First Year Anniversary!!

Today, I am celebrating the First Year Anniversary of my Blog. It's such an amazing thing to have something alive and kicking after a year has passed. Looking back one year ago, it was midnight and drizzling, and I was really bored. A bright idea came to mind and this blog came to life! It has come a very long way already, I suppose. I never knew I could ever reach this far because I am a man who would always start something but never finish them.

Now what would happen for the next few years? All I know is that, with the emergence of my two other blogs, Lemons and Lemonades, and A Drooping Poet, this blog would have lesser posts, but rest assured, it would still be updated. Like what I said in my first post, a little patience and a little crisp of the mind will go a long way.

BLOGCEPTION. The present look of my blog. (Click photo to enlarge)

About the Blog

So what is it about this blog?


Anyways, I'm Mark Francis Astom, my friends call me Mark or Francis, or Bon, or Penguin (and the least goes on and on). I call myself John F. Lemon. I sometimes call myself Maaku Furanshisu. Other times, when I'm at my most high, I call myself the King of the world.

Now, how did this king think of writing this blog?

It was May 30, 2012. It was midnight and I was still awake. I can't sleep that night and it was drizzling and so I thought, why not make a blog! I was reading two blogs before, one from a reporter, and another one from a musician. I was so inspired by them that I had to make mine. And there I was, 30th of May 2012 writing about all the random things I could think of that night.

After brainstorming of the me and my three alter egos, I have come up with my name, "Among my Frivolous Thoughts," after Owl City's song Angels. I had basically three themes for my posts: Euphoria (extreme happiness) for my happy thoughts of the day, Dysphoria (extreme sadness) for my sad and grievous thlughts of the day, and Whatever for all the random thoughts I have.

I post everything here, from my experiences to just plain nonsense. I also post songs here, poems, photographs and other creative thoughts of John F. Lemon. I also post about the chemical reaction that stirs the heart of Maaku Furanshisu. I post about where I go, all the awards I received, movie reviews, music reviews, games I've played, and many other more!

I have some series regulars here and I post them whenever I want to. These would include: Dear God, Love is..., When I Die, Year Enders, and that's all.

Damn. I'm so random.

To God be the Glory

It still feels like I am in a dream. That moment when you thought that you already failed at the exams, but they told you that you're an honor student. That was yesterday. And up to now, I still cannot believe it. Divine Providence? I just don't know.

I almost sucked my final exams because albeit (sixth!) I reviewed, I still find the tests difficult. I was hopeless then, entrusting to God all the rest. Fortunately, God answered my prayers. Yesterday, I was called that I was one of the achievers. I was like shocked in excitement. I trembled. Unexpectedly, I am an honor student. Garnering an average of 92.38, I took my bow a while ago during our convocation. It was fine being o the third spot. I mean, I did my best, and that being said, I am ready to rest for the next semesters to come.

I thank God for the miracles. It's unbelievable. I am hoping that this continues until I graduate from, in my most frivolous thought, doctorate. :D

Six awards in a day is already very fulfilling. I'm gonna add some more next school year, I promise. This isn't over.

I love the Lord.

"In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song."

Wherever you go, you are loved

I will remember you...

This day, I actually attended the Gratitude and Graduation Ball of the school. It's the night wherein tributes are given to the graduating batch. Supposedly, only the juniors and the seniors would go to the event, but since I'm an outgoing officer of our student council, I was invited. My brother, being a faculty, was also invited and he became one of the emcees of the night.

I will try dividing this day into two parts: one for what happened this morning; another for what happened tonight.

Home of the Blues

February's ending. I thought, this love month is ending and not a single love post was ever posted here. I could have written anything about love, but I was waiting for the write time to talk about them. I was about to convince myself yesterday to write something about this month's celebration, suddenly, a tweet came, which changed my whole night forever.

The tune was very catchy, I guarantee you will repeat the whole song over and over again. The lyrics were so overwhelming, it goes through your inner core.The singer is very good, in fact, I'm one of his biggest fans. What's not to love about the song?

With euphoria in me yesterday, I wrote this on my blog not knowing that it sounds immature and childish, "I listened to this song once but I was instantly hooked up that I need to listen to this song everyday!" I do not know what I was thinking about yesterday but my head my so high it's like I took drugs. But yeah, what I said there was true. I was quickly enticed by this song which made me listen to it over and over again. It went to the point of downloading it and yes, it became my lullaby for the night. When I woke up, my iPod was still playing the song -- it's on repeat.

 Adam Young posted in his blog this song entitled, "Home of the Blues." 

To my surprise, I've discovered that it was only a cover of a Johnny Cash original. (yeah. It took me minutes to finally realize  what that Cash is written on his blog, and it's Johnny Cash.). According to Wikipedia, this song was written by Cash  about his unhappy childhood. Maybe, just maybe, Adam Young did connect to this song so much that he made his third cover of any song (the first was Enchanted by Taylor Swift and the second was the First Noel).

I wait for another great song of Adam Young. The last released one was Eternity which he collaborated with Paul van Dyk. I also discovered that there is an upcoming album of Owl City this year, I can't wait for it.

Right now, let this song sing me to sleep again, big time!

It came to past. On it's sixth year

"The future is scary, but you can't just run to the past because it's familiar. yes it's tempting... but it's a mistake."

That is the most striking quotation I got from the sixth season of How I Met Your Mother. Yesterday, I finished watching the 6th season of the series.


2010-2011. The season when Angry Birds and Facebook and even the Jonas Brothers were so popular it got featured on this series.

Twas a very good year for all of them.

Dear God -- Divine Intervention

God, this day was euphoric and dysphoric. Ugh. Whatever.


Euphoria.


Today, I joined a quiz bee. Surprising to say, we won first place considering the fact that I only reviewed yesterday night, the questions were all in the dialect, and that it was our Midterms! It was Divine Intervention that led us to accomplish such. First, I only reviewed last night because it was only said to us last Wednesday and I had no chance prepare well, but, well, it was You that led us to victory. Second, all the questions were all in the dialect. I know how to speak our native tongue, but this time, it's quite different because all of the words said were all deep dialects, so deep I almost had nosebleed. But, context clues did it, and You. Third, it was our Midterms, and so I had to prioritize my academics, so I was not into the quiz bee thing. But God, I have a heavy, depressed heart.

Another euphoric thing today was when my brother helped someone with the banking transactions. What would just happen to her if we were not on that bank that very moment of the day? It was a pretty awesome  that he did that out of service. While my brother calls it Serendipity, I call it Divine Intervention -- Your Intervention.

Dysphoria.


I am still disappointed by my standing yesterday God. I did my best memorizing everything, putting all of them in my heart, but only to find out, I still lack a lot of information. I failed to meet my expectations to myself God. I became a fool of myself. Why did it happen? I don't want to destroy my own records. What if it gets destroyed now? Please God, help me find a way. I pray that together, we can finish this together.

I am now having regrets with the major I took up. I know I was always fond of Science as a kid, but now I've realized that it's more difficult than I think it was. If I am only free with my decision, I want to shift my major to the subject which memorization is not at all necessary: MATH. I know back in High School, I almost failed in Math, but it's my only other choice. I do not like Math, but considering a school with only four majors, the two of them are my last resorts (Math and Biology. I do not want and never want English and Filipino). I really do not want my major already God. Imagine, we have eight Science subjects for the next school year. Our teacher is very high and treats us like we're very intelligent and we now everything that simple simple verb mistakes would account for zero score. What should I do God? I'm on this stage of confusion again. What to do? What to do? Please God, give me strength. I need You. I need Your Intervention.

Whatever.


I haven't yet for tomorrow's exams. I am not yet sure what I will take for my lifelong exams. Life is really an exam. Some parts are very easy, and would just require you to think whether it is truthful or not. Life would be sometimes moderate wherein there are more choices and paths to choose from. But life has also these difficult parts wherein, you have to identify the path you are going to take, without any choices whatsoever. Some may be very joyful, while some are worth lamenting. In anyway, I know that I can perfect this test of mine, in whatever possible way. You, my teacher, will always be with me, guiding me in all the possible ways, not letting me get any zero, intervening to every obstacles and things that come my way. In You alone, my Hope is Found. You are my light, my strength, and my song. I love You God.

And yeah, this is my 123th post.

Five Years of Five Friends

I have a confession to make. I watched the fifth season of the hit series, "How I Met Your Mother," in four days. Yes. I broke my record of 6 days from that of the fourth season. It's my drug. Don't ask why.

Season 5. 2009-2010. Also, a great year.

Ted Mosby starts the season by being an architecture professor. He started lecturing in a mistaken room. He started dating this girl names Cindy whose roommate is Ted's future wife. Many things were discovered regarding his wife. One of which is that she plays bass. After his mother married with her boyfriend, he started thinking about his life, so he bought a house which has lots of defects. However, this house became their final home. His doppelganger is Mexican Wrestler Ted.

Robin Scherbatsky started dating with Barney, but after a rough patch, and she became older, they broke up. She then started dating Don, a new anchor from the station she works at. She got a job offer at Chicago wherein she gets the lead anchor, but she declined because of her love to Don. However, when Don was offered the same job, he accepted it, thus, they broke up. Her doppelganger is Lesbian Robin.

Marshall Ericksen and Lily Aldrin were planning to have a baby, but this time, they had a deal that all doppelgangers must be seen before they have one. When Lily thought she saw all, she was wrong. They only saw four of them still. Anyways, they love having double dates -- having date with another couple. Almost no couple would enjoy the said date, until they found one. Marshall's doppelganger is Mustache Marshall and Lily's is Stripper Lily.

Barney Stinson started dating with Robin, but after a rough patch, and he became fatter, they broke up. He then went to his old frantic acts. He also revealed the playbook, a book of how to score with women. On the slapgiving day, he got slapped again by Marshall after all of them declined slapping him. His fake doppelganger was Taxi driver Barney. He just became one to supposedly score a woman. His second fake doppelganger was a street actor. This time, he scored one. The third time was not really him, but only Lily's imagination of a hotdog vendor being him.

On its 100th episode, they performed a song about suits with Barney as the lead singer. This is how it goes:

As of now, my five downloaded seasons are finished, and I'm waiting for the 6th season to finish downloading. Soon, I'll wait for many months and years before the 7th and 8th seasons come out on the internet. Until then, I'll be repeating the first-fifth seasons over and over again.

The Fourth Installment

Isn't it cool that I've finished the fourth season in less than a week? Hahaha. I mean it. I've finished the fourth season of How I Met Your Mother yesterday. There were many unsuspected twists and turns and obviously unobvious baby bumps covered by jackets or bags, or even tables.

So here it goes.

Season 4. 2008-2009. Great Year.

The Third Season... What Up?!

Wait for it.


Okay now.

So yesterday, I took a deep breathe, opened my eyes, didn't mind that I have class the next day, and finally decided to finish the third season of, "How I Met Your Mother." It was very difficult for me to hold myself from watching because I need to watch it with my brother, but last night, I just cannot hold myself any longer, so I watched.

The show is still -- and forever will it be -- legendary. Except for a lame episode, I enjoyed it well and it still kinds of like the first season part 3, if you know what I mean. We're still here at New York. No going anywhere. And this season, there were a lot more surprises. And the story begins with the Barney's, "dary. Legendary."

The Second Epic Season

So where were we?

Oh yes. We just finished watching the second season of the world's most awesome sit com ever, "How I Met Your Mother," and it was still legendary. With some funny plot and some unexpected twists, this season takes us to a new different level of laughter and stomachaches (due to laughing).

So, we still got to hang out with these five awesome New York guys going on their extraordinary lives as an architect, a journalist, a kindergarten teacher, a law student, and a guy whose job I do not know (but he's damn rich!).

Ted Mosby's life is still the same. He's still  an architect, although this time, he was not able to date other girls other than Robin. For this whole season, they dated and were in love to the point of almost moving to her apartment. This season, we got to meet his parents who separated from each other. His secret work was shown and got promoted as the project manager. His former boss became his subordinate and Ted became the boss of the firm.

Robin Scherbatsky, on the other hand, was still a local news reporter. She dated with Ted this season, until they finally broke up on the last episode, the moment they returned that blue french horn. What's unforgettable for her this season is the thing she wore when they went to Atlantic City. I mean, wow, it's like it's her body! Hahaha. It was during this season that everyone in the gang discovered her teenage secret. She was a Canadian teenage pop star! Her smash minor hit, "Let's go to the mall," got me insane and it got me repeating that song over and over again. BTW, her screen name was Robin Sparkles. 

I feel sorry for their breakup. It's something sad for a sit com like this.

Marshall Ericksen and Lily Aldrin got married this season. After their devastating breakup, Marshall was not able to move on that fast and the breakup sickness struck him. Also with Lily. When she returned to New York, at first they remained friends, until they got back together. They decided to marry at Atlantic City, however, when they were there, they decided not to marry at all. They waited for that dream wedding they had outside with only their close friends witnessing the exchange of vows. Marshall's hair was ruined. Lily's bouquet was not there yet, Scooter was there, but it didn't stop their wedding. They call themselves, "Mr. and Mrs. Awesome." Lily had this play wherein she played envy. Marshall won the slap bet in which he has to slap Barney five times to eternity. This season, he got to slap Barney two times. In one episode, Lily tried all the jobs he could find, but ended up being a Kindergarten teacher -- her original job. She rented a lot of apartments during their breakup ending up living with Barney.

Barney Stinson was still amazing. This season, we got to tour around his apartment, we got to call him Swarley, he got to be slapped by Marshall two times, he tried to make a one-man play, and went to play for, "The Price is Right," just to meet his supposedly father. He's still the same from the first season. Though I still don't know his job, I guess I still don't know his job.

Overall, I find this season more hilarious than the first season. There were more funny moments, more tragic moments, and more, idiotic moments. 

Yeah, I will not forget Robin's gift to Lily during the wedding shower. Never.

Off to season III.

Kwentong Barbero

...or in English, Barber Stories.




Funny Story.

A while ago, a was in a barber shop having a haircut. I still loved my former haircut (for it quite resembles the haircut of the fab four, the Beatles) but since my parents really insisted me to get a haircut, I didn't have a choice anymore.

So I was there, having my most comfy seat while my hair is being cut. The folks there are listening to some local drama on  the AM radio. I used to laugh at these radio dramas (and I still do) because they're corny, and OA and, they literally say what they literally do. For example, the speaker would say, "I am walking towards the door. I am opening the door. There. I opened the door." I laugh about that all the time. The reason why many of these folks listen to the radio is because it's spoken in the dialect, so they would understand and they can comprehend what the actors are saying.

I burst in laughter when that scene came.

The story which I understood was, there was this lady who was furious of her life and that everyone disturbed her. Then there was this call. She answered the phone with lots of angry comments but was silenced when she heard her sister.

Now another scene came. There was man whose phone rang. I was literally shocked, bursting into laughter. The ring tone of that man was really familiar. That music which changed my life forever. Man, this guy likes Fireflies by Owl City. Imagine. A ringing tone that great would be featured in a local radio drama. It made my day, really. Though sadly, no one knows about that song there except me, but hey, it's Owl City!

P.S.

I do not like my new haircut.

Wait.

I never liked my haircut.

Of Superstitions and Circular Fruits

Happy New Year!

I was expecting the entry to 2012 to be a big bang – more than the sit com – and that it would immediately affect our lives. I as such wanted big changes this year, so as a starting point, with a snap of the fingers, I had an idea that maybe for my own sake. So this year, I tried to deviate from the silly superstitious acts to what we call reality. From polka dots to circular fruits, it was pretty funny that Filipinos, though very religious enough to the point of idolizing statues, still believe in these traditions and of luck. It came like a lightning that these beliefs, no matter how much we practice them, will never improve our lives nor give meaning to it. So I tried to my best, but still, I failed.

Traditions I consider as worthless – sorry for my term – are the loud noises, the grapes on walls, the 12 fruits, the jumps, the salts and rice, the polka dots, the circular and sticky food. Argh. Well, the loud noises apparently would drive away all the bad luck that they have. The grapes on walls, 12 fruits, salts and rice, the polka dots and the circular food would supposedly bring luck and wealth and fortune to the family. The jump would supposedly make the person taller. The sticky food would apparently make the family bond more.

But these are all fraud, coming from a person who hated superstitious beliefs. This year, as much as I wanted to kill the joy, I was outnumbered at home. They were all shaking coins and blowing their torotots around the house, opening all the doors, and jumping. Well, all of these are for money and wealth. And then we call ourselves zealous Catholics.

Laugh all you want.

Though we went to mass before these festive events, it would not suffice the event which we commemorated this day. My mother, a devout Catholic, who wore polka dots that night, did not even know why we were going to mass. For many years, we were attending the New Year’s mass. All she know was this mass was for thanksgiving for another year. Well, she may have a point there, but it’s not the main reason. She also knew that January 1 is the Holy Trinity Day. Like, WTF? I don’t really mean to be the all-knowing guy here but January 1 is the Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary. This day is one of the three mandatory masses which Catholics need to attend aside from the Sunday masses – the two others being the Easter Sunday, and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which is set on December 8.

But since she is my mother, I might as well forgive her. Come on! It’s the New Year’s Day!

Call me Kill Joy.

Well, I am.

For the record, though I never did those silly things, I had fun watching my father, my brother and my mother do those silly things. It was a very fun sight. It made my night. Those fireworks and fire crackers, though not much loud as last year, were already perfect for me. Since I’m a little allergic or something to the fumes of the lusis, I tried lightning one or two to be in the celebration mood. I don’t want to be 140% kill joy you know.

Anyway, the food we ate during our media noche was exquisite. It was scrumptious, delectable, all the adjectives you can think of! Trust me, my parents are good cooks. Though the wine was not that delicious, I still managed to sip a little.

Well, that’s it for the celebration for the entry of 2012. I hope this year will be a good one. Wait, let me check. A GREAT one.

A wrapped up Year end Report

Okay, this year has been a very fruitful one. There has been many euphoric moments as there are also dysphoric moments (let's include the whatever moments. hahaha). Let's wrap up this year 2011 with things to remember for the rest of my goddamn life.

I hope this would become my yearly tradition as I end a year.

23 Pesos

This day is definitely a holiday.

Yeah.

It was LEGEN--wait for it---DARY!

And there goes that catchy intro which me and my siblings can't get enough of. And so, here I am, blogging about my new craving. I maybe too late to say this, but, I'm a big fan of this American comedy series called, How I Met Your Mother.

Yesterday, my brother and I finished watching the first of 8 seasons. So, we were stuck in front of my laptop, watching 5 people go on to their lives like normal Americans do, and they would make the viewers die of laughter with their crazy antics and dialogues. It was like a drug that I was instantly hooked up and wanting more. I know the first season was during 2005. Hell, I was in grade 6 then. I don't know this yet. 

Love is...

being able to help other people without any exchange of money.


So yesterday I made history. In my own history book, of course.

So let me tell you a secret. In my 11 years of stay in my school, It was my first time to attend a rummage sale.  To define simply a rummage sale, it's when we sell our collected goods from It was exhilarating and very tiring. It was very unexplainable.

So this is how it went. All the collected goods were put in a place. Then, those from our adopted barangays would be given free stubs. They would spend those stubs in buying those goods appropriately. Php20 for 10 dresses, Php40 for dry goods, Php40 for rice, and I don't know how much the toys are. Of course, it was very fun to sell and to help them carry those heavy loads they had. I laughed watching some -- err -- volunteers selling the goods to them, especially at the clothes section. I tell you, they are better than some store salesladies. They can convince the buyers to buy the clothes they are holding. On the toys section part, the volunteers are those looking for toys to be given to the buyers. On the food goods and rice, we were the ones to carry them to their places -- considering the fact that majority of them are old people.

It's very fulfilling to help other people. This happy feeling of helping people is better than having been payed with money. I never needed money in exchange for volunteerism. I never needed requirements to go. It is because, some of the "volunteers" went there because of requirements. Me? NO! I came because of freewill and because of my deep intention to help. I did not give during the Christmas Drive, so this is my way to give back. Hey, it's not about the points that count anyway. Haha. next year, I'm certainly going to join again.

The Avengers

The Avengers. I'm so mindfucked right now. Haha. I don't know what mindfuck means, but when I'll do, I know I'm really mindfucked right now. Haha. Anyways, I came across a piture from 9gag. At first, I thought, "Please, Photoshop LVL 100." But, then, I was kind of convinced that it was true. So, I checked Google out. And so I was wrong. I was stunned by the big names and familiar superheroes that flashed before me.

Okay.


Ironman.

Incredible Hulk.

Captain America. (Though I've never watched the movie yet, I've watched the cartoons of this before.)

Thor. (Never watched it, but familiar with it.)

SCARLETT JOHANSSON! as Black Widow.

COBIE SMULDERS aka Robin Scherbatsky on How I met your Mother as Maria Hill.

Samuel L. Jackson.


Okay!

A star-studded, hero-loaded, fight-bombarded, and plot-charged film. I'm so watching this next year! I'll do every possible mean to watch this. If I don't forget to watch this film, I'm so gonna kill myself. Okay, not literally. HAha.

What to expect from this film?

I think it's gonna be finished with many question marks on my face. Why? Because of the number of main characters with different characteristics and storylines, there would be some lapses and unended plots. I mean, so, they live on other cities and they would immediately meet on one place and would fight together? Haha. How would that be enough for 1hour and 50 minutes? Hello?

Okay, it's too early to judge. I'm fucking excited! :D

The Virgin

On this day, ohh Beautiful Mother, on this Day, we give thee our lives.

December 8 is chosen as the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. 


According to Wikipedia,the Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, according to which the Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of original sin.


The solemnity is celebrated on December 8 and is one of the mandatory days outside the Sunday masses wherein Catholics are obliged to attend mass.


At school, we took part in the celebration of the day. We had our school mass. I knew from the start that it was going to be a normal mass. From the readings, to the offertory, to the communion. However, what was extraordinary during the mass was when we sang one of the communion songs. We were singing that song with all our hearts, but then, when that line was sung by us, it was as if, it hit me like an arrow. Some tears covered my eyes. It never fell down, because I stopped it from rolling. I know I've sang this song like a million times already, but it was only that time that I was deeply moved by the song, so much that it left me teary eyed. I love the Lord, it said repeatedly on all verses. 



I wanted to let them repeat this song again, but it they didn't. After all, if they did, I might be crying in front of the microphone already, and be embarrassed in front of thousands of students waiting in line to receive Jesus Christ through the host. Well, I could listen to it all the time, though.


I just love the Lord.


Well, after that mass, we had our group sharing of what and how our Church looks like and what our role is for the Church. There plenty of sharings. It was a pretty boring discussion and we're so glad that it finished fast. I might have taken a slumber if it went on slower than usual. Hah. Hah. 

In celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we had a chance to watch one of the greatest love stories ever told and was portrayed in a movie. The Nativity Story is one heck of a movie to cherish forever. Majority of those were not in the Bible, however, it was very realistic which makes me think that it's a pretty accurate to what really happened. 


I was struck by the Nativity Scene wherein Joseph was the one who helped Mary deliver the baby Jesus. It was very heartwarming. Hah. Hah. I was also amazed by how the three magi computed for the exact time for the star. Everything was very good! I can't find any wrong on the show. 


I was disappointed by the tomato meter of this. It's just 38%! Gosh. I can't believe it. Ohh, well, it's they're own opinion of the movie. If I were to rate this movie, it would be 89%.


After watching the movie, we had our living rosary, the twisted way.


Instead of the usual, Holy Mary, we twisted it in a way that we pray for each country. For example, we would say, "Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins, pray for Canada, now and at the hour of our death, Amen." Isn't that nice? Pray for 50 countries around the world with Mary as the one we pray for. 


On this day, I would like to pause for a while and thank Mary for being so humble and obedient. She serves as an example for all of us. I would like to thank Mary for bearing Jesus Christ. It caused our salvation. I thank Mary for being a good wife to Joseph and being with him during those times. She's the first woman I have ever loved. Who knew what have happened to us without Mary, the Mother of God.

Hooted Up.

I was fourth year high school then. It was a boring weekend afternoon. I haven’t checked if I had any homeworks that time, nor projects nor any requirements. I was only watching television. Being a music fan myself, I would always tune in to Myx, the Music Channel in our country, or MTV Philippines. Well, I don’t know what else to watch – Disney Channel maybe or Star Movies. I don’t know. I don’t watch local shows.