What is Love?

Love is one of those mysteries that exist in the human world that nobody can seem to fathom.  It’s like this Algebra equation that nobody wants to mess with at first glance, but one ends up trying to solve it anyway. Anyone, in his own little way, can provide a unique solution that somehow solves that equation. And when one does, it is pure satisfaction.

The solution to any equation, can result to a real or an imaginary number, just like being in love where relationships can be either of these. Worse, when you get a very complex answer to what appears to be a harmless equation, it now complicates things. Hence, the invention of “it’s complicated” as opposed to merely being single or in a relationship.  It has become a convenient label for those who do not want to make a choice.

Photo Credits : LELAND

Love is also likened to the movies. Most people will agree that life imitates art, but the contrasting idea still remains that art, may also imitate life.  If I were to liken love to any movie, an endless list of chick flicks, romance, and unrequited love comes to mind, tragedy even.  But, I would love to fall in love like it was the 80’s.

If love is like an 80’s movie, the cast will simply break into a song and dance number to prove a point, falling in love will be easier, and relationships will be happier. In this instance, people would just get along and do a fun performance no matter how self depreciating it may be.  Loving would have been less stressful, because the answer to every problem will always be in a song, and that song would suffice for an explanation.

But love isn’t as simple as that. There is no Judd Nelson who has his fist up in the air knowing that he will stand by you.  There is no John Cusack in a lawnmower with a boom box playing a song to make you feel alright. There is no Patrick Swayzee who is going to catch you in mid-air as you take off to make that death defying leap. It will just be you and the reality that at some point it is going to suck.

And love can also suck.  It is like that sour pill that your mom makes you take, a panacea for something that hurts.  You know that it will taste awful in your mouth, but you have to take it anyway, knowing that after that bitter taste, you will feel better eventually. And you will. You can only hope to take the right dose of it, knowing that anything in excess is also bad for you.

So what is love?

Love is the sunrise the you look forward to. It can also be the sunset that vanishes after it illuminates the skies, bringing darkness. It can be the moon and the stars that guide you thru the night, or even the wind that sings lullabies in your sleep. It is the air you breathe, the rain that quenches the earth, and the rainbow that gives you hope.

Love is you, and everything else around you.

So never be afraid to love. It may be not be perfect, it may hurt sometimes, but it is going to one heck of an adventure you should never miss. So buckle up, fall in love and enjoy the ride.

Malaysia is TRULY Asia

I must admit, when I first planned my trip to Malaysia, I was hesitant. Hesitant, because I have always viewed Singapore as the place to be when it comes to shopping and safety. I was proven wrong. Malaysia offers that, while maintaining the ecological balance at par with the rate of progress and development.

To be able to enjoy Malaysia more, I decided to take the bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. The entire day was more like an episode of The Amazing Race because we have organized the trip in such a way that there is less idle time. After landing in Changi Airport and having obtained clearance from Singapore Immigration, we then proceeded to Bugis (via train) to have a quick lunch as we were expecting a very long bus ride to Malaysia.

Lacking sleep, arrived at Changi Airport.
Copyright Ritche F. Baria

While Uber is popular in Manila for convenience's sake, it is still more convenient to take mass transportation in Singapore. In our case, we always love riding their trains.
Copyright Ritche F. Baria

After that quick bite, we took the cab from Bugis to the Singapore Textile Center where the Eltabina Bus awaits. Since we arrived very early, we were able to stay at a nearby park and enjoy the quietness of the surroundings. It is amazing to find small parks like this in busy Singapore.

On board the Eltabina Bus from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur
Copyright Ritche F. Baria

I spent most of the six hour trip from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur sleeping. But in a few times of being awake, I did enjoy looking at all the greenery. I am amazed at how Malaysians value nature. I was given the impression that they will plant any tree at any location possible, or merely rehabilitate any area which was disturbed by real estate constructions. They will find a way to maintain ecological balance.

Malaysians value the importance of maintaining the ecological balance
Copyright Ritche F. Baria

I suppose we are near......

There is a certain feeling of "home" that Malaysia evokes

I was also amused by the road signs, their language being a close kin of our Filipino tounge. Being an Ilonggo myself, I noticed that our vernacular has the same words as Malay. The stopovers not only provided relief from the call of nature but these were also venues to explore some Malaysian delicacies like noodles, pastries, and etc.

Their version of traffic is less horrifying than what we are used to in Manila
Copyright Ritche F. Baria

The six-hour-busride was culminated when the Petronas Towers started becoming more visible the nearer we become to Kuala Lumpur. I am surprised with the fewer vehicles on the speedway compared to what we have in Manila. Every road, every corner, every curve seems to be well thought of, seems to be well maintained and most of all, every path seems to be a gateway to lots of adventures.

I was at awe when the bus made a stop at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS), which acts as the central bus terminal of Kuala Lumpur. Not only that it is huge, but it is designed as a hub travellers. Out bus driver was kind enough to bring us near our hotel in Bukit Bintang. On the way there, one is introduced to the different facets of Malaysia - from the shopping districts up to the areas they refer to as "heritage sites". We are lucky to have booked in Bintang Warisan Hotel, one of the heritage hotels in Kuala Lumpur. We had to make our way through the busy streets of Bukit Bintang with our large suitcases to make it to our hotel. It is a good thing that the discipline (or probably the attitude as well) of the people here towards traffic is basically the same as that of Filipinos. Crossing streets was merely a breeze for us.

Bintang Warisan is your typical budget hotel and is located in probably one of the busier districts of Malaysia. Bukit Bintang, the area where we are staying reminds me of old Manila, specifically that of Recto - Carriedo. People don't seem to sleep.

After having a quick meal taking in the vibe of the city, we are now ready to call it a day. What other way is there to cap it off than a nice view of the Kuala Lumpur's landmarks - the Menara Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas Towers with the Kuala Lumpur starry sky as a background.

Tomorrow is another adventure.

It Has Always Been You

It bothers you that most people know how your future will end, better than you do. It bothers you that they get every detail, every emotion and every scenario into proper perspective and that they are usually right. And it hurts that they are right.

You have always been optimistic. You have always had pride in being resilient, and you have always had faced every dark moment of you life head high, even those moments that other people have put you through. Sometimes, it offends you knowing that you don't have to endure these circumstance. mostly not of your own doing. and mostly, you are only a victim of, and yet you do endure them while you get neither any apology nor sympathy from those who put you there in the first place.

Photo Credit : A2GEMMA

It is pathetic to have regrets, putting the needs of other people first than yours, not only because you respect them so much, but because you refuse to add on to their many problems, mostly, of their doing - problems that do not concern you, and you are merely a victim of. You hate it when other people point it out to me and that they are right.

And here you are again, being the same pushover waiting, just because people tell you to wait for good fortune and opportunities to strike, You should probably convince yourself that good fortune, like lightning only strikes but once. If you get hit twice, by good fortune, hopefully, and not by lightning, then you are one lucky bastard.

And so, here you are, at past midnight, contemplating on life, how to provide more for your family, comparing yourself with friends from college, especially those who seem to have the easy way out of things, yet come out victorious in the end. Here you are asking yourself, if you have figured it all out, and if you did, have you lost your way? If you haven't, then when will you figure it out? Will you still be alive by then to realize that you have already figured it out?

And then you realize that you have figured it out, yet you allowed yourself to be used because of some sick obsession of being in pain, of finding joy in being hurt, or maybe, you have been playing the victim for so long that you have become quite adept at it. Life has already hit you in the face and you never have recognized it. You only do, when it has already passed you by and has moved on.

And you, you start to wonder what went wrong.

Well in case you haven't figured it out yet, I'll tell you what went wrong..... YOU.

You allowed yourself yo be the victim instead of being the hero that rescues you. You allowed yourself to be the pushover that gives people the license to use you and abuse you for the wrong reasons, instead of being the one who has control of your life and your future. And lastly, you allowed yourself to drown in the illusion that things will get better, that things will change, instead of being the captain of that ship which sails to a better future.

Yes, it is all on you, it has always been you.

Now that you know, you have the option to take control of your life. Seize every moment, every opportunity to control your life and steer it in whichever direction that you think will lead you to that beautiful future that you have always dreamed of. Live your life on your own terms, at your own pace and move forward from whatever it is that you feel like is holding you back from being 101% of the person that you feel you can become.

The power is in your hands. Use it. Change your life, change your future,

Skinny Love (Birdy)

And I told you to be patient,

And I told you to be fine,

And I told you to be balanced,

And I told you to be kind,

And now all your love is wasted,

Then who the hell was I?