Woodward Dream Cruise, the Main Event

So many cars, these are just a few...I'll post them this week on my off day for I'm going to work now, sorry :) This is the Annual Woodward Dream Cruise where car buffs all over the U.S. come in Michigan to join the parade of antique cars, where Detroit, the so called Motor City is located after all. The place where cars are made here in the states, although most auto-plants are in the suburbs now :)

Woodward Dream Cruise, 2007

Today and tomorrow is the "Dream Cruise" at Woodward Avenue. Old, antique cars are cruising this street or just parked for us to see :) So we went to check on some few cars. Tomorrow, Saturday is the main event....and we saw a wedding aftermath with a limo in wait at the Shrine of the Little Flower Church :)

Gift of Time, Talent and Treasure

Traversing this universe are us
Floating freely at that ocean's house
Adorned, grown and groomed
To take part in a play for all

Did your talent entertained
Did it leave a smiley print
Did it change a life for good
That looking back you might be proud of

Or did it do otherwise
Did it leave a heavy mark
Or quiet apprehensions sparked
Or problems unsolved piled up

Talent, treasures, our times
Are all a gift from God
It's up for us to use
Let's hope it's all for the good

Like a song's serenade from a nightingale
A cure of sickness from a scientist
Or a love for all to those in need
Or a care, a kind word, to the lowly breed

Talents, big bucks, our times
Are just as temporary like us
To be taken away in a flash
For all eternity without much remembrance

But we can change a bit of that
Taking a moment of our time
To be a good and a caring Samaritans
Aimed to the helpless, the needy amongst us

By then someone will recall
That person whom you've touched
That if you leave this earth in a rush
You've left a positive, indelible mark

That our God will be very proud
And your love ones will ever have
As a token of your passing life
Even how short and temporary that was...

Thanks for your visit :)

A Rising Sun, a New Day

Circling alone till the end of time
No rest no stop, always primed
Rising from the east sitting on the west
To be seen again after a night's rest

Illusion never, a dream no more
As rays go up from the gloom of dawn
In oranges, purples, only golden crowned
Adorned the sky before a glorious morn

Reality laced truth not false, non-fiction
Made up the mind as the sun is born
To light up the sky of this universe soon
To erase the doom, that feared Armageddon

If we can only trust the sun
To give hope and to love thine
Its warmth, its spitfire, its shine
Enough to drive the devil out in our minds...

Michael and Me with the MADONNA

THE BEST!!!

"George" a reminder of dog gone days...

I LOVE DOGS! since I was a very little kid. "Bulldog" was our very lovable and very domesticated male dog then and "Spotty" was his mom. We had them for more than ten years. Bulldog's color was brown, with whitish spots all over his front and back and with that thick silky fur that's so soft like a linen. We used to cuddle him so often while his tail was all wagging up back and forth in the air, a sign and a show of his total comfort and devotion to us. Then his saliva came drooling out, so gross, but hey, we just made sure not to be splashed with it. Then came this unusual sound that he makes like he's in cloud nine with us. Yeah, those were the days then. I still love dogs but bec. of Michael I'm really not into having any around. Michael likes to pinch and it will be a big trouble if it happens to be a dog he's pinching. So we have to pass on having the man's best friend in the house. "Mom, can I have a rabbit then" this is J.C. bugging me all the time. So to keep him out of my way, I'll say, "Okay, I'll think about it", laughs, but that will be forever until he forgets about it, laughs, or until next time that we will pass a pet store again :) Oh well. I'm tired of listening to him bugging me about buying a pet, which we can't bec. of his brother's condition. So that's that, no dogs for us which is kinda sad...

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And George is the dog at St. Michael's church. He was with the guard of this church this year and last year, I clearly remember, so I took some shots this vacation. Very cute and cuddly dog, really. Although he needs a little grooming here as you can see, laughs. But Bulldog was more cuter as far as I can recall. And yeah, the cute little puppy was my sister's dog then, (but I considered him to be mine too, laughs)...pics taken when I was just 26 years old, during my first ever vacation in the Phil. after leaving the country and I'm very old now you know :) same as Madonna, Michael Jackson and the list goes on and on...old really, very true, while you go through my pics, another reason to wear sunglasses, laughs. Oh well...

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The security guard was very kind and generous for he let me took snapshots of George. A church dog in my memory now and strangely enough the name of our president too, who cited Jesus as his favorite person, the one whom he admired when questioned in those presidential debates. And that was the magic I think that sent him to the White House for Al Gore won the most votes here, even mine. But Bush won Florida where his brother was Governor then, so he garnered the most votes in electorates where they based the winner here in the U.S. Each state has a number of electoral votes depending on their population count and George Bush won Florida with divine intervention? or cheating? hmn. It's done, a history now so I better stop, laughs, for it does not matter anymore...but I wish Al Gore will run for Pres. again :)

Always try to 'SMILE'

Smiley shots from the Mall of Asia and a favorite me, all smiles. For a SMILE reminds me of my dearly departed dad, who told me then to "not ever forget to smile, no matter what" "for it'll make life a little easier, and the world a little brighter" and I agree...:)

Unsunny Days, Starless Nights

Suddenly the sky turned black and gray
Thunderous clouds filled the milky way
Water crystals collide to break
Ready to splash on one's head and face

Puffy teary eyed covered dark circles
Couldn't contain the grief with held
Hot heavy heart's about to sink
Out came down bitter rolling tears

Happiness is far, but a memory
Sadness now envelops the day
Words unpleasant start to creep
Undressing wounds that's just fresh

Music tried to heal the hurt
Lyrics filled in agony and regrets
Melodious lullabies trapped
Started to neutralize a bleeding heart

Unsunny days, starless nights
Are what some of us sure have
Face drawn tight, without smiles
Tomorrow's gloomy, without a light...

What a sad poem here, but for a change, why not? :)

To ZAP a Universe... Silent Cries, Missing Smiles

Zigzags hugging a mountain trail
Wombs inside are unwanted babes
Blood circulating thick, that it can kill
Air polluted, poisoned smoke filled

Down by that cold clinic of death
Doctor of no conscience sit
Wished by this woman to end
A beating heart has to ceased

Mommy why so cruel to me
After this sweet bouts of ecstasy
Helpless defenseless so tiny
The result you refused to carry

Heartless and calculating decision
No sun for you, no air no moon
A life who'll just be on the way
Of a selfish soul that's of endless gray

To zap a universe to end a life
To close the door forever to the light
A sin, a vice of vicious might
Not only to little ones but most importantly to God...

Silence

Could it be goodbye, see you later?
Or permanent adios don't bother
Silence, surreal that special word
That gives relief to a noisy world

Tiptoeing in silence are us
Don't want to awaken the grass
Ants, grasshoppers and butterflies
Their homes wide open as such

No sounds no words, nothing
With back on that door only a clothing
With mind full of questions what's the matter
Sudden abruptly out that door with no answer

Come nights quiet as the wind
A pen no longer in hand withheld
The inbox went empty and bare
All greetings disappeared

Suddenly your wish is at your side
That peace you sought is here at last
A gift to God with open heart
To give a smile and peace of mind...

The Sheep is absent

Green pastures on rolling hills
Turned brown, bland and gray
Grass, hays and wild berries
Lost on a waterless drought day

Death presumably is next
Away the eyes' target
Where well is full of drink
Where near comes spring day

Sheep, goats yes we are
Compassionate and shy
Elegant, artistic or not
We care for all of you and us

Goodbyes are hard to say
But it should go that way
Like death depart we must
When time has come to part...

"Be a Blessing"

This is from a bumper sticker of a car that I was following. If you have the beauty and the brains it should not end there, work hard some more. Be nice and always remember that beauty fades but kindness, humility and charity will be remembered forever. Now that is intelligence in the works bringing happiness that is eternal, not only to the one's you've showed kindness to, but a joy bringer to God most importantly, and to yourself as well...:) Now if you are all that, then you are a very dear diamond, an everlasting gem that shines forever in people's minds... just like a saint...that is revered and loved...

In celebration of this Saint's Day today...

St. Ignatius of Loyola Prayer

"Dearest Lord,
teach me to be generous.
teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight, and not to heed the wounds;
to labor, and not to seek to rest;
to give of myself and not to ask for reward,
except the reward of knowing that I am doing
your will."

A very decorative memory...

At the church of San Lorenzo de Ruiz, a saint close to my heart, a wedding was in progress this year...to Dolphy and Sha Sha, if ever and whenever they hit the altar...a very tasteful and engaging church set up. Very lovely :)

Marking a memory...

"What's going on?" from Michael, maybe...and "Don't ever put this in your blog!" I know that is J.C. talking, plus, "I want my privacy...and my internet life separate" hmn, what could he possibly meant by that, laughs. I did not understand so...the last time I look, he did not take out his other pic yet, but it did cost me fifty bucks, again! so with this one, a total of 100. Now I'm beginning to realize that this is getting to be so expensive for me, laughs.

The waterfall is quite hard to see in these pics, they're in my back in these two thin glass panels on the wall where those flowers were hanging. Water so softly dripping and cascading beautifully, with that sound that is simply comparable to a very true waterfall in the wild...and this sound alone made me on meditation mode on my special treat :) Thanks to my brother for making this possible. It made me very very happy. A memory to keep and to cherish... the salad and the sushi bar were inside the house, more food and karaoke time after...wonderful to hear tunes and music favorites being belted out by my guests :> a music feast as I call it. I love it. A very memorable day for me, intimate celebration as it was, where friends and family were at my side in attendance...:)

Versteckte Senke...(Hidden Valley)

Rolling prairies of Texas, wild flowers painted in a canvass
Swaying gently one way in unison not in a flash
As daffodils, honeysuckles, as butterflies
Buzzing as a bee, busy seeping nectar over our eyes

Inside a tree trunk, hidden in the dark
A baby squirrel lazily sleeping over a bark
Chipped and moistened by its mother
Warmed as a pillow, soft as its tiny furs can lay over

Hugging all around this tree in the wild
Hidden in this vast valley so bright
Garden of Eden, simply a slice of heaven
A quiet oasis of lovely pinks, purples and greens

In your mind and everyone else
Gaps in memories for once, is filled
Sad secret silly synopsis of our daily lives
Valley of illusions, pretenses, of yours, theirs and mine...

The Help that We Need

Silence in space, buzz is nowhere
Alone in a house moping forever
Shoulders drawn, face with a frown
Can't be erased even by hundreds of clowns

The weight of this world seems so hard to bear
The sky starts to rain as tears roll in despair
In a short spun of time, all strength starts to drain
Too much work, too much responsibilities pinning us down here

Stop, look above for there's God to help us
Smile, and start to tackle down all these tasks
For all you know time which you can't catch up
Will tick so quick making your work be done and just passed...

I have so many things to do that you won't notice it for I blog, laughs. And I know that's true to a lot of you. Really, work is always around. Some things to do here and there. Every single day of the year! That only vacation is my sort of release or time out...so again, thanks for vacations :) it saves my sanity, really and truly :>

The BEST PART: A Flower Feast for a Favorite Lady on her Fiesta Day

I'm a forever fan of flowers, all kinds, although I have some favorites. When my kids were in grade school our trek to the Phil. was always in June/July, their summer vacation, their time off from school. So we're always in attendance at the Feast Day of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran. One was memorable from the rest. When all of the novenas were done around 9:00 PM, one time, they let us go near the altar inside, where the priests were officiating mass. I remember myself gazing up at that blessed picture, so near in my face. Amazing and awesome. Seems like I was near heaven, then. I thought that could be repeated this year but no luck. Instead, colorful and beautiful flowers adorned all over the front part, at the altar, very pretty flowers were in place. Rows and rows of them. I was again amazed. This shows how devoted people are to our beloved mother. Flowers of worship and of love. She deserves every petals in every stems of each one of them. Even only in flowers we can try to say our thanks, even only in flowers. With the hope that each fragrance, each aroma of these blooms will reach her up and beyond in that sunlit sky, in her throne up there that we only can imagine...but again that's not even enough to say our thanks, I think...no measure of returns can ever matched what she had done for us, she who had given birth to our Saviour and Lord Jesus, although we can always try...and by that alone I also think she'll understand...:)

A Canopy of Greens

With a child like wonder, you roam full of fun
Under tall oaks, syrupy maple trees lined like a can
With trunks and branches full of gently swaying leaves
As that invisible hugging breeze slowly edges its trail

Wide spectacle umbrellas come to mind
As one raises his head to gaze at these giant strands
Protecting us from predator like heat and the rain
A house like cover, cool and eye catching green

In a water world where sharks silently swim
Where bad big barracudas and piranhas pirouette
To be safe on land in a forest so serene and preen
While a lovely, bright simmering sunshine quietly seeps in

Heavenly scent of wild roses drips your nose
Colorful orchids growing on grown so close
Although some are hanging decorating the stems
Lighting rainbow like colors in a closed space that beams

Perfect forest is just a dream away
Quiet as a calm sea in your reverie
Where thought of troubled sadness or being lonely
Floats, vanishes away, kissing it goodbye for all eternity...

And the free magical and mesmerizing music caused by its inhabitants plays all the way, same as my blog music which is "paid for" it plays forever as I please it to be :) never for a minute, and not ever as an illusion tune, laughs...for they're real...for your ears and mine :> either be a pleasure... or a pain? hmn...although I sure do hope not... (^_~)...

My beloved Alma Mater and its chapel

Favorite little nook

Yes, a little golden pond, my favorite... this tiny lovely pond, tuck in the back. If only these group of golden orange fish will appear for the camera :) 6-28-'07

Antipolo Church, July 10, 2007

I shouldn't be smiling for inside the church were four dead souls in open caskets receiving their final rites and I thought my dress was not appropriate but the black spots should have made up for it...May God bless their souls, and may they rest in peace...we waited until they all passed by...on their way to their final destination...Death is humbling, and it takes a life to realize that finality, the sadness of that ending...the ticks of time is passing by us so fast...some don't even realize that...but for me it is embedded in my profession...so I'm constantly reminded of it...

Tools of the Trade, Tricking the Mind

Does it takes a genius to figure out
Or psychics to use their tarot cards
To direct us to the right
Of the things your mind and mine desire

Do you believe in the wind
Which your eyes never see
Or do you simply just say yes
Because you feel that balmy breeze

The grass is green when there's rain
A flower blooms when the soil is rich
A plant flourishes when it's fertilized
A patient lives when there's tender touch

How sure are we that we will win
When we're just playing in a guessing game
More likely not, for it's not in our minds
To decipher or to read other's fate or hands

Only them, us, or you and me
Who are privy to the inner we
Good luck for you might be stuck
To the wrong road, not the right way of the track... :)

Shifting Our Eyes Away on "US"

Are we not tired of ourselves
It's all we have in our plate
It's all there is to greet us first
Our shadow is always there present

Do we need to be exposed more
Do we need to show more
Do we need to open up
To bore everyone that might be reading us

It's just the lines that we create
It sums us up just in those verse
In every word that we utter
In every syllables that we tinker

Me, me, me only me
Seems like we're not tired of thee
Better shift our eyes on 'they'
Looking at our neighbors precisely

Especially when we have a nasty past
Better shut up our eyes on us
Look somewhere but ourselves
So God knows our interest is also in others

Did we give sunshine to the sad
Did we love our neighbors fast
Did we open our mouth right
When circumstance called us to act

Or did we do the opposite
Did we shout out unkind words
Did we treat strangers right
That God will be proud on all of us?

Birthday Bash One More Time

Everyone has a day, special as the sun
Each of us celebrates one moment in time
From the day we let out our first fiesty cry
From the day we inflate our young expanding lungs

A day to date, a day to mark
All the things that happened in our past
Memories with misty eyes all embedded in our brains
Happy, lonely, light, or sunny sad affairs

But birthdays should be a day of thanks
For all the great, the bad and all the bright
For after all we'd given one more chance
To love, to care, to live or to sacrifice...

One may think otherwise, but this simple poem is just funny to me. Well, maybe bec. I think of humor most of the time as I wrote it. Life is serious, but life shouldn't be taken hard as it is already. This way, you'll win something. You can say, life knocked on my door but it never knocked me down, laughs. Oh well :) this makes me laugh, really. Thanks to those who are with me on this one :> but to those who doesn't, thanks just as well...