Please Help

I'm raising funds for refugees in the Middle East. Can you help me in this effort? 

Please go to this link: https://my.wfpusa.org/fundraise?fcid=348968

Thank you.

Palestine (please watch this video)

Living under occupation: Daily Life in Occupied Palestine

FUCK ISRAEL!!!

These are the faces of the ruthless terrorists in Gaza, according to Israel.

I hope one day Israel is held accountable for their crimes against humanity.

Pray for Gaza and The Palestine.

R.I.P

Rest in peace, Cindy.
I love you and I will never ever forget you...

Invest In Life Experiences

An article by Sean Kim

Reprinted from Huffington Post 

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover." - Mark Twain

It's everywhere in the media

The Lamborghinis on Wall Street, the Louis Vuitton bags that celebrities wear, the mansions that "successful" people live in. The list goes on. We've fooled ourselves into believing that the sole recognition  --  no, definition  --  of success & happiness comes from the type of cars we own or the number of zeros in our bank account. We've put the notion of material success on a pedestal and convinced those around us to adopt the same beliefs.

In a society that idolizes the pursuit of happiness, carrying out a life where one's destination is to find joy through material goods is not only ineffective, but it's a never-ending journey. 

The key to happiness is not spending our time & money acquiring goods.
The key to happiness is spending our time & money experiencing life.

MasterCard had it right. 

It's the priceless experiences in life that makes us happy at the end of day.

Experience defines us

Back in December, I went on a ten-day silent meditation trip in Hawaii. 

It was the most intense, yet enlightening experiences that I've been through, and I've never felt a stronger reciprocation between my mind & body. More importantly, it led to a life-changing decision to leave the company I helped found in the past year, in order to fulfill my dreams of moving to New York City. 

Every experience brings with it a mistake or triumph, and often a realization about who we are as individuals. Experience helps us clarify how we think, who we want to surround ourselves with and ultimately an understanding of what makes us happy in life. 

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."  - Abraham Lincoln

We live in a society where tangible things appear more valuable because we can feel, hold and touch the materials we purchase. Above all, it's because tangible things are tied with currency that places a price of its value in the marketplace.

There's no way to physically feel the experience of diving off a cliff on a Sunday afternoon with our closest friends. Nor can we "sell" the experience of our first fight with our partners. It's the same reason why we can't put a price value on a human being. 

"If we could sell our experiences for what they cost us, we'd all be millionaires." -Abigail Van Buren

We are the accumulation of everything we've ever seen, heard, smelled, tasted and felt. It's experience that teaches us not to take that 9-5 cubicle job again, and it's experience that will lead to that next big breakthrough idea for our businesses. 

In other words, experiences come with life lessons.
Materials come with nothing but a bill.

Experience stays with us

When we think back to our fondest memories, what are they?

For me, it's not the gifts I received for Christmas or my birthday. It's the context surrounding the gifts  --  the people at my birthday party, the smell of the hot chocolate on Christmas morning. It's the first time I learned how to ride a bike with my brother, and the time I went on my first (awful) date. This is what puts a smile to my face to this day. 

Here's the main caveat to investing in materials  -- they have expiration dates. 

The moment you purchase a material, not only does its monetary value drop in the marketplace, our perception of its value quickly fades over time. 

Experience can be relived. Experience has emotional longevity. It can be improved in our minds as we continue to grow and progress in life. It stays with us and they are lessons we can use everyday for as long as we live.

A Cornell survey found that 83 percent of participants reported mentally revisiting their experiential purchases more often than their material purchases. 

This means that experiences bring us happiness not just when we're having the experience, but also when we simply think about them.

Here are three tips to start living a life of experiences. 

Living a life of experiences

1. Change your budget priorities.

If we want to start living a life of experiences, we need to prioritize our financial budgets to accommodate the adventures we'll undertake. 

It's as simple as saving up for a flat-screen TV vs. a trip to South America.

Figure out what you actually need in your life, and what will truly serve you in the long-term. The truth is, we need very few materials to enjoy and live our lives. 

Learn to be prudent when purchasing materials, because salvaging those few extra nickels could lead to the experience that could change your life. 

2. Say "yes" more.

Growing up, we were taught to make decisions with calculated risk assessments by carefully thinking things through. If we want to start fulfilling more experiences in life --  we need to unlearn these principles.

The best adventures arise from moments when we least expect them. 

Filling our mind with "what ifs" is only going to keep us on our couches watching other people live their lives. Before we know it, our "what if" will turn into "should have." 

Start saying "yes."

Learn to be present in the moment. When the next opportunity for experience appears, ask yourself this simple question.

Will I regret not taking this opportunity?  Tomorrow, next week, or even next year? 

If the answer is yes  --  or even maybe -- your immediate response should also be yes.

The future will always be uncertain. That's never going to change. But you can control how you shape it by thinking less and taking action. 

3. Start with the small (and cheap) adventures.

Are you the type of person that watches the same movies over and over again, takes the same walking route to the office, and eats at the same restaurants? 

You need to break out of your regular routine.

Opening our mind up to new experiences needs to start with the small decisions and interactions we have in our daily lives. Instead of going to that same Italian restaurant near your office because you know it's a safe decision, go somewhere new. 

The most fulfilling experiences don't have to cost a lot of money. Often times, it's right next door. We just need to know where to knock. 

We've heard the negative stigma that comes with using daily deal sites as a small business owner. But as a consumer who is seeking cheap, exciting and novel experiences -- this is where you want to live. 

I've personally experimented everything from salsa dance lessons ($15 -- 10 lessons), to three-course Medieval Times dinners ($39), to flight lessons ($88) through daily deal sites. It's the cheapest way to experience the most incredible adventures with friends or even yourself. 

Start taking the small risks in life. You'll be surprised how far it takes you.

If there's anything to take away from this article  --  take away this. 

We are all going to die one day, whether you choose to accept it or not. At the end of our lives, we're going to ask the same questions.  

Did I live?
Do I have regrets?
Did I experience everything I wanted to in life?

Ask yourself if you want your existence to be defined by the type of car you owned or the adventures and freedom you led in life. 

Invest in something that will bring you lessons rather than a bill. Become minimal in assets and rich in experience. 

Because experience will win  --  every single time. 

Quote of the Day

... the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time. -T.S. Elliot

Jellyfish Sanctuary in Bucas Grande, Surigao

https://www.facebook.com/TourismSocorro

Bucas Grande, Surigao del Norte

I was fortunate enough to visit this little piece of paradise.

 

Mother

This is my Mum, from way back in 1955. I love her!

Chucky

While vacationing in Cebu last month, I was offered an opportunity to become this cutie's parent. Needless to say, I said 'yes' right away and do not regret it for a second. Meet my new baby, Chucky!

Dipsea Trail, Marin County

Rumi

Middlesex

After visiting Greece in February, I felt compelled to pick up and re-read Middlesex, one of the most fascinating tales ever written, in my opinion. 

MDNA Available Now on iTunes & Amazon!!!

Five Centuries In 7.5 Minutes

Dream In Color

A long time ago someone said to me, "Always dream in color." I never quite understood what that meant until I began to traveling...

Athens, Greece

Astronomical Clock in Prague

Schwangau, Germany

Camp Dachau, Germany

Every city and place I visited during this trip was a thrill. Camp Dachau was different. I was excited to visit the place but worried at the same time. Worried because I wasn't sure how I was going to handle the gamut of emotions I'd feel to be in a place that was once filled with terror and enormous human suffering. In the end, I think I handled it pretty well. All it took was a lot of courage and utter SILENCE. 

Soul-searching

My idea of soul searching does not involve scrubbing floors of some yoga temple in India. I can stay home for that!

KZ Dachau - Munich, Germany

Visiting this former Nazi concentration camp would be tremendously challenging emotionally... but it must be done.

Neuschwanstein - Schwangau, Germany

So apparently, Neuschwanstein Castle is the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty castle. Can't wait to see it in person! OMG

Israel or Athens

Really struggled today with choosing between going to Israel or Athens. I was sooo tempted to book a flight to Tel Aviv until it dawned on me that the Israeli government takes their national security very seriously. I've heard stories about women & children being subjected to strip searches at the airport simply because they looked exotic or different. And to the Israelis, such invasive checks are nothing out of the ordinary and are totally acceptable. I don't think I'm prepared for that yet. But for a moment, I was imagining myself having an out-of-body-like experience walking around Jerusalem and visiting the holiest of all holy sites for Christians. What a moving experience that would have been (sigh!). Guess for now, I'll settle for the splendor of Acropolis.

Europe 2012

Hard to believe it has been three years since my last trip to Europe. I got sidetracked by my rekindled love affair with the Philippines, that's why. But now I'm ripe for the picking and ready to go back. But why Europe in the winter, you might ask? Why not? This time of year airfares are low, hotels are discounted (I can have my pick of any 5-star hotels for less) and most importantly, the sights, streets, markets, restaurants & museums are not overcrowded with tourists. Besides, I just love to wear winter coats! My original plan includes Cairo, Egypt but we know the what's going on in that part of the world right now. So I reluctantly decided to skip Cairo this time. Yes, I'm adventurous... but to a certain extent. I also wanted to include Venice, Italy but there is just not enough time. Time is our worst enemy, isn't it?! Being a savvy traveler and an organization nut that I am, I feel confident that I can pull this off. So I hope you will follow me in my next adventures. Here's my itinerary:

1. Munich, Germany
2. Nuremberg, Germany
3. Prague, Czech Republic
4. Athens, Greece
5. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ASSWIPE

Newt Gingrich Palestine Comment Condemned By Arab League

CAIRO -- A senior Arab League official condemned on Sunday a statement by Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich claiming Palestinians are an "invented" people, calling it racist and a cheap stunt to get votes.

However Israeli Cabinet minister Uzi Landau said Gingrich was "right." He claimed the Palestinians do not have their own language or culture, and are instead part of the broader Arab world.

Gingrich also called Palestinians "terrorists." The comments struck at the heart of Palestinian sensitivities about the righteousness of their struggle for an independent state. Applying the label "invented" suggests that the Palestinian quest for independence is not legitimate. He later sought to clarify his position, with his spokesman saying he supports the creation of a Palestinian state as part of a negotiated settlement with Israel.

"If an Arab or Palestinian official said a racist comment that was one-millionth of what this U.S. candidate said, the world would have been in continuous uproar," said Mohammed Sobeih, the Arab League official who handles Palestinian affairs. Gingrich's comments were "irresponsible and dangerous," he added.

"If these comments were made for political gains, then this is an even bigger disaster. But it appears that this is a cheap attempt to get more votes in an election," said Sobeih. "And to get this small number of votes, this person sold America's interests by denying international law and democratic principles."

In Israel, a couple hard-line politicians welcomed Gingrich's comments.

However Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said the minister Landau was speaking for himself and did not represent official government policy. He added the government would not comment on the statements because they were part of an "internal American political campaign."

Danny Danon, deputy speaker of Israel's parliament and a minority voice among his hawkish Likud party, said Gingrich "understands very well the reality we live in in the Middle East."

Many in Israel support the idea of an independent Palestine alongside Israel and recognize the Palestinian struggle for independence.

______

Associated Press reporters Maamoun Youssef in Cairo and Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem contributed to this report.