Live fully

I shall pass this way but once; any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show - let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

While cleaning up, I saw this passage again after such a long time. I remember that when I was in college I used to carry a piece of paper with this quote or passage, it was actually from my father and it meant a lot to me. I used to tell myself to smell the roses and I did, I used to care and I was happy most when I was helping out others. I used to think that I will always be like that, I will treasure every moment with my family, cherish the job I had that allow me to help empower my "kababayan"....but it was not to be.

Our life right now is so fast-paced that even eating is considered to be so much time-consuming...hence, the fast food where you can just order food, eat and leave as soon as you're done without any worries about the dishes, somebody's going to do it for you. We work very hard to get to the goal we want for our family and your young children...only to realize that they are now over 20 and they don't know you. You missed the small moments when they were young that will forever be gone because you can never take back the time. So, let me ask you, who were you working so hard for?

Everything is a rush, rush, rush...you want to finish school and leave your house to work and be independent. You were working hard and playing hard that you never had the time to visit your parents or even call them just to say Hi. And now you're here....and they're gone. When was the last time you said Thank you or I love you or I'm sorry for that matter?

There are so many memories to be made...and few of them will make an indelible impression on our brains...because we didn't savor each moment, not when it was there. Only when it's too late...then you wish for it.

Whether you are a daughter or son, a mother or father, a sister or brother, a lover.....live fully. Appreciate what you have right now....kiss your son or daughter while they are young because time will come when they wont let you, go to their Little League where they can show off to you, hug them every time, any time...show them that they are truly loved - this will make them grow-up positive and with self-esteem. Let them be kids with muddy hands and feet, let them explore...they are kids just but once, let them be teen-agers, you know how it felt because you were once a teen-ager. Give them the chance to do the things they really want to do, grow up the way they want to and simply give them chance to soar in their own time and in the way they know how. If you have guided them pretty well, they can never go wrong.

Don't take your wife, husband or lover for granted. Enjoy the silly and stupid moments or ignore it especially if it does not make a huge splash on your relationship. Hug them, love them, kiss them like there is no tomorrow, like it's the last time you are going to because it might just be...you never know where life takes you.

Smell the roses or the daisies...appreciate life..live it to the fullest...help others when you can because you never know when that help has a ripple effect...you don't choose who to help, you just do.

Like I said, I held this passage dear to me....but I forgot what it meant and I let some things pass me by, I enjoyed my life but still there were things I wish I could have done better...I regret some things. And then my son came...I did not want to lose those few moments which I can never recover...and looking back at his pictures...I am glad, doubly glad, I was there for him. In time he will grow...and leave me for college and for work and for his new family but I have the memories I made with him to hold on to. I know that when the time comes I will be strong enough to let him go and soar wherever, whenever, however he wants to, God willing.

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Dream Come True: KRIS ALLEN is the 2009 American Idol

After more than a hundred calls via my cellphone, I was able to contribute to Kris Allen's victory in the Season 8 American Idol. I kept myself updated with the voting process and that is why I was able to copy the instructions from Kris Allenation blog. And much to my surprise and of course delight, I found out that I could vote using my cellphone. And thus while Gizmo was down, I use my cell to call the toll-free number given for Kris Allen...(btw, these numbers are still stored in my phonebook). When it was getting hot, my 11 year old son took over for me and I went to my PC to try Gizmo again. My niece then decided to try and use her fone to also call the numbers for Kris....and she was able to put in 87 votes...she would shout every time she got a call thru. And so the next day, we were all crossing our very sore fingers that Kris Allen would win....and he did.

For the 2nd year in a row...I won, lol.

How to vote overseas, multiple methods in the US

Tips for Voting on American Idol:


If you are calling the number (1-866-IDOLS-XX):

* The phone lines tend to jam up directly after the show finishes and oftentimes you'll get a busy signal. Don't be discouraged, keep voting and your calls will likely get through as the voting period progresses.
* If you have a cell phone and a home phone, try calling for both. You don't have to talk with anyone to vote, so you can just continue to re-dial on either phone for the duration of the two hours.
* It's a toll free number, so you shouldn't have to worry about phone charges.


In addition to calling, you can Vote 3 different ways online (maybe all at once if you're so inclined.)


If you're living abroad, or if you can't make the call from a phone you can call for free ONLINE by following the directions below:

* You can use Skype (works for International and US)
* or Gizmo5 (works for International and US):
* or Dial Idol (works for only US residents):

Try testing the softwares with Google's Toll-Free number:
1800-466-4411

American Idol numbers are also toll-free so if you succeed in calling Google, you would also be able to call in to vote for Kris.

For this post, I would like to thanks my reference for anything KRIS....the # 1 Kris Allen fansite

VOTE VOTE VOTE for KRIS ALLEN

When I first saw the results night on the final 2, all I could remember was that Kris Allen was in the final 2. When I saw the replay, it was just then that I realized that he was really the first one to be safe. Everything is being done to make sure that Kris Allen wins the game....I really hope he wins....regardless, we all know how good he is and I definitely will buy his album.

Falling Slowly (american Idol Studio Version) - Kris Allen