It is raining now. The water does not come down strongly, but it has been pouring steadily since a little past two this morning. I suppose this event heralds the start of the rainy season in country, and how fitting that it happens on the very first day of June.

Well, I have been blogging for a month now, given that I started posting “personal” stuff online since May first this year. I had a really horrible-looking blog for my first attempt (and I have now relegated it into limbo). On the 11th of May, this blog was born.

It’s practically morning, but here I still am. Do squish any doubts you have regarding my claim of being a vampire. Because, baby, I am Vampyr Nosferatu, through and through.

As sort of a celebration of my first month in “Blog-land,” I just want to share my “decalogue.” It is a rundown of 10 short philosophies by which I had lived the better part of my rather eventful existence. I was made to formally write all these down by our Philosophy teacher a few years back, and I have hung on to the list ever since.

Shi’s Decalogue

1. The challenges that do not kill you will make you stronger.

2. Time is more precious than gold – or any other thing of material value. Time cannot be bought, stored, pawned, redeemed or reshaped.

3. It is better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all. That way, you would not wallow in the “What if..?” muck.

4. Problems should be faced the moment they start brewing – or else they will spill over and get out of your control.

5. Open-mindedness is a good quality to possess. You become less fussy, less judgmental, and much smarter in life if you have it.

6. Do not try to please everyone. You will end up pleasing no one at all, including yourself.

7. Weaknesses are the reasons why we should never take our strengths for granted.

8. Holding grudges is like committing suicide slowly: You fill yourself up with hate, which is poisonous for the soul.

9. In striving to reach a goal, it does not matter how many times you have stumbled, fallen, or tripped – it is how many times you have gotten back on your feet and resolved to go on.

10. The only constant in life is change. Deal with it and, as always, move on.

I guess the above list sounds straight out of a pop psychology book (or Marlboro commercial, for that matter) and some such.

However, that’s really me summing up what I make of my life. And I am very grateful because I had the strength to do such a thing.

In a bout of shameless fangirlism, I translated the Virtua Fighter anime series image song of Sarah Bryant. After doing it, nothing can stop me from believing that she is singing about Kage-Maru!

Surgeon General’s Warning: Heart-stopping ninjas with scarred cheeks and who like to take long showers are dangerous to your health.

Shisen-kara Dangerous
At a dangerous glance

The neon is vivid
On everyone in the brilliant night review
The street corners are brought to an excited rustle
Alone, I look for something distinctly you

The wind stirs up the world
Into a burning fight zone
My eyes are caught in this destination
Can I wait any longer before going to you?

This boundless anguish that is your doing
Ah, I’ve never felt anything like this before
Don’t look at me

At a dangerous glance
My passion is brought to a breaking point
So extraordinarily dangerous
Now I wonder what can I do

The sound of your chest being struck
Your wounds send out a fight beat
Your arms lapse into a rhythm
Your movements make time stand still

Impossibly, the whole of me is restless
Ah, I let out murmurs of unknown things
I can’t turn away

Your dangerous lips
Quickly ensnare the naive me
So temptingly dangerous
Nothing could so brightly strike me

Don’t look at me
At a dangerous glance
My passion is brought to a breaking point
So extraordinarily dangerous
Nothing of this planned game is easy
Your dangerous lips
Quickly ensnare the naive me
So temptingly dangerous
Now I wonder what can I do

Now. Wasn’t that just hot?

Yet another insomniac night. I spent the hours between midnight and sunrise shuttling between my room and the kitchen, making coffee and what have you. Between trips I go online and read translated Japanese poetry. Therapeutic.

It has been a long night, but I still don’t feel sleepy. I know it’s already bright-out day here, but I don’t shy away from the sun. I admit I’m indubitably Vampyr Nosferatu, a creature of the night, but my survival skills in daylight are all-encompassing (insert evil laughter and show fangs).

I am blogging through the Opera 5.11 browser now. A few weeks ago, a friend and I got into a conversation about webpages and he suggested that I try viewing stuff through Opera. So I went ahead and downloaded FOR FREE the version I’m now using. It’s a very good deal, and the software does give justice to its “embedded blurb” of being “The Fastest Browser on Earth.” It pretty much is, plus it doesn’t crash the entire computer like Netscape does, or incur ugly, non-reloadable javascript errors like IE does. However, Opera does not seem to be in friendly terms with the idea of uploading files.

But all these are just my opinion, and may probably change as time passes. After all, we Nosferatu live forever and it is a must that we must change wholely to be in tune with the times.

I found a poem from my miscellaneous text file folder that I want to share with anyone who cares to read. I loved this piece the first time I read it.

The poem’s verses speak of love, wanting but only watching and very much hurting. Quite beautiful, this one.

Strength

I am strong

When I feel dawn’s gentle kiss on my cheek
And wish for nothing more but your touch
I stay still and keep my hand empty

While you look on another with whole soul in your eyes
Dare I snatch you away?
I fall silent and whisper, “Never”
On a night like tonight
Only your arms can lull me to sleep
Yet I lift no finger to call you

Then the stars fall from heaven
As it happens once more
I see the whole universe
Walk through the door
In spite of myself, I hear you move
I feel you speak
And wish for nothing more
But to be the weakest of weak

Time and time again, I have met those who ask what’s the point in getting up early in the morning, before sunrise, when you have nothing to do at that time of the day.

My answer is that it gives a person a feeling of fulfillment to be up and about before the sun is. Does it not give you a feeling of…invincibility, and strength, when you are ahead of such a powerful celestial body in doing something? It’s like you are more alert than the sun itself in heralding the new day – and all its challenges.

Of course, there really is good reason to get up early when you keep on dreaming about sipping and savoring every drop of frothy, steaming-hot French Vanilla coffee.

You are driven to make that dream a reality ASAP.