Thinking About Thoughts: June 2014

Monday, June 30, 2014

Zup?

Who would have thought that June have passed so fast? I can still remember how awesome that month was. Sadly, it’s all gone now. All that’s left are the memories of the past 30 days.

I would like to give you some recap of my blessed month. For the record, June is my birth month. I’ve received tons of gifts, tangible and intangible, all throughout the month. Wanna have a glimpse of them? Just continue reading. *wink

June 1 – Home Sweet Home!

In my previous blog, my readers knew that I traveled back to my hometown for my birthday celebration. We arrived at 6am, all tired and crap. It was a long and winding journey, you know. Twelve hours of travel is pretty much exhausting.

That afternoon, I attended the youth fellowship at our church. Their warm smiles and hugs made me long for more of their presence. I can’t wait to be with them again. I wanted to join the music team again. Please I beg you my Lord! Make a way! In God’s time! ^_^

June 2 – Happy birthday to me!

Photo posted on my FB page during my birthdate. :D Such a crazy morning...

Aside from my birthday, that’s the date when Audie and I are officially together again. Well, it was my idea. He just agreed.

It’s not a grand celebration, but I am so happy to be with my family on that special day. It’s not like the old times, when I spend most of the time at a mall and ate at a fine dining restaurant. Makes me feel how I missed those people I’ve abandoned for so long.

June 6 – The Reunion

"No hard drinks for the kids." At Graceland with the two lovely ladies. :D

They’ve been very busy with their lives, yet I am so happy to have some time with Grace and Ainie. They were my closest friends during my high school and college days. It was hours of talking, reminiscing, and laughing. It’s just refreshing to be with them. No stress. No pressure. I enjoy being the old me. :)

June 8 – Baby Love

Photo courtesy of Audie's FB profile. :D

We had a chance to bond again after a week of being apart. As usual, our days were full of fun, laughter, bluffs, and love.

A week passed already, but I’m still on a state of shock. Who would have thought the man who used to disregard me would come back and fix things between us? It was really amazing! It was one of the best birthday present that I had!

We might be facing various problems and issues today, but we know we could surpass all of them. Aja! ^_^

June 15 – New Housemate

Yes. My sister’s boyfriend is my new housemate. Well, he’s planning to move out by next week. Hmm. I’m still waiting for his final decision. ;)

June 24 – New Blog

Hello blogspot. :D

I started this blog, “Thinking about Thoughts” last 24^th of June. At first, I wanted to separate my non-sense posts with my crafts, but then I thought it’s already time to stay clear of those internet trolls who’ve been pestering me for the previous months. Hello “a-bit-of” privacy! :D

I am also planning to post my stories here, but I don’t have much time to translate the Tagalog ones to English. I badly need more time. :)

Oh wait! I won't end this post without acknowledging my new favorite telenovela, My Love From A Star. :D

So..

I just shared some of the highlights of the month. I guess I don’t want to talk about office stress ‘cause it might ruin the celebration of the post. Uh? I said that already, right? Hmm. Never mind.

I am so excited for my July adventures! I just hope all those planned quests would be pursued. Hehe! Let’s start with my Daranak adventure this weekend! Woohoo! Excited much! :D

That’s all for today. I’ll just start the translations and post a story tomorrow.

Ciao!

Love,

Huntress

Friday, June 27, 2014

OBJECTION!

It’s been a crazy week fellas. I am so happy to say, “Thank God it’s Friday!” Now, all I have to think about is my weekend getaway and how to get adequate rests for the next week. And yeah, add those household chores that I have to finish by Saturday afternoon. Boom! XD

My chores aren’t the main concern of this post ‘cause honestly I can’t object to any of my tasks to do since nobody has to do it for me. This post will talk about some legal concerns I’ve been hearing for the past few days.

Bigstock image

Let me start with one of the most common cases in our society today. It is sexual abuse. It’s been really encouraging to see lots of people, men and women, who’ve been courageous enough to share their experiences. I understand how hard it feels to talk about it, especially because I’ve been abused also. Whatever kind of abuse you’ve experienced, you’ll definitely feel so broken, ashamed, and belittled.

As the number of victims grew, lots of support groups are also making their move to save the lives of the victims. Others pull them out of their houses, force them to leave their work where they’ve been abused, or keep them until they recovered from the incident. With those volunteers who are helping the nation, I am so sure that there’ll come a day when victims aren’t hidden and criminals are jailed.

Another case is robbery. It’s been a year since my boarding house was robbed. We never knew who did that; who caused all the trouble in our minds while we’re at a team building in Laguna. My friend, the one who lost important documents due to the incident, has received a new copy of all the important data stored at that pink traveling bag.

In this connection, I’ve heard lots of complains about police visibility. People have been asking where the cops were in times of need. I hope you’ll also understand that all those cops have families to come home to, and children that needs their parents even before they fell asleep. We should understand that their capabilities are limited, and they’re not superheroes with extra powers to serve everyone simultaneously. While other cops aren’t doing their job properly, others are trying so hard to maintain their good reputation for the sake of their families.

A fan of the People’s Champ? If yes, I know you’ve heard of the tax evasion case filed by the BIR against him. At first I thought it was just a joke, but there were lots of news that talked about it. Even his tax records at the US we’re also shown through different media.

In my opinion, there should be a thorough investigation before filling that case against him. Everyone knows where he got all his wealth. It was the product of his determination, tough trainings, and painful fight. He has lots of commercials, and also released an album. They have a family business, too. I don’t exactly know what was happening at the systems of BIR, but I am hoping that the case was already closed. Well, hope it was in favor of the people’s champ.

Lastly, defamation cases. I’ve heard lots of these in show business, where people have been waiting for a celeb’s statement about issues and controversies. Well, even ordinary people have been sued ‘cause of gossips and false accusations. The worst thing I’ve known was the involvement of fiction writers in a libel case. What?

Imagination is the bread and butter of a writer. They create stories through their imagination. They compose poems through their thoughts and ideas which are sometimes out of the ordinary. They live in fantasies, assumptions, and creativity. Sadly, not everyone could understand its sense.

According to my researches, libel is “the act of publishing a false statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone”¹

So, the final question is: “Could A Writer Be Liable for Libel in Fiction?”

According to Mark Fowler, “You do not libel someone simply by depicting him or her in fictional circumstances. Libel requires a false and defamatory statement of fact "of and concerning" an identifiable living person (or business entity). If real people are depicted in your work only as engaging in acts they actually engaged in, there is no "falsity." If real people are depicted in your work only as engaging in acts that are not at all untoward, there is no reasonable claim for that your work is "defamatory." (Of course, your model's view of whether he or she has been held up to shame and ridicule may differ markedly from yours.) Finally, if readers would not understand the statements you are making about your fictional character to be statements about a real person, then the statements are not "of and concerning" that person.”²

“Again, don't over-sweat this. Libel in fiction is an infrequent problem and one that can be readily avoided with some advance thought about how you are using real-life models for your fictional characters. Far more challenging and more common is the problem of reducing the risks of a defamation action arising from a tell-all memoir”³

I guess that would be enough to stop bullying those writers who were just doing their hobbies, their jobs, and their journals. I’ve read too many stories and I assumed they’re all about me. Well, I guess that’s because I can relate to the character’s situation or characteristics. But in the end, I do understand that it’s just a work of art. Just a work of their special intellect as a writer.

Cases are all around us and sometimes, we can’t notice them. I’ve been ignoring my law class when I was still in college, but I’ve learned one thing that we should never forget. Law guides our nation, but then there’s always an exemption.

Thanks for reading!

Love,

Huntress

Sources:

1 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/libel

2 http://www.rightsofwriters.com/2010/12/could-i-be-liable-for-libel-in-fiction.html

3 http://www.rightsofwriters.com/2010/12/could-i-be-liable-for-libel-in-fiction.html

For further reading:

http://www.wikihow.com/Sue-for-Defamation

Thursday, June 26, 2014

#TBT: Youth Cell Group

Being part of a cell group helps a lot when you’re just beginning your Christian life. You’ll have someone to talk to when you’ve persecuted. You’ll have someone to confide when you’ve been confused and troubled. Somebody out there would stay with you through thick and thin. Life is a better place when you’re a member.

Allow me to share my experience when I was still a simple member. I attend the Sunday service. I was never late. With my cousins, I also attend our youth fellowship. With my new friends, I was enjoying my life. I was contented. I never cared if I don’t have the so-called “life” as long as I am staying at the church’s premises.

Weeks passed and the music director asked me if I could join the choir. Why would I refuse? I’ve always wanted to be a part of the team, singing praises with joy and thankfulness. At the same time, I love the lessons shared to us every Friday and Saturday night. It helped a lot in my development as a Christian youth.

Months have passed, and I was given another task. I was part of the enlistment team during the Valentine’s Party. I’ve been assigned as a host. I feel so useful. I feel so important. I feel very blessed. I feel I am rightfully chosen.

One Sunday morning, I saw my name listed as a reporter for our dawn prayer. I am so nervous. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do the task. I’ve been more troubled when I saw the chapter; it consists of the names of a specific clan. I am so troubled. How am I gonna explain that? Hmm. I think I studied the chapter for a month, and I delivered it nicely. That’s what they’ve said.

All those assignments happened again and again. I was assigned to preside our Midweek service. I was assigned to lead the opening prayers and offertory prayers. I feel so blessed and useful. I am so happy to serve the church in those little ways.

Until I was given a bigger task: Be the vice president. It’s kinda awkward, since I don’t think the promotion is right. I’m not worth it – that’s what I usually say to myself. But things have worked out right. My ideas have been heard. My suggestions have been considered. My thoughts have been talked about.

I’ve been given committees to lead, events to organize, and tasks to be done.

I feel so special.

WARNING: PHOTO OVERLOAD!