How far is the distance between us?

How much is the distance between us? People say that technology was developed in order to make better communication. Am I right? But why is it like this? Yes, the internet enables me to communicate with other people from different places. The same goes for cellphones. I'm not saying that I'm against the development of technology. In fact, I love the stuff that I happen to have.

The issue that I have in mind is that sometimes, people spend too much of their time in the "virtual" world and neglect the things that really matters in the "real world".

Currently, the internet is now changing the concept of nation, the means to communicate with people and even your view of life.

  

Why is the Internet so addicting?

Two reasons:

1.    Information
2.    Freedom


People go online to get information (news, music, stock prices, etc). Logging onto the Internet is like a kid going to a toy store; there is so much to do and explore that once you get in, you never want to leave. People also go online because the Internet offers freedom to do whatever they want, to say whatever they want and to be whoever they want.

The Internet’s Positive Effects

1.    You can get the latest news on the web.
2.    You can download information – music, video, researchers, statistics, free software, etc.
3.    You can learn new things (language, how to do things – cooking, programming, designing, etc.).
4.    Internet is a good means to express yourself.
5.    Faster exchange of information through electronic mail, chat, forums, and social network sites.
6.    Online shopping.
7.    Purchase tickets – flights, theatrical plays, basketball games, etc.


When using the internet, do we look at its negative effects? Maybe we do, but not most of the time. And when we see it’s bad side, does it keep us from using it? I don’t think so. Here are some of the internet’s negative effects:

1.    Subversive materials posted on the web – pornography, violence, etc.

2.    Security and privacy – cracking.

3.    Virtually bringing people together yet physically pushing people away.

4.    Deceit.

“The brave new world of cyber-glop will be an increasingly lonely, isolated and dehumanized world. It will be a place where you can order anything you want online, but you don’t know your neighbors, where your children and your parents will spend evening hours logged into the Net, talking to distant strangers rather than each other.”

-- Clifford Stoll, author of Silicon Valley Snake Oil

Wala na, nakalimutan ko na.

Bakit ba kapag magsusulat ako ng bagong entry sa blog, nakaklimutan ko ang dapat kong sabihin? Hay, naku... Kaninang madaling araw, ang daming mga ideas na pumapasok sa isip ko. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, "ibablog ko 'to pag gising ko. ^_^" tapos, ngayon, wala na akong maalala. Sinubukan ko nang mag brainstorming pero wala parin eh. Hmmm... siguro kaylangan ko ng memo plus gold?? Haha. Pero kapag tinatanong ko naman ang mga kaybigan ko kung nangyayari din sakanila ito, sabi nila, oo. Kung sanang may recorder ang utak ko, eh di okay! Pero wala eh. Sayang talaga! May naisip na akong "something cool" eh. T_T Pero wala na nga. It's gone with the wind.

Fast-food industry

Don't push people away

I watched The Back-up Plan with my sister yesterday. There was a part in the movie where Nana (Linda Lavin) told Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) "Don't push people away" I was hit by those words. Haha. 3 years ago, I was told the same thing by my friend. I used to "push people away". I'm not so sure why. Maybe I was pampered and I used to feel good when other people are being humble enough to run after me, saying "sorry" even if I'm at fault. I'm not a brat. I was just... being childish. Oh well, at least I'm not like that anymore. ^_^ I guess I'm really growing up. I realized that people won't always come, running after me. They are getting tired of trying to understand me, and that I'm not the only person in the world whom they really care about. Sometimes, I need a good slap on my face (not literally. lol) just to make myself realize that I'm being unreasonable.
I'm thankful to those people who tell me "you're being a jerk" without making me feel so bad about myself. I don't know how they do it. They say something negative, but in a nice way, and when I try to comprehend their words, I get their point... their warning, actually... I'm being a jerk. lol

Reflections....??

I was just wondering... Is Jesus true? Is God true? What if what I "believe" and what other people "believes" is just a product of one's imagination? I know, it's a sin to doubt Him. Well, I can't help it. It's a part of growing up, right?

I grew up with nuns and priests. I was often told that I am lucky to have spiritual mentors like them. I am a Catholic, yes. But it doesn't keep me from having second thoughts about my faith. Maybe I'm fragile. My faith is fragile. I do not know. I am a part of a religious organization, I am involved in a bible school, I go to mass for like twice or thrice every Sunday (well, that's because I'm a choir member and I play my violin in the church), I am a catechist (I teach with my friends), and I join youth congresses, but still, I have A LOT of questions in mind like "Why did Lucifer became a fallen angel if he doesn't see anything wrong with the so-called kingdom?" The sisters (a.k.a. nuns) said that God is a loving God and that Jesus is loving and very kind-hearted and that He's the perfect man. If what they said is true, then,, why did God turned the wife of his loyal servant Abraham into salt? Why did he kill almost all of His creations? (Noah's Ark) and if Jesus is really a nice person, why did He call His mother "woman"?

• Jesus turned to His mother and said "Woman, behold thy son!" (John 19:26)

• And they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the feast had all been used, and the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." Jesus said, "Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you… tasted the water, and it had turned into wine." (John 2:3-5)

He should have called her "mother", right? And He even said (not to His mom) "How stupid are you for not seeing God's love?" Man! He doesn't have to call them stupid. It's not nice.

There are a lot, I mean, A LOT of teachings about Catholic faith but all have different versions. Who will I believe? What is it, really? Is there a God? Why can't people see Him? Is He a "He"? Who knows? What if what people believes in isn't the right thing? What if in the past, a carzy man started babbling about how God created everything, that He sent His only Son to save us from our sins... blah blah. The ancient people are a lot more... ummm... No, not stupid... hmmm.. uncivilized than us, modern people right? What if the ancient people believed the crazy man and they started writing the bible? What if the writers of the bible are not really "inspired by the Holy Spirit" and that they're really not "the chosen ones"? What if everyday is really not a miracle, what if it's about scientific whatsoever stuff?

I just realized that I really have a weak faith... and if ever hell is true, then, I'm sure I'll go there for doubting God. It's a good thing I didn't turn into salt. *lol* Speaking of hell, that's also something. Others say that it's a state of being, while others say that it's a place where bad people go when they die.

People say that God is a mystery.. but why? To confuse people? Or is it because they just can't explain who He really is, but they want others to believe what they're saying? If God is true, then why don't He come down from up there (if He really is in heaven) and tell the people "Yo! I'm God. I created you, but when I created you, you're not like that. What happened?" That'll make things easier to understand, right? If He really is true, then I admit my own stupidity. ^_^ And if my "judgment" came, I'll be happy atoning for my sins.. I'll probably burn in hell.

Day 1: 2009 diary

June 4, 2009
Thursday


Rainy. I can hear the noise of the 3rd and 4th year students who were reunited after 71 days of summer vacation. I can hear laughter as I walk around the school corridors with my friends. Today is the first day of my 4th year life. I am excited, happy, nervous and everything! I can't really tell how I feel, but one thing's for sure... I'm happy to be back. ^_^ It's nice to do my daily routine as a student: doing my homework, reviewing for an exam, getting out of bed at 4:45am, chatting with my friends, doing crazy stuff with my best buds, laughing at little things, etc..

I am a sempai now! Finally! I'm going to graduate this year and 12 months from now, I'm going to be in college. I'm not really sure what I want to take-up for college but it's okay. I still have a lot of time to think about it. Ganbarimasu!

End.

I wonder what death is like

I wonder what death is like. When did I stop thinking of it?

If this was a drama or a comic, their deaths wouldn't be mourned because they're bit characters. "Death" is just an ingredient in the story. However, if someone dies, there is always someone who will cry for them. There is a bond that cannot be broken with the people you've interacted with, from birth to death. There's not a single person who's lived without interacting with others. Even I have one, a family. Main character or bit character, it's proof that they were alive. A funeral is a material form of the proof that someone lived their life to the fullest, so we must watch over it respectfully. Born, live and die. That's the natural way, and it's the happiest.