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Change that forges its way through and around obstacles towards its destination. Carves, reacts, erodes, and deflects. Creates art, sustains life. Resourceful and noble, an immeasurable and fleeting force.

It can adapt. We are only asked to respect it. It is infinitely wiser than we ever dare think it to be. It knows where it’s going and that’s where it will ultimately end up regardless of what it may encounter. You can try to control it, manipulate it, destroy it. In the end, you’ll realise that you may never lord over it at all.

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I am like a ship on a calm harbour. Assured of its safety, secured in its peacefulness. I am lulled by the gentle waves, as if without care to the rest of the world. My mind was on what I had planned to do in that harbour — everything except the plan of leaving. There were moments when I had wondered of the adventures that I would’ve had if I were to leave that harbour. And there were moments when I was sure that I’d have regretted the rough seas I would’ve faced if I hadn’t chosen to steady myself in there; never really knowing the extent of my strengths and my weaknesses.

Tides turn and the water, which I thought was safe and still, churned at the sight of God’s purpose.

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To celebrate endings and beginnings. Memories and hope intertwined. Laughter and tears. Love. Sweet, air-in-your-lungs love. It has always been about love.

We were but little girls when we first met and known each other till we were women. This was all part of the dream. We both knew we all will come to this. At least, that was a common assumption.

That day sealed a thought. Terrifying, unthinkable, truth. I was never meant to go last. I was meant not to go at all.

Trivia: Taken while the bride, a long time friend, walked down the aisle at her wedding which took place in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines; March 2010.

It’s fascinating to watch two-year olds while they go about their day. Everything’s interesting. Everything’s frustrating. Communication is extremely amazing. Yet their shortcomings don’t stop them from surviving. They learn to adapt no questions asked.

Looks like they know how to live life more than the adults.

This photo is one of the more softer looks I’ve seen on my feisty little cousin. I’ve always been interested in taking snaps of her as I try to perfect the technique in capturing her beautiful innocence. This is also my way of experimenting with Black & White photography.

Trivia: Photo of my 2-year old cousin, taken in my room; Paranaque, Philippines, March 2010

A month and a couple of days late. 24 days less from 356. But today, I found a moment to remember that I celebrated my birthday by popping that green bottle filled with bubbly goodness served in tall champagne flutes.

Cheers to the year past and to the new one. I celebrate the past 3 decades of this sweet, gloriously complex but amazingly wonderful gift of life. I celebrate every minute after and those still to come.

I wish that 2010 will bring me all that I desire and more. Let fate deal a kinder hand and allow me to fall in love again. Not that I’m anything but short of wanting, though I feel that I am, it’s just that I reckon love makes it more interestingly colourful. Life has more sense if love is present. Never mind the subtle irony nor the imminent pain.

I plan to savour every feeling brought about by the falling. Even when it simply is but a shadow of the real thing. Let pain prove me fragile and love, humble.

Trivia: Photo taken in Lusso, Greenbelt 5, Philippines; December 2009.