Thursday, December 14, 2006

Happy Christmas & A Graft-Free New Year To All!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Here's wishing one and all

a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS!


and a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

a Year that is free of greedy and self-serving

trapos in Inang Bayan!

*****


To all my Friends cyber or otherwise,

A heartfelt gratitude for keeping me company

as I travel Life's Highways.



LABYU all!
*****


Kahit na baku-bako ang kalsada,

kasama pa rin kayo.

Salamat ng Marami sa Maykapal

na Siyang may gawa ng Langit at Lupa....

Sana Po, Maalis na sa Lupa

at huwag naman Ninyong Ilagay sa Langit

ang mga magnanakaw ng Kaban ng Bayan.



Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday, December 11, 2006

Stop The Murder!

There is, they say, a season for everything:
GOD in His ways, shows us what to do.
It is in this light that we will all go…..
and seek redress for the serial murder that they have done.

Murder of the people who dare spoke against a regime
that bespeaks of treachery, malpractice, and massive corruption starting from the top to her minions.
Murder of everything, including the Constitution that serves as the Basic Law of the Land…..
Murder of the right of every Filipino to speak and be heard via their votes which was robbed many times over in recent years, because they “Helloed Garci” and tinkered with the money bag.

This country has lost its morality because the very leaders who vowed to protect the Country are the ones raping it….murdering it, and robbing it.

This may hark the beginning of her end….
God Bless the Philippines:
Land that WE all love!

Sunday, December 10, 2006

KONSENSIYA


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hindi ko malaman kung ano ang gagawin.
Urong-sulong sa taktikang malabo sa paningin.
Nais manatili sa puwesto mga suwapang at ganid
Bakit kaya? Isiping mabuti at ating namnamin.

Masarap di hamak ang PORK sa may Pasig.
Aba...di ba nga, sapagka't libre at gratis!
Sabayan pa ng "powers" na kasama sa puwesto
Sino ba ang tatanggi lalo't ganid at ala-TRAPO?

Dumaan si Reming at ito'y nanalasa.
Nataranta ang iba pagka't nag-overflow ang lava.
Nawala ang ilang bayan sa bandang Bicolandia,
Paano ba naman, walang nag-abala, ni gumabay wala na.

Bisi si gloria at kanyang mga ASSong ulol
Para palitan at pumabor ang Batas sa Kamara.
Samantalang ang nasawi nabubulok na!
Tanong ng iba: Nasaan na ba sila?

Balita rito, walang relief goods.
Ni tulong sa nasalanta, walang naparoon.
Paano ba naman, kasuwapangan nanaig
Kaya tumataba, si Juan nama'y nanginginig!

Hanggang kailan magtitiis, Bayan kong Mahal?
Kung huli na at patay ang lahat ng Pinoy?
Paano na lang, kung walang OFWs?
Padala lang nila, kaya pumapalaot.

May konsensiya ba sila, itong mga TRAPO?
Lasa ko'y wala, kagaya ng amo.
Kung meron mang hiya disin sana'y noon pa
Umalis sa pwestong hindi naman kanila!


MAAWA NAMAN KAYO!
MAKONSENSIYA NAMAN KAYO!
UMALIS NA KAYO!


LEAVE THE FILIPINO PEOPLE IN PEACE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

OSECHI-New Year Festival Food

New Year
is one of the most important event in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Hence, the Japanese of old prepare food way before that day comes.

On New Year day and on the days that come after,
the housewife do not cook and allow the kitchen to go on holiday as well.
After all, busy ang kusina sa buong taon.....

With the advent of "instant Japan" and instant everything.....
one can no longer worry about preparations as far as food is concerned.
Puwede na pong mag-order at magpa-deliver na lang galing sa malalaking
Supermarkets ng mga pagkaing "instant"......so long as you have the \en to pay.


Here are some of the OSECHIs
served during those days.

Since it is impossible for viewers from other countries
to partake of the food itself,
please be content and feast your eyes and
imagine how each of these taste.....

BTW, each item has meaning, according to their belief.
Marahil, pareho rin sa atin na kapag kumain ng 'bilog' na prutas
sa Bagong Taon, maraming pera ang darating.
Mukahng may pagkakatulad sa paniwala ng mga Asyano
tungkol dito.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~














Monday, December 04, 2006

OKUYAMA-part 2



Backside of the Temple.




Rooftop of the Temples...



One Shrine for Daibutsu-sama....
Buddha ang tawag sa atin.




Paikot-ikot na steps.....
Papunta sa iba't ibang Temple Buildings






Hanging Bridge inside the Temple area....

OKUYAMA Mountaintop Temple


Last Sunday, Jiji and I went to a mountaintop Temple/Shrine
in Okuyama..... several kilometers away from `home'.

We walked and enjoyed the cool, refreshing mountain air
along with other Japanese pilgrims who trekked the circuitous
steps to gain access to all the old buildings that comprised
the Temple/Shrine.


When with nature, I can only sing praises for the beauty
within reach....

...the tall trees,
the beautiful colors
the birds that filled the air with their happy singing.....

These are photos I took as I walked through the way.....




Three-tier Tower at the Entrance of the Temple
[Sanju-no-Tou]








The Main Temple
They say that almost ALL Temples in Japan were made
without using nails to join the beams together.
This attests to the craftsmanship of the Japanese carpenters of old.





The Altar at the Main Temple
Walang monk kaya nakakuha ng pix....
Bawal eh....[shhhh.....]




The Bell Tower in front of the Temple.
Taken from the Balcony of the Temple.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

A PLACE




I know a place
Where no one ever goes
There's peace and quiet
Beauty and repose

It overlooks the bay
As it rises to the sky
Where the moonbeams flirt with dewdrops
As the breezes sigh....

God fills the soul,
the body and the mind
Loving and sharing
Are never hard to find

Now I know
that there is a place
for me.............

FUJI Flowers




FUJI Flowers in bloom.
They are like LAVENDERS
in color but have no scent.
They blooms once only annually.

The trees are said to be hundredS of years old.
Some are said to be 800++ y/o.

They are supported by railings and
protected from typhoons by movable roofing.

I love to be among these flowers....

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Fax from GOD

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject:YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE






This is God.
Today I will be handling All of your problems for you.
I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.

I love you.

P.S.

And, remember...

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself !! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.





Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.




If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.





Should you have a bad day at work; Think of the man who has been out of work for years.





Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.





Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.





Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.





Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.





Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.





Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!





Should anyone who read this stop, and think.....This may have touched their life in ways we will never know!

Now, you have a nice day, Okay?


God

A Prayer





May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Love is Everywhere




Home is where the heart takes you:
Any place can be home if there's warmth and care;
Gladness and brightness abound for all
Home for me is where love and care blesseth.


Love is everywhere if we only do care
Love isn't there `coz people do not care!
I believe in my heart that God keeps and helps us
As we seek for that something we always want to have.


'Tis Love that we want, 'tis Love that we seek.
Look not beyond the hills, but look near your heart,
Stop whining and whimperin.....for
Love may be somewhere just within your grasp....

Monday, November 27, 2006

I WISH.........






I wish I had the wings of a bird
So I can fly high up in the sky
I'd like to see what God has made
For all mankind to have.



It must be good to see all these things
God's creation is indeed a wonder!
To fly my way so I can visit each one
As they go on their daily laughter!

Sunday, November 26, 2006

IF YOU LOVE ME







If the Sun should tumble from the sky
If the Sea should suddenly run dry
If you love me, really love me,
Let it happen I won't care.


If it seems that everything is lost,
I will smile and never count the cost.
If you love me, really love me,
Let it happen, Darling, I won't care.


Shall I catch the shooting star,
Shall I bring it where you are,
If you want me to, I will
You can set me any task,
I'll do anything you ask,
If you'll only say you love me still.....



When at last our life on earth is through
I will share eternity with you,
If you love me, really love me,
Let it happen darling, I won't care....


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~000000~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday, November 25, 2006

The Long Road Home



The LONG and WINDING ROAD may take us miles and miles away from home.....but HOME is where the Heart is.

I realized that once more when I saw a TeleDrama shown on the tube last night....making me shed tears as I locked my eyes on the tube.
Made me aware, too, that I haven't seen any tearjerker for quite sometime now.


You see, the teledrama was based on a real-life story of a Japanese man
who was taken prisoner by the Russians during the last part of World War2.
He was accused of being a spy.


While he was being hauled into a truck, he shouted to his wife that he is going to come back for them. He had been married only three years and his daughter was just a couple of month old.


He was taken to Siberia, along with other Japanese POWs where they were made to work under the chilly Siberian air, even long after the war was over. Sickness and the freezing weather made them die one by one. He saw how his fellow prisoners die, or shot because they can no longer move or work. He, too became sick, but his will was stronger than his body.


The man longed to go back to his home country. He once promised his bride that he would always be at her side. He wanted to see his daughter, too.


The freezing Siberian winter was too much to bear.
He longed to savor the warmth inside the HQ of the Russian soldiers. One time, he came inside to bring wood for the hearth. He lingered a little longer and saw one Officer throw a hair-cutting device because it has lost its sharpness.
He immediately volunteered to sharpen it despite his lack of knowledge on those things. He wanted to win the approval of the Officers so he can just stay, even for a while, inside the wamth of the room. He wanted to stay a live. He wanted to see his family again. His hope never waned.


He spent the night looking for ways to sharpen the device. He couldn't find any: no stone, no nothing! But he found ways to make it sharp despite his wounded hands. Finally, his persistence got the better of him. He was able to do it. He won the nod of the officials and was made one of the barbers inside the barracks.


AFTER the war, he was released from prison. Much as he wanted to go back home to Japan, he was not allowed. The Russian soldiers who monitored him said: "A spy will never be allowed to leave Russia."


ALL those years, the wife, Hisako waited and waited, hoping against hope that her husband was still alive. She went to the beach where he first proposed and looked beyond the waves, to the direction of Russia, and longed for him. She prayed that one day he, too, will come back home to them.


She worked and raised her daughter alone. Her hope never waned. She believed that her husband was still alive. After all, there was no dead body found, so why believe the rumors that her husband had died?


Sometime in 1956, Japanese prisoners of war from Russia were released. But this man was not among them. The reason given was the same: that he was a spy. They suggested that he rather take up Russian citizenship to make his stay legal. He did because there was no other alternative....but to obey what the Russians dictated.


Meanwhile, families waited on the Port where the ship carrying the P-O-W-s docked
and welcomed them with open arms. Hisako and daughter searched desperately and asked each returnee but no one can tell her his whereabouts.

Later, at home, she cried her heart out, asking why.....It was the first time the daughter saw her mother cry, and her heart broke, too.


It was a lonely existence living and working alone in a local barber shop in rural Russia. One time, while inside the coffee shop, the Japanese man took a piece of paper and folded a paper crane. A Russian woman came near his table and commented on the paper crane. That started their long friendship which later flourished into romance. It was Claudia who said that "when the time comes and you will have to go back to your family, I will let you go."


They lived for 3- or so years. They have fallen in love with each other so much that they have decided to die together. He even fashioned 2 coffins for both of them, bearing their pictures atop.....ready when the time comes.


Even then, there were times when Claudia would see him looking beyond the window, eyes longing for something....


This went on until the Policy of Perestroika was introduced in Russia. Everyone became free. Travels were no longer restricted.


It was then that Claudia encouraged the Japanese man to go back and see his family.
Seeing him sad and longing for home was too much for her. She arranged everything:travel papers, tickets and even a going-away-gift and a letter
which Claudia said must be read when he is inside the local train. It was a letter that made clear Claudia's stand: If ever he is free, he can come back and live with her, but if the family still exist, then he must be with his family. Easier said than done, huh?


There were tears, of course in bidding one goodbye. After all, no one with a heart could just throw away 30 years living together in perfect harmony, could they?


At the Train platform, Hisako was accompanied by their daughter.

When the final moment came, and they saw each other after more than 50 years of separation, they embraced for a long time. They kissed and cried, which is unusual for the Japanese. They just don't do that in public.


[The footage of the actual meeting was recorded in camera and scooped in all leading newspapers in Japan. It was a scene that is much more dramatic than in any Koreanovela I saw.....


It was beautiful love story: one that meant sacrifice for Claudia and likewise, for Hisako. Claudia knew that from the start she will never have all of him. Hisako, on the other hand, believed in her husband's words that he will come back....that he will never leave her alone. She waited for more than 50 long years!


Ahhh....LOVE!

Once found, it will go on forever....


Thursday, November 23, 2006

Reasons To Be Thankful For





It's THANKSGIVING!
And since God has blessed me with so many things,
I wish to list them here.......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I thank God

[*]for the mornings of my life as I wake up into the world
[*]for nights, cold and warm as I snuggle in my bed
[*]for the sun that shines with warmth
[*]for the moon that glows at night
[*]for the stars that brighten the sky
[*]for family who stay with me in spirit
[*]for maxxi and jay and hans and vonz and kenji
[*]for all-weather friends who have been with me all these years
[*]for my netizen friends who make my day!
[*]for my PC which keeps me company even when no one is around;
[*]for warm-hearted friends who make my moments great each day!
[*]for persimmons and tangerines, and apples, too.
[*]for my sunglass that protects my eyes from glare
[*]for my bag that carries all loads as I go around
[*]for my car which carries me wherever I go
[*]for my pots and pans of differeent shapes and sizes
[*]for my health and my will and

my everything!


I Thank GOD so much
I am me and I can read......


Praise and Glory Be to The One Above
For Taking Care of Me As I Go Through My Years....

May the Good Lord Bless and Keep Me


and



YOU, too, My Friend!
************************************

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Time After Time

To realize
The value of time,
ask someone who serves time behind bars.

*****-----*****

To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.


-----*****-----

To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

*****-----*****

To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.

-----*****-----

To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a still born.

*****-----*****

To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
who has given birth to
a premature baby.

------*****-----

To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

*****-----*****

To realize
The value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

-----*****-----

To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
who has missed the train, bus or plane.

*****-----*****

To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person who has
survived an accident...

-----*****-----

To realize
The value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has
won a silver medal in the Olympics

*****-----*****

Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when
you can share it with someone special.


::::::::::::::::::::

Tawa Muna/Holiday naman, eh!

TEACHER: Why are you late?
L-JOHNY: Because of the sign.
TEACHER: What sign?
L-JOHNY: The one that says, "School Ahead, Go Slow."


*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: Johny, why are you doing your maths sums on the floor?
L-JOHNY: You told me to do it without using tables!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: Johny, how do you spell "crocodile"?
L-JOHNY: "K-R-O-K-O-D- A-I-L"
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
L-JOHNY: Maybe it's wrong, but you ask me how I spell it!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: What is the chemical formula for water?
L-JOHNY: "HIJKLMNO"!!
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
L-JOHNY: Yesterday you said it's H to O!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: George, go to the map and find North America .
GEORGE: Here it is!
TEACHER: Correct. Now, Johny, who discovered America ?
L-JOHNY: George!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: Johny, name one important thing we have today
that we didn't have ten years ago.
L-JOHNY: Me!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: Johny, why do you always get so dirty?
L-JOHNY: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground then you are.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

L-JOHNY: Dad, can you write in the dark?
FATHER: I think so. What do you want me to write?
L-JOHNY: Your name on this report card.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: How can you prevent diseases caused by biting insects?
L-JOHNY! : Don't bite any.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

TEACHER: Johny, give me a sentence starting with "I".
L-JOHNY: I is...
TEACHER: No, Johny. Always say, "I am."
L-JOHNY: All right... "I am the ninth letter of the alphabet."

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: "Can anybody give an example of COINCIDENCE? "
L-Johnny : "Sir, my Mother and Father got married on the same day same time."

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: "George Washington not only chopped down his father's Cherry tree, but also admitted doing it. Now do you know why his father didn't punish him?"
L-Johnny : "Because George still had the axe in his hand."

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

L-Johnny : Daddy, have you ever been to Egypt ?
Father : No. Why do you ask that?
L-Johnny : Well, where did you get THIS mummy then?

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher : What a pair of strange socks you are wearing, one is green and one is blue with red spots!
L-Johnny: Yes it's really strange. I've got another pair of the same at home.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: Now, children, if I saw a man beating a donkey and stopped him, what virtue would I be showing?
L-Johnny: Brotherly love.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: Now, Johny, tell me frankly do you say prayers before eating?
L-Johnny : No sir, I don't have to, my mom is a good cook.

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: Johny, your composition on "My Dog" is exactly the same as your brother's. Did u copy his?
L-Johnny: No, teacher, it's the same dog!

*-*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-* -*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-

Teacher: What do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
L-Johnny : A teacher


*-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-*- *-*-*-*-*

Monday, November 20, 2006

BAHAY KUBO

Sa akin lang naman,
Mas gusto ko pa ang ganito kesa sa ibang Bansa.







BAHAY-KUBO,

kahit munti!

Ang halaman doon

ay sari-sari.

Santol Avocado,

Kaimito at Guavas;

Sa paligid nito

ay puno ng Buco!

**************

Sunday, November 19, 2006

MT. FUJI, UP CLOSE




THIS WAS TAKEN SOMEWHERE IN ASAGIRI,
A FEW KILOMETERS AWAY FROM THE FOOT
OF THE SNOW-CAPPED MT. FUJI.

TOKYO TOWER




VIEWED FROM BELOW




A VIEW OF ONE SIDE OF TOKYO.
MT.FUJI CAN BE SEEN AT THE BACKGROUND, FAR CENTER.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

HAMANA-KO [LAKE HAMANA]




Lake Hamanako is famous for its EEL [UNAGI] and Shells.

This picture was taken when we went out to get those shells.
A small boat took us out into the area open for the public and back.

Pickin Apples, Tangerines or Persimmons








Thursday, November 16, 2006

DOING OUR SHARE: each one counts

During the Summer months,
when the weeds appear everywhere and become unruly,
our Community see to it that we do our share in
community-building. This is true in almost all areas
[even the remotest ones] in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Each member-household is required to send
one representative to do Community Service once each month
from July to October. Non-attendance would mean a fine,n
the amount of which is determined by each Group.

Only household owners are automatically considered members,
and those who live in apartments are exempted,
although they can volunteer to join, if they want to.


Our small Group can be classified as similar to our Barangay.
This group is then divided into sub-groups.
Leaders of these sub-groups are changed by rotation every year.



*******

Here are pictures of the KUSAKARI [Grass-cutting] activity we had last October.





All roads lead to the Jinja [Temple/Shrine]
All ready with their hats and towels and scythes.





Everyone listen to the Leader for instructions and assignments. The small Temple/Shrine can be seen at the background.






Residents of the community, old folks and young alike, work together in perfect harmony. Busy hands go together with the chance to exchange small talks among the women and menfolk alike. Its as if suddenly, the swarming bees are busy buzzing.....It's amazing!.





At the end of the activity,
small trucks provided by the City Hall go around to haul the trash and the weeds.

KOBE PORT Tower




A full view of the KOBE Port Tower.
Taken one cold morning, several years ago.

*********************************************

See the blue truck below?
That's where Jiji takes his needed nap,
after a long drive.
....While I walked my way around
and tried to see what KOBE was all about.
This 2nd picture was taken from atop KOBE Port Tower.


ASAGIRI /Shizuoka-Ken



This is part of the Totem Pole of the
1971 World Scout Jamboree site at ASAGIRI, Shizuoka-ken.
Snow-capped Mt. FUJI is seen at my back.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

ZEN



Contemplating inside the Garden





Preparing the Garden

Sunday, November 12, 2006

I LOVE [the FRUITS of] AUTUMN!




I love all the fruits that Autumn brings.
Persimmon and Tangerines,Apples supreme!
But it is this persimmon that makes me sing.
I love its sweet flavor, it's so yummy,that's what I mean.

On the Way Home




Can't help but stop the car and take this one.

RYOUTANJI JINJA [Ryoutanji Temple]



Entrance Ticket to the RYOUTANJI Temple in Shizuoka.



Temple Gate

TEA area outside the Temple