face.

By then, I will proudly say: Veni, vedi, veci.

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02/04/2005

Confessions of an Addict

I have a confession to make. I WAS addicted to chatting. Yes oh yes! But that was like eons ago. Back then, I admit, I ought to join Chatters Anonymous. (If only such a rehab clinic is existing!) I was so addicted to chatting that I sometimes forgot meals, or worst, my students. Ha ha! This was no laughing matter before, by the way. I got some really good preaching from my bosses for being such a delinquent teacher. But I am cured now...I think.

In the past, I abhorred chatting big time. I have gained enough enemies to last me a lifetime in some companies where I worked as the Human Resources Officer. As such, I issue memoranda and sometimes, suspensions, to employees I caught chatting unofficially during office hours. Gosh. I so hate these people who chat endlessly. I loathed chatting so much that I even requested the removal of any chatting engine in the company's local network. (I know! I know! Rotten me.)

But look at me now. Confessing remorsely about my short-lived addiction as though I have committed some grave offense to mankind analogous to the cause of Tsunami last week.

Anyhow, I have to acquiesce the fact that chatting helped me cope with homesickness, depression and blahs of being in a foreign land. Chatting helped me breathe and exist normally in this side of the world.

Chatting, much as I hate to say it can really be fun. (Did I not enjoy chatting tremendously?) It can be entertaining, exciting, interesting, frustrating or depressing. Albeit the fact that chatting has its ups and downs, some pros and cons, some advantages and disadvantages, it still is, another form of avocation that if used befittingly, it can actually work to your advantage.

For the past seven months that I have been chatting, I meet people from all walks of life, from different parts of the world. And, mostly male chatters. These are men from anywhere who are either looking for a cheap thrill online, lonely or bored, or hopelessly romantic dudes trying to find the perfect girl via chatting.

Chatting undeniably opened my eyes to the harsh realities of life. Brought up in a nurtured protected wall of my family, I was never before exposed to the harsh side of the real world. It was through chatting that I discovered the eccentricities of human nature, the frustrated, and depressed and sometimes, I suspect, demented side of the human species. And my golly, these people can really be so irritating, that at times, you would gladly meet them in person right away to have the pleasure of shoving them to subway tracks. Or if you get lucky, and they get to be so gullible, you can entice them to a really secluded area and burn them alive for being so obnoxious. (Make sure though that when you plan to do these stuff, none of your chat mate’s friends or relatives knew that he is meeting you, or else, you will be most likely- the prime suspect!!!).

On the lighter side, it was through chatting that I have gained an all-encompassing knowledge about the true value of friendship, the real essence of knowing someone, of trusting a soul you have never met personally before. And then, inevitably falling for the one who stood out among the rest.

I never regretted the fact that I spent enormous amount of time and not to mention, money, in chatting. Chatting lead me to meet several great people. I have now new bunch of friends I can always hang out with, call on whenever I feel like wailing, and talk to whenever I feel like blabbering. Eminently though, it was through chatting that I met someone really special.

Undoubtedly, it was through chatting that my relationship with loved ones, relatives, former elementary/high school/college pals, officemates, neighbors and acquaintances was strengthened. Chatting proved to be a valuable means of communication and keeping in touch, no other modern techie gadget can ever surpass.

Lastly, it was through chatting that I have learned to open up without the fear of being judged or scorned. I was accepted for who I am and what I am. And for that, I am grateful to all these wonderful people I get to talk to online.

May you all be my friends for life...

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The Wandering Deity - An Introduction

Born some summer years ago, The Wandering Deity is your classic example of a lady with multiple moods, mostly wandering moods, hence, the monicker.

After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education (with major in English), the Wandering Deity opted to join the dog eat dog race of the corporate world. For almost 12 years, she held various positions in the Human Resources, Publications, Training, Legal, and Administrative Management divisions of several multinational firms in Makati City, Philippines.

An adventurous kindred that she is, the monotonous life of corporate realm made her realize that she is missing some big challenges in life- a break actually. Thus, upon getting an invitation from a dear friend to teach in Korea, the Deity packed her bag, abandoned her desire to continue the climb to the corporate ladder and conquered Korea with gusto.

And boy oh boy, was it fun! The challenge of the academic life, the one thing that she has forsaken all these years hit her with such impact that on her first few months here in Korea, she could barely breathe to cope with the thrill of actually practicing what she had learned back in college.

But then again, despite the academic marathon, the nagging pursuit for something else persisted- the passion for beautiful things and everything nice. It's a great thing that Korea has such an abundant supply of boutiques and malls and markets where you can grab fabulous shrilly stuff in such discounted prices (only if you know how to haggle well).

The Deity, being a fashion enthusiast herself since time immemorial finds the Korea shopping experience essentially exhilarating, as such she was enticed to share such empiricism to fulfill another passion-writing.

Ergo, the Deity, from this day onwards, will write just about anything under the sun that amuses her, not just about the latest vogue though, mind you.

As her quest for the authentic meaning of life and genuine leather earring is yet to be satiated, she will take time browsing all shopping corners around metro Korea and at the same time, she will be thrilled to give you advice just about anything- from fashion to boys/girls, from skincare to heartaches, from beauty tips to dating.

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