Don't Quit daw

[ignore the minor errors, must, need sleep]

DONT QUIT

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit-

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a fellow turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow -

You may succeed with another blow.Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up

Whe he might have captured the victor's cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It might be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

You were told not to quit.

What does quitting mean? How can the person and others tell if someone has quit?

You begin your COCC training with one of these poems, up in your head and ready to be spoken together with your batchmates. In the event that you miss a word, or jumble up the lines, you may considering quitting after the punishment you receive.

On your very first day, you begin to understand the mission, the word quit, and a whole lot about yourself. Setting aside the aching body parts from your exercise, you were taught many lessons and tricks that would keep you inside the Corps. Undoubtedly, you were guided by instructions and experiences, and you were never left alone. The training is very important. It gets you through assignments and problems.

Unfortunate events (of course you wouldn't want shit to happen to anything that you do) may lead you down a trail regrets and make you have second doubts of continuing. Now, you find yourself alone for this time (and the many times that you go through this cycle). Often you are blinded by the moment due to shame, responsibility or confusion, and that's when you think of quitting.

What I understood and carry until today is this: you were prepared. You were prepared to act, decide, act, and decide. You have to overcome this brief dilemma and always check the facts, which would hardly lie to you. We can always leave it up to Lady Luck, but that's not worth talking about. In the need that you have to go, be strong and make sure you go to the better path.

When I failed a major subject and dropped another, I had to make one heart shattering decision. My second class year remains as the most exhausting term I experienced as a cadet officer. I do not regret continuing, nor do I wish i left at the soonest moment. I say that quitting isn't wrong, but the process that led you to quitting maybe subject to harsh and rash rationalizations. You have to be alone, and with company at the time you decide on this matter. Alone, it's always your call. As a leader, you decide on your own. At the same time, you have to listen to others for advice. 

I would have seen both ( me quitting and me staying) individuals at the same level.

"A King considers the advice of counself, but always listens to his heart", from the movie Prince of Persia.

From a tactical officer: "Kung aalis ka, panindigan mo." and "Ano ang magagawa ng pag-alis mo?". You're not off the picture when you leave. Always remember the basic connections of your actions.

From various COCC training offiers: "MAG QUIT KA NA!"

As a platoon leader, company commander, battalion commander and corps commander, I always had this painstaking situation whenever a subordinate plans, planned or just left without a word. I might have assumed that I have taught them well, but as long as they graduated from the COCC, I remain calm in handling the situation. They already know how to act and decide, and the part left for me is clear out that fog of confusion. Even as the batch commander and class commander, I always felt a part of me being taken away when people had to go.

[update]

Case to case. You don't have to expend all your resources and effort. Look at things as "giving up the battle, but gearing up to win the war".

Kahit sa HoN (similar to DoTA), dapat alam mo rin kung kailan GG o talo ka na. Sayang sa oras at masisira lang stats mo. 

Kung gusto mo tigilan ang isang bisyo, galingan mo mag-quit.

Kapag talo ka lagi sa lotto, ibahin mo na taya mo.

Tandaan mo nalang na mas maraming makakamit ang taong sumusubok at nananatili.

[/ update]

A frequent reminder to the people I served with: "Kung anuman yung dahilan mo para pumasok dito, tandaan mo. Kung hindi na sapat ito para mapanatili ka, maghanap ka ng bagong dahilan. Kung wala na, wala na talaga." I can also add: "paalam, kita kits nalang".

How do you react to an ipso facto?

Alakazam!

The Breakfast Bulc

A post on the morning meal!

Let's go through it by the years

As far as I can remember, I wasn't particular with the food I ate for breakfast (it's given that veggies are excluded). Usually breakfast dishes are cooked on that day, but I have no problems with leftovers that pass the senses-test. On school days, grade school days, I usually take cereals and milk, or oatmeal and milk. I just have enough servings to fill me up.

Most of the time, I eat alone or with my sister because my parents seldom eat breakfast. They would just drink water, and if it were my dad, he'd drink coffee.

Our maid would usually cook the ulam late at night, and we would just heat them the next day.

Some things that were instilled or which I was aware of were the ff:
1. Eat like a king during breakfast...prince... and pauper.
2. Don't eat ice cream.
3. Don't take carbonated beverages. Sour and acidic treats.
4. Avoid eating tahong, halaan, talaba and probably related dishes.

Another staple breakfast snack, is Taho. Ten o'clock I would hear the vendor far up the street, and that prompts me to get my mug and change. Err, i forgot his name, but he would always pass by our subdivision (I would also buy when I stay at my grandmother's house, which is nearby). It's just now that I wonder why I have to yell out "taho" for him to stop in front of our house. Automatic na dapat!

High school was a different story. I would usually prepare my own breakfast since our place was so small that it couldn't accommodate a housemaid, and also for other reasons. Despite that, I still don't know how to cook food! I just heat, toast, boil, fry or buy! Cereals was still there, but most of the time I take my meal as early as 5:15 AM. I didn't know how to prepare oatmeal with the viscosity similar to what my mother makes, I either too much water or too few oats.

Those days proved to be more energy demanding than earlier years. I would starve after the first period, that I needed to have snacks in school. Sometimes I buy before the morning ceremonies take place. Donuts saved me throughout the morning ordeal since I reserve the rice meals for brunch or lunch. One favorite treat I ate was the Krabby Patty of Creative Stuff. It's a small burger nook at the main cafeteria that offers an option to make your own burger. My krabby patty formula is: Bacon mushroom cheesemelt burger, egg, potato strings and the crab sticks! No ketchup, mayo and mustard, just a plain burger. If I want to save money, i'd just buy cookies from Creative Stuff of the high school coop store.

Studying at a different school might have changed my diet. Our house is situated in an area were food is very accessible. Restaurants and malls are just a 10 minute jeepney ride away. I'll mention a few breakfast favorites. First, beef pares. It's... beef stew? Small strips of beef boiled in a flavored thick broth, paired with rice or noodles, and mixed with your choice of chili, pepper, chives, kalamansi, Knorr and garlic. The place where I buy it isn't that clean, so I usually eat at home. Sometimes, I choose to have the beef swapped with cow eye's or cow/pig brains. Amazing meals, if I may emphasize! Pancakes! Just with maple syrup, scrambled eggs and hotdogs. Leftovers never get tired of me.

ang taho. 

Barracks life was different for a year (when I was biletted). During call-to-quarters (CQ), the lowest class was ordered to prepare the meal for the officer corps. We (of course i went through this stage) would shop for whatever ingredients we found and whatever fit the budget! Mahirap humingi at maningil sa upperclass, kaya minsan napapasobra yung gastos mo. Naalala ko na napaabono ako ng mahigit 500 dahil dito, pero ayos lang. We had to wake up at 3 in the morning to prepare everything before we wake up our upperclass officers at 0400H. Our meals were very simple, canned goods and rice! I remember cooking tinola once for Friday night and for the breakfast the following day! Minsan, champorado, tinapay na may palaman, de lata ulit na may kasamang instant noodles. We were lucky if the department gave us food allowance for breakfast or whenever we had events that entitled us to free breakfast! Breakfast is usually served after physical training (PT).

a pares look-alike

Sometimes skipping breakfast isn't a good idea during college. Sobrang lakas ng bawi ng katawan mo sayo, at mararamdaman mo talaga kumukulo yung tiyan mo sa oras na di dapat. I make it a point to eat at home since i don't have breakfast allowance, pang lunch, at snacks lang.

Notable breakfast meals
1. Eat-all-you-can! Eggs, tapa, daing, champorado, bread, hotdog, fresh fruits.
2. Kakanin! Kutchinta, sapin-sapin, tikoy, puto!
3. Turon or banana cue
4. Silog meals! Ang silog lang na nakakain ko kapag breakfast ay tapsilog ng Rodics!
5. Sausage McMuffin with Egg, Big Breakfast

i' fortuna

If the only thing keeping you up is a cup of coffee, take the night off
for dedication transcends physical needs of the human body.
If the temptation keeps on presenting itself, let it be
and you will find greater comfort for the choice you made.
If you can't fight in seas, take it to the shore
to make your foe swim in tides of sand.
If distance is what keeps you apart, let not the rest of your actions be unnoticed,
a presence can be felt miles away through objects and deeds.

If this day you decide to quit, let it be the last that you make that mistake.
If others sink when others swim, be the one who saves.
If the time makes you old and weak, cherish the time that you are at your strongest.
If by the end of the day you are with friends, let these moments count, but friends never should be tallied.

If you hesitate to try, do not repeat on the second one
since you can always miss chances, but barely achieve when nothing comes forth.
If you lean on someones back, stand you ground,
so neither of you fall and get hurt at the most important part.
If impossibility escapes into reality,
remember that at times anyone can be wrong.
If possibility falls into a pit without reach,
leap and by time you will know if it truly is.

By all means, life can be a little brighter.

Ang Jeepney Constitution

Hindi ako mambabatas o kasapi ng isang grupo na may linalayon na makabuluhan. Ito ang mga alituntunin para sa mas maginhawang biyahe sa loob ng pambansang sasakyan, ang dyip. Maaring maging angkop sa bus o trayk. Muli, hindi ako marunong magsulat ng batas, kaya basta ko lang ilalatag ang mga ito.

Ang isa sa mga natatanging jeep na nasakyan ko. My 2nd TD Jeep, sumunod ang TWL 314.

Section 1. Jeepney

Para sayo 'to, jeep na hindi nakaiintindi at hindi makasusunod sa anumang batas.

1. Ang jeep, dyipni, Jeep, jitney o anumang tawag across the seas and the times, ay dapat may: katawan, apat na gulong (lima, kung may kunwaring spare tire sa tabi ng drayber), salamin, upuan, plaka, preno, lalagyanan ng barya, destination cards at gasolina. Kawalan ng isa sa mga nito ay magpapasawalang tawag sa sakay mo bilang pambansang tagahatid.

2. Maaring lagyan ng spare parts ang jeep. Halimbawa ng mga ito ay: radio boom boom, flash drive o cd player, basurahan, bling blings, mga quotes na hindi lagi kailangang magkatugma bawat linya, pan'abla sa ulan, mga imahe ng mga santo, dibuho sa katawan ng halo-halong anime at zodiac signs, sticker ng samahan o ng LTO, at ang backrest ni manong na yari sa kawayan o wooden beads.

3. Ang kayang maisakay ng jeep ay hindi bababa sa 14 ('di kasama ang nagmamaneho). Sayang kasi kapag pangtatluhan lang ito, gaya ng kanyang older version. Wala namang hangganan, basta makakapag U-turn ng maayos at mabilis.

4. Wala dapat harang sa anyo ng grills, school bus na magiging tawag sayo. Walang pinto, kun'di alyas Family Van ka na. Walang pasaherong nakakulay bughaw o plaka na may nakalagay na TD/NSTP, kasi hindi ka pwede magsakay at malamang papunta ka sa lugar na dinadaos ang isang community service.

5. May hawakan para sa panloob na pasahero, hawakan pang-sabit at hawakan para madaling makasakay ang nasa harapan.

6. Ayos lang na butas ang sahig, para makita ng mga nasa gitna kung binabaha o hindi. 

7. Kung may aircon at sarado ang jeep, ibang antas na yun. Hindi pa ako babad doon.

8. Kung pinaandar ng kuryente at makupad ang takbo, saka nalang magpakta. Kapag de-kalesa, bumalik nalang sa lumang panahon.

Section 2. The Passenger

Skills at brains. Diskarte at utak. Dito lang dapat iikot ang pagpapasiya sa mga kilos sa loob at labas ng jeep.

Pagsakay

1. Kung may tamang sakayan, doon maghintay. Kung malabo ang lugar na ito, mag-abang sa lugar na hindi nakaaantala sa kapwa nag-aabang at kalakhan ng saksakyan sa Metro. Huwag masyado sakupin ang daan, para banayad ang daloy ng trapiko.

2. Bigyan galang ang mga naunang dumating kung pareho ang sasakyan niyo. Kung hindi mo alam kung nauna ba siya o hindi, ituring mo nalang ang sarili mo na pinakahuli. Lumugar ka sa maaring makita mo ang lahat ng bagong dating, o magmukhang nakapila ka para ipahiwatig na ang nasa harap mo ay mga nauna.

3. Gawing malinaw ang pagtawag sa jeep. Halos pareho ang galaw ng kamay sa pagtawag ng jeep, taxi at minsan tricycle. Hindi ko pa ito napagmamasdan, pero tingin ko parallel to the ground kapag jeep, at pababa ang turo pagdating sa fx at taxi.

4. Huwag ka pumura kung hindi ka handang sumakay sa isang masikip na jeep. Bago ka sumakay, tignan mo muna kung may bababa at kung saan ka maaring maupo (minsan gagalaw pa ang mga tao sa loob para umurong palapit sa labasan). Hayaang bumaba ang mga pasahero, bago ka umakyat. Onting galang naman at 'wag salubungin.

5. Kung baguhan at hindi mo pa kabisado ang pupuntahan pero may palagay ka, tanungin mo muna ang drayber bago sumakay.

6. Siguraduhin mo wala kang naiwan sa bahay o sa kasama mo bago sumakay. Siguraduhin na walang makukupit na gamit habang sumasakay. 

7. Boxing out. Walang tulakan at dapat nadadaan sa pagpwesto na katawan tungo sa "pinto". Humaharap ang itaas na katawan mo para harangin ang nasa likod o tabi mo. Kapag sagad na, atras ka muna kasi baka may bumababa pang kapwa hindi makasasakay. 

8. Alagaan ang damit nang hindi masilipan at hindi makapagdulot ng bangungot sa umaga at gabing biyahe. Iwasang sumabit ang mga gamit. Kung naka-backpack, tanggalin sa likod at pansamantalang ilagay sa harapan para hindi abala habang naghahanap ng mauupuan.

9. Madalas humihinto ang jeep kahit hindi mo naman tinawag. Tumingin sa malayong lugar para hindi maisip ng drayber na sasakay ka. Huwag din maglakad papunta sa direksyon ng jeep na may tulin kasi iisipin na hinahabol mo ang sasakyan.

10. Kumapit nang di mahulog. Iwasan mo ang paa at sapatos ng mga taoo, at umupo ka kaagad.

Pagbaba

1. Alamin mo kung saan ka dapat bumababa. Bago pumunta, magGoogle maps ka muna at maghanap ng mga palatandaan. Sumilisilip sa labas para malaman mo kung saang lapalop ng mundo ka lumalakbay. Mainam na maupo sa harapan para pwede ka magtanong sa drayber. Ayos lang din na magtanong sa mga katabi, at tandaan na maging magalang. 

2. Ayusing ang pagpara. Pinakaangkop ang boses na malinaw at malakas dahil gusto mo maintindihan ng lahat ng gusto mo bumaba. Boses muna bago pitikin ang mga daliri sa bubong. Tignan lagi ang drayber at pagmasdan ang bilis ng jeep para malaman kung humihinto na. Huwag makulit kasi hindi instant ang pagpara, kailangan hanapin ang tamang babaan at dahang-dahan ang pagpreno.

3. Sa panahon na mabilis ang takbo ng jeep, tantiyahin kung kailan sasabihin ang magic words.

4. Maging mapagmasid sa kapaligiran, ang trapik. Kapag nakahinto na ang jeep at malapit ang bababaan, huwag mo na hintayin na umandar pa ito. Minsan hindi kailangan sulitin ang bayad, at okay lang naman din ang konting lakad.

5. Minsan hindi automatic ang pagpara ng jeep, kaya maging listo dito. 

Pagbayad

1. Pakiramdaman ang drayber at kapwa pasahero. Una sa lahat, dahan-dahan ang pagbigay ng bayad sa drayber. Minsan wala siyang kundoktor pero dalawa lang po ang kamay niya, at yung isa ay nasa manibela. Makikita naman kasi na inaasikaso niya ang Php 50 bill o ang paghihiwalay ng iba't ibang barya. Hindi masaya at totoong mahirap magsukli kung tuloy-tuloy ang pagbabayad ng mga pasahero. Tandaan, nagmamaneho ang drayber. Para sa kapwa pasahero, maging wais sa pag-abot ng bayad. Kung kayang masuklian ng pera mo ng ibang tao ang buo ng isa, gawin mo na ito bago makarating sa paroroonan. Abala pa sa lahat ng taong madadaanan nito. Kung buo ang pera, ihuli na ito para hindi maguluhan at para may panukli ang drayber. Matutong maghintay.

2. Huwag maging sanhi ng sakit sa ulo. Hindi dapat magbayad ng 200, 500, at 1000 sa jeep. Mainam na magbayad ng saktong halaga para wala nang usap-usap.

3. Patagalin ang kamay sa pagsalo ng drayber para makahabol ang katabi mo na mag-aabot din ng barya.

4. Huwag bastos. Iaabot ang bayad kapag padaan sayo ito. Kung gusto mo matulog, doon ka sa dulo. Kung gusto mo magearphones at bingi-bingihan, magtaxi o magbus. Kahit matanda dapat nag-aabot ng bayad, mga bata lang ang excused dito.

5. Magbayad. Huwag kalimutan.

6. Magbayad kaagad, o tuwing nakahinto ang sasakyan.

7. Bilangin ang sukli at ibalik kung sobra.

8. Mabuti na ang maraming kamay kaysa wala! Minsan nagmumukhang tanga ang nagbabayad at ang dapat mag-aboy ng bayad dahil dito.

Pag-upo

1. Galang. 

2. Listo.

3. Kailangan lang umabante ang naunang nakaupo kung ang dumating ay buntis, matanda o bata.

4. Hindi po uso ang naka-kuadrado sa jeep, pati na rin ang upong buntis. 

5. Madalas na umuurong palapit sa pinto ang mga pasahero kapag may bagong baba o kapag may sasakay. Gawin ito bago pa may sumakay na tao, para hindi magmukhang bastos ang ginagawa mo kung nakapili na ang tao ng pwesto (tapos bigla kang uusog dun pala). 

Pagsasalita

1. May pakialam ang mga tao sa paligid mo sa lakas na boses at pinag-uusapan. Ingat lang.

2. Kapag may mga bata, iwasan ang magmura at iba pang hindi pa dapat nila matutunan.

3. Katanggap-tanggap na malakas ang boses niyo kapag hindi kayo kukulang sa apat at nasa magkabilang upuan. Kung mag-isa ka lang at nasa cellphone ka nakikipag-usap, tone down the volume.

4. Huwag magsalita ng mag-isa, dadami ang tingin sayo.

Pag-uugali

1. Magtapon sa basurahan at huwag sa jeep. Hindi din basurahan ang labas.

2. Huwag tumingin salungat ng iyong katabi. Awkward kasi.

3. Huwag mag-makeup at iba pang pag-aayos na pwede naman gawin sa bahay.

4. Matuto gamitin ang hawakan sa bubong para hindi maging palaman ang mga katabi.

5. Sa mahahaba ang buhok, alalayan na hindi ito makagagambala sa katabi. Sa mahaba ang buhok sa kilikili, magsuot ng may manggas. 

6. Maging listo ka din para tulungan ang kapwa mo na gusto magbayad, magpara at sumakay. Minsan kailangan ikaw ang makiusap na magpaayos ng upo sa iba, lalo na kung nahihiya o hindi naman nakikita ng bagong sakay na may maluwag na lugar pa.

7.  Tulungan ang drayber kapag umuulan.

SA SUSUNOD NA KABANATA
Section 3. Ang Drayber

Section 4. Ang Iba Pa

Section 5. Ang tunay na batas

Section 6. At Iba Pa

Silhouettes

Nasabi ko na ba na miss kita?
Ako lang (ako lang ata) ang nakauunawa sa mga sinusulat ko,
ako lang ang natutuwa at nasisiyahan sa mga munting kaisipang naisasabuhay ng mga salita.

Wala na akong ibang magagawa, at mas mabuti na wala akong gawin.

Gusto ko hanapin ang ligaya sa katimugan,
mabuhay ng malaya sa hilaga.
Gumawa ng sariling kapalaran sa kanluran,
at umulit-ulit sa may silangan.

If we ever meet again

Sometimes the past lives on today and your future,
and not always the best thing to hold on to.
These memories slowly fade away,
and you're often thankful that you can relive in imagination.
Next to these visions are feelings that overwhelm you,
a desperate attempt to be in the same situation.

I take distances as seconds taking breaks,
in ones, tens and thousands.
By and by, I sit down and remember what's up,
soundly listening to songs as the same time.
I stay calm across the oceans,
forever faithful amid the storms and quakes.

When we put things together and have brighter moments,
all we have to do is have each other.
We can run all the way,
fill the missing pieces with pictures that do not remain forgotten.
Let's pick up from where we left,
to make smiles that never get tired, nor which get old.

Locker 66

LOCKER 66

I keep a lot of things hidden from the world,
but some musn't be held in until i get old.

An earlier spot for academic needs, that soon became the only way I spoke to you freely
Once I leave words and emotions, I eagerly await for your response
Sometimes I had doubts you'd reply
I dropped by in between the days and found myself saddened since your letter was still there
Though I just needed to wait.

I begin to write things while i feel imagination racing towards all corners of my mind
I get a sudden rise with my beating heart when I place a secret envelope, without anyone looking
It doubles when i inform you that you've got something from someone, somewhere
It saved my soul a couple of times, but I wonder what it was for you

I wish to leave another piece in Locker 66
I'd wait until you were nearer, but i have to know.

On BNO's Forbidden Love

So much shiz that you relate and laugh about.