Let's start from scratch

I'm back! I've missed this place. After a long hiatus, it feels great to be back on this blog and sharing more of my thoughts with all of your lovely readers once again (if I have:). My time as an Executive Assitant and Email Copywriter has helped me refine what makes good content for blogs or websites in order to make them engaging enough (I hope!) and this is an avenue to also practice my content writing. I decided to restart the blog again here in Blogspot - because of all my memories here and where blogging started for me (back when Blogspot was still new). Since then there have been so many changes in-site that are not compatible anymore which made starting fresh easier than expected... but most importantly its just good fun making content without any limitations or expectations from others; sharing what's inside your heart whether it be personal thoughts , opinions about current events, or anything else under the sun. So brace yourself as you read some new material from yours truly-I'm going all out on your senses (and maybe even more)! Goodluck to me. :) Winn out.

Me. Now.

I don't owe people the person I used to be. I don't even have to talk to people who are speaking to the old me. If you want to drag the old me out, sorry not sorry but I've already left that person behind. I've gone from weakness to strength, so i don't owe a show of my former self to someone who just can't wrap their head around my change. 

.winnielaurie.

Frillywood: " The Big C "

Laura Linney as Catherine "Cathy" Jamison. Cathy is a high school teacher who, at the start of the series, had been recently diagnosed with fatal cancer. Reluctant to burden her family and friends with the news, she keeps it a secret for months. She does reveal her illness to neighbor and friend Marlene. Her behavior dramatically changes as she begins to make reckless choices in the face of oncoming death. These include kicking her husband out of the house, spending money on an expensive car and having an affair. She befriends Andrea, an obese and mouthy student. Desperate to make sure her teenage son is on the right path before she dies, she unintentionally drives a rift between them. She ends her affair when it is exposed, and allows her husband to move back in after finally revealing to him that she is sick. She gives Sean Marlene's house, that she left for Cathy in her will. She decides to undergo a treatment with great risks because she wants to live.

I love this show. The story really touched me because our family is stricken with the big C. Cancer really sucks but it kept me thinking what if we are given a chance to know when to die? While watching the season finale, it kept me thinking what's in the mind of all the cancer victims? My brother. My Mom. It pains me to think but Cathy, Laura Linney's character, did a great job thinking about her son even if she's gone. The most touching scene was Adam's scene. While his mother is in the hospital getting treatment, he discovers a key to a storage locker that is filled with hundreds of gifts for his future birthdays, holidays and major life events. He realizes his mother is not going to live very long and has a break down. Great job by Gabriel Basso.

I really cried. Nothing much to say, this show affected me and i'm really speechless on what came on my mind. Kudos to this show. Winn out.

HaloHalong Huwebes: "THANKSGIVING"

We don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in the Phil, however, for us call center agents, it's seems lika a holiday too because we are receiving few calls that day. Hope we could celebrate it too so that we would be able to shop for turkeys nyaha. According to Wiki,Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. While it may have been religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday. It is sometimes casually referred to as Turkey Day.

Interesting. For me, we should be celebrating Thanksgiving daily, or just say thanks to the One above always. Even with no turkeys and pies and stuffs, saying Thanks to whatever we have is thanksgiving enough. Life isn't about having what we want, but wanting what we have. We should always be grateful to our Maker who provides all that we need. Bountiful harvest indeed.I think God gave us WAY more than enough than we really need. He gave us his eternal love and thats more than we deserve. Happy Thanksgiving always!



Psalm 100 (KJV)
"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

Baguio World Wednesday: "PAYONG"

I always love Original Baguio Music. I have friends in the industry and I've heard a lot of compositions from them and dreamt of producing an all acoustic Baguio album. Will be praying for this one and hopefully someday it will prosper.

I've heard this song years ago and it was one of my favorites that was played in the radio, I forgot all about it and suddenly thought about it when it rained days ago. I've searched it in YouTube and voila..it is there. I don't know this band personally but I really admire them, the song is really catchy it can go mainstream. Go go go Baguio musikeros! Byers peeps. Winn Out.



PAYONG....

by Ceres

ako ba ang nais mong sukuban?

ako ba ang nais mong hagkan?

pag-ibig ko ba ang nais makamtan?

ikaw ay aking papayungan

sa lahat ng bagyong darating sa iyong buhay,

nandito lang ako

susubukang mabihag ang puso mo
sa payong ng pagmamahal ko
hanggang sa mapagod ako
sa kakapayong sayo

Pr 3:13-18

 ¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom, 
   those who gain understanding, 
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver 
   and yields better returns than gold. 
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies; 
   nothing you desire can compare with her. 
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand; 
   in her left hand are riches and honor. 
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways, 
   and all her paths are peace. 
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; 
   those who hold her fast will be blessed.

Amazing God

Its been so long since ive blogged, but ive been wanting to i just dont know how to start.
Im not a good writer but im trying to. Im not expressive but im opinionated.
I thought it was my worst year, because of family's health reasons, financially unstable, unwanted jobs, and abrupt decisions that led to filed up lies and distracted mind. But here's the thing, it is great because ive surrendered and gave my life to God. The Father. The Son. The Holy Spirit. Amazing.

Christian. Born Again. Yes. I am. Living a life with Jesus. And here's my stand, Its not changing my religion, it never was. But an encounter with Him. A relationship that I was looking for a long time that i thought ill find with somebody else turned out to be there all the time. Always. Yes indeed, He is my life now. I worship Him above all. Thank you Lord for the love. In You alone I place my trust. I Love You.

"Puno't Dagat" (Stills By Winn 4)

Hi Peoplehood.

Sharing you my set 4 of shots taken in Benguet, Zambales, Quezon City and Laguna wherein i captured trees and sea images. Background music is an original Baguio composition performed by Area 51. Entitled "Tiwalang Muli", words and music by Owat Carantes. Till the next stills and sounds. Byers Peeps. Winn Out.

STILLS BY WINN (Daang Norte Noong Oktubre)

STILLS BY WINN (Singapore)

STILLS BY WINN

BATTLING LUNG CANCER

Hi Peeps.

Whew. Been months since ive posted a blog. Know why? i freakin don't know. Nyahaha. Well, basically because i've been busy with work and i'm quite tired when i go home and my mind is not working and all i do is listen to my music and READ READ READ... my books, my fave blogs and news since i havent had time to watch tv in a regular hours wherein todays news is already summarized haha. Im updated though, since internet is like my connection to the whole world. i really mean all. nyahah. anyways, aside from my work, its been a roller coaster tough rough months for my family. i wont blog regarding music as of now cause i want to share a story about my brother.

My first blog here at blogspot is about my Dad who passed away 9 months ago. 2 months after that, my eldest brother was diagnosed with a rare type of lung cancer, Bronchiolovascular Carcinoma, its usually for neverbeen smokers according to wikipedia. My family is facing another fatal disease. My brother who was diagnosed in another country came home to have a lobectomy since its the recommended procedure so that the cancer wont spread. It was done immediately and one fourth of his lung was removed.After the operation, Intravenous Chemotherapy was advised. After talking to an oncologist, we were quite shock because there are 3 rates for chemotherapy wherein it ranges from 8k to 70k per cycle for the medicines alone meaning with all professional fees and hospitalization, we'll be spending around 120k per cycle. We went to Lung Center Manila for a second opinion, its still the same rates, however, the resident oncologists made it lower by helping us getting discounts so the chemo sessions per cycle wil be lower, with the best medicines for chemo, professional fees and hospitalizations, and his main oncologist even made it easy by suggesting that the next chemo sessions will already be in Baguio..and all that for 70k per cycle, every 21 days. Its still expensive but we know that it will be the best for my bro.

My main concern here is that, its just so sad that people who was diagnosed with this sickness have no other options regarding the chemotherapy (Its like you-can-have-the-best-medicine-if-you-have-money). I also went to pcso to ask help for medicines and i met a lot of people whose seeking help mostly cancer and dialysis patients, most of them also seeked help from the senators and other politicians and sadly, the highest they can get is around 1k. It took me a day to process the first and second step, almost 1 month for a claiming it and thats just 1 gram of my bro's meds and for a cycle(every 21 days), he needs 4 grams. Ive talked to a lot of patients and patients relatives there that it pains me to see and hear that a lot of them is very hard up even for the the lowest rate of chemo drugs. Kami nga na kahit papanu may pagkukuhanan e nahihirapan, paano na lang sila? I wish and hope that the government will focus more on providing better medicines for the poor especially this kind of sickness wherein even the most health conscious, healthy living human can be diagnosed. I wish more foundations, Cancer organizations and free best medicines will be put up so that patients who cant afford the best medicine possible can have it free. In the near future, ill be wanting to put up a cancer foundation, ill just analyze, think and plan how i can start and how to do it but definitely ill do something about it.

My brother's gone through 4 cycles of chemotherapy and cleared after 4 months. It was a long, hard process but with Dad's guidance Up above and God's greatness, we battled cancer. My brother's under remission now and we will keep on praying for a healthy life for all of us. The Light Is Always Up peeps. All we have to do is always turn it on. To God be the Glory. Byers Peeps. Winn Out.

IM INLOVE WITH GAVIN DEGRAW

Hi Peoplehood.

Sorry took me awhile to follow up my "supposedly" music blog. I planned to feature daily my favorite musicians that i've heard in my tv series soundtrack madness but i've been to job hunt this past days, got in and started immediately and thank God its a weekend off, got to do what i had to do. Whew! And back to my featured artist for today...and its Gavin Degraw!

To those who haven't heard him, he's the voice behind One Tree Hill's opening credits..." I don't want to be anything other than what i've been tryin' to be lately....." see?? i bet if you're a Tree Hill fan you'll be singing the line now nyahah.

After hearing Degraw in that song, ive been a fan since then. Followed up his career and liked his other songs too. Gavin Degraw is a songwriter and musician from New York, plays piano and guitar. As mentioned, he got his big break singing the theme song for One Tree Hill and also appeared in the show for several times. His songs since then are always in the US billboards and also had nominations in some award shows and had hit albums, concerts and singles. " Im Inlove With a Girl" which was released last year is an upbeat song that has a spice of rap in it, arrangement is superb. Gavin Degraw's music is always alive and unpredictable. You wont know what's the next note cause every stanza or even every sentence is different from the other stanza, but still you can sing along with him .. Sorry cant seem to explain it, but its like the feeling of being in a discohouse wherein you dont know whats the next track. whoosh!! sorry dont know how to elaborate it still nyahah. Eventhough his voice is not as good as a real singer is, i can see passion and soul and the uniqueness that you can distinguish from other musicians. I also noticed that his lyrics is his story, but not 100% sure of that though. He's very cute too oohhhh. He was also awarded as Neon Limelight's Number 1 male vocalist of 2008! Cool huh! Here's one of my fave single "I Have You To Thank". Ooohh loving Gavin Degraw more!!! Byers Peeps. Winn Out.

I'M JUST ANOTHER PETE YORN'S GIRL

Hi Peoplehood.

I've been sulking for days now and i really need to retract it so what i did was to play music nonstop or watch a tv series marathon so i could plant good thoughts and keep me sane nyahah. Since i'm in my music/tv mode, i want to share some of my favorite musicians that ive discovered thru the tv shows  i've watched  cause im really into soundtracks eversince i've heard Chantal Kreviazuk sang "Feels Like Home" in Dawsons Creek (cheesy?yeah. ive been there. :) Thank God for the internet i can easily search for the title's track or artists now, unlike then, i have to buy tons of music magazines just to look for a certain artist, song lyrics and most of the time i cant even find it. Pete Yorn is one. 

I first heard Pete Yorn in one of the episodes of Dawsons Creek but i had a hard time looking for the track even the artist cause i thought it was R.E.M. who sang it. That was i think the late 90's and the next time i heard it again was the first season of Veronica Mars and its already 2006. The title was "Just Another". I love the song much i never get tired of hearing it. His voice do sound like REM's Michael Stipe, just lighter... warmer...a different twang and of course he's more goodlooking. He's toured with REM though along with Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Semisonic among others. Unknown to me, he was already one of the 10 to watch back in 2001. Ive listened to his other songs and was amazed in his songwriting skills. He has this certain depth that i can't describe whenever i analyze his lyrics. He's very good in expressing his thought thru his music. Sad to say, i wasnt able to follow his career earlier, maybe im not in my music mode then i have no idea who he is but its okay, music never fades and Pete Yorn's musicality will always be admired by me. Brilliant. Here's videos of my favorite Pete Yorn song.Sorry, i cant  find an official video of "Just Another" and cant embed his videos and i really want to include it in my post so i just chose a video with Logan & Veronica of Veronica Mars. Byers Peeps. Winn Out.

SCOTT MCINTYRE: NO FEAR

Hi Peoplehood.

 

American Idol Season 8 begins! Yipee to all AI fans like me. I'll be glued to the tv every wednesday and thursday again. Audition week started last wednesday and im sure all of you who watched the premiere already have bets. As for me, Scott Mcintyre is my next American Idol. He's the blind guy pianist who sang Elton John and it really gave me goosebumps. He also had a kidney transplant but didn't lose courage. I admire his passion for music and never giving up his dreams. At this point of my life wherein i don't know where to start and depression is getting into me, knowing his story and hearing him sing lifts me up. Either he wins or not in  Idol, I know for sure he'll be big this year. Nothing much to say but surely i'll follow his journey to stardom... just watch this videos of him singing "no fear" and "like a bird". I've also included the " no fear" lyrics, i just hope i got it right cause i cant find the lyrics in the net. Very very soulful and inspiring... watch out.You might cry... i did. Byers Peeps. Winn out

NO FEAR by Scott Mcintyre

 

and when we feel incredible fear

let us reckon that He's always near

did you ever think to say a word in prayer

you know that He will hear

 

and when we feel incredible fear

let us not shed one single tear

even when the road is narrow and confused

you know He'll make it clear

 

now that i know that

its gonna be alright tonight

he's watching with his eyes

i have no fear coz He's always near 

to me he's right here by my side

 

i am afraid

when im lost at sea

and i cant be brave, no no

when i trust in me

these are the times in which 

i called in Him the most

i know He sets me free

 

 a lonely wonderer

walkin on in fear

fearing fear itself 

you conquered it

and rose again

what is to fear

 

REDISCOVERING BAGUIO

Hi Peoplehood.

Panagbenga, The Flower Festival in Baguio City is fast approaching. Held every February and the festival runs for a month. Baguio is my beloved hometown and i'm quite proud that eventhough it was as not as green as before due to modernization, Baguio was still one of the well-loved tourist spot in the country. During the holiday season last December, 150,000 tourist flooded the city so you can just imagine the traffic, whew. I had a chance to rediscover Baguio last Panagbenga festival because my friends from Manila came to visit me and i was "forced" to tour them around the city. It's been a long time since i've toured the tourist spots in Baguio so i was as excited as my visitors were. We went to Wright PArk, The Mansion, Camp Johnhay, Botanical Garden, Burnham Park and my forever favorite spot, Tam-awan Village in Quezon Hill, its where Baguio artists display their paints. There's a lot to see in this little village. So cool. There's a still a lot to see in Baguio like the restaurants(the famous among Cordillerans is the Good Taste Restaurant at the back of Center Mall, quite cheap and lot of servings) and coffee shops (Kape Diperensya and Cafe by the Ruins for instance, great coffee here peeps). I'll try to do an issue about the best restaurants, coffee shops, bars and other places in Baguio next time. And if ever you're in Baguio, don't forget to visit the SM viewdeck. Be sure you're there around 5-6 pm so you could see the sunset, its breathtaking. And SM Baguio is the most unique and i think, the most beautiful SM so far in the Philippines, its located on top of the hill and viewdecks were made so you can see some spots in the city. Here's some pics we had during Panagbenga 2008. Sorry some pics are quite blurd. Cant wait for the next Panagbenga this Feb, let the flowers bloom! Byers Peeps.Winn Out.

HAPPY 2009!

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