Taking care of LIONS (Taurus-Leo Friendship)

Growing up, we had different pets. We had a dog, a cat, some fishes, a bird and a few worms (Superworms that eat a lot!). Most of these animals were taken care of my sister or my dad. I guess i wasn't made up to take care of animals in a sense that is like family. But don't get me wrong, I love animals! I like going on trips to the ZOO and watching Animal Planet. I think all animals are interesting and play a vital part of our lives. 

Going back to me as a pet owner, the fishes were the ones that I took care of. I feed them, clean the tank, change the water and basically, look at them as they swim and swim. My mom played a good part of financial support during this time. I mentioned that we owned a cat. Well, we had cats in some certain years of our youth but I'm not really a cat-person. My sister was the cat-person in the family and she took care of it like babies. 

Cats are graceful creatures. Although they are moody, they bring joy to some. 

Lions are members of the cat family. Known as the "Kings of the Jungle", lions are considered one of the scariest preys and part of Africa's BIG 5. They are so magnificent that Disney made a movie about them titled "The Lion King" back in the 90's. As a kid, I loved that movie. I guess until now, I still have the liking of watching the movie. 

Lions are good leaders, hunters and providers. They also are territorial and are experts in hunting. 

I have seen a good number of videos that feature these magnificent creatures but I still need to learn more about them. 

We humans also have our Lion-like characters. I know some people who are like lions in their ways. Some even feed like lions! But kidding aside, it's not easy taking care of these lion people. I think that taking care of a lion is a hard job; taking care of 2 is a total risk. 

I was born under the star sign Taurus which makes me have a Bull-like character. Sensitive, short tempered and really (i mean REALLY!) stubborn. I think all these would best describe me as a person specially now that I have matured at my age of 25. 

It is weird because it has come to my attention that most people that are close to me are born under the star sign Leo. And I looked this up in the internet and found this:

Friendship Compatibility For Leo And Taurus

Leo

Taurus

A friendship between a Taurus and a Leo is one of mutual respect and a mutual liking of each other’s company. They recognize each other’s wants and desires very well. Taurus adore being treated with love and care, and Leo adore being looked up to and admired. They are both fiercely faithful and often possessive of each other. Their desires coincide with one another so well that either partner could give the other what he or she wants.

Taurus and Leo love lavishness and comfort, often on an extravagant measure. They both enjoy wealth and social status. Leo tend to be flashy and impressive, the very embodiment of lofty standing and opulence; and Taurus admire Leo all the more for that. Both star signs possess a resolute character. They need to understand and accept each other.
Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus, and Leo is ruled by the Sun. The Sun represents ego or self, and it radiates heat and light. Consequently, Leo emit this kind of power and liveliness. Venus is about beauty, love, and opulence. The impressive blend of masculine and feminine energy is the reason for Leo and Taurus admiring and adoring each other so much. Venus never moves farther than 48 degrees from the Sun; the two celestial bodies, one depicting life and the other depicting love, are never too far from each other. As long as Taurus and Leo realize each other’s feelings and desires, they always produce a constructive combination.

Taurus is an earth sign, and Leo is a fire sign. Both signs are ambitious, but in their own ways. The lion goes for wealth and eminence, while the bull strives for stability and protection. Both signs seek to be the leader, and disagree a lot over this matter. Convincing each other of the importance of their friendship is the best way to solve the problems.

Taurus and Leo are fixed signs. Both Taurus and Leo are unrelenting in their judgments and move forward tirelessly towards their goals. Any schemes that they have formed would be carried out to the end. Neither sign loves change, and both prefer a constant even environment around them. When they find that their friendship is genuine, they dedicate themselves to its preservation. However, their diverse characters might cause them to argue constantly. Taurus never give in as they don’t like anyone dictating them, and Leo might construe this as obstinacy. Although Taurus are equally determined as Leo, they might give in to avoid a full fledged conflict when it seems imminent.

The best aspect of a relationship between a Taurus and a Leo is the respect and regard they have for each other. Both star signs have an intense strength of character, and neither one could dominate the other, even though it wouldn’t be for want of trying. These are two very compatible signs, and their dedication to fulfil their plans makes them a great team.

source: http://astrobix.com/friendship/friendcompat/leo/taurus

My friendship with these people is amazing. I get to do things that I don't normally do and these moments are milestones to me. But at some point, it's hard to take care of a lion let alone 2. It take s a great toll on my emotions but I'm still holding on. 

Decisions - Decisions - Decisions

We all have baggage and issues that make us creatures that need support from one another. The daily task of greeting each morning with a smile is a task that not most of us can do. However, there are others that make these baggage and issues an anchor in decision making. Whether it be right or wrong, these decisions would make them stick with reality. On the other side of this reality, others still prefer to live in a fantasy world just to make them smile in facing each new day. 

As each day would pass, we become either the boss or slave of our decisions. They are essential on how we manage ourselves, our relationship with others, our family and with the rest of the world. Human as we are, we can never be content of what we have or achieve. This continuing journey of ours is also a factor of how things would go for us. It affects our decisions and in turn, affects our lives. 

At any stage of life, we encounter people that we make decisions with. Family, friends, loved ones, strangers or even the Sales Assistant in your favorite shop helps us with making decisions. These are people we tend to grow mature with. They make us see the things that we don't and they influence us with the decisions that we make. They become part of our lives without any doubt. But it is also a known fact that not all we meet in life would make us look back and smile. There are characters in our life's story that would make us cry; make us think and force us to move on from hurting things that they caused us. These people are just as important as those who made a good ripple in our lives. They can either make us or break us. 

There are also points in our lives that we crave to be the center of the story. It is normal for us to want to have the spot light. It is basically a sign or a proof of our social existence. With this wanting, we base our decisions on our life's plans and how things are going on.  We make our story and basically, we need to star in our own creation of life's journey. It is a choice if we want to be the protagonist or the antagonist. We are our own writer, director and actor. Having the spotlight would mean a lot in sharing or writing our life's story. 

Deciding is a crucial moment in life. It directs us in the course of action or the length of travel we have in life. It is a continuing battle of good and bad; short term or long term. It is that moment when we listen to ourselves and move on. There is no turning back. We can never change what is done but we can change what will happen basing on what has been done.  

it's not about that

One of the hardest thing a friend can do is to listen. A simple thing to do but needs all sincerity and time. The down side, all the stories might be too much to handle and not everyone can handle it with grace and much restrain. Others just explode into emotions and do crazy stuff. There is nothing wrong with it; we are human. But the question is: Is it right to feel full and explode?!

Days after I decided to introduce my friends to each other, things became all soggy and cloudy. Moments with them became awkward and that I didn't understand. The plan was for them to spend time with each other. They jelled well and I was happy about it. But at some point they wanted more. They wanted to be intimate. 

They needed it and this was decided by adults; consenting adults. 

A week has passed and suddenly things have changed. I never felt stupid all my life with this decision which made me uneasy and sleepless. It's not about the intimacy. It's not about the awkwardness. It's about me making the decision to have the idea. It was selfish and stupid of me. Just for me to have friends I would do it. It is just stupid.  I have made crazy decisions in life but this was by far tops my list. 

I see the picture as a stained work of art. I made the work of art but I was the one who stained it.  

Three phrases for my mom.

I already made a blog last year about one of the greatest woman in my life, my Mama. It was more of a story of how things go for the both of us given that I was her only son and the middle child (and yes, the "middle child thing" applies for me). 

One year has passed and at some point I have lost the felling of messaging her on a daily basis. There is no problem on how I can contact her because internet is always there (and take note: I would die if the internet was gone). The only bump is that, I don't want to think about it that much. I guess messaging her everyday would lead me to missing her more and more. It's not that I don't like missing her (because I REALLY MISS HER), it's just taking a lot of space in my mind and I'm sure she gets what I mean. 

A few weeks ago, I decided to message her on a random day. I felt like saying something sweet to her that time. She was online on Facebook and sent her a simple short message:

"Hello mama! I miss you! :)"

After a few seconds she replied with this message:

"I also miss you so much! Not just just you but also your sister!"

Then, I replied with:

"JOKE! :P "

And the conversation turned into laughter.

Little did I know that those giggles in our chat script hid the tears she shed for missing both of us so much. While we were chatting, she confessed that she was laughing with tears for missing us and it made me all mushy inside. I even posted it as a status on Facebook and of course, my friends and family who knew what my mom and I have in a mom-son relationship liked it.

I don't want to make this long because for sure, she will be so bored reading this (I'm only joking Mama!). 

So here goes the three phrases for My Mama.

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"I'm sorry"

You said that while I was a child, never had a huge problem with me. I was obedient and basically just follows what you tell me to do(I was a robot I guess). 

Growing up, I changed and I am sure that I have brought you disappointments and heartaches. I know that my reasoning have hurt you a lot of times and I am very sorry for all those things I have done and words I have said to hurt you. I also want you to know that every time you cry in front of me for the things I did, it makes me an insomniac. I can't sleep thinking that I made you cry (I also hope that you will not use this to always make me give in to your request - LOL).

At the moment Mama, there are many things that I really want to tell you and I want to say sorry for not talking to you about it. I guess I just want to have time for myself here in Dubai and spend it with Ate Joyce.

Mama, please forgive me for everything that I have done that made you cry. I am sorry. 

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"Thank you"

I have said in my previous blog that you have done and sacrificed a lot of things for us. You have made us feel that everything was okey even if it wasn't and showed us how to be resilient in times of trouble. You have made us into God-fearing and Law abiding citizens with your actions and people see this in us. You have created a person in us that is strong and mushy all at the same time. You have turned us into the perfect chocolate chip-oatmeal cookies! Crunchy in the outside, moist in the inside! 

Thank you for making us realize what blessings we have and what we can do to share it with everyone. You may not be verbally supportive of the things I did but I'm sure that inside, you are always making a silent prayer for me.

For all the things you taught us, showed us, made us feel, sacrificed, gave us, cooked for us, loving us, taking care of us, and giving life to the three of us - I am very thankful. These words are merely understatements of how thankful I am for having you as my Mama and I am sure that these things will continue as I live in this world. 

Thank you very much.

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"I love you"

With all the challenges, short-comings and happy moments we have been through, I am sure that the last phrase won't be enough to seal all this. Given a chance to be there just for this day and spend it with you while watching TV in our living room, I would grab it for anything in the world. 

Mama, the distance between us made me realize that I am strong and weak all at the same time. But your love for me made me grounded and secured me that all the things I have done was because of the values you taught me. 

I remember back in college when I was about to have my In-house review. I sent you a text message saying that we were already on the way to the retreat house and were passing through our area. In the text, I said "I love you" just to make it sweet. but you replied with "Okey! Take care!"

I guess I told you that I was so pissed off that you didn't say "I love you" back. I even replied asking if you read the "I love you" part of the message and made sure that I was not your "barkada" but your SON. Every time I share this with my friends, they laugh and imagine how you would smile and smirk at the "boo-boo" you made in sending your reply. just for the record, you replied like this: "Ahw! - hehe. love you too!" 

Mama, I hope you know how much I love you. Not just me but also Ate Joyce and Carmie. We would do everything and anything in our capacity just to make sure you have that warm smile in your face always and laugh your heart out in our crazy moments. Like I said, these words are not enough to tell you how much I love you but I know inside, you feel all the love from me and Ate Joyce even with our distance. 

Happy Mother's Day Mama Alma! 

xoxo

#REPOST - Alone

Just today, a friend talked to me about the pains and hurts of being in a relationship - or the same sort. Like the same story, things did not end or go the way people would expect it to be. I scanned my posts and saw this post i made years before. Now, I decided to re-post it and share the same story that i made years back. 

In this life, we all have moments where we all become a different person from all the inspiration we get in being in a relationship. But then again, not all stories end up with a smile. It could be that a smile can be shown but only the the heart can tell what that smile would really mean. 

REPOST

“So, this is it then? I mean, there’s no turning back at this right? ”, he asked.

“Yes”, I answered.

“Well, it’s gonna be hard for the both of us but I will try my best to absorb it. Will you be all right?”

I nodded.

“I hope so.”

These were the words that ended our relationship. It wasn’t just me or him. It was decided by both. It was a decision that made me realize one thing: we were not anymore happy with each other. It was a relationship built on mutual decisions and I couldn’t believe that it ended the same way.

All relationships have bad times but I never thought that we would end it as painfully as this. No tears but just words during the break-up. I have seen sad endings in movies but I never imagined mine to be this tragic. Nobody died but it seemed to me that the end was like death to the both of us. It was the end. We were not together anymore.

I told him that I will be alright after the break-up. I tried my best but everything I thought about was what we had before. All the smiles, hugs, feeling of happiness and the kisses that sealed them all; they killed me like how each knife would pierce an apple. It was the pain that I never imagined to suffer at the end of all things. I cried but I never felt better with each tear that fell from my eyes. The sadness absorbed me as a whole and I was in mourning with what I lost: a relationship that I thought would last forever in the arms of each other.

As I wake up each morning, I would check my mobile phone. I would never say it but I would always hope that he would send me a message to check if I’m ok; if I was doing fine after what had happen. I would remember the days that my inbox would be filled by messages from him and how I would save them to make me smile as I read along the messages late at night.

I would anticipate each call would be from him to talk to me and convince me to reconsider the decision that I made about the break-up. How I reacted with each ring my mobile phone gives as the call goes on. The song that made me excited as the call progresses and how I would answer each call with a smile: a sweet smile that was real and true. It was from love and I couldn’t believe that all of these were gone with just one nod I made.

Nothing – this is what I see every morning as I check my mobile phone. It made me cry but not as painful as before. Each morning made me realize that the days of sweet smiles were gone. I was alone and the relationship was over. It was a decision made by the both of us.

I continue to live my life was what my friends would tell me. I partied, drank and went out. But as the noise and the crowd disappeared, the sadness consumes me secretly. I want to cry but I just can’t. My tears ran dry and I couldn’t cry anymore. It was something that I knew would just hurt me more. The pain I get from one nod was something I dreaded from the day I made the decision. It really was painful.

School was the same for me and I never heard from him again. Then I just got word that he was dating someone already. I didn’t give a reaction because it has been months that I haven’t heard news about him. I never imagined that the pain drilled into me secretly and I was collapsing from the inside. I wanted to scream but I never could. Each smile that I would imagine from him before was for another girl now. How the pain doubled, tripled even after what I have heard and imagined. I was in pain and nobody knew.

I pretended to be cool; to be ok; to act as if I have moved on from the relationship I was in before. Like what I said, I pretended. It was a huge stage play for me to pretend that everything was ok for me. That I smiled the sweet smile I gave before and laughed as if I was never hurt from everything that happened. I pretended until I realized that I was only fooling myself. I cried again in silence but I never felt better.

I wished that I could turn back time or he would bump his head and come look for me to be with him again. It was all I hoped for but didn’t come.

Now this is what I would say to myself,

“Never mind, I’ll find someone like you. I wish nothing but the best for you too! Don’t forget me, this I would beg. But I’ll remember what you said that sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead.”

all that sober feeling

We all want to find someone in our lives that would give us meaning and happiness. Someone that would be there in moments when no one was there and yet we would need someone to be by your side. That moment when everyone else is not there for you and only that person feels your need to be embraced with love and support. 

At some point of our lives, we have felt this kind of feeling when we thought this person was IT. 

"This person fits all that I am looking for in a life-partner."

We would be too modest that we prefer not to talk about it with our friends but deep inside all those epileptic moments charge like Romans on chariots. One would find yourself smiling in one corner of the room while you remember the last conversation you had with this person. You would look at yourself in the mirror and notice all the wonderful aura this feeling has given you. From the child-like sleep you have had for the past days to the glowing aura as exhibited by smiles and all that positive attitude. 

Everything seems to be lighter, brighter and happier with that person on your mind. 

Then suddenly, earthquakes come and would shake what you thought was perfect. All you had in your mind become blurry and uncertain. You suddenly become cold as you sit alone and think about the unfortunate future you thought to be. Everything became nothing. 

Nothing.

The picture becomes stained with lines and shapes that was't there. The earthquake shook the wall, made the picture fall on the ground and was pierced with an arrow that was not known. All of a sudden, you would feel pathetic and like garbage. You felt that what you thought was grand but then again, nothing escapes the wrath of an earthquake. Now you see yourself dusted with the ruble that collapsed from the unexpected tremor.

Helpless. 

Now, your friends would ask of what happen but then all the pride would fill you up in the inside and you would try your best to brush it off with teary eyes. Ironically, you are now hiding all the bad stuff. All the feelings of happiness you had inside became too dull and too dark that the color wheel won't have any definition of the shade it had. Everything was just ...just.... nothing. 

How would you feel?!

Do not expect?!

Have you talked to your heart before? 

Was it even helpful? 

It talked back right?

Now, all that sober feeling was just fucked up feelings of loneliness which in turn became expectations from people who you thought was different. Expectations of happiness that turned into sharp daggers that hurt you not from behind but right in your face. #FML

Malls of Dubai - BurJuman Center

 A few weeks ago, a friend of mine and i decided to make a colab-video of the different malls in  Dubai. We thought that it would be a great idea for people to see the malls in a visitor's point of view and of course, on what fun a Filipino can experience. 

After a couple of days of planning and drafting, we finally made the first mini-video tour of the first mall: BurJuman Center.

Located at the heart of old business center in Bur Dubai, BurJuman Center presents itself with extravagance and luxury. Opened in 1991, the mall has over 800,000 sq. ft. area for retail shopping. The said mall is being maintained and managed by Al Ghurair Group and is the first mall ever to bring the luxury brands in the middle east. 

Locating the Mall:

It is easy to locate the mall specially when you go aboard the Dubai Metro. The station itself is named BurJuman so it will not be much of a problem locating it. As soon as you get to the station, just go out of Exit 1 and you will find the BurJuman Center. 

Food:

BurJuman offers a good choice of restaurants and also provides a food court for those who want fast food. The mall also made a luxurious restaurant area for an incredible dining experience in the middle of water features and glass ceilings. 

For Filipino foodies, BurJuman Center also is home to Barrio Fiesta. They serve Filipino cuisine with an ambiance straight from the Philippines. The only difference is that since it is located in a Muslim cultured country, the restaurants don't serve and cook pork in the menu. 

Shopping:

Living up to its name, BurJuman provides shoppers with a luxurious shopping experience with famous brands all under one roof. From designer luxury bags to clothes, a fashionable shopper can complete a wardrobe from head to foot. 

Hermes, LV, Chanel, Dolce and Gabbana, Versace, Balmain, Cartier, Tods, Ralph Lauren, Rolex are just few of the many big names the mall can offer. 

Ambiance:

The mall is a center for luxury shopping. With this, the mall provides an elegant and calming ambiance from the hallways up to the washrooms. With intricate architecture and design, the mall lives up to its specialty: LUXURY.

Fearless Mall Rating: scoring - 1-10

Given that the mall is under renovation at the moment, I will give it a reasonable 6.

Just view the video below and don't forget to Subscribe! 

XOXO

-donitoh