A Genius Bids Farewell

A GENIUS BIDS FAREWELL

If for an instant God were to forget that I am a rag doll and gifted me
with a piece of life, possibly I wouldn't say all that I think, but
rather I would think of all that I say.


I would value things, not for their worth but for what they mean. I
would sleep little, dream more, understanding that for each minute we
close our eyes we lose sixty seconds of light.

I would walk when others hold back, I would wake when others sleep. I
would listen when others talk, and how I would enjoy a good chocolate
ice cream! If God were to give me a piece of life, I would dress
simply, throw myself face first in the sun, baring not only my body but
also my soul.

My God, if I had a heart, I would write my hate on ice, and wait for
the sun to show. Over the stars I would paint with a Van Gogh, dream a
Benedetti poem, and a Serrat song would be the serenade I'd offer to
the moon.

With my tears I would water roses, to feel the pain of their thorns,
and the red kiss of their petals!

My God, if I had a piece of life, I wouldn't let a single day pass
without telling people I love that I love them.

I would convince each woman and each man that they are my favorites,
and I would live in love with love. I would show men how very wrong
they are to think that they cease to be in love when they grow old, not
knowing that they grow old when they cease to be in love!

To a child I shall give wings, but I shall let him learn to fly on his
own.

I would teach the old that death does not come with old age, but with
forgetting. So much have I learned from you, oh men!

I have learned that everyone wants to live on the peak of the mountain,
without knowing that real happiness is in how it is scaled.

I have learned that when a newborn child squeezes for the first time
with his tiny fist his father's finger, he has him trapped forever.

I have learned that a man has the right to look down on another only
when he has to help the other get to his feet.

From you I have learned so many things, but in truth they won't be of
much use, for when I keep them within this suitcase, unhappily shall I
be dying.

I hope you dance

I HOPE YOU DANCE
by Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

Bagong Taon 2005

Dumaan na ang 2004. Lumipas na ang nakaraan. Hayaan ninyong gunitain ko ang mga nangyaring mahalaga sa nakalipas na buwan:

Disyembre 2004
Sa antas institusyunal
- nagkaroon ng bagong presidente ang Ateneo de Davao University, si Padre Antonio S. Samson, S.J. (presidente rin siya ng Xavier University);
- naging Asst. Dean ng School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) si Elvi Tamayo;
- naging Dean ng SAS si Dr. Regina Q. Pimentel;
- nailimbag sa unang pagkakataon ng ADDU Planner sa tulong nina Igy Castrillo, Pam Castrillo, Bobby Ching at Ali Figueroa;
- naging matagumpay ang 2004 Alumni Homecoming sa "The Venue";
- napirmahan ang bagong CBA sa pagitan ng pamantasan at ng unyon;


Sa antas na personal
- nagkita kami ni Tonette (Lapus), kaibigan noong nasa ADMU pa;
- narinig kong magpapakasal na si Geoderick E. Carbonel ngayong ika-5 ng Enero 2005;
- may batch reunion ang Philo/ Pre-Div 1993 sa Baguio (sayang di ako makakapunta;
- nakausap ko na rin si Joanne Jesena (pamangkin ni Fr. JJ Jesena), kaibigan rin;
- nagkita rin kami ni Dr. Ginny Ann Bacaltos sa Ateneo Alumni Homecoming;
- naging masaya ang pagsasalo ng mga kamag-anak sa Puan kasam ang mga Balagtas at Salaver
- nagkita rin kami ng doktor ko noong college kung nagkakasakit ako, si Fr. Manny de Belen, SJ;
- nakapunta ako sa Xavier University, nakilala si Custard;
- naranasan ko na rin ang Maria Cristina falls, ang Tinago Falls (na isinara na dahil nalugi, balita ko ang Land Bank of the Philippines na ang may-ari);
- nakita na rin si Fr. Cal Poulin, S.J. (dating SD sa San Jose), Fr. George Esguerra, S.J. (dating Dean ng ADDU), Fr. Nil Guillemit, S.J. (dating guro sa Greek); Fr. Terry Barcelon, S.J. (dating presidente ng ADDU);
- nagkita rin ang mga Josefino sa kaarawan ng anak ni Nonoy Tomacruz kahapon, Jan 2, 2005 sa Harana: sina Toots Bunachita at ang anak na si Aedan, si Paul Pernia at ang asawa, sina Jon at Salve Gales kasama ang anak na si Diwani Maria "Diwa", si Tristan at Pinky Pineda kasama si Colette;