LIFE is BEAUTIFUL!

WISDOM

To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential. But on the other hand, knowledge of an apparently trivial detail quite often makes it possible to see into the depth of things. And so the wise man will seek to acquire the best possible knowledge about events, but always without becoming dependent upon this knowledge. To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom. Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

THOUGHTS TO PONDER

Life is a train of moods like a string of beads; and as we pass through them they prove to be many colored lenses, which paint the world their own hue, and each shows us only what lies in its own focus.---RALPH WALDO EMERSON
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Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.---ABRAHAM LINCOLN
There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state to another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must have felt what it is to die, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life.---ALEXANDRE DUMAS
“It is not because the truth is too difficult to see that we make mistakes... we make mistakes because the easiest and most comfortable course for us is to seek insight where it accords with our emotions - especially selfish ones" --- Alexander Solzhenitsyn quotes (Russian novelist, Nobel Prize for Literature (1970), b.1918)
“Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep, too grave to laugh, and too selfish to seek other than itself.” ---Kahlil Gibran

Friday, January 30, 2015

Oh Stop!



Before any reaction, it's a day more and January is over. Gosh, time really flies fast and this time, I'm kinda not liking it. Not that I'm getting older maybe it's because I am just unsure of what this year brings hahaha. I was pretty certain with things and I'm very accurate in implemeting time frames, but for now, I can't have anything to implement as there's no list to do hahaha.



Anyway, months from now will mark my decade here in Th. That is indeed looonnnggggg! I must have enjoyed my stay here or was detoured due to some circumstances.  2015, please be good to me, I don't know what you have ahead but I just trust you. :D

Two weeks ago, I had my first trip of the year. It took long for me to visit Angkor in Cambodia as it was stuck in my head that it was unsafe to visit the place. So, I never had it in my travel plans until I came across some documentaries on Angkor Wat.  And there, I decided to finally take the trip on my list months ago.

I love Angkor, I mean, not just Angkor Wat but all the temples of Angkor. I never expected it would be that huge! I knew the place was big but didn't realize how big it was until I got there. Loved the feeling as well being in Angkor. It was like time travel that I was on a journey hundreds of years ago, most specially of standing and walking in areas where used to be exclusive to the royals. Not that I desire to be one, it's just that it is beyond belief that an ancient megastucture is still present and reachable in this modern time.  

All in all, my travel was great, loved the silk farm visit of Angkor Artisan and I can guarantee that tuktuk drivers are great and yes, Cambodians speak English well..and yes, better than the Thais.

I just didn't like that Nattakan Bus I took. Going there from Bangkok was okay despite the whole day travel but taking the same bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok was a total nightmare!  Yes, bus that turned out to be a van as we were told the bus was under repair. It was a hassle changing from a van to the other plus that annoying stop we had at a dirty toilet which after use I was asked to pay about  2,000 Riel! I was irritated of course as it was the dirtiest I had and I wasn't told about it. It's one of the things that I really hate, when I am not told of things I am supposed to know! I felt so being tricked! The amount is not the issue, it is the act which is never acceptable.


Another instance, we were told to pull out our bags at the border and leave the things as they would take care of our things for us which we would see again right after the immigration. I had two shopping bags, but I opted to bring the other one with me despite the weight (imagine the hassle!). So to speak, the other bag I left which had my shopping of souvenirs such as coffees, crackers and more were GONE - LOST! I asked the person in charge for it and he just didn't know..I was really, really annoyed. To make the matter worst, we spent two hours and a half at the immigration so we finished the  stamps at half past two and we didn't even have any lunch! And to think, that supposedly bus trip that turned to van was more expensive. That ended my trip just the worst ever. Not of the destination but the means of going back. So if ever one has plans to visit Siem Reap from Thailand, better take the plane. Bus? NO, never..... just stop thinking about it.



Thursday, December 18, 2014

Simbang Gabi/Misa de Gallo in Bangkok 2014



Misa de Gallo is always a part of Catholics and being away from home, it is best to at least be informed on some things that we can do to fully celebrate and experience the true meaning of Christmas, specially here in Bangkok.

There are Catholic churches here that do the novena masses and for this year, I concetrate in  Mary Help of Christian Church in Krungthep Kreetha. See below the schedule of masses including the Chirstmas Eve celebration. If you can notice, masses are in alternate Thai and English language. No worries though as the homily is shared in two languages, as if it's an English mass, the Homily is in both Thai and English. For those who aren't Thai, an English missalette is provided in Thai mass schedules.  



The masses  start at 7pm, and last until 8 including the evening novenas. There are also singing presentations from various groups towards the end, the picture taking of all  and of course, a simple dinner gathering.  

In case you want to  to attend mass at Mary Help of Christians Church, you can take bus 145 along Lat Phrao Road and say you get off at Krungthep Kreeta, the bus stop is just right past Four Wings Condo then just walk left after getting off. 

If you're from Ramkhamheng, you can take bus 93 and get off right in front of the church as it makes a left turn from Four Wings condo. Or a Saengthaew 93. You can't miss Four Wings, it is of at least three huge buildings. It's kinda three stops from Lamsalee. Or you can check 'Misang Tagalog' on Facebook for more info.

 Finally, I'm sharing some fotos of the past evening masses. I love it there, it is of genuine fellowship.















Thursday, November 27, 2014

BBZ10 Replacement



I got a call yesterday informing my BBZ10 was ready for pick-up. I was glad after over a month of not having it and to my surprise, I got a BRAND-NEW replacement of the unit.



Of course, I didn't expect it and I was totally surprised. All I wanted was to have my phone working again. I was told though that in case a problem occurs in the future, I will need to go to a different office somewhere Rama 4. I took a photo of the information just in case, someone else might need this.






I'm  definitely happy and satisfied with BlackBerry's service. Perhaps I'm lucky my mobile was under its warranty when it stopped working and with an appropriate response to it plus of me having it not just back, but a brand-new one is great.

One thing I'm concerned now though is I badly need a new FLIP SHELL as my existing white is broken. It is pricey and there's no way I can buy it here in Thailand. I have been wallking around IT shops looking for BlackBerry Shell or cover and there was nothing. It is my wish to get a new Flip Shell either Red or Black. Need it badly to protect my phone.

For now, my happy days will set only on taking selfies. I'll wait when that new Flip Shell comes some time...any time.