01 july 2003
It's a great morning here in Kauai. How sweet it is to smell the scent of the flowers after the rain and gaze upon the birds that frolic the blue sky. Where is this presence that I long for? Could it be the dewdrops that sit on top of the leaves? There is beauty to life, and here I live to love you.

02 july 2003
He woke up this morning and remembered the day, two years ago when he was in Manila. He was with her and leaving Manila to fly home in a few hours. The eyes were talking, tears are dropping. When he was about to say something, she said, "No goodbyes." And months later, she finally said, "Goodbye." She was in a great storm and needed a shelter and when the sun have risen, she bade goodbye. He finally said farewell and along with the memories. He realised he was on a detour and he moved on in his journey forward to his destination.

* * *

Destiny. SK

06 july 2003
"I am not afraid of storms, I am learning to sail my ship." -Louisa May Alcott

08 july 2003
Oceans between us touch the shores of our hearts. I smell your scent from afar as the wind brings you to me.

11 july 2003
I'm sleepy. I just want to go to sleep for now and think of nothing and think of something when I wake up in the morning.

16 july 2003
"The heart has its reasons which reason knows not of." -Pascal

17 july 2003
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend." -Robert Louis Stevenson

18 july 2003
"The beginning of wisdom is found in doubting; by doubting we come to the question, and by seeking we may come upon the truth." -Pierre Abeland

19 july 2003
Silence have fallen as the leaf have touched the ground. The man tried to look back and he can't hear his footsteps. Then he wandered deep in the forest, and the wind began to blow, it carried the leaf and it was a sign of a presence.

20 july 2003
As soon as I got home in the afternoon, I started a watercolor painting of a flower and a butterfly. In this scene, I can observe that the flower and the butterfly are in a conversation while the sun is shining from above. The canvas is overwhelmed by hues of blue. What is the flower telling to the butterfly? Is it welcoming the butterfly to be a part of its existence?

Mother Nature's wonders do apply in human nature. To exist in this presence, one has to allow one's self get nurtured by the essence of life.

21 july 2003
The river rock with the etchings of a man and a woman was a gift from a friend to me for she have wished me well for the one. I told her about the quest and she smiled and gave me a gift her husband have etched using the ancient Hawaiian techniques of etching in stone. Years ago, her husband gave me two fish hook pendants. I left the other one in the Philippines and gave it to my brother but he was afraid of wearing it because of his bad experience with hooks. When we were young, we went fishing and when I casted my lure, I accidentally "reeled him in." The string is already been broken so I will be bringing it to her wife so he can restring it. I value this pendant. It may be priceless but it has the essence of great craftsmanship of the Hawaiians. Wherever I go, I wear this in respect of my Hawaiian cultural heritage. Aloha a me ke akua...

***

I Am By Your Side
by Corey Hart

I am by your side
Give you strength when you're lost inside
You can always count on me
I will never hide you see

For I am by your side
Shelter from the coldest night
You can always run to me
I will be there can't you see, oh no

And when the world has knocked you down
And you are trapped by your fears
They can never reach you from high ground, oh no

And I will never disappear
Turn the darkest corner I'll be there
With every day I'm calling out your name

And I am by your side
In this truth I will confide
You can always count on me
I will never hide you see, oh no

'Cause I will never disappear
Turn the darkest corner I'll be there
With everyday I'm calling out your name

And I am by your side
Suddenly I realize
I can always run to you
You will be there it's true I know

O-I am by your side
I am by your side
O-o

I am by your side
I said I am by your side
O-o

You can count on me
I am by your side
I am by your side
O

You can count on me
O you can count on me
I am by your side
I am by your side
O
You can count on me
O you can count on me now
I am by your side
I said I am by your side
O-o
I am by your side
I am by your side
I am by your side.

22 july 2003
I brought my pendant this morning and went to see her in her booth where she sells her wares. She was happy to see me and I brought out my fish hook pendant with me and asked her if her husband could restring it for me. She said she can do it right away. The pendant is ten years old now and it's a fine piece of great craftmanship. It was a gift to me as a token of friendship.

She asked about the river rock she gave me. I told her it went on a journey with the blessings of aloha. Her eyes were filled with joy as I narrated my story.

26 july 2003 (27 july 2003 in manila)
About 200 soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines gained world attention when they sieged a high rise apartment complex in the country's financial district of Makati a day before GMA delivers her SONA to the nation. The country was in a state of rebellion. I hope both parties resolved their differences. The rebellion was quelled through the restraint of anger and hate and through the prayers of a nation divided. I salute the soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for their gallantry as officers and gentlemen.

***

By Heart
by Jim Brickman

Hold me close, baby please
Tell me anything
But that you're going to leave
As I kiss this falling tear
I promise you I will be here

Until the stars fall from the sky
Until I find a reason why
And darlin as the years go by
Until there's no tears left to cry
Until the angels close my eyes
And even if we're worlds apart
I'll find my way back to you by heart

When you go, I'll stop the clock
I won't ever let this moment stop
Time is stealing you from me
But it can never take this memory

Until the stars fall from the sky
Until I find a reason why
And darlin as the years go by
Until there's no tears left to cry
Until the angels close my eyes
And even if we're worlds apart
I'll find my way back to you by heart

29 july 2003
After work, I've attended the funeral rites of the father of a colleague. More than two years ago my father passed away. I shed tears while listening to the eulogy. Dad, wherever you are, thank you for bringing me up to be the person I am.

***

Kôkohi i ka `ono unahe i ka poli.
Hold the delicious moments that they may soothe the heart.
- Kôkohi (To Hold Forever), by Queen Lili`uokalani