26.5 hours late

I knew I was missing something.

Happiness in Marte Caronongan's point-of-view is holding a camera in your hands, acting like the professional photographer you strive on becoming, forcing perspectives, forcing more perspectives, and zooming in on the best moments in life.

Many know me as the class, and maybe even the school's "official" photographer. My pictures have appeared not once, but quite a few number of times in the Ateneo website, as well as other publications. Knowing that these pictures which I did not expect to reach such heights DO reach those heights make me a happy, happy panda. I knew that my hard work was not wasted on those pictures.

Yes, I am bent on becoming the slut you know I was going to turn into a famous photographer sometime in the future, and I know that such dreams require hardcore dedication and perseverance, qualities which I lack sometimes. But you know what they say, "Libre lang mangarap."

And now, I start my Pursuit of Happyness. One frame at a time.

PS I know I can be gay and just change the date and time I posted this entry, but I'm not gay. Yeah, my Profile Picture in Facebook can be deceiving at times.

The End (?)

[This isn't graded. I just felt I needed a place to tell this.]

"It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life."

That line made me so miserable the moment I heard it. I was literally holding my tears back :((

I guess it's a mutual feeling in the whole class. Everybody was sad to see Mrs. De Peralta leave. We've known it since the start of the school year, but it just became a harder pill to swallow as time passed by. Honestly, I have no idea how Ma'am affected us this much; personally, I think it was just a relief to be out of 2nd Year English. But no, I'm quite sure Ma'am did more than take us out of there. I mean SO MUCH MORE than that.

As I tried to draw Ma'am on the illustration board as accurate as I could (sorry if it doesn't look like you, Ma'am :))), I can't help but be a bit depressed. She was leaving the class and the class loved her. By that time, we had no idea (or didn't remember) why she had to go. We didn't want that to happen; we've started great, and I just don't want anything like this to end in something opposite.

On the day itself, I was sure everybody was thinking of how to say goodbye to Ma'am. Things like this shouldn't just crumble like that. We wanted to make Mrs. De Peralta feel like we were worth remembering, because she was for us.

And then she told us she was leaving for good, and perhaps we wouldn't see her again. Talk about heartbreakers. :((

That we were her last class EVER. More heartbreaker stuff. =((

[On a more personal note, I can die peacefully now, after hearing Ma'am speak in Filipino. It was one of the things on my "Things That Should Happen Before I Die" List.]

We can't say how much you meant to us Ma'am. I don't know where to start. I don't even know when to end. Ma'am, it's just...

...we can't explain it enough in words how much it meant for us to be your students, and the last ones to boot. :D

We can't accept the fact that the credits are now rolling in front of our eyes. But life goes on, and however much it may make us miserable to think that 3rd Year English does not anymore include Mrs. De Peralta, we still need to get the show going, 'cause that's the only way to show how much you meant to us :D

At least you could have finished the year with us, Ma'am. It would have really made 3rd Year really really really nice. But in the end, it's your choice to make, and whatever you choose, Ma'am, we'll be behind you, supporting :D :>

I hope you'll never forget us Ma'am, because I'm a hundred percent sure we won't.

"It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right, I hope you had the time of your life"

Mrs. De Peralta, we'll always remember you, and we love you! >:D<

Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts...

Nothing’s coming to me, especially since my palm was just burned by an idiot. Now how do you write about happiness if each press on the keyboard sharpens the sting on your fingertips?

Maybe that’s what makes happiness so hard to recreate. It’s the feeling that makes your eyes wrinkle when you smile, ignore the irritating noise that won’t let you concentrate or the sensations from my throbbing fingers. Happiness is effortless.

It’s the feeling which wipes away almost everything else. A peace that wraps you as good as a condom from those convenient stores. So great that you always worry if it will go away. So fragile because of its rarity yet so sturdy in that solitary moment before it rips and leaks away slowly. Bliss. Though momentarily, in the end we will only just remember how it feels.

-Stephen Narciso. Im pretty sure I asked THEM to add this earlier. :D

Happiness by JP Tianco

I don't really know what happiness is. I do not know where and how it is found. It seems that I don't know much about happiness, I believe that I have wonderful experiences with happiness. Through these experiences, I have built my own idea of happiness.

When I was a child, I used to crave for the ice cream sold by street vendors. However, my mom wouldn't allow me to buy. i used to stare at the vendor, literally drooling as he passes by. One day, I saved my own money, approached the vendor, and bought my very first dirty ice cream. My mom saw and she scolded me. But the joy that my tastebuds experienced was far greater than my mom's anger. This, for me, is happiness at work.

Now, as a teenager, I rarely have the time to do nothing, to just sit down and let things happen to me. The world I live in us much busier than before. I take for granted the things that were once so valuable for me, like the dirty ice cream that was once the best thing in the world. Then, a week ago, I saw another ice cream vendor on the street. I bought one and remembered the same taste of the ice cream years ago.

These things do not really define happiness, but they make me remember the times that happiness enters my life even for just a short time. Well, happiness, for me, is the feeling after you work really hard for the you really want, and the memories it bring.

Happiness rawr

Happiness for me is very vague. Vague in a sense that it's hard to describe and I feel it a lot of times. I don't know how to define happiness, because there's just no definite definition to it for me right now. Happiness, I guess, is the feeling of feeling good about something.

Yes, that might be very broad, but happiness really does cover a lot of things. It's that big, that I can't even explain what I think it is in simple words. I'm still in a point of my life where I don't truly know when I am truly happy. What I do know though, is that I feel certain simple and shallow moments of happiness.

Those are the times when I would get a high grade on a quiz, or when I would score a basket in basketball. Yes, these are times when I feel momentary happiness, which often fade out after a while. Happiness for me right now, is nothing serious and something that I take for granted. I wish I could reach that stage in my life when I would truly experience happiness, maybe when I'm in love, or maybe when I win the lottery. Then again, I wouldn't really know because maybe even then, I would only experience the same simple and shallow happiness that I do now.

So I guess I can't sincerely answer the question, "what is happiness?". What I do know, is that I experience something which seems like it. Again, I can never be sure, but for now, that would be my own version of happiness.

Happiness

Some people are miserable because they live their lives haunted by the past. I was perpetually depressed because I was too busy thinking about the future. I daydreamed about things like the next time my clan would go on a cruise, the next time A would have a soiree, the return of a long test I felt confident about.

Life, for me, was about the big things. Most of my time was spent waiting for the next thing to come. The problem with that is that more often than not, I was disappointed. My expensive new guitar didn't sound as good as I thought it would. The soiree I lost sleep thinking about ended up being a bust.

That's why, for the most part of my sixteen years on earth, I've been depressed. The stuff I looked forward to never seemed to turn out the way I planned. I hated life. I was convinced that some higher being was purposely messing with me for amusement.

It was only very recently that I found the solution to my sadness- start finding joy in the little things. I started to care less about the grand and the extravagant. The things I used to find trivial and insignificant became my main source of happiness. Now, simple things (like hanging out with my friends, or doing well on a quiz) matter to me, and I'm a much happier person for it.

----

[short story]

The aircon was set to eighteen degrees, but that wasn't what was giving her goosebumps. It was his hand. His manly, calloused hand resting on her thigh. His eyes weren't helping either. They were chestnut colored, and, somehow, simultaneously gentle and naughty.

"I just don't think I'm ready," she said.

"But that's what you said last time," he complained. "Come on, you promised!"

"Well, I lied!" she said, while pushing his hand off of her. He stood up, walked across the room, and sat in a corner."

"I just don't see why this is such an issue for you,"he said, sighing. "Lots of people do it."

"Don't you think people will think differently of me afterwards?" she asked.

"Maybe, but it won't matter. It'll be better afterwards, I swear."

She didn't know how to reply. She loved him, she was sure, and he seemed to love her back. He was the perfect boyfriend-he never asked her for anything, he was considerate, thoughtful, and quite good looking. He could definitely do much better than her, and yet he stayed with her anyway. The past year had been the happiest in either of their lives.

The sadness in his face was quite evident. It hurt her to see him like this.

"Okay, I understand. I won't pressure you to do anything you aren't ready to." He stood up,

went to her, kissed her on the cheek, and walked to the door.

"Wait!" she shouted, as his hand was turning the doorknob. He looked back at her, with those

beautiful eyes of his, and his hand still on the knob. He raised an eyebrow, and there was a sad

smile on his face.

"I'll do it." she said softly but confidently.

He walked up to her, and she stood up to meet him. There were tears welling up in his

eyes as he hugged her.

"You know how long I've been waiting for this moment, right?" he said, rubbing his eyes.

"Yes, I do."

"I love you."

It was her first time, and it was over in a matter of minutes. It hurt. Each motion brought

a stinging sensation, and her face was ever so slightly contorted with pain. Still, it wasn't quite

as painful as she had expected. The stinging went away eventually, replaced by numbness.

"See," he said, when it was all over, "don't you feel much better, now
that you've gotten rid of your unibrow?"

Happiness

What is happiness for me? For me, it's the feeling you get inside when you stare at a mirror and like what you see or when people compliment your looks. Yes, I know. It is very superficial and I am very vain, but what the hell. I'm being honest here. I know looks are not everything, but they are for me. Looks are everything. That's why I'm happy when I or others feel I look good.

So, why is my definition of happiness like that? It's rather simple and logical. If you or others think you look good, you feel good and if you feel good, you gain confidence. With that confidence, you get to do great things like approach and get the girl of your dreams. If you don't have confidence, would you be able to do that? I don't think so. You would just sit down in a corner and wait for some miracle to happen like if the girl of your dream approaches you. And even if she does approach you, would you be able to make eye contact and talk to her without confidence? I don't think so.

I know it's hard to see happiness in my point of view but I guess it's because we are all entitled to have our own definition of happiness. That is my definition. That is happiness for me. That makes happy.

Happiness for Me (Last Essay)

Happiness is the feeling of bliss, of pleasure, of gladness, of cheerfulness, of joy, of glee, of bliss, of delight, of exhilaration, of ecstasy. But knowing the definition is not knowing happiness. To know happiness is to get to know a friend. You get to know him by name, but later on you spend time with him, to really make a bond that will last.
I’ve met happiness. In those few moments of the greatest smiles shared with friends with similar likes, in those events of exhausted triumph at the end of a long, tearful journey, in those special chances of forgetting about what makes up something, but seeing it for the beauty it really is.
But happiness, like any other friend, can be forgotten about, can be missed, can be lost, can be jealous of… but happiness is a kind friend that’s just waiting for you to come back to him, once you find the grandness of the smallest things, when you appreciate what you missed out on all along.
Thank you for bringing happiness to me, 3A and ma’m. Happiness isn’t the most important thing, but it makes everything that much more. It makes it easier to love, and harder to let go of, but more importantly, easier to love. :)

Yesternight, I was singing in the shower and I thought of the following lines as part of a song I was composing on the spot. I refuse to disclose the other parts of the song due to its weirdness. :D

“I’d smile even if a lightning bolt hit my head,
Because if I could, it means that I’m not dead.”

For me, happiness is realized in the fact that you’re alive. You have decisions to make, opportunities to grab, and time for many things happen. There’s still so much more in store for you, I’m sure and it’s a waste not to realize this. Seize the day and look to the future as well. A little speed bump in the journey is just normal, and we shouldn’t quit just because we fail. Happiness comes from the will to continue living.

It’s also something that shouldn’t take much effort, because too much effort takes away happiness. It’s acquired in the simplicity of things around you. All around, you can find sources of happiness! Such as a fallen branch that you can swing around, pretending to be a hero of great swordplay skill. Of course, everyone will think that you’re a loser or weirdo of some sort but in all likeliness, they’re just jealous that you don’t let your inhibitions take over you. Trust me, that’s the real reason why they try to discourage you from doing such things. Society is naturally crab-minded. Happiness comes from the individual’s freedom from his shame and reticence.

Happiness is gratitude and appreciation for the ordinary. Always wanting more is greed, but we should always be wary of complacency. We will never be truly happy if we never are satisfied, and satisfaction is easier to achieve than you think. An open mind is all you need to see that there’s more to some things than can immediately be noticed. Realistic positivity will help you squeeze the happy sap out of every moment. Happiness comes from being absorbent of the veiled abundance that surrounds us.

But you know what, screw that crap. It’s nice and all, but it doesn’t help a person who’s in a hurry to understand what happiness to me is. So let me give you what happiness is in a nutshell.

Happiness is being able to smile a genuine smile, without awkwardness or hesitation.

-Robby Fernandez

Happiness

Before anything else, I just want to state that this is my view on happiness. As almost everyone already knows, happiness is hard to define. Maybe the reason why it's so hard to define is because it is such an abstract concept. As the philosopher John Locke (thank you AP) said, language exists because humans want to express particular concepts to other people. As time passed, the word "happiness" can be commonly described as a feeling wherein one smiles/laughs/feels free/feels light inside or other things similar to these notions. This has been the notion brought about by our environment (parents, friends, community, media, etc.). But I think, this common notion on the word has already changed from the original and continues to change.

I guess when the first people started to talk, they had a hard time making words that describe what they feel. But they tried and formed words such as happiness. For me, they formed a word which was so vague. It might be the "smiling" for the maker of the word, but "relief and relaxation" for some of the people now.

Nevertheless, I think it can be safe to conclude that based on the common notions society experiences, happiness is an emotion related to a light feeling, usually accompanied by a change of mood, manner of acting, and body language.

Another thing that makes happiness so vague is the cause for this particular feeling. The causes differ from one person to the other, making it so hard to pinpoint what happiness is. If all of us are brought up in a society which embraces physical and emotional conformity and we are exposed to the same stimuli, I guess it would be easy to pinpoint and describe particular emotions. But we weren't brought up in such a society. This makes it hard to describe happiness even more.

According to Sir Ron, language made people a lot lazier. People were able to communicate without having the use of language in the very early stages of mankind. The result of human laziness was the forming of words which trap the broadness of emotions. My definition, was based on what I think happiness is which is based on my experiences.

But I'm glad happiness is vague. This, I think, makes us more unique as individuals.

Happiness (from Jay Pangilinan)

What is happiness? As far as I know, happiness is a feeling; a feeling one feels when something good happens. As for me, I feel the happiest when I see other people happy. I also feel happy when I am able to accomplish something. Accomplishing something like learning a new piano piece, or getting honors, or even finishing my homework every day. There are other times that I feel happy, like when I receive gifts.
Although this might be what is happiness is for me, others might disagree, because I think happiness is a subjective thing. What might make someone feel happy might make someone else puke with disgust. So, what really is happiness? I can’t see it, I can’t hear it, I can’t taste it, and I can’t smell it. I guess I can feel it. I guess I can tell if I see a happy person or not, yet I think I can only feel it.
I can’t really say what happiness is, except that it is a feeling, and many people spend a lot of time trying to figure out what exactly happiness is, and how to attain absolute happiness. As far as I’m concerned, absolute happiness is impossible to attain, especially since there are so many things that hinder absolute happiness, like terrorists, criminals, world hunger, and the simple fact that life just isn’t fair and is definitely not the perfect world that you would want.
Despite all this, the little things I like can make me happy, though it may not be absolute happiness; at least I’m a little happy.

(Si Jay naman ngayon. Guys, utaaaaang :D)

Happiness (from Alfred Mendoza)

Happiness, is a state which needs not an explanation. It is simply a trigger word, causing no more than a fast replay of all the blissful events in one's life, inevitably plastering a smile on anyone's face. A state which we try to reach for in times of doubt, sadness, frustration, confusion, but nevertheless, each state of happiness is a feeling that can never be replicated once it has reached its end. Each spark of happiness differs in every way possible.

As a young boy we view happiness within this narrow telescope. This certain feeling strikes us whenever we receive a toy, eat a lollipop or are brought to carnivals. But as we mature, grow older, and develop, this telescope widens and we crave for more, yearn for more, ask for more to fulfill this state of bliss which we have always wanted. Ever since we were young, until now, happiness has always been caused by one thing. Though it’s cliche, it’s always been contentment. “Accept more, expect less.” That has always been the golden rule to happiness.

Of course it is impossible to feel true happiness if you define it as achieving full contentment. As human beings, if we express that we have reached a state in our lives where in no doubts, inhibitions, yearnings are left within us, then we are trying to fool ourselves. Nobody can reach that state of being because of the clear fact of the imperfection of human beings. Therefore, happiness can only revolve around this imperfection, and it cannot exist alongside something nonexistent, such as perfection.

Happiness is that certain segment of that long thread of life which we weave, when we feel that the whole world’s burden has been lifted from our shoulders. At that certain time and place, you are contented. It is when you need every single muscle in your body, to turn that smile into a frown. Happiness can be receiving a pat on the back, from the dad who never noticed you. Happiness can be crapping the hell out of your whole system after 2 hours of keeping the demon caged within your body. Happiness can be scratching that itch on your butt which has taunted you throughout the whole Mass. Happiness is a state which needs not an explanation.

[This is Alfred Mendoza's Happiness composition. May utang ka sa akin, Alfred :D]

1% Done

What is happiness to me?

I am not happy when I’m being stressed by too much homework.
I am not happy when I’m being forced to do something I’m not comfortable with.
I am not happy when I’m being talked about untrue events.
I am not happy when I’m being cheated.
I am not happy when I’m being blamed.
I am not happy when someone hits me inconsiderately right on my bruises.
I am not happy when I’m left alone doing nothing at all waiting for a car.

I am happy when I’m with my friends.
I am happy when I’m able to eat food.
I am happy when someone tells a joke.
I am happy when I get high grades.
I am happy when people give me gifts.
I am happy when people care for me.
I am happy when people praise me.


The idea of happiness for a person changes as they go on through life. I guess it depends on their belief also. For me, happiness is attained when you do well for someone else. When you make someone else smile, I’m somehow happy.

I think that one-day, I have done the right thing and it makes you feel assured or secured in a way. That’s just me though. When I do something nice to a person, I become their friend and I guess it starts there. I have that sense of belonging or being wanted. It gives you a tingling feeling inside. I guess its happiness.

When I was younger, I went through being happy when I get to play video games or watch my favorite cartoon. When you grow older, you just think. You think a lot than before. You think of your life. I guess it’s natural for a person to be that way.

When I reached that part of my life, I thought of having people with me. People make me happy. I don’t feel alone when facing problems. I don’t feel alone when I’m having fun also. I guess one can’t live alone. It’s another natural thing again.

I’m also happy when I learn something new. For example, when I learn how to play a music piece on the piano or the guitar, I am happy. My hard work is replaced with something I want. It makes me satisfied or happy.

Happiness Even Amidst the Hurt

I have quite a sizable feeling that what I am going to say here is a rather cliche definition of happiness. But perhaps, the only difference with this is that this happiness is felt even amidst pain.

Happiness, for me, is being with the person I love. The only catch is that the person I'm in love with, isn't in love with me. Unrequited love is a bitch like that. Ironic thing is that we're still as close as can be, it makes the matter that much harder, but in a way, also that much more bearable. I get depressed, I feel hurt, I feel angry. And yet even through all the pain, I have this strange ethereal sense of happiness.

It may be unrequited love, but at least I'm with the person in some way. That there is a relationship there, even though it might be less than what I want, at least I'm with the person. She may not realize how much I actually love her, or rather, fathom the magnitude of my love for her, but I still feel happy. It's a wonderful feeling when we're alone, either in full animated conversation, or in utter silence. It's enough that we're together in some way, at that point in time, in that place. It makes me happy, then, for a while sad... but when I look back on those moments, I realize I have more than I deserve.

Perfect happiness is never attainable, in my opinion. Perhaps the most human kind of happiness is the happiness you experience through pain. A friend of mine once said "Think of pain as a prerequisite of happiness. More pain can lower the standards of what makes you happy." It may be quite sad to hear and actually realize that, but he is right. You can't actually be happy unless you have a point of comparison. You could even apply the saying "No pain, no gain" to this. The more pain, the more you open yourself up to happiness. You don't make happiness nor can you force it upon people... it just happens. Happiness, is happiness. It's the calm after the storm. The salvation after a tragedy. The uplifting amidst and after pain. -Lopez

Fearless

Happiness is, put simply, a moment. It’s looking at the stars and seeing words spelled out with every constellation. It’s humming to yourself in the middle of a rainstorm and watching the droplets fall like little diamonds on the sidewalk. It’s being wide-eyed and naïve and stupid and not caring you’re acting like a total idiot being all of those things.

It’s standing on the edge, then jumping, feeling every rush of emotion that comes with the freefall. It’s remembering to take a deep breath because you know that any second now, you’ll hit something hard.

It’s knowing the moment will end, but daring to see how long it will last. It’s fleeting, continuously dissolving, fading in front of you. But, you can't help but reach at the wisps and smile, knowing there's more to come. :] :] :]

Happiness....

Happiness.

Happiness is not feeling a sense of joy at the expense of others.

Happiness is not taking what isn't yours in the first place and then gloating about it.

Happiness is not shooting down other people because you want your idea chosen.

Happiness is not sulking and criticizing everything you see because your idea wasn't chosen.

Happiness is not throwing a tantrum and being a total diva just because you hate a certain costume or role or line or what-have-you.

Happiness is not bringing others down because your too proud to be happy with what you have.

Happiness is not feeling smug over the fact that you can one-up someone with just a little tear and a quivering lip.

Happiness is not making your self feel better by talking to all the cool people, regardless of if your being an ass or not other people.

Happiness is not glorifying yourself by masturbating your ego with awards and smart talk.

Happiness is not giving half-hearted sorry's to something you didn't even know you did wrong and pretending like you mean it.

Happiness is not assuming that everything's okay without anything happening.

Happiness is not assuming that doing so will not lead to an icy silence.

Happiness is not having to make your friends choose sides because you both started out as friends too.

Happiness is not about you, or me for that matter.

Definition of Happiness

You, I, and everybody else, want to be happy. But what exactly is being happy? For me, being happy means having the freedom to choose, respecting the freedom of yourself and others, and choosing what sets you free.

Exercising your own will or choosing for yourself, is essential to happiness. Every one of us has a mind that is able to create fresh and original ideas, receptive to information from the world around us, and competent in making decisions. Each of us cannot live a full life alone because we need the companionship and guidance of others, but all of us must decide alone. We are the captains of our soul, having our hands on the steering wheel. If another man gets our steering wheel, then our life is not our own. To illustrate, think of a man named Bob who likes to play basketball but his parents told him to play volleyball instead, lest his parents cut off the privilege of playing sports altogether. This illustration is an example of choking your happiness because you have no freedom to choose to do the things which you enjoy.

Acknowledging the fact that each of us has our own ship wherein we are captains, if we try to meddle with the maneuvering of others' lives, then we lose control of our own ships. For example, a man named George is jealous of Jorge because the latter is better in Mathematics than the former, and so George resorts to spreading false rumors about Jorge. When George does this, he makes negative emotions continually fill his heart. These negative emotions are hindrances to freedom, functioning as shackles to your soul. Also, if Jorge finds out about the backstabbing, he and George will be alienated from each other. This alienation is a negative emotion that likewise chains the soul of Jorge. On the other hand, if one respects the freedom of others, he gives others and himself the freedom that is fundamental to happiness.

Last but not the least, the capability that is truly unique to us homo sapiens sapiens, is to exercise our will to carry out the implanted desires in us. Desires, not just superficial fancies that last only for a while, are like breath; Without breath, people die; When people breathe, they're relaxed and content. People have different combinations of desires inside their souls, and that innate uniqueness is what's so interesting in life. What may seem to be a superficial fancy to one person may be a deep desire to another, so the key to being happy is not being judgmental, and basking in the wonder of what is carved on your soul, remembering to thank the One who gave life to be happy in. :)

This is my happiness essay.

What is happiness? For me, with my sixteen years of life as my basis to define what it is, I think happiness is making friends, meeting new people, enjoying what you have, loving what you have, accepting what you have, enjoying what you're doing, being in a situation that you'll remember and laugh at later on, trying to smile, unconditional love, irrepressible smiling, having a crush, pursuing and finding success in pursuit, learning new things the easy way, witnessing something funny, sugar rush, and many other things. Basically, at this moment, happiness, for me, is acceptance, hoping, and believing.

I say that because those are the things that have made me happy.

Since happiness is subjective, or at least I find it to be so, I know that happiness, for me, is more often than not, ephemeral. It is spontaneous. It causes you to be so as well. It comes when you expect it and when you don't. It is more beautiful in the latter. Some people devote their entire existence to finding it. I think, though, that it is like a dog's tail; if it is sought for like a tangible object, it will not be caught. Some people make sad attempts at trying to generalize what it is. Some people write books on how to acquire it. Like a step by step program, cookbook style. Some people live life waiting for it. Some people observe how other people respond to the temptation to be happy. I guess, I'm part of those people, but if that's so, who observes us? Some people neglect happiness; they don't look for it, they doubt its existence. Some people try to find their purpose in the hope of finding happiness with it. Some people just live. Some people are always filled with it. Some people say they have found it. Some people think they have found it. Some people feign happiness. Some people try to know things to be able to know what happiness is. Some people try to justify their happiness. Some people buy things to become happy. Some people neglect being empty to be happy. Some people hide it. Some people write about its nature. Some people find other people, and happiness comes with them sometimes. I do all that, different approaches for different moments. Happiness is tricky thing, deadly as a drug, addicting like one, yet it is legal. It could be a state of mind, but it could just as well be someone or something.

Happiness may be all of that and more, some of that and more, or none of that for you. Nonetheless, this is my point of view, and I stand by my observations of what it is. If a boy had a box, happiness could be the boy's existence, the box, what's inside the box, the picture, the audience, non-existent, the imperfection of the picture, the lack of setting, and many other things. Thinking about these things makes me happy. I find happiness in being capable to feel. I find happiness in being real. I find happiness in things that assure me I am. I find happiness in things that will let my existence resonate through time. I find happiness in recognition; recognition of who I am, what I am, what I have done, what I have failed to do, what I became, how I think. I find happiness in the recognition that though I am imperfect, I am striving to become better. I find happiness in those who change circumstances. I find happiness in broken things, for they dream to be perfect, and they have a better story to tell. I find happiness in things that don't make sense. I find happiness in the presence of meaning. I am happy when I am not self-centered.

You Just Can't Explain Why You're Smiling, Can't You?

(I know Ma'am will forgive me for breaking some formalities :D)

Happiness.

For one sick ironic twist, it feels quite fulfilling. So common a thing, yet we can't say what it really was. You have never truly lived if you haven't been happy for once. You know what makes you happy; that's good and all, but do you know WHY it makes you happy?

When people ask you, "what is happiness?", you merely reply, "Happiness is when you..." Nope, people. That's called an EXAMPLE. What we need is a DEFINITION, which is a long shot from example. Kinda like, if you asked me what is a monkey, I'm not gonna say Robert Pattinson (really? I wouldn't?) If you asked me what is an idiot, I won't say (though I must admit, most probably, I would) Kanye West.

Now, long story short. You can't measure happiness. Happiness cannot be boxed. It cannot be defined. It can only be experienced. Felt. Shared.

...

Oh, what the heck, I just spoke bullshit. In truth, I just can't define happiness yet. :D

Finding things that prevent me from becoming one Sad Panda are not that hard to come by. It's quite easy to make me happy. Maybe that's why I find it so hard to define happiness: so many things make me happy, I find it hard to pinpoint on one specific thing.

And to think that I can make a lot of people laugh. That's got to account for something, right? Umm, no, I still don't know what happiness is. :P

Is this the end to my sad, sad composition? I can't even say what happiness is... :((

I'm not happy right now because I can't finish this blog. Because I haven't taken a bath yet. Because I'm too tired to pull my eyelids up. I'm not happy because we might not have a TV for the class night tommorow.

And I'm especially not happy because Mrs. De Peralta is leaving us tommorow (SUPER UBER MEGA BV NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS PART [just to emphasize what I said]). I know what happiness is not. Isn't that enough?

Happiness is not defined by what it's not, I know. It's easier to say what makes you happy rather than what is happiness. But really, why can't we say what happiness is?

Why can't we say what makes us smile while licking an ice cream cone? Smile while we get a 50/50 in a test (though I'd be worried if that comes out of a urine test)? Smile when she tells us "Yes"? Smile when we see others smile? Aren't we supposed to know WHY?

...

Guess not. And guess what, maybe He doesn't want us to know.

Maybe we have to get to Him to know what happiness really is.

Midnight Happiness

It's difficult to find yourself typing on your keyboard at around midnight. It's more difficult if you find yourself studying for two long tests the next day. It's that stressful but all is well.

You see, finally finishing studying for long tests, writing papers and making projects gives me joy. And, mind you, lots of joy. I dunno how else to explain it. It's just that whenever I accomplish something, whatever it is, whatever the outcome may be, I feel a distinct feeling of warmth that tells me, "God, finally. I'm done."

I know it's draining. I know it gives me eye bags (which are thankfully concealed by my glasses). I know I'll die earlier because of this really really terrible habit. But, it's all good. I know I got to finish something for tonight and I'm already happy.

I know it's shallow. I know it's not a good thing because sleeping late often equates with cramming (and cramming is not good *rolls eyes*). But, I truly know that an accomplishment gives me joy, no matter how stupid that accomplishment looks like.

PS: (I just noticed this now)
Lol. Happiness is lol. It's weird how I only noticed this now.

What is Happiness? (for me)

Happiness is a positive emotion you feel when you experience an internal delight or satisfaction. It is the pleasant sensation your mind experiences. This is what separates it from pleasure or being content. Pleasure is sometimes caused by something external. Take sex for example. It can cause pleasure but that doesn’t mean you are happy. You could be raped and suffer a mental breakdown but still feel physical pleasure. Being content is a sensation the mind experiences but it is not necessarily pleasant. You could be sold as a slave in Kenya and be content with your lifestyle as a servant of rich oppressors but dead on the inside, no emotion or sometimes only negative emotions.

When you don’t feel any negative emotion like sadness, anger or fear, chances are you’re happy. This is because happiness is probably the default emotion of people. You could probably go beyond happiness but the default and most common thing that is experienced is happiness. At some point, people become happy. It might not be the first emotion after something tragic but you’ll get there because if you don’t, it either means you’ve died or you’ve reached the end of the downward spiral in your life and have chosen to remain in the empty void of darkness. No one can stay happy for 24 hours and at the same time, if you don’t become happy within 24 hours, then you’re leading a sad life. Happiness is the default emotion because even after you experience those negative emotions, you can still rise above them. I doubt anyone wants those dark and negative emotions to plague them most of the time so they chose to find a way to feel happy. I also doubt anyone looks for ways to bring themselves down so happiness is the default emotion.

With this being said, I would say that anything makes me happy. But, if I were to pick the top 3 things that would make me happy, I would say schadenfreude, reading manga or watching anime, and eating food.

Happiness For Me

When asked what happiness is for me, I honestly could not think of an answer for a good 12 hours. So, since I'm just going to frustrate myself if I keep on thinking of "perfect" answers, I'll just put it simply. Happiness for me is eating pizza in an air-conditioned room, drinking soda, and playing videogames all at the same time. Well, that's one of the things that can make me happy.
Anyway, it might sound shallow but I really just feel at peace when I do that. Killing zombies with my wonderfully cute plants in one hand and then eating pizza with the other, and drinking coke, while bathing myself under the cool air of the AC. This might seem selfish but, it's happiness for me right?
The only thing that would make that better if I was doing all that with my friends. They enhance the experience by a multiple of infinity. Why? You get to share your experiences with your friends and I guess this holds true for everybody since we're all relational beings.


- Eric S. ADMIN OF THIS SITE LOL I ROX.

Random Duh-ness

Ignorance, they say, is bliss.

Let's cite an example shall we? Imagine you just spaced out. As in, super totally cricket-noises-in-your-head space out. Now, what's your default face mode? It's either of two things; you smile, which looks stupid, or you drool, which looks stupid AND is stupid. Now, let's hope your reaction's the former (you have no use for this entry if you do the latter.)

Now, let's add a bit of excitement. Say you spaced out in the middle of a game of dodgeball. Now, you smile your spaced out way, until you get spiked in the face by that 100 mi/hr dodgeball hurtling toward the air. After being dazed for a few seconds, you do either of the two things; you get mad and hurl the ball back at the thrower, and then chaos ensues; or you just smile, accept that it was just your stupidity, and go on playing. Which do you prefer? If you chose the latter, continue. If not, then, sorry I'm just wasting your time (if you chose drooling at the first part, and chaos at the second... umm... don't you have something better to do?)

Now, let's spice things up a little more. Say you spaced out, playing dodgeball, WHILE IT'S RAINING GAY ZEBRAS. Now, you do either one: you continue on with life, playing dodgeball, until the ball (lose the game) or a gay zebra (lose your life) mauls you. Or you can avoid everything (balls and zebras and all), look for for your family, run for cover, and make sure your safe before the gay zebras tear every single sane person asunder.

Now, is ignorance really bliss?

If you just drool, and not feel anything, does it help? At least when you're smiling, you just look crazy. When you drool, you just, look... umm... retarded, and you mess up your shirt as well.

If you follow thoughtless instinct and choose chaos, then, nobody's happy. Everybody goes home with nosebleed, bruises, cuts, or any combination of these. Now, if you just accept that it was your mistake, nobody gets hurt, and everybody likes you for being a sport. :D

If you continue on and ignore the raining zebras, I'M PRETTY SURE YOU DROOL WHEN YOU SPACE OUT. Because any sane person would stay away from gay zebras. Or gays. :| (I have no problem with zebras :D)

Ignorance really isn't bliss. Sometimes you have to feel. Sometimes you have to think. Sometimes you have to get hurt.

But, in the end, bliss is still bliss. :D

Jiu-Jitsu is awesome for me. The thrill, beauty and science that comprises this art just staggers me. It's thrilling because you'll grapple with an opponent in order that you may make him submit; It's beautiful because the two competitors in a bout match each other's movements to form a sort of a dance; It's scientific because the movements made are precise to be as efficient as possible. Also, there's just that special stuff about something you love that you can't explain, but that imponderable stuff is just what provides a sense of fulfillment in your passion. :)

*takes a glass and holds it upright* Well, well, well.

It's been quite a while since I've posted something worthy to be read by you, dear readers.

And now, I felt like posting. But my mind's blank, so I wouldn't really know what to post. Usually, people just go to their blogs, perhaps one with a certain theme so they can easily think of what to talk about next, and they type away.

Not I.

Actually, I should be doing my homework now. Memorizing my lines, or writing a prospect short story... but I just don't feel like it.

I never did.

Some things, you keep telling yourself that you can do it properly if you felt like doing it. I've been doing things properly recently, but I never did feel like everything's right. Today, I took notes for AP, but it only felt forced. Hell, the only reason why I found things to type now is because I intentionally put a time limit on my computer usage by not charging my battery. (I'm have less than an hour of usage as of this typing.) Yeah, I'm cramming non-schoolwork.

Something's off; I'm being told that I'm doing something wrong.

I've been exploring a lot of new stuff lately, and dudes in white lab coats tell me that pleasure centers in my brain light up when I try something new. I don't feel it.

Or rather, I ignore it in favor for want of... something. My whole being is set on achieving or getting something I myself don't know that I look past life.

I miss the past. I regret the present. I am tantalized by an impossible future.

...Today, org period, nakinig ako this time.
From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., gumagawa ako ng school stuff.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., nasa Sibol ako.
Everyday, ganyan.
Everyday, nasa school ako ng labindalawang oras. (May sleep time pa na 8 hours.)
Everyday, apat na oras na lang ang natitira sa 'kin.
Apat na oras para mag-aral.

Pamilya't kaibigan, kinalimutan.
Okay lang naman, sinuportahan naman nila yung pagkawala ng oras ko para sa buhay e.

Pero paano yung gusto ko?
'Di ako magaling na tao. Napapagod. Inaantok. Tinatamad.

Tama yung sinabi ni spokesperson namin: wala na kaming buhay.

Pero, mas tama yung sinabi niya pagkatapos noon: "The only thing you can do is smile."
(Actually, ewan ko kung sinabi niya yun. Gumuhit lang siya ng smiley sa board, baka na-imagine ko na lang na sinabi niya 'yun. Pero tama rin naman, 'di ba?)

The only thing I can do about my life is smile and live.
The least thing I can do about my life is smile and live.
The best thing I can do about my life is smile and live.

After all, pinili ko naman lahat 'to e.
I know that I don't have what I want now.
But what I do know is that it's out there.

In the victory over a vanquished foe in Dissidia?
In the exam exemptions I tell myself and everyone I am hellbent on getting?
In the dark, hot, humid theater near the entrance of the high school cafeteria?
In the retarded pranks my classmates pull on each other?
In the high-fives I receive everyday?
In the hard work the teachers put in everyday to teach us?
In the menial "Hi Kuya Bryan!"s I get from my little brother?
In the gentle meows of the cat who stays right outside my door?
In the the messenger list I stare at, while hoping someone would send me an IM of their own accord?
In the simple bass fills I play while playing songs I like?
In the comfort I try to give my friends?
In the comfort my friends give me?
In the promise of a most liberating embrace?
In the assurance of a guiding light?
In me?

Perhaps.
Lalabas at lalabas din iyan.

A perspective of love from your grandparents' eyes

For the rockers, watch this.

For those who are attracted to acoustic performances, watch this.

The song's called Alive With The Glory Of Love.

The writer, Max Bemis, wrote it for his grandparents, the story of their love.

It's about kids in love during the Jewish genocide.

This makes me happy because the honesty, courage, and the raw power the song has.

It makes me happy because I see it as a strong expression of true love.

Oh and, if you're wondering what a Treblinka is, I looked it up, it's a concentration camp.

What a Catch, Donnie

This song is both a happy song and a sad song.

I read the back story, and this song is dedicated to one of FOB's closest associates, who was sadly gunned down. The "extras" in the video (the survivors from the other boat) are actually the people who've been involved with FOB since way back.

I tell you, the medley in the end is epic. Especially if you're an FOB fan like moi.

They say this song (and video) could be FOB's farewell video to their fans (and it actually feels like one), but I'm hoping it's not.

Video couldn't be embedded per request of the video poster, so here's the magic link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fme-kzS3DuI