Meet Rachel...

There are a few girls in my life that can rarely put a smile on my face.

They have to be extremely smart, funny, witty, and hilarious to usually get my attention, and this girl is one of the select few that I can truly say does that.

Whenever I talk to her, I can detect a sense of wisdom and understanding that is well advanced for her age.

She has gone through numerous hardships and struggles in her life but as one of the many strong people I know, she just perseveres through all her adversities.

Oh and did I mention she is only 12?

My life would not have been complete if she did not come into it.

She is my other little sister at heart that never ceases to amaze me and for that I truly love her.

Meet Rachel...

"Lakers & Celtics: Rivalry Renewed..."

Christmas day,

Lakers & Celtics.

No words necessary to describe the intensity that was felt during this game.

Simply amazing...

=)

Final Score:

LAL 92
BOS 83

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Christmas is FINALLY HERE!

I don't know why but this Christmas season seemed to go by really slow.

And I mean really slow.

There was hardly any Christmas spirit, which was a sad thing but I guess understandable due to the economic crisis that we are facing right now.

But no worries, because I am actually enjoying Christmas! =)

We just came back from the midnight mass at our church and it was PACKED as usual, but nonetheless spiritually invigorating, for lack of better words.

When we came back from mass, we all couldn't wait to go back to our house.

You know why!

We slowly unlocked our doors and guess what???

Yup, that's right!

*gasp* SANTA has delivered our gifts!!! =D

I was actually surprised this year because despite what my little sister and brother asked for Christmas (which was a SpongeBob magazine for my sister, and a vacuum for my brother.)

We also received a BRAND NEW SONY PLASMA TV TOO!

Let me repeat that.

A BRAND NEW SONY PLASMA TV!!!

I know right? I can't believe it too. =)

But anyways, right now we are just enjoying each other's company while my mom prepares food for all of us to sit around and enjoy.

Mhmmmmm. Yummy.

OK well that's it for now, but here's something I found important this Christmas season.

Just when I thought the spirit of Christmas was absent this year, God reminds me that it never actually leaves us but rather lives with us through the people we love and care about the most.

That's the most important thing, and today couldn't be anymore fitting.

Anyways I would just like to wish everyone a WONDERFUL and MERRY CHRISTMAS with your family and the ones you love, and know that the spirit of Christmas will always be alive through the people that continually surrounds and inspires you to be good people.

I know I will...

=)

Meet Celynne...

I have not only been blessed to have such a loving family but also a caring 2nd family that continues to be a significant part of my life.

She is one of the few girls that has made a big impact in my life.

She is unique in every aspect of the word and possesses a sense of joy and innocence that is lacking in the world.

Her constant positive outlook on life is always a breath of fresh air whenever I am around her and I love her for that.

She may be short in stature, but has a heart that is capable of loving unconditionally.

And that is what makes her the type of friend everybody would want to have.

She reminds me of everything that is good in life and strengthens my belief that good things DO come in small packages.

She is my little sister at heart.

Meet Celynne...

Saying Sorry...

There comes a time in our lives that truly hurt.
These are the times that leave you confused, scared, helpless, and afraid of what is to come.

Today is one of those times.

I cannot begin to explain how difficult it is for me to see their pain, their anguish, their disappointment in me.
All i can think is how big of a failure I am for allowing them to endure such heartache.
All i can say is I am sorry.

I am sorry for not making it.
I am sorry for the hardships you had to endure because of me.
I am sorry for hurting you.
I am sorry for everything that I have done that fell short of your expectations.
I am sorry for disappointing you...

I gave it my all and sometimes my all falls short.

I know saying 'sorry' doesn't make it all better.
I know it doesn't give me another shot at the mistakes that I have done nor my various shortcomings.

All i hope for is that you forgive me for it and for accepting me despite my failures.
That is all i can ever want and hope to receive...

My friend wrote a post in Facebook saying how God does not throw things at you if He knows you can't handle it. I truly believe that. I know I did my best, and I have no regrets on how the results came to be.

It just hurts knowing that all that time, work, and sacrifice that you have put into something sometimes doesn't put you where you anticipated yourself to be.

What you hoped to become.

I know I failed...

And it is through this failure, that has led me to believe that even though you did your best, you have to accept that their are some things in life that you do not have any control over...

What's worse is that I did not just fail you but also everyone around me.
My family, mentors, tutors, and friends, and again I am sorry.

All I hope and pray for is another chance.
Another chance to prove to myself that i can accomplish anything and another chance to make you proud of me.

One chance is all I ask for. That's all anyone can ever ask for.

I'm sorry...




The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

- Reinhold Niebuhr

Meet Paul...

Rarely in this life do you meet a guy that possesses all the things that make up a good friend.

He is caring, thoughtful, brave and sincere in his words.

He is one of the few people that I can trust and I know that he will always have my back whenever I need him the most.

I consider myself lucky to have met him and even luckier to call him one of my best friends.

Friends like this don't come very often.

He is my strength.

Meet Paul...

It's Funny...

(picture by Vanessa Fabro)

I stumbled upon this today when I was looking through my friend's blog.

I think everyone can relate to this even if they don't want to admit it.

It's just funny how things show up when you're not looking...

=)

Secrets...

Secrets.

There are two types of secrets that we keep.

Secrets that we hide from our family and friends and

secrets that we hide from ourselves.

We don't want to admit a lot of things to ourselves because we're afraid of getting ridiculed, laughed at, embarrassed and hurt.

But you're not the only one with secrets.

You're not alone.

We are all more alike than we think...

Lazy...

(photo drawn by Paul Zappia)

Another Sunday has come and gone.

Hello Monday. Another week to go.

Yesterday was just one of those days for me when you didn't want to say or do anything.

Talk about being lazy. But I was.

At least I finally finished my 6 page research paper. Finally.

I should be studying for psychology though but I'm listening to music instead.

Too lazy remember?

This weekend was an eventful one.

I got a chance to relax with my family before finals this week.

You got to love em' finals huh? (Cough, Cough)

Bolt was as an OK movie. Surprisingly enough.

I love my god sister Rachel.

She put a huge smile on my face today.

Don't worry. Things will get better for the both of us soon.

I promise.

The song Dictionary is playing in the background.

Gabe Bondoc never ceases to amaze me.

His guitar songs are amazing.

They speak the story while his voice speaks his soul.

Talk about a true musician.

We need more of that in the world.

Just a thought.

Anyways it's 2:30 a.m and I need to rest.

Good night world.

I promise to write something more interesting tomorrow...

I'm Not in the Mood...

Another day.

A new beginning.

A new life.

Sounds in the hallway.

Must be playing NBA2k9 again.

I'm forced outside of my own room again with no privacy.

Trying to seek solace from a machine that types my feelings in a stressful, unexpected world.

I feel what I write

and I write what I can't say.

This is who I am.

Love me,

Respect me,

or Hate me.

I could care less.

I'm not in the mood...

Ready or Not...

Hello. Or should I say good morning.

December 5th already?

Talk about time flying. I can practically taste the hot cocoa and smell the pine trees.

Ahhh Christmas time. The happiest time of the year.

Anyways I know today will be a long day today so I won' t have much time to blog.

Plus I would probably forget once I get home anyway

So I wanted to blog before I got to tired and knock out on my bed.

This is the reason:

* Microbiology quiz

* Spr 22x presentation

* Pack stuff and head home for the weekend

* Hanging out at home

* Sleeping under the covers.

The list seems short but trust me, I'm in for a long day.

Ready or not world,

Here I come...

The Closest Thing to Love...

2:43 P.M

I just woke up and I'm feeling a little tired.

Anatomy lab is finally over, two more finals to go.

My head hurts.

Food sounds good right about now, maybe later. Too lazy.

Anyways, I found something interesting today.

I don't think I've ever really found the closest meaning for love.

Sure, everyone has their own interpretation of what it is.

I know I do.

But I think I've found the closest thing to it.

"Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in that recognition."

- Alexander Smith

Trust...

Sooner or Later...

People have a weird way of acting sometimes.

One day they can be your best friend, while some days they can be a total bitch.

Talk about bipolar.

It seems as though there is a system on how life is meant to be, how people are supposed to act.

You see it in young kids these days and in the media.

No one is truly themselves in this world, and when i mean no one

I mean no one.

Why is that?

I dunno, you tell me.

But just know that sooner or later, it'll all just come crashing down...

(Unbelievable) Her Song...

(written and composed for her)


Ever since we met that day

something happened that changed the way you made me laugh and smile

I was so shy I couldn't speak

because your voice just made me weak

I tried so hard, but nothing seemed to come out

but then you smiled and came and walked into my life

It felt surreal because we've barely met

but i felt like I've known you all these years

There was something there

that I just can't seem to understand

This feeling inside

that I just can't hide anymore

It was unbelievable...

Looking Back...

So I was just thinking.

In life it's never the changes we want that ultimately changes everything.

Good or Bad its not the external changes that we experience, it's how we adapt to those changes that matter the most.

So change me,

I'm ready...

Being Thankful...

I know the Thanksgiving holiday has come and gone and Christmas is just around the corner. (weird huh?) It felt like only yesterday that the summer season just ended and school is just starting, but maybe that's just me =/ Anyways today I thought it would be nice just to look back and acknowledge some of the things that I take for granted in my life sometimes.

Anyways, here it goes...

I am first and foremost thankful to God for giving me the best parents anyone can ask for, because without them I would not have been able to be living the life I have today.

I am thankful for my 2nd family & friends, because they constantly give me the strength and inspiration to live everyday to its fullest.

I am thankful for my health and the health of my loved ones around me, that they remain strong and free from injury.

I am thankful to be going to Mount St. Mary's College, because they allow me to get the best possible education possible without leaving the comfort of my home.

I am thankful for the food and clothing that I have, and how I am not starving and naked unlike millions of people in poor countries.

I am thankful for my siblings, because they constantly teach me how to become a better brother and a person.

I am thankful for the gift of Music, and how it inspired me to appreciate other people's individual talents and abilities as well as my own.

I am thankful for
- my guitar
- my iPod
- my PS3
- my car
- my room
- my laptop
- my camera
- my Tv
- Lakers
- Facebook
- Myspace
- Youtube
- living in awesome California
- Blogging
- the crazy people at the Mount =)
- singing acapella
- minor progressions
- hot days, chilly nights
- hot chocolate on christmas eve
- scary movies
- complete randomness
- snow
- atwater village
- warm hugs
- warmer kisses
- peace
- love
- and originality.

I am thankful for my failures, because they all helped me to ultimately become the person I am today.

And lastly I am thankful for each day and the opportunity to live my life to the fullest...

=)

Saying Goodbye...

Depressed.

There is no other word in the English language that can fully describe what I'm feeling right now.

I just learned that my friend isn't coming back to school next semester.

.........

I don't know what else to write.

It hurts knowing that the person I can fully relate with is the one leaving this school.

.........

People leave, and I accept that. It's a natural part of life...

But sometimes you wish you can do something about it. Sometimes you just want to change everything, just want everything to stay the same...

But you can't.

It's been almost 3 months here at the Mount and now I am losing one of my best friends.

It hurts and so does life sometimes. But you have to keep going.

I am really going to miss hanging around with him.

I hope he knows that he influenced a lot of people around him and he will be truly missed.

All I can hope for is the best for him wherever he may go.

The Mount will always be home for you...

I'll miss you man...

What the Future Holds...

None of us knows what tomorrow brings.

Life is full of surprises sometimes good, sometimes bad...

We will never know what life will throw at us.

All we can do is live each day the best way we can without any regrets.

That's all that matters in the end...

Voting...

November 4th, 2008.

Today marked a historical day for many 18 year olds around the country.

Today was the first time I ever voted in a national election and I was very excited. = )

This day not only marked my status as a full on American citizen, but also gave me the feeling of having my voice heard in our nation especially during these hostile times.

Whatever the results may turn out to be, I will be happy knowing that I participated and had a chance to be a part of such a monumental election.

All we can do now is wait and see what will happen from here...

Changes...

Allen Iverson got traded for Chauncey Billups & Antonio McDyess...

Wow is all I can say.

For all you NBA fans, this is a HUGE deal. WHY???

Well because these two players aren't just players, but established SUPERSTARS.

Now one cannot stop but wonder WHY I am writing about this today.

Well in all honesty believe it or not, this trade made me realize something really important.

NOTHING can be ever taken for granted.

In this life we are constantly thinking that the people and places that we are accustomed to seeing will always be there.

But that is not true...

Life is constantly changing whether we want it to or not, and we MUST accept that.

I bet these basketball players didn't think that they were going to get traded and relocated into a different team and city so suddenly.

Think about the shock that these people will have to go through once this deal is finalized. Will their lives ever be the same?

Probably not. But that is not the most important part.

The most important part to this is not whether their lives will be the same, but how they plan to make it better than what they had in the past.

I have always believed in looking at things at a more positive light, even if it seems that only negativity surrounds you.

I know it's difficult because well... I've been there.

Most of the time it is so much easier to look at the bad things in life as opposed to the good things.

I'm guilty of that, and I know a lot of you are too.

But in order for this to stop we have to change.

I know, change is tough. Nobody wants to change. It's extremely difficult. But sometimes we have to try if we want to become better people.

And that's the cold, hard, truth.

By now I know you are probably scratching your head and thinking " OK, I guess that makes sense, but what does that have to do with me? "

Well here it is...

WE ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

Life must never be taken for granted.

That is not a thought that we constantly think about, but it is true.

So, enjoy it and live it the best way you can.

Tell your parents you love them, take that risk with a girl you like,

Whatever it is just do it.

Because you will never know when one day your whole world might just change for the better or for the worse...

Meet Mariel Krystel V. Llamas...

She's amazing in every little way or at least in my eyes.

She possesses so much strength for her age that one cannot overlook her determination to conquer each and everyday.

Beauty with a sense of independence.

Add a sense of eagerness of doing what she loves, dedication to her family and friends and...

BAM - you have a girl that every guy dreams about loving.

She is love in every essence of the word.

Meet My Little Sister,

Mariel Krystel V. Llamas...

Too Precious to be Forgotten...

There are some things in this world that cannot be bought or duplicated.

These things in life are just too priceless and sentimental to be ever felt again.

SFHS Theater is one of the select few that fall into this category.

The experiences and friends that I have made during my 2 years here will forever be held in my heart.

I will always be eternally grateful for having the chance to share my talents with such a wonderful group of artists.

You will not be forgotten...

My Strength...

HE is my

Creator,

Strength,

Guidance,

Support,

Friend,

&

Savior.

Despite all the adversities that I continue to face in life, HE continues to be there for me.

HE is my inner strength, my Lord and Savior.

HE is my GOD...

Moments Like This...

Moments like This I think best sums up who I am...

Loving

Carefree

Friendly

Spontaneous

and

always willing to lend some Support...

= )

Metamorphosis...

Each day is a new day.

The more I have contemplated about my past, the more I have realized how far I have progressed as a person.

People make mistakes.

It's not something new.

I have learned to accept the fact that Life will always be a learning experience for me.

Nobody is perfect...

The Mount...

There are no words that can describe how I feel whenever I step foot on this place.

This is who I am.

This is my second home.

This is my inspiration to excel.

This is my college.

Mount St. Mary's College and the people that I have met here will always hold a special place in my heart...

Brown Eyed Blues...

L-O-V-E

Four simple letters that possesses maybe the greatest emotion a person can give.

Life is filled with Love.

Love for God, your family, your friends, and maybe that significant other.

But life can also give you the cold shoulder...

Nobody said this was easy. Life does not spoon feed us what we always desire.

If it did, what's the point of living?

I just need to stay patient. Love from her will come to me someday.

I know it will...

Stop and Stare...

Why are Blogs so popular?

Is it a way to vent out your emotions or a way for people to notice your venting?

Is it a means of expressing yourself or a way for people to admire your sense of expression?

What is it all about?

What will I write about?
 
I guess I will find out sooner than I think...