Today I saw a man in a wheelchair under a footbridge at SM Southmall. His left hand was amputated and so were both his feet. He was staring into nothingness but was quite tranquil. I was so curious about him that I walked back to the footbridge and walked up to him.

I asked him “Kuya, ano tinitignan mo?” (What are you looking at?)

He looked at me and smiled and said “Pagasa.” (Hope)

I was both touched and embarrassed by this man’s faith and belief in hope. I felt guilty that even though I have been blessed with so many things, I was losing faith in people, life and everything in between. I dug into my pocket and fished out a bill and took his good hand and put it in his palm and said “Salamat kuya. Binigyan mo din ako ng pagasa” (Thank you. You gave me hope)

He was so surprised that he grinned widely and held my hand tight and thanked me. He looked up again into the sky and shouted “Salamat”

That man’s faith and gratitude gives me hope.

How many times have we forgotten to be grateful with what we have? How many times have we been so consumed about what we want and about what we don’t have or what people aren’t doing for us that we forget the simplest things such as gratitude? How many times have we complained about being too poor to afford a new gadget or the tickets to that concert without even thinking about the other people who are too poor to afford anything to eat?

That man had faith. He had nothing else but faith and he selflessly shared that with me – a complete stranger.Thank you, kuya.

 It's too painful to read...

 Now I know Dr. Zoidberg's other identity!

 Ah...Malaysia is very strict. I'll keep that in mind.

 LMAO!!

 I'm bothered by the fact that people still deface money.

 I think this is a more effective way of making sure that parents look after their kids, don't you think?

Spell right.

I think we should really expound on this statement...

  

Watching SPIT's Improv Thursdays at the Hexagon Lounge at the RCBC plaza made me laugh out loud! Catch them at the Hexagon Lounge every Thursdays (except on Jan 27) until the end of February. Tickets are 200 but inclues 2 drinks.

The following posters have made me laugh:

 

Seeing old friends make me smile too. Raf, my bro. We have to see each other more often.

What made you smile today?

Reputation - n.

1. The general estimation in which a person is held by the public.

2. The state or situation of being held in high esteem.

3. A specific characteristic or trait ascribed to a person or thing: a reputation for courtesy.

 

Character - n.

1. The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another. 

2. A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, group, or category.

3. Genetics A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or group of genes.

4. Moral or ethical strength.

5. A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.

 

***

I've always had a reputation. Actually, I have a lot. But truth be told, I never gave a flying fudge about them because reputations will always change and it's just that - an estimation of my image. People will always have a different opinion about me. Others will say I'm evil incarnate. Others will claim I'm an angel (debatable), a whore, a slut, a know it all, a self-absorbed egotistical megalomaniac and everything else in between.

You know what? I. DON'T. CARE. Say what you want about my reputation because I don't give a rat's ass about it. You want to know what I care about? I care about my character. My character is worth more than my reputation and I don't need anyone else to teach me or show me how to do that. My middle class education and family afforded that for me. My working class life has given that.

***

So, have a go at my reputation. Please. My character will always trump my reputation. Every. Single. Time.

 Saw this bird on our front yard,peacefully sleeping. I just had to take a photo of it.

 And this, children, is the reason why you shouldn't pretend to be someone you are not. To thine own self, be true! Or at least learn how to use photoshop properly, eh?

 There are so many possible captions for this photo. I can't stop laughing every time I see it.

 I couldn't stop laughing when Dave picked a bunch of tiny bananas up. his fingers were bigger than the bananas! It made him look like a real giant.

 Dave sent me this photo and it did make me smile. Thanks babe!

And this, kids, is the reason why you should always use spell check. So, how much does it cost to be Miss Facebook 2011?

What made you laugh and smile today?

There were some things that made me smile and there were some things that made me laugh out loud. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

 These are my new bathroom buddies. They make my bathroom look more colorful.

  Little girls who make cute stuff from clay make me smile. She's so talented! :)

 Cooking breakfast for my family makes me smile. Thank you to Dave for the recipe! :)

 Little boys who give their grandmother early morning hugs make me go "aawwww...."

 My mom and I saw this sign in the parking area of Uniwide. We started laughing because we were thinking about what would classify a tapsihan as hard core. My mom said that the servers must be former hard core porn stars. LOL!

 We got inside but the stall was still closed.

 When we got out, we saw the server. Hard core nga! Kamukha niya si George Estregan! LOL!

 Harvie and I have always used the term "Miker Mice Mrom Mars" as a joke. I started laughing hysterically when I saw this! I should've bought it as a gag and gave it to him. He'd get a fit with it.

 Nothing beats a mom with a sense of humor. What's even better is a mom who lets me put colored post its on her butt to make a smiley face. J.Lo ain't got nothing on my mom's butt! 

  

 LOL! Massive FAIL!

  

 We also got the twins their brand new bikes for their birthday. *Sigh* Time flies so fast... they're turning 5 on Monday. I can still remember when they were so tiny that they fit just right in the crook of my arm. Ngayon, halos di na ako makahinga pag hinigaan ako!

And for 19 pesos, you can get these different turkey heads to display in your house! LOL! 

What made you smile today?