Facebook... Oh Facebook...

It was so much fun at first. Imagine, being reconnected with people you have not seen for decades! Suddenly, everyone's in one place and they are just a click away.

I blogged less and FB'd more... Heck, I got hooked and spent more time in there than necessary. I played addicting games and interacted with long-lost friends. I "liked" almost all posts that appeared on my News Feed and left comments where I agreed most. I appreciated that I didn't get to miss any of my friends' birthdays.

Never mind if there were sarcastic posts or comments... They seemed funny at that time...

Until one day, I realized that those biting posts were meant for other friends... probably in retaliation for something that happened between them or, simply, to just get nasty. The "likes" became some sort of a loyalty check- "hey, whose side are you on?"

People started forcing their own opinions down their friends' throats. R-E-S-P-E-C-T became a thing of the past. Instead of cheerful exchanges, you now see long threads of debates and arguments that are not even close to being friendly.

It was in Facebook where I got embroiled in my so-called-friends' histrionics and hysterics. People openly aired their dirty laundry... For sympathy? For "Likes"? For goading? For the "Rah! Rah! Rah! Sis Boom Bah!" cheers? You tell me!  I guess there are some people who really get a kick out of it and enjoy the attention.

Gone were the days when my News Feed fed me uplifting, funny and positive posts to start my day right. Rants, protests, opinionated/ judgmental elucidations, bashing, bullying... ahhhh, too many of them now. I must admit I myself succumbed to the temptation (of posting my negative thoughts and opinions) a number of times in the past.

And so... one day, I decided to deactivate, thus, disconnecting myself from more than 500 "friends" and a big number (I lost count) of friends requests (those I decided to ignore).

However, I am not saying I am rejecting Facebook altogether. This time though, I already know the people who matter most to me and with whom I truly want to stay connected with.

I never felt better! ;)

Now, the sun shines on...

Blessings to all of you!

Image credit: Lauren Huston

Of Fun and Friendship (Thursday Poets' Rally Week 27)

bound by friendship

ties that are deep

two decades of sisterhood

an unbreakable loop

"raise the roof!"
that was the mood

a night of 80's fun

and disco jam...

of strobe lights

and tights...
of red stilettos

and loud echoes...

never ending banters

in a room full of prancers...

 

one night of break

for sanity's sake!


  © Bing (PinkLady) 2010

It was Kadayawan Festival in Davao City last week. Fat Bobby's hosted another 80's party called Retro Friday (August 20) and even though I had an on-and-off fever, I couldn't pass up the once-in-a-blue-moon bonding time with my equally busy BFFs and TFFs. And so, FUN FUN FUN we had that Friday night! Disco balls, laser lights and wet (as in sweat) look... it was soooooooooo 80's once again!!!

A BIG thanks to Jingle and the other poets who voted for me. I really appreciate this beautiful Celebrate Poet of July Award. Thank you so much!

Come and join Thursday Poets' Rally
Week 27 ~ August 26-September 1

hosted by Jingle

Heaven's Gate

the words stopped flowing
 tears flooded my face
i was speechless
my heart was heavy
pain tore it apart...

the dreaded news came
you passed away and joined our Creator
was it just a day after
i debated with myself
if i'd go see you on your deathbed...

i was crying as i rushed to see you
only to miss that turn when i was near
as cowardice gripped me
i told myself, "tomorrow"
for i needed to collect my thoughts...

but tomorrow proved too far
for someone who was in great pain
you didn't even live to see the next sunlight
that broke through
your window pane that morning...

when i finally found the courage to see you
you were in a deep solemn slumber
wiping away all traces of pain
that devoured your body and spirit
looking beautiful as ever...

hard as it is to say goodbye
we know it is only for now
and take comfort in knowing
that you are at heaven's gate
waving at us with a big smile...

 © Bing (PinkLady) 2010

I wrote about my friend Mayen a few months ago- Sunshine In Her Ravaged Soul. She succumbed to cancer of the colon at 5:50 o'clock in the morning on August 10, 2010. She was 44.

Her death was a big blow not only to me but to everyone whose lives and hearts she had touched. I must admit that this sent me into hibernation and made me reassess my own mortality. There might even be no tomorrow to speak of...            

May the road rise up to meet you, 

may the wind be ever at your back.  

May the sun shine warm upon your face 

and the rain fall softly on your fields.  

And until we meet again, 

may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.  

~Irish Blessing~

 ATTY. MARIE LORRAINE "MAYEN" GUYO-BALBASTRO

July 16, 1966-August 10, 2010


Rest in peace, my friend...

The Perfect Poet Award For Week 25

 

 A big thanks to Jingle (and all the poets who believed in me) for the Perfect Poet Award for Week 25. For her enlightening and inspiring wisdom on "letting go," I am voting for Amanda for the Perfect Poet Award for Week 26.

Come and join Thursday Poets' Rally
Week 26 ~ August 12-18

hosted by Jingle

Gone For The Weekend...

My best friend is celebrating her birthday out of town... It's the whole gang's (BFFs) bonding time... I can't wait to be with the girls!

I hope you will all have a great weekend as well!!!

A Birthday Reflection

I once dreamed of a sweet and gentle life

Where bliss greeted me at the door

And soft rose petals covered my bed...

But dreams are just dreams

And reality brings more pains

Than one could ever imagine...

Sheltered all my life

I thought it would all be easy

After all, up until then, life was a breeze...

Imagine my surprise

When the life I knew was suddenly interrupted

By people who thought they knew better...

Not only was there pain but shame as well

The crowd that used to surround us

Slowly dissipated into thin air...

Thank God for family and TRUE friends

It took one misfortune to unmask these faces

I wouldn't have survived without them...

Then you get to realize that

There is no such thing as an easy life

Everyone has an ordeal to tell...

Mine is a story of LOST love, life and hope

Until I decided to take the reins again

And stand up on my own...

Mine is a story of independence and liberation

Not of war but of love for life

A quest for deeper meaning of my existence...

You see, five years ago

I would have perished with James

And my three kids would have been orphaned...

But no, God had other plans

These kids are my mission

They are meant for greater things...

And I am here to guide and lead them

To the paths that the good Lord

Has paved for them...

God has been good to us

And I feel blessed to have everything we need

Enough lessons to teach us gratitude...

Now whenever I hear my kids say "thank you"

For every little nice thing done to them

I thank God for life lessons that were not wasted...

Let me take this opportunity to thank friends in  the blogosphere for making my birthday special...

To Thom for the nice birthday greeting that he posted in his blog "Thom's Place 4 Whatever".He just arrived from his Seattle trip and has been kept busy by a lot of things but he found the time to make a special post for my birthday.

Thom, your post took me by surprise. I don't even know how you got wind of my birthday but believe me, it felt so good to read your greetings online. You made me feel so special. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And a big thanks as well to everyone who left a birthday wish or message for me in your blog.

To Jingle who really made it special with all the awards she gave me on my birthday. It was

indeed a pleasant surprise to see all those beautiful images that she made just for her Thursday Poets Rally Week 23 participants.

Jingle, I understand what you're going through right now. I am amazed at your  undying desire to lift our spirits up despite your own struggles. Rest assured that your efforts are much appreciated. Thank you for these beautiful awards:

 The Perfect Poet Award for Week 23











 The Most Consistent Poet  Award

The Most Persistent Poet Award

The Most Admirable Poet Award

The Celebrate Poet of May Runner Up Award

Friends are Precious Award

Wings of Light Award

Participation Award

A Season's End

"There are times where you or that person has changed

to the extent that it's necessary to let go of the friendship,
so that each of you can fulfill your life path."

People in our lives come and go. There are good reasons why some friends, with whom we shared a substantial part of our being, are no longer in our lives now. We must learn to accept that much of living is all about moving on.

When you have formed an attachment to people, it is quite painful to realize that it is time to let go. This poem, which I first came across in an email, explains why there are those who get to stay in our lives and why some people don't.

Reason, Season or a Lifetime

When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person...

When someone is in your life for a REASON. . .
It is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty,
to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are!
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part,
or at an inconvenient time, this person will say
or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met,
our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered.
And now it is time to move on.

Then people come into your life for a SEASON....
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons:
things you must build upon in order to have
a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but
friendship is clairvoyant.

How much of this poem, can you relate to?

On my part, a season has just ended. I am letting go and moving on. Thank you for everything.






Blessings to all,

Giving Back The Love

I still have not gotten over my euphoria. I am soooooooooo happy such that I want to share the same good feeling with my friends and those who have strongly supported my blog through their constant visits and kind comments. What better way to show my appreciation than to give them awards which they all deserve.


Khaye of Melting Chocolate gave me the "Let's Be Friends" Award. She calls herself a dreamer and writes beautiful stories and poems. A glimpse into the world of some of her characters leaves me dreaming myself.


This is what the "Let's Be Friends" Award represents:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.


I know that most of of you have received the triple awards so I reserved this one for you to let you know how much your friendship means to me- the kind words, the pat on the back, the laughter and the cheers have been great sources of inspiration for me. And in case you already have this one, I hope you will still keep it. I am supposed to choose only 8 recipients but I have more on my list. Please accept my love and gratitude:


Kat of Candles Crafts and Whatnot and Soy Wax Candles Blog
Maitri of Maitri's Heart and Compassionate Bloggers Circle
Angelika of Angelika
Janet of Dolly's Daily Diary
UmmeAaiman of The Mum Who'll Remain A Maverick
Tripti of Life is a Quest and In Loving Memory of Mahendra
Kara of The Frugal Angel-Guided Psychic and frugalangel
Ray Gratzner of The Esoteric Journey
Susan of Musings
Angela of Here and Now ~*~ 4 Angel ~*~
Bingkee of I Love/Hate America


I read somewhere that friends are the siblings that God forgot to give us. I couldn't agree more with that. Thank you for being such a blessing to me!!!

This Triple Award came from Kat of and Angelika of . Both friends give me my daily dose of laughter. If you visit their blogs, you'll see for yourself how their unique style of writing can leave you rolling in laughter. These two amazing ladies can surely brighten up any gloomy or boring day.

The Three in One Award stands for "blogs of attitude and gratitude, a member of a proud sisterhood, and a best friend of all blogs." The rules are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show Great Attitude and/or Gratitude.
3. Link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

I am sharing this award with the following dropaholics from Entrecard who demonstrate great attitude and gratitude through their blogs:


Wacky Blogger Rosilie of Rosilie: My Blog
Mariuca of Wishing On A Falling Star
Khaye of Melting Chocolate
Dorothy of Womensselfesteem.com Blog
Jude of Mature Not Senile
Tricia of Proud Mommy
Jackie of Simply Shinade
Mystique of Mystique's Moments
JHS of Colloquium
Megan of Imaginif



Blessings to all,