Love plus Dedication

What is the best thing to say after a tough downfall from a romantic relationship? It's the words "I'm ready to love again". Several people might think differently from the way you think but this is more of gathering insights from those who suffer from the misfortunes of a hard break up. 

They say it's tough when you're up on a way thinking that things aren't working anymore but you still want to hold on. Now that's *foolishness*, but you know what's amazing about people when it comes to love? Their hopes are always high and they remain faithful in the belief that loving again isn't that  bad after all.

You may say that most of the relationships are into "the trial and error thingy" but if you haven't yet started a relationship then don't try especially if the only reason is testing its working capacity. It doesn't work that way, remember that it needs discernment and deep realization...

Starting a discussion like this is really tough because people think that love in its own terms is fake nowadays. Break ups and rejections are everywhere and maybe everybody has experienced it already. But hey! you should know that love is the most wonderful thing here on earth. It can hurt you but it's the only sure thing that can make you happy too.

That's why if you don't like your past to haunt you in the future, love unconditionally and love without hesitation. Also, remember that dating/courtship is a way more deeper than that. Yes, you can fix things on your own way, that is if you are already sure in what you have but for those who haven't started yet, think better, think deeper...-------------------------

SMOTHER ME BY THE USED

...and I wanna dedicate this song for someone special, I guess you know who you are... *lol* I didn't say I'm madly in love but I'm very happy that you gave me the chance to get to know you better...

I want you to know that you bring back the joy in my heart and you fill the emptiness inside. You just don't know how happy I am everyday while conversing with you. You brought the sunshine in, turn the dark to day and made my sadness flee away. 

By the time I said I care for you, I really mean it..*smile* my love for you is unconditional because I'm not asking you to love me in return but I know you do because we're friends now and because you tell me even in my dreams. Talking to you is a great relief... Thanks for every gift of smile you pinned in my heart.

------------------------------------

"Falling in love is like looking at the stars...when you pick one out of the billions and stare at it long enough... all the others just simply melt away.."

thanks for reading,

russ d'great

Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist: A Short Review

"When you want something, all the Universe conspires to help you achieve it."

Until today, I haven't read any of Paulo Coelho's books. I don't know why but I'm thankful that  three days ago my brother asked me to buy the book for him because a certain teacher wanted them to read the book. Then my curiosity about it increased when a good friend of mine said that it's a great book to add on my reading list.

I devoured the book for almost 3 hours and after which I know that I will be reading more of his works. The simplicity and wisdom of the book is amazing, adding to it are helpful life lessons that will surely give you positive reasons to wake up happy every morning.

It's a very simple story about a shepherd boy, Santiago who pursue his dreams and meet different people along the way - a gypsy woman, a King, an Englishman and an alchemist who helped him understand his journey in achieving his greatest dream. 

The book teaches the readers simple things about God, life and love - the language of the world. But as you walk along with Santiago's journey you will realize that simple things always comes with a broader truth. You may not see it the first time you look at it but eventually you'll end up realizing that it's been there lying and waiting all along. 

I admire Coelho for writing such a pure and unembellished novel in all its content; a masterpiece that will surely resonate to people with different faiths and beliefs. A simple story that testifies the power of following one's dreams and listening to one's heart.

I can absolutely say that The Alchemist is a must-read and I highly recommend it.

Lessons from The Alchemist (Spoiler Alert!!!)

…and when each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises. -page 27-

There must be a language that doesn’t depend on words… -page 43-

When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision. -page 68-

“Everyone has his or her own way of learning things,” he said to himself. “His way is isn’t the same as mine, nor mine as his. But we’re both in search of our Personal Legends, and I respect him for that.” -page 84-

It is said that all people who are happy have God within them. -page 131-

“When you possess great treasures within you, and try to tell others of them, seldom are you believed.” -page 134-

There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure. -page 141-

…when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too. -page 150-

And that’s where the power of love comes in.  Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are. -page 151-

thanks for reading,

russ d'great

Lasing Ka Na Ba? The 5 Ayaw Ko Man, Aaminin Ko Na Stages

Stage One: SMART  (Feeling  mo ang talino mo sobra!)

Ito na 'yong moment na expert ka na on every subject in the known Universe. Biglang alam mo na lahat and you want to pass on your knowledge to anyone na gustong makinig. At this stage you are always RIGHT, and of course the person you are talking to is very WRONG. This makes for an interesting argument when both parties are SMART.

Stage Two: GOOD LOOKING (Ako na yata ang pinakamagandang lalaki sa  mundo.)

This is when you realize na ikaw na ang pinakamaganda/pinakapogi in the entire bar at may gusto na lahat ng tao sayo. You can go up to a perfect stranger knowing they fancy you and really want to talk to you. Basta isipin mo lang na SMART ka, so that you can talk to this person about any subject under the sun.

Stage Three: RICH (I can buy you and this entire bar.LOL)

Ito na 'yong moment na feeling Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg ka na. This is when you suddenly become the richest person in the world. Gusto mo ilibre lahat ng tao sa loob ng bar because you have an armored truck full of money parked behind the bar. 

You can also make bets at this stage, because of course, you are still SMART, so naturally you win all your bets. It doesn't matter also kung talo ka kasi you are RICH. You will also buy drinks for everyone that you fancy, because you are now the BEST LOOKING person in the world.

Stage Four: BULLET PROOF (Ako si Superman, Man of Steel 'to mga dude!)

Ito na 'yong pinaka-nakakatakot. Gusto  mo ng makipag-away sa lahat ng tao especially those with whom you have been betting or arguing. This is because nothing can hurt you. 

At this point you can also go up to the partners of the people who you fancy and challenge to a battle of wits or money. Di ka  naman takot matalo kasi nasa isip mo you are SMART, you are RICH and heck, you're BETTER LOOKING than they are anyway!

Stage Five: INVISIBLE (Wala akong paki, at wala kayong paki dahil nanonood lang kayo!)

This is the Final Stage of Drunkenness. Dito pwede mo ng gawin lahat kasi ang alam mo di invisble ka, NO ONE CAN SEE YOU. You dance on a table to impress the people who you fancy because the rest of the people in the room cannot see you. 

You are also invisible to the person who wants to fight you. You can walk through the street singing at the top of your lungs because no one can see or hear you and because you're still SMART at alam na alam mo 'yong lyrics kahit sentonado  ka!

thanks for reading,

russ d'great

COC (Clash of Clans): 21 Signs of Addiction

Nagtataka ka ba bakit 'pag namemention 'yong COC sa news which basically means 'certificate of candidacy" eh "clash of clans" ang naiisip mo agad agad? Well, maybe you're a certified addict or maybe you're just annoyed because of the game's popularity. 

Anyhow, wala kanang magagawa kasi it's the new trend of online gaming right as of this very moment. Just remember that there's a very fine line between "playing games online" and "finding your way out in the middle of something" just to defend your clan faced with war.

Afterwards, anxious kana at di makapag-isip ng maayos when your phone notifies you that "your troops are ready to take into battle" or "your village was raided by attacker_12345". Thankfully hindi ka nag-iisang 'Clash-of-Clan Junkie' dahil since its release last 2012, malamang isa ka lang sa millions of players na adik na adik dito ngayon.

Unless nahihiya ka pang aminin or i-admit sa sarili mo na addict ka nga sa larong ito, here are tell-tale signs that you're a certified Clash of Clans addict.

1. When you're reaching out for your phone to send a text/online message to your friends telling them it's time to "ATTACK".

2. Kapag ang 'Ultimate Kaligayahan' mo ay yung makakita ng 3 stars 'VICTORY' on your phone or tablet screen.

3. Calling someone by their IGNs or clan names as "RPM24" or "DBG24" is totally second nature.

4.   Nagtataka  na mga friends mo bakit di kana  nag-uupdate ng status sa Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

5. Galit na galit ka when you lost your Internet Connection in the middle of a loaded raid. "Sayang ang loots sa dead base..Grrr"

6. Kailangan mong mag-isip ng tama at valid na dahilan bakit ka MIA the moment the war begins at kapag hindi ka talaga naka-attack  the moment the ward ended.

7. You find a deep connection with someone who understands a perfect dragon fury and burning village to ashes. Classic.

8. Takot na takot kang mawala ang gold and elixirs mo. 

9. You find Liam Neeson's Superbowl Ad showing off Clash of Clan's revenge feature so hilarious (“I don’t know you BuffetBoy85 but if you think you can humiliate me and take my gold, think again. Or I am coming for you with lots of barbarians and dragons!”).

10. Moreover, wala ng mas nakakainis pang form of revenge rather than taking all your available loot in a flash. Ganti ganti lang daw.

11. Loosing sleep not because of work or school but because of farming/looting. Alam  nyo na ibig sabihin n'yan mga adik! 

12. Kapag nagsisimula kanang mahumaling sa mga wizards and witches. You loving them all of a sudden is just plain creep. LOL.

  

13. Kapag nag-level up na ang multi-tasking skills mo. Grabe na!

14. Kapag nag-iisip ka na ng malalim kung manloloot ka ba or i-memaintain mo shield mo for the next 11 hours. It's hard man!

15. You actually set an alarm to when you lose shield or once your builder will be available. 

16. You feel the same level of hate between your cheater-ex and some random player who raided you.

17. Nagseselos ka sa fellow clanmate mo na mas magaling umatake kaysa sayo. Like seriously?

18. You feel a different kind of happiness when it's time to embellish your town hall. hahaha

19. Kahit bawal ang maglaro sa opisina or skwelahan, you can't just put down your phone when no one's looking to attack.

20. You engage in some serious talks about war strategies and winning clan wars with fellow clanmates. (Can't blame them, LOL)

21. Being part of a competent clan now sounds very interesting and overwhelming. (Hey, you're from Pinoy Titans? Awesome Clan!!)

It's very simple, once you downloaded Clash of Clans on your phone, you're now halfway to C-O-C obsession...and these creepy, hilarious, dramatic signs of addiction.

thanks for reading gamers,

russ d'great