For his 27th birthday on the 10th of August, my brother and Lavinia took my parents and I to this reallygreat place to eat.
He described it as, "Somewhere none of us have ever been before." And gosh, was he right.
In a good way, though! I actually have a big liking for Indian food. And I don't just mean mamak-at-three-in-the-morning kind of Indian food, but actual and authentic Indian cuisine. My dad, I think, is the same. He's willing to try a lot of new things, even though both of my parents are in the rut of going to the same restaurants (it's chinese or japanese food every weekend - but I'm not complaining!) And so my point is that my dad was open to the restaurant my brother took me too. My mom, on the other hand, isn't too fond of Indian food, sadly to say. But my brother, Lavinia, and my dad still think she had quite a good time. Who wouldn't, anyway? The food was so good!
Presenting... PASSAGE THRU INDIA. *sorry for the blurry photos!*
Authentic Indian cuisine!
When you walk in, (or even simply see the restaurant's entrance) you are immediately engulfed in beautiful art bragging off of the walls, beautiful mauve and luscious red-toned cloths draping from the sides, soothing music, ornaments and lamps glowing a smooth beige light, and the smell of good newly-cooked food.
My brother and Lavinia already ordered for us, while my parents and I were settling in our seats. You really do feel like you're in India when you're inside - except for all the chinese or mixed people sitting at the back. (Yes there's a wide variety of people who eat at that restaurant! And it's even been presented in a few of the newspapers - proudly framed and shown off on the walls.) But as we were getting settled, we got into a comfortable discussion about - what was it again?
I forgot the majority of it because I was so focused on the food..
But this was what we ordered - we had mango lassi (is that how you spell it?) but kept adding ice because it was just that sweet! And we shared three different types of naan (again, please forgive my spelling) as well as lamb with this nice mint sauce, butter chicken with this rich sauce, beef covered with yet another rich sauce, a nice mix of rice and some vegetables... and wow, I was so full by the end of it.
But then in the end, I discovered something new! At the end of some meals, indian restaurants (or restaurants in india as a better way to perhaps describe it) have this little - what is it, herb? - as a sort of mint to finish off the meal. Due to my bad memory, I forgot the name.. but it was a good experience! It tasted pretty sweet with a crunchy feel to it - at the same time, feeling cold but tangy. Not like any mint i've ever had! But I enjoyed everything that night. (:
Someone I know, someone very lovely, has been unfortunately diagnosed with this disease...
Please, pray for her and the family - for the pain to subside, and for all our hearts to ease. She needs all the faith and happiness that we can get; and because she deserves it.
Some excerpts from the email I received.
"...diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a very rare disease occurring in only one out of a million people per year. The equivalent in animals is mad cow disease. I immediately googled CJD on my phone, and found that it is "a degenerative neurological (brain) disease and is incurable and invariably fatal" and the median duration till death is 4-6 months. The symptoms are rapidly progressive dementia, memory loss, personality changes, hallucinations, and physical problems like speech impairment, jerky movements, balance and motor dysfunction, rigid posture and seizures. Some people succumb after just a few weeks. My niece said that eventually the patient becomes a vegetable and lastly literally forgets how to breathe.
"But sometimes, she would establish eye contact and look pleadingly into my eyes, and all I could say was "you're ok, we love you and are praying for you". She also managed a wee smile when Sofia, her one and only grandchild, arrived and sang to her.
"We don't know how much she can still understand or hear, perhaps she is going in and out of consciousness. But we are comforted by the thought that she is spiritually very ready. One of the last activities she had before the symptoms came was a closed door retreat. She is also very close to Mama Mary, and she is Opus Dei."
God is the Author of Life, and we surrender to him.
I can see it everyday; with the way my parents smile at each other, the way my family will pray for family members when they're sick, when my friends get texts from their boyfriends and they light up, the way my friends and I will laugh over each other's silly nonsense, the way love is portrayed in movies and literature... and even the way my cat will stroke against my legs after I've fed him.
Most of us don't even realise all the love we're exposed to or even really witness. It is so simple though. All one has to do is ignore all the hatred, negativity, or awfulness that comes around. And to see - really see - all the love that electrifies between people, animals, and objects. I swear it'll make you feel better. Which is why I'm going to do that from now on.
I guess that what I'm really trying to get at is the fact that people make such a big deal out of everything - and it is incredibly stupid (not to mention annoying). Of course I've done so as well, countless of times, but I always find myself regretting it afterwards. And people (again, I too am guilty of this) ridiculously complain or worry too much about the littlest things. Isn't this stupid? Firstly, complaining a little is okay - pain on your body, worried about a test, etc. - but there's a proper time to do so. Or rather, proper things to complain or worry about. And most people complain for the wrong things..
Most people, especially my schoolmates, see me as this really calm person. I won't freak out over tests or exams, if I have a really strict teacher next I won't complain, or if I do something that could get me in trouble, I won't be all girly or whiny about it. [Life is about risks anyway!] Not that I haven't been freaked out over school things, of course I have, it's just that I will rarely do this. The reason why I do this is because I know that I'm going to be okay. I am a blessed person; extremely fortunate to have such sweet family members, phenomenal friends, a beautiful home, a full education.. the list goes on. Luckily i've realised this, and I'm fully aware that there is so much beauty and wonder in the world, too much to waste time being angry and upset. In short, I'm forunate enough to not have any close people/relatives suffering from a fatal disease, to have all my limbs, to not have to worry about food everyday, and to just have so much love from people around me.
I think people should realise just how fortunate they are - and just how happy they can be. (We all deserve to be happy, anyway.)
Have you ever walked around a shopping mall, and noticed that only two in about every 50 people you see will be smiling? It's a random question I know - but it's just something I've realised. And not just in malls even, practically anywhere you go you'll see such sullen, serious faces. Why is this? Especially when there's so much good in the world, absolutely so much love and happiness? I think it's because, like I said earlier, we focus too much on the bad stuff, and never enough on the good..
So please, anyone who might be reading this - do yourself a favor, (and me, as well as the rest of the world for that matter) and try to focus on all the love and joy that surrounds you, which you were blessed enough to have in the first place. And don't ever forget to realise just how happy you deserve to be.
I just discovered yet another incredible artist.. JOSH KELLEY
[And it took me this long?!]
(aka Katherine Heigl's husband. Poor guy, being labelled like that a lot... Ah well.)
This is the picture of his most recent album, Special Company. He's also had several other albums such as Just Say the Word,Almost Honest, and For the Ride Home. And they've been around for years - and i've only just been exposed to his music?! Edghad - this is another one of those self-realisation moments, where I've just learned that I must expose myself more to music and different artists. Although i'll admit that I do have a certain style with the music I listen to - mainly, mellow-ish lovey dovey, guitar + nice voice kind of thing. (But don't get me wrong! I've got a broad sense of music style, I just prefer listening to this kind of music at this kind of time!) Let me explain:
Firstly, thank you thankkk yoouu Kristi for sending me the songs! It wasn't only until now though, that I went on YouTube and actually listened to them, watched the videos, and searched up the lyrics. And okay yeah, I'm aware that everyone in this world always somehow gets the song to relate to themselves, (and that's kinnddda the point of music right? and why we like certain songs so much? because we want it to be about us..? agh. selfish, egotistical people we are. tsk tsk.) But i'll admit that I find some of these songs related to me - or rather, how I feel about a certain someone...
Of course I love all my friends and family so much. But it's just that it's 4:32am as I type this, just AAA. (Yes, triple A again!) And if any of you forgot what it means well, that's okay. Perhaps it's better off that you don't know what it means. (:
And so here I am being quite emo, thinking about everything that just happened tonight. So what I'm doing now is a little soul-soothing with some good music. Yesiree! Just me, some good music, and the soft twinkling lights against the assuring night sky... oh, and not forgetting the recap of the fighting, shouting, crying, insults, sorrys, swearings, and hurtful words (but a few forgiving words too!) that keep replaying over and over and over again in my mind.. Oh gosh, I better not be going crazy for real..!
But all is good now in irisbautistaland.
**AUTHOR'S NOTE: IF YOU ARE ANYONE BUT MARK, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE POST AND AHEAD TO THE MUSIC PART. SKIP THIS WHOLE HEARTPOURING-EMO-HOPEFUL-LOVEYDOVEY-MESSAGE INTENDED FOR MARK. THANK YOU. (: **
With the big chance that you are reading this M, I really am sorry. These past few days have really been quite crazy, huh? For the both of us, too. I didn't mean to act the way I have been lately - overbearing, crazyjealous, and just plain stupid.. please forgive me? And I know you didn't mean those hurtful words, nor to let out your anger on me. (Though I do deserve it.) But - sigh - it really is just us two reacting to each other. We kind of make it worse haha! I think what we need is both of us to just be more calm and not let the other person get to us so much. We're way too easily affected.. But especially me. And i'm sorry for this! I do mean it when I say, however, when I say that I will change and become better. I'm committed to this. And perhaps this really is a phase. This whole attitude of mine. Perhaps it's the stress of school, and the being-so-unproductive-with-work-and-body kind of thing. Or perhaps it's just the estrogen.
But either way, you and I both know that we can become much better people. I know I can be anyway - and I plan on becoming better for not only you and my friends, but also for myself. It's what you, me, and everyone else deserves. A more pleasant me. (:
And so, I really do know that things will get better though. It always does. I have complete faith in this. I love you so very much my darling.
** OKAY, you can stop skipping now. The music part starts here! **
So these are the three favourite songs of mine (so far) along with their videos.
This one's called, Amazing. And I think it's so cute how the couple fights *eh hem* throughout the video, but then it becomes all romantic and sweet. I also love how Kelley's songs aren't too emotionally sad, but rather upbeat and romantic in it's happy and carefree way. Behh, just see for yourself.
His songs can really console you during not-so-easy-relationship times. It does for me, anyway. (:
"You paint a picture on the wall
Cause you've got a lot to tell me
But you don't think you could say it better oh baby
You're bringing up times I can't recall
And I'm sure they made your point
But I just can't seem to remember yeah
And I know you've got the feeling
And I can't say I'm agreeing
With your topic of conversation
So just listen to the reasons
And the hints I've been giving
To the thoughts of my imagination
So come on let me see
I say baby you are amazing
I want to let you see
That you are everything and more to me
I will let you be I will I will
Cause I saw you walking down the hall
And I had a lot to tell you
But I didn't think you could say it better oh baby
You're good at makin me feel so small
And I know you made your point
But I just don't want to remember yeah
And I know you've got the feelin
And I cant say I'm agreeing
with your topic of conversation
So just listen to the reasons
And the hints that I've been giving
To the thoughts of my imagination
Cause I'm dancing around
In your world of play
I'm takin my time to make sure you stay
I would give my life to make it okay yeah
So come on let me see..."
This next one is "Only You" and apparently, this is how he and Katherine met - while shooting this video. Aww..
So be sure to check out the rest of his songs - he really is talented. Especially with his 'To Make You Feel My Love' cover; (written by Bob Dylan, and also sung by Adele and Garth Brooks!) this one shows off his soothing voice!
And because the lyrics (and the song, sang by any artist) is so good, I've decided to end the post with it...
"When the rain is blowing in your face And the whole world is on your case I could offer you a warm embrace To make you feel my love
When the evening shadows and the stars appear And there is no one there to dry your tears I could hold you for a million years To make you feel my love
I know you haven't made your mind up yet But I would never do you wrong I've known it from the moment that we met No doubt in my mind where you belong
I'd go hungry I'd go black and blue I'd go crawling down the avenue No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do To make you feel my love
The storms are raging on the rolling sea And on the highway of regret though winds of change Are throwing wild and free You ain't seen nothing like me yet
I could make you happy Make your dreams come true Nothing that I wouldn't do Go to the ends of the Earth for you To make you feel my love."
I was rummaging through some old stuff when I came across this art book, where the poet Julie P. Lingan fused with the artist Ibrahim Hussein to create a love-inspired-poetry + poetry-inspired-art book. My mom had bought it years ago as she was a friend of the writer, Julie Lingan. I remember discovering this fascinating book years back and falling in love with the pretty words and black scribbles that filled the pages. The book, called 'Steal Me a Paradise' is based on the last poem, and albeit the best one at that. I admire her other poems such as 'Casablanca Dying' and 'We Must Have Been Lovers in a Previous Life', but 'Steal Me a Paradise' I adore the most. And Ibrahim Hussein's art isn't bad either! He's got an obvious style (well, it might have changed over the years but in this book, it's strictly black, white, + grey, and all scribbly lines as if his pen was being mind-controlled by a tornado) and although I'm not describing it very well, his art is fascinating.
This poem is also the one that inspired me to write, 'oh all the things i'd do for you'.
I know you probably won't ever read this, and I know that we haven't talked in a long time - but in the small chance that you come across this letter, please know that I've been thinking about you and your family. And I'm sorry, so very sorry about what happened.
Like the many other people who knew your father, I've been touched by his warm personality, his friendly nature, and his ability to make anyone feel very welcome. It's still unbelievable that he has passed away so early - and although I can't come close to how you may be feeling right now, please know that I feel for you and your family. All our hearts are heavy with this loss, and he will never be forgotten.
My family's thoughts and prayers are on you and your family. On behalf of my parents and my siblings, we send our deepest condolences and our deepest sympathy. We know you're going to be okay, and that your family will be closer than ever. What affects us most is knowing that you were all the type of family who was close to each other; most families don't share that kind of beautiful relationship where they can talk about their day openly, make jokes with each other, and trust each other completely. But this and more is what you had and always will have no matter what. And although this knowledge affects us in a painful way, to know that a member of your family has passed, it is also extremely comforting in the sense that he had an endlessly loving family and beautiful relationships with each member.
So you and I aren't close anymore, but it doesn't mean that my family and I have stopped caring or have forgotten about your family. Once upon a time when we were very close and I was still meeting your parents, I remember being so nervous on the day I met your father. But the first time I met him he smiled, shook my hand, and we exchanged a few friendly words. And although this is a simple and traditional gesture, he made me feel so very welcome and gave me full assurance that everything was okay. Even my dad and brother has mentioned his very likable nature and friendly personality. Your whole family is just incredible, and I know that together you will all pull through this.
I also remember our families coincidentally meeting at Cherating that one holiday. As always your family treated us with such kindness, and at my family's meal times we would talk about all of your sweet personalities..
Your father taught me how to sail. I had never gone sailing before, and I was nervous to even be spending time with just you and your family. But being in the boat with your sister and your father, they were both so friendly and made me feel more at ease. He taught me how to hold the handles properly, which direction to go, how to tie/untie the ropes, and how to detect and follow the wind.
And to me, he was this kind of person. The kind to be helpful, teach you, and make you feel better. To me, he was the kind to follow the wind - and as he sails along with the wind, he provides comfort and a warm smile. All my memories of him are only good ones (I could never imagine him not being amiable), and I feel that they demonstrate exactly how kind-hearted he was.
Again, I know I'm not someone who was very close to him, and it certainly isn't proper of me to write so much on a matter I don't have much to do with or know much about (I'm sorry). But I just wanted to express my sentiments and just try to let you and your family know that there are so many people who are here for you and care about you a lot - you are never alone and will always be in our thoughts, prayers, and our hearts.
With love and deep sympathy, Iris.
"This day is remembered and quietly kept, No words are needed, we shall never forget, For those we love don't go away, They walk beside us every day. Unseen and unheard, but always near, So loved, so missed, and so very dear."
I've wanted to share this for a long time, to have a post solely dedicated to this beautiful quote by Mother Teresa.
This is my ultimate favourite quote, one that I discovered years ago and one that still affects me every time I read it. In just a few sentences, Mother Teresa had spoken such true and beautiful words that clearly explained the nature of humans - and how we must all be selfless and one with God. It demonstrates something that we are all accountable for: our tendency to resort to our anger or selfishness. All in all this quote gave so much insight since the very first time I read it. And it still continues to help remind me to become a better person.
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway." - Mother Teresa
It was an unexpected discovery. I feel that finding an old poem you wrote a few years back is quite phenomenal. Especially when you least expect it, or don't remember the poem at all. But there I was, just clearing out my old e-mail address account and found this poem that I sent to myself as a back-up draft in eighth-grade english class. I must admit, this is one poem i'm quite proud of - and to think, i wrote this about four years ago![Eeghad - what happened to me now?!] Perhaps I shall start writing poetry again..
Note: Mr. Raisdana, (one of my favourite teachers of all time) was the eighth grade english teacher; he taught us well! One thing he taught us was that with poetry, you can play around with grammar and punctuation. He shared with us one class time that he liked having to not capitalise any letters - and that everything in lower case looked pretty great actually. I agree.
Here's the discovery:
oh all the things i'd do for you
i’ll create a life devoted to our time
in a succumb of velvet roses
expanding yet another story
to add to our collection
and I’ll spread the death of rose petals in the aisle
for you to step on in ever such a hurry
as the dawn slips away from yesterday
for better or for worse
and I’ll capture the clouds with my bare hands
for you to hold on to forever
when you feel like you could crumble
just stop as they sail by
and I’ll stand on a building and drop a thousand chocolate kisses
just to shower you with just a little bit of what you’re worth
waiting to create that pure fluxinhearted smile
which I could never let go
and I’ll spin my heart to reveal a portrait of you
"..What I really need, what I'm really looking for, is not something I can articulate. It's nonverbal: I need love. I need the thing that happens when your brain turns off and your heart turns on.” - Elizabeth Wurtzel.
I think this quote sums up exactly what I want from you. I wish you would stop over-thinking. I wish you would turn your stupid brain off and your stupid worries and complaints, and memories from our bad past. I wish you would open your heart, and open yourself to the very sweet possibilities of the future. I wish you wouldn't taint them with your negativity and doubts, and I wish you wouldn't give up on us. Because you should never, ever give up on love.
I'm going to open the post with a very hilarious thing that my friend Onnella said in a three-way msn conversation between her, Liyana, and me.
onnella, ♥N forever. says: iris isn't going to thai land. where did you get that from she's going to phuket aha tomorrow and coming saturday
Oh - my - goodness - dear child. Onnella, sweety, I really wish you hadn't said this. Because now everyone can see just how adorable you are.. (or perhaps, how little informed you are of basic geography haha!). I'm doing this because I care for you, and not just to embarass you in the world wide web. I think you should learn more about countries or basic info on which places are where hehe - and you're in higher level IB geography! And you think Thailand is two words, and you thougt that Phuket was in Vietnam.. AND you thought Perth was part of GERMANY! Oh goodness, you make me laugh. (: I'm almost too scared to find out what else you 'know' about our world.. But that's enough burning for now. (I lurve you Nella.) The point is, YES I AM GOING TO PHUKET, THAILAND. CLUB MED BABY!
Club Med Phuket
All I can simply offer is the generic and 'tourismatic' website video, for I have not yet experienced the wonder of Club Med in Phuket, Thailand.. But in my own words, I do know this. Every Club Med i've been to has been kickass and incredible. No, honestly! Whichever one you go to, you won't need to worry at all about having a good time. The room will be comfortable, the views 'incroyable!' The food will be delicious, the gentil organisers [or G.O.'s as they're more commonly known] are so good looking it's painful. Really.
So i'm faithful i'm going to have a great time,[as long as i'm with my family and we're happy, then of course it'll be woderful] and I can't wait to share it with you all when I get back. I'll be taking so many pictures that it will take 13049409384 hours for them to load and then put them on the posts.I'm just so terribly lucky to have this opportunity - to experience such a great vacation like this. Thank you Momee and Papee (;
Here's the video featuring Club Med Phuket - it's so cheesy but it definitely makes you want to be there!
What shocked me was that there was this other video on YouTube depicting how Club Med Phuket really was - dirty, old, and loud. It was appalling. It basically showed pictures of how dirty or bad-conditioned everything was in. A nasty encounter to reality compared to that of the sugar-coated touristic attraction on the website, as some people who commented had said. But, whatever it really is, Club Med is still awesome and i'm so excited to go. I won't let some video ruin my trip. I'm sure that it really isn't as bad as how they perceived it to be.* I'll have to see for myself, right? You all [should] know me though, I try to look for the beauty in things - the good in the bad. So i'm definitely going to be focusing on all the good in the next four days, documenting and writing about them. You'll see. (: *Alright so there is the chance that this will crash and burn and the whole trip will turn into a disaster. Or that I will find myself miserable, surrounded by such a dirty, loud, and bad-conditioned place. But I'm still going to stick to my positive attitude! Club Med Phuket here I come, whoo hoo!
OKAY. SHOUT OUTS. Here goes... I hope everyone's been having a great summer! (And when I say everyone, I meaneveryone.)
Liyana, i'm glad you had a great time in Alor Star and has come back safe n' sound. Can't wait to spend time with you when I get back! Until then, have a wonderful summer. You're one of the best people I know and I just want you to be happy okay? (: Denise, i'm not sure when you'll be going to Philippines but good luck sorting all the Ateneo stuff out, and enjoy all the food! You don't get that here in KL! Have lots of fun my filipina/pinoy buddy. I'll see you soon. Kristi, you're having the best time in Japan with Mao and i'm soo happy for you. Eat lots of real japanese food for me and shop a lot! Take pictures too, and see if you can find hot Turkish-Japanese drummer guys again haha! I miss you, take care of yourself okay? Onnella, sweety, brush up on your geography! Haha but no really, I can't wait until I come back to celebrate your birthday with you. It's going to be so much fun, your plan seems great and I really hope that everyone can make it. Eh, they will. And we'll have a blast nonetheless. (: Just be happy okay? Don't die just cause Kristi and I aren't here bahahaha :P <3 Jan Nee, where have you been?! It's okay, we'll hang out soon. I hope you've been spending time with Carl, because it's our turn now. (: We'll take care of you sweety, your girlfriends. We're here for you no matter what. Rick, ahh you're in South Africa now, and I just know you're having a blast. Hope your hairyness has provided good protection from bugs hehehe. Nikesh, can't wait until you get back here to KL. Luckily i'll be back before you and Kristi so I won't miss anything. Mark, darling, please get your cute egg-y head in school work! And try not to fall for any girls while i'm gone, okay? Haha. And I know you'll be fine. I'll miss you terribly, and I hope you know that I'll always be thinking of you. You're in my heart always, never forget that. KY, you're on your way/in NY already, right? I'm going to read your blog in detail soon, but I do know that you're lucky you have free internet access haha. I hope you're having a fab time, take lots of pictures. I'll see you in a few weeks! Amani, Shereen, May Zhee, Fiona, Khaili, and anyone else I might have missed.. I'm really sorry but I haven't been in touch with you lately. But I know you're all having a blast. What with Fiona and her theatre school in Canada, and May Zhee with her blog - we know what she's up to! But I really do hope that you're all having a great summer, and I miss you all so much. Hope you guys haven't been growing too much! PHEW. Shout-outs done. (:
No, really. This man, OREN LAVIE, needs to be more popular! I haven't heard all his songs nor do I even have his CD... (Titled, The Opposite Side of the Sea) but thank goodness for YouTube. I've been watching his videos, his music videos are incredible. You HAVE to see, 'Her Morning Elegance'. With more than 6 million views to date, it's a stop motion animation with beautiful photography and a very creative concept. It also has a massive amount of subtle symbology that goes with his lyrics. It's a must watch video for anyone whose artsy and likes soft, emo-ish, smooth and mellow music.
It started when my sister came through my room, asking me if I had heard of Oren Lavie. The name never struck me before - I've heard of Lisa Lavie, another artist on YouTube, but I doubt they're related. So my sister showed me the music video for 'Her Morning Elegance' and I just found it to be so... cool! For lack of a better word, it really is cool. I mean, stop motion animation is incredibly time consuming. And the way the video is done, so subtle with creativity and with the right colour template.. it's so nice. It turned out beautifully.
Oren Lavie's voice is deep, soothing, and captivating. He's an artist that should definitely get more attention.
Alright so fine, my kind of music may not suit all your tastes, and you may not like Mr. Lavie as much as I do. But this is my blog and I can share whatever kind of things I like. (:
Question: If the world had a blackout, what would you do?
I ask this question because a blackout (or brownout, as the Filipino culture would call it) just occured in my apartment and in other surrounding condominiums as well. Not that I don't like blackouts per se, but I actually quite like them. Yes it certainly is hot and stuffy, not to mention a MAJOR ANNOYANCE if you were working on a computer-based assignment and did not save any of it just before the electricity went off... (Has that happened to countless of people or what?! Always save your work, everyone - I once wrote a couple hundred words of something and WHOOPS 'An unexpected error has occured' and so the document was lost or the page could not be reloaded. Bugger!) But in all fairness, one has to think of blackouts in another point of view; in a positive outlook, and not just an inconvenient happening. Let me demonstrate:
1. The first positive effect of blackouts is that IT SAVES ENERGY AND MONEY AS A WHOLE! Think about it - all that energy that our condos/houses could've been using right now, all the air conditioners, telephone lines, internet connections, fans, lights, televisions, radios... anything that could have been consuming energy and money is now saved for the power-outtage victims AND the world as a whole. Blackouts, to me, are blessings in disguise. It's a sure way to keep the energy consumation level low, as well as reminding us about just how important energy is to us, and how we shouldn't take it for granted. This leads me to my next point..
2. BLACKOUTS REMIND US OF JUST HOW IMPORTANT ENERGY IS. Okay, so it's not like we'll be worshipping Benjamin Franklin for discovering electricity, but it doesn't hurt to be a little more thankful and appreciative, no? Basically, I wish people would stop taking electricity for granted, and keep having this insane idea that it is an UNLIMITED SOURCE and that the world is FOREVER OKAY. Because newsflash - it is not. The world is precious, resources are limited, and even if the world can someday create some everlasting energy source with endless supply to provide the world with energy for centuries, a resource is nonetheless a resource and we really should take better care. We really should appreciate how the world runs and take more precaution in taking care of our world. We really should learn to preserve our resources, especially when our lives - everyone's lives - are truly dependent on them. Energy, although taken from numerous sources such as light, water, fuel, etc. is incredibly important and I wish people could just fathom the idea that the world is ... 3.Enough with the nagging about appreciating the world... and on to my next point. BLACKOUTS ENFORCE THE USE OF CANDLES AND GLOWY LIGHTS! And we all know how beautiful candles are, and how they can turn the ambiance of any place into a dim, well-lighted, and soothing place. Or gl0wy lights (as in, glow sticks etc.) are just plain cool. Also, having dinner lighted with nice candles, or the warm glow of a fire place.. that's beauty and romance right there.
4. Lastly, BLACKOUTS MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE IN MEDIEVAL TIMES. I mean come on, writing by candle light, or reading something with candles surrounding you.. it's perfect for acting like you're a damsel, some knight, or a monk writing in a secret dungeon.
Answer: I would be thankful, and appreciate all that energy and money that has been saved. Honestly, think about it. If the entire world actually had a blackout for say, five minutes, imagine just how much energy and money would have been saved. Or perhaps money loss, since i'm certain that energy affects many businesses and corporations etc. But i'm going to be an environmentalist and see the positive effects that blackouts bring.. (;
So hopefully next time, if or when you ever experience a blackout in the future, smile and think of just how much it's helping the environment.. and maybe, just maybe, share this small but positive outlook and attitude of yours - and make the world a happier place.
Happy 27th Birthday, Kuya. 
