Bato-bato sa Langit, tamaa’y huwag magalit (subtitle: Ang Pikon, Talo.. Beh!)
Warning: This post will either entertain or irritate you.
I was reminded by the magician we hired for Angel’s birthday party in Manila last May that “bato-bato” is actually the Tagalog word for “dove”. (“Kalapati”, the word that more naturally comes to mind when searching for a translation for “dove”, is actually “Pigeon”)
My post on BLOG CONVERSATIONS has spurred some comments coming from those who obviously got hit with what I said. I find it ironic, though, that someone reading my blog would take offense at something I wrote, but would think nothing of my taking offense at some nonchallant or ill-phrased comment about what they read on my blog. And will someone please explain to me if this makes sense: i hope you can write more interesting topics. kakasawa minsan ei. NY NY NY. there are more intersting things than NY right. but youre right its your own blog. write whatever makes you happy. though you have readers too. (Uhm, excuse me, New York is where I live. The title of the blog happens to be Pinay New Yorker — I thought that was self-explanatory.)
I knew I was opening a can of worms.. but I spoke my mind out as I’m supposed to do in a blog. Yes, it’s a personal blog (which someone else now says makes it “exclusive”, the implication of which totally escapes me.. ” (She) writes for herself and not really for others. So her’s is an exclusive blog, i guess.“)
I make no pretensions of being here to educate, entertain, show my works of art, showcase my life in pictures, etc. From the very heading, “MUSINGS OF A FILIPINA LIVING IN THE BIG APPLE”, the blog speaks for itself. I put this blog up to chronicle the thoughts that matter to me not to please anyone but to fulfill a personal need. I post the photographs here to keep a record of what I’ve done or made.
I write about my attempts at building a small herb garden, the joys and pains of motherhood and being a wife, the stupidity and wisdom of life.. my personal relationship with God, my love of postcards and lighthouses, make up and my culinary adventures, New York or Manila or Paris.. the subway, the MRT, fishballs, hotdogs, my headache, my period.
It helps that the people who matter understand. I read Toni’s post and it was exactly my thoughts in a more concise form. (Please take the time to read it. The link will open in another window so you won’t lose me and my ranting here.) I edited the applause out of WengT’s comment but know what she meant and all I can say is, thank you for your heartfelt appreciation of what I meant. And to Jerome who has been a sounding board offline, tuloy ang laban. +wink+
To those who search for substance and find that I’m not always elucidating about life, the pursuit of freedom or the wonders of outerspace, there are a million blogs out there doing that. Spontaneity has always been my muse, and I’m not a profound thinker 24/7. I only dig deep if I have to — most of the time, I simply think in practical terms… I think one thing that has kept me level headed and sane in this crazy world is my capacity to go with the flow and just be myself. Despite that, I have remained very civil as I would in the real world.. and unfortunately, I cannot say the same for one or two who seem to think they’re self-appointed editors in the open when their own writing doesn’t make grammatical sense.
I would actually thank these people who must’ve sat a long time thinking of some smart alecky retort for taking the time to visit my blog (over and over) and read my words (without fail!) were it not for the fact that they don’t have the guts to give me a working e-mail (read: a REAL one that won’t bounce), or show me how they’re doing a better job blogging (IF THEY EVEN HAVE A BLOG).
I actually never realized that I had an “audience” — it’s not like people pay to read my blabbering here. (Did anyone notice I don’t have a donation button on my side bar? I don’t have anything against those who have earned the right to — some of those blogs are actually written by real writers! Not just some Pinay New Yorker hitting the keys every time a thought strikes her..) At this point, I don’t know if I ought to be flattered or frightened about the fact that people actually read my posts. I have always been ambivalent about fame. I’m just doing what I set out to do when I write my thoughts down. I’m speaking my mind out. If you like to come back or link to my blog, you don’t even have to ask my permission.
As Toni wrote in Wifely Steps a year ago:
A simple rule for blog-hopping: If you don’t like it, don’t read it. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.
Simple. It’s all about respect. While bloggers cannot choose those who read their blogs, readers can choose to be helpful or not.
If you’ve gotten this far in this post, then you’re either shaking your head cursing me or nodding in agreement. Either way, thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Let me warn you, though, I intend to continue writing about New York and I don’t think I need to make sense to anyone but myself. (So maybe yes, my blog may be like a rice puff — “(a) couple of lengthy paragraphs with very little substance.” – and that’s supposed to be more profound that my inane writings here?) That’s why this is a weblog and not a commercial or academic website. I can write on and on and on and not make sense — that’s freedom of speech, and I’m doing it here in my own space. If you want to join in on the conversation, you’re welcome to do so but you must do so on the terms of the blogger. If that’s too much of a hassle, then go choose a blog where other rules apply.
The end.
tama ka. hindi mo obligasyon pasayahin lahat ng napupunta sa blog mo. keep it up!
There are really some people in the blogsphere (or not?!?!?!) who are just out there and live as sh!t disturbers. Your points are clear and I too, hope that they STOP their whining and grow up! OMG, some people’s children!!!!
Sorry, I’m overtaken by emotions… because I believe your blog is one of the best reads I’ve ever found! And really, for someone to comment about the content of your blog, that is really appalling - who are they to dictate what they should read or not?!
Blog away, Dinna. I found your entries very sincere and TRUE. Too bad, some folks don’t get it.
Hi, Dinna. Long time, no visit from me. After reading this post of yours, I guess I have to read your archives.
I’ll comment again later. Hope all is well in NY where you get your blog material from.
way to go dinna! to me blogging is a very personal thing. i blog for myself first and foremost. if people don’t like what i write, they shouldn’t read it na lang. i don’t blog naman to please them eh. so keep on writing about NY or whatever strikes your fancy.
haha. Love your disclaimer , D … and your SPUNK!
Besos to you from me ☺
i second that dinna! we’re not here to please anybody…happy that some guys appreciate what we do, yes…but most of all happy for our own accomplishments, big or small that we keep in this mesh of the www! mainly for ourselves! as dory [nemo] puts it, just keep swimm’n, just keep swimm’n! what the…basta! that’s what’s in my head right now..hehehe
hello…i personally find it entertaining… i even added you to my favorites & every morning when i get to work, i click on to see if you have writen anything new…you are right, nobody has to agree with you, in my particular case, if i read anything that i disagree with, it gives me something to think about & have a new perspective on things…i love ny but live in orange county, ca…maybe the next time i come to visit ny, you & your family will be nice enough to meet me & my daughter for lunch or dinner, we are avid foodies too…
hay dinna, i have a post for that. my personal take on this is, my blog is my house, i let you in my house, but i will allow you to rummage through my belongings, or criticize how i decorate my interior, if you do not like how my house is built, then you are most welcome to not visit. di ba? and if all else fails, there’s always the ignore button. always works!
Online or offline, there will always be people with evil intent in their hearts. It’s not good to be around such people.
Sorry to hear about the negative comments you’ve received. I don’t see any reason why someone would write something like that when you blog about interesting stuff — as a resident of New York or as a balikbayan in RP.
Blog visitors should have this take-it-or-leave-it mentality. If they don’t like what they read, then they can simply move on and read another blog. It’s that simple, really.
Keep blogging, Dinna. People want to know the goings-on in your life at the Big Apple.
I am an avid fan of yours and everyday, I come and visit your blog. I agree that a blog is your personal site and you can write whatever is in your mind and it doesn’t matter whether the readers agree with you or not. After all the choice is theirs to read it or not and if they have nothing good to say, they should keep it to themselves. Some people are just unhappy. Keep on blogging.
hi ate dinna, sorry to hear may mga existing pa palang tao nowadays walang magawa sa buhay nila, they’ve probably forgotten the golden rule!!! hehehe! first and foremost why do you visit a blog simply bcoz ur interested but if it doesnt satisfy you, you dont have to say anything against the blogger, its disrespectful and it reflects your attitude right? dont worry ate dinna just go on with your journal inggit lang cla kse wala cilang blog na kasing ganda and interesting ng PINAY NEW YORKER! till your next blog post! take care!
Keep up the good work, D. Our blogs were created not to please anyone but to chronicle our lives. Kasama sa kahit saan ang respetuhan, if you can’t say something good then keep your mouth shut devah?
I’m always happy reading your entries, simple para sa simpleng taong tulad ko.
Take care, D. Kiss Angel for me.