Monday, December 12, 2011

Man in the Mirror

Nothing speaks louder for itself than the title and lyrics of this song from the legendary Michael Jackson.
"I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways, and no message could have been any clearer. If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change..."

I do not know what does it, but I guess this is what it means to have grown up. I am 25 now (Scary, I know when it is already halfway towards the big 3-0 *Gulps*). Then again, age is just a number and yes, I believe that each birthday should be a celebration for the experience and achievements one has accomplished throughout his/her life.
These days, I have come to realize that amidst any bad vibes and stress from the environment, I have managed to not let those negativity get to me too much. I find that I react in better and positive ways. I have learnt to shut myself away from certain petty things or issues which are not worth my time or concern. And the effect of all these, I have noticed that the people around me react and behave in better ways, too - well, at least towards me.
Although I am currently stuck mostly 24/7 with the kids, I find that I manage to find time for myself, doing minor things which I like or which amuse me even for a short little while. Either the newfound bliss from that or the joys I get from seeing my kids grow and accomplish each of their milestone over time, I have actually found my motivation and passion. *Yay*
For one, notice that I have started blogging again?
I am ready to take on new challenges. I have decided. I used to dream. Now my dreams have become plans. And 2012 will be a brand new year for great changes. :)

So, it is true that the way you act and think or feel have an effect on your environment. The Universe has a way of acting upon your thoughts or belief and expectations.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." -Mahatma Gandhi

I believe that every obstacle is a blessing in disguise. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity that awaits you. You just got to open the right door.

Friday, December 09, 2011

Weyhey!

*This was supposed to be my first post for the year before 'Shameless', but somehow, it got lost or was never published.*

Whoa! It's been over a year my blog's been abandoned. There have been a lot of changes in this one year. One of 'em, we've welcomed a new member! Nathan's a big brother now to his baby sister, Mikaela! She's 19 weeks old now, by the way.
So, for the past 4 months up till now, my days AND nights pretty much revolve around the two kids. As joyful as our bundles of joys are, child caring is very exhausting! It is like a full time job, round the clock, that is! - entertainer and provider during the day, a comforter and guard and provider at night - waking to their cries of discomfort, for milk or diaper change(s), from nightmare perhaps... and the list goes on. One kid was bearable. Now that I've got two, I've only got my two hands to juggle between them two - loads of multitasking involved. I don't know how people in the olden days with a troop of kids and no maid, did it, but I guess they were Wonder Women! To those single parents out there, give yourselves a pat on your shoulders. You've done great! It gets pretty frustrating at times when you are unappreciated or under-valued for all you've done. For those who think that caring and raising kids are easy jobs, well, F*ck U's! - sorry for being vulgar, but Whew, that sure felt gooood.

Being a mother, our job does not end at giving life and bringing our child(ren) into this world. (Any fertile woman can bear and give birth to a child, but not any woman can be a mother.) It is a lifetime commitment. Unlike our enemies, we cannot ignore or stay away from our children just because they have turned bad, nor can we leave them out on our doorstep just because they give us headaches. What they are or will be is a result of our guidance and the roles we have shown them from young. Even when the children are old and grey, they will always be a mother's babies.
With or without a husband, once a woman is with child(ren), she will never be (or at least feel) single again (at least to me). Like it or not, she will always come in a package. :)

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Shameless

Meet the Gallaghers. Mother, Monica left the family and has gone MIA for the past 21 months; father, Frank (the main character of the show)'s a hopeless drunk; eldest daughter, Fiona is playing Mom to the younger siblings and trying to keep everyone in order; eldest son, Lip (Philip)'s an academic genius and a science whiz who makes a living out of doing assignments for other fellow students or sitting for their SAT exams and giving physics tuitions to a neighborhood girl who's paying him with sexual favors; the third kid, Ian, is in Army ROTC in school and he's gay- which was first discovered by his brother, Lip; youngest daughter, Debbie's got a loving heart and she's also pocketing some of the money from the charity she's collecting year round; younger son, Carl is a rule breaker and likes the thrill in making other kids and animals suffer; and the toddler, Liam, is black and no one knows how.
I've been watching this TV series whenever I can - when the kids are settled or asleep. Pretty interesting. Such a dysfunctional family- 6 kids with a selfish and pathetic excuse of a father who's always claimed he's a proud and devoted single father, but spends his days and nights drunk and passed out on practically anywhere possible; a mother who could abandon her kids when the youngest was only 2 months old; yet it's amazing how the siblings manage to make ends meet every day, of course with Fiona, being the main caretaker and decision-maker who has to work endless dead-end jobs with minimum wages to make sure the bills get paid. It goes to show how affected the kids will be when the parents are screwed up. Nevertheless, I like the strong bonds between the independent siblings and how they stick together through all the good and mostly rough times. It's fun, witty, hilarious, naughty and downright senseless at times, but enjoyable at the same time. It's reality. Hits me on the head as a reminder again and again, that whenever I feel like I'm stuck in sh*thole, there are many out there who has suffered or is suffering more. If the Gallaghers can pull it through, what excuse do I have, really?

I'm watching the US version, based on the original award-winning British one on Channel 4 with the same name.
They say the British version is better (I reckon it must be, judging by the fact that it's an award winner), but I love the actors and actresses in the US version.