Patches of Light and Darkness

In the book Victory Over Japan by Ellen Gilchrist, there was a character named Nora Jane who thought that 'we are all patches of light and darkness... that cast shadows.'

Hmm... patches of light and darkness. I found myself trying to draw a parallel with what I witnessed yesterday.

After a tiring stroll at the Gateway in Cubao, we had merienda in the afternoon at home. I wanted to treat the kids to a pizza house but they told me they wanted to go home. During supper Papsie requested Daryl to wash the dishes because it was his turn supposed to be to wash the dishes after lunch. Seeing all the plates and glasses, Daryl's face went glum. I read the meaning behind that and the pout - "I am going to wash ALL the dishes!? So many!" Then he stood up, cleaned the table and went to the sink, murmuring. I asked him if the reason why he is sad is because there are plenty of dishes to wash. He shook his head silently. Nanay heard what I said and put in her good words, "You know, we are lucky because we have many dishes to wash and that means we have lots of food to eat. If the dishes to wash are not many, that means we don't have lots of food to eat." We laughed. Daryl smiled, a patch of light from Nanay.

Nanay's way to show her love is different from that of Diko *****, a relative. Diko ***** loved his grand son so much that he is always there for him. Let's call the grandson Angel. That child would grow to be a rascal. He lies, he invents stories, and he cries out loud if they don't give in to his whims. Diko***** is always there for his beloved apo. Yesterday, Angel went home whining and told Diko ***** that a cousin hid his ball. Diko ***** went out hurriedly and looked for the poor kid. He scolded him at the top of his voice despite the poor kid's constant denial that he did it. After a while, somebody came and said that one of the kids Angel played with hid the ball. Diko***** did not even think of asking pardon for what he did to Angel's cousin leaving the parents fuming. And they saw Angel grinned, a patch of darkness from his grandfather.

Nora Jane has to say "It always seems like there's nothing underneath them. Like there's nothing there." It is like reading what the future holds for Angel. Unless Diko ***** changed the way he's bringing up Angel, he should start saving for the bail.

Question and Answer Portion

Congenial playwright Dean got this one from speculative writer Banzai Cat and told myself, "I could give it a try!" So i asked him to INTERVIEW ME. It felt like I was one of those candidates in a beauty pageant LOL (I can dream, can't I?). This is fun really. The following are the questions Dean asked me.

1. Worldwide, the education system suddenly gets revamped - by you! What 3 books would you make required reading for everyone under the age of 18? a. The Bible b. A Life Like Mine c. Under 18: Knowing Your Rights
2. Coffee is important, right? But one day, all the tea and coffee in the world vanish. What would get you through the day?
   Awww… what??? No coffee?? How could I get through the day?? Ahh… Papsie and the kids!
3. If, at this very moment, you could find yourself front row and center at any living band or musical performer's concert, which or who would it be? Would you sing along?
   I would like to sing along with SANTANA but he has to teach me the lyrics first, and he has to be patient! I love his music but most of them are not in English.
4. What did you want to be when you grew up, when you were a little girl?
   A journalist… you are making me sad, I did not become a journalist.
5. What are the most important or influential words anyone said to you?
   "Kaya mo ‘yan! Ikaw pa!" from Papsie.

Here are The Official Interview Game Rules:

1. If you want to participate, leave a comment below saying "interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions - each person’s will be different.
3. You will update your journal/blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. If you don’t have a blog, I will still ask you 5 unique questions and you can post your answers here.

Lazy Sundays

Of the days in the week, Sunday is the best.

Family day is Sunday for me. It is routine but I always love it. We get up around 7am to take a bath then gobble the yummy breakfast Papsie had prepared (sometimes I do prepare breakfast, but rarely). We go to church afterwards. I love the feeling seating alongside my loved ones in the church. I love the feeling of being with my family.

After church, it is my turn usually to prepare food for lunch. How they love to eat what I cook. When Daryl was younger, he used to ask why the food I cook is delicious. I would answer that it has a very important ingredient and it is love. From then on, Daryl would repeat it when he has a chance, during mealtime, or among his cousins, titos and titas. That brought smiles and laughter to those who had heard that statement.

In the afternoon, or early evening, we would all watch a DVD movie, or a movie from the cable channels. It is during these hours that I feel so fortunate to experience such wonderful moments. With feet atop one’s thigh, or just sitting with two feet up, or a head on one’s lap, we live through life’s splendor especially during these hours. How I love to hear my kids express their responses or their reaction to a scene we’re watching, or Papsie’s exchange of pranks with the kids, or the intelligent discussions generated from the movie. It is truly magnificent.

When Sunday really gets lazy, we would all go to sleep. Kay would always ask for merienda when she wakes up from the afternoon nap. My little girl turning into a budding woman could gobble so much in the afternoon snack and eat very little in the evening. There are also times she prepares hotcakes by herself and experiments with it like adding bits of hotdogs or grated cheese on the cakes.

Papsie usually prepares food for supper. I sometimes do, but then again, rarely. Suppertime is super time. How I love to hear the banters and jokes again while eating. How I love to see Daryl almost not making a sound when he likes the food, or Kay picking up another serving of food when she likes the food, too. I would always comment on those things. It is only on odd occasions that suppertime is quiet.

Wow, Sunday! That lovely pattern of life on Sundays is enough to make me feel I am blessed. Though one of the trying moments when my precious digicam and my cell phone got lost on a Sunday, it is still a special day for me.

Coffee Please!

(written 9:30 am, this morning)

Today I feel so sluggish. And I don’t know the reason why. I slept earlier than the other late nights. I had my breakfast which consists of a hard-boiled egg, kutsinta with grated coconut and coffee.

I wanted to suspect my monthly period which is almost through. But PMS or premenstrual syndrome always comes before a period (that’s why it is has a prefix pre-). I wonder if there is another PMS which defines postmenstrual syndrome. And I am not nearing the climacteric period yet!

Then I thought I might just need another cup of coffee. I just love coffee and it is an effective stimulant for me – anything between soluble and decaffeinated. Despite the issues (that were not substantiated) about coffee, I go on with this caffeine-filled drink. It is really a drink that I cannot go without in a day.

True, I am a coffee lover but I am not the type who goes to coffee shops regularly to have a sip. Why go to a coffee shop when it can be available at home or in the office? Being a practical person (but not tightfisted), I think I can enjoy simple coffee made at home, or in the office. This is not saying I have anything against coffee shops. The simplicity, affordability and convenience really count for me.

The day is nearing its quarter now… gotta move and be on the go. Coffee please, Mo!

Silent Retaliation

Any lone cause designed to shed light on some perturbing issues always has to face the consequences of mockery, of incrimination, or of silent retaliation, aside from laud and advocacy.

Lesser friends, or acquaintances, disregard, or contempt, and even attempts to ruin, or annihilate - this is the price one has to pay for being vigilant. But does one vigilant person need to be bothered by all these? The answer is plain N - O. Once an individual decided to go on with a cause, he or she should have taken more reflection on the ill results of his or her cause before initiating a move.

A lot of people, and this is evident in this country, who had acquired power, authority, or fame cling to their lucrative positions with not only their two hands but also with their feet. And if you are an imminent opponent or rival, you should be gagged in any way they think is possible. In fact, silent retaliation is rampant in any sector of the society.

Silent retaliation only goes to show the cowardice of an opponent, or the guilt. Power, authority and fame truly blind reason. If the Filipinos, especially those in positions, should learn to LISTEN, REFLECT, ACCEPT and CHANGE, this country will go a long, long way. Anybody in this country does not have any right to find fault with the governance if we are that unruly and undisciplined.

It is really a sad thought if those who could lead have innate traits of selfishness and greed, and of pride and arrogance. They will banish you from the face of this earth if you try to assert your views, even with silent retaliation.

Nobody Wants to Die

Given the fact that all human beings eventually must die, still most of us would not want to die. Actually, some would find the discussion about death as cold and heartless but everybody should come to terms with this irreversible truth – "… for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart." (Ecclesiastes 7:2)

There are times that I wake up in the wee hours of the night, frightened with a dream about death of a loved one or my own death, jittery and trembling, as if my breath will cease anytime because of the beating up of my heart. At first, the episode made me sob. After a while, it leads me into an understanding that I am still alive. Every time that happens, I find it difficult to sleep. It made me wonder of the many things – Where do I go after death? What would happen to my beloved ones if I die? What does God look like? What will He tell me if I come face to face with Him? How would it feel to be in heaven or hell? Will I go to heaven or hell? Etc, etc.

I admire Papsie how he fully accepts the possibility of death anytime. And even though I have learned to accept this irreversible truth, there is always this feeling of denial. Probably because I love the person so much that the idea of death is terrorizing. Always, he reminds me to prepare myself and be courageous. That does not help. It frightens me. I guess I am more scared for him than him.

With the imminence of possible death to anyone, including myself, I guess what I really need to do is to give my best to everything, or to do my best to glorify God in anything I do, and not to be a walking dead who misses the way of wisdom. I have to strive hard to live "real", that is, to live full of peace, joy and wisdom. I think that if I try to live righteously, death is sweet when it comes.

So, folks, I don’t mean to scare… just a glimpse at where we’re going.

Some Popular Bloggers

When we enter into an endeavor, we usually do not know what lies ahead. We get so excited being involved in an activity or an undertaking that will surely harness our talents and abilities. We get thrilled that we will get to know or meet other people which is as diverse and as unique like us. We get hesitant because we know we will also be dealing with drawbacks. But the most important thing is we get exhilarated with the thought that someday somehow our effort and talents will be recognized and that someday we will reap the fruits of our labor.

This is also how it is when we decided to enter the blogging world. Most often, we always read tributes that are given to excellent bloggers, or comments that praise the magnificence or uniqueness of a writer, or mentions that detail the craftmanship of a web blog or a web site. These writers surely had reaped what their determination had earned them. They are so popular so to speak. But only a few, as I have observed as to this time, remained humble and magnanimous in their victory.

These are some observations about SOME popular bloggers:

1. They wanted fame. (who doesn’t?) But the eagerness to acquire fame become so evident that they wanted many people to visit their sites but they do not intend to return the visit as acknowledgment, no replies or even a single comment. Though a blogger could always choose not to come back if the site did not pass their taste, it is a waste of time to bother.
2. They cannot afford to receive criticisms. Some of them have this mentality that they are the best, and no one can beat them. Observe how they are threatened with negative remarks.
3. They seek only influential bloggers. If you are not a significant blogger, why would they care? You may be bright, eloquent or magnificent but if they cannot gain something from you one way or another then you are not a candidate link.
4. They form bandwagons. If you do not go along, you do not belong.
5. They glorify themselves with the idea that they are being imitated, plagiarized or robbed of concepts. There are plagiarists, alright, but this is such a delicate matter that you cannot just throw such accusation outright. They are not the only ones who can think of that particular concept.
6. They are arrogant. A humble person even in front of an adversary or a detractor will be polite and discreet. This should also be true with bloggers. Arrogance could reduce to rubble a fellow blogger’s regard to a popular blogger.
7. They also steal ideas. Just observe. To maintain their popularity, they have to be consistent; they need to have clever ideas to maintain consistency. But there are also times when their minds become inactive (or their brains are not functioning well? ahihihi) and they could not think of anything bright. Your idea could be stolen and since the blog is popular, it continues to gain popularity though the idea came from you. The pilferage is not obvious because of the add-on words.

Popularity is not forever. But the question is how did you maintain that popularity during your time without sacrificing your values, beliefs and individuality? If you are an upcoming popular blogger, would you choose to be popular at the expense of others, or at all times be magnanimous in your victories?

These observations were not borne out of bitterness but out of the honest assessment on SOME popular bloggers.

almost exactly like my Canon IXUS 30 digital camera... will surely miss it!

almost exactly like my Canon IXUS 30 digital camera... will surely miss it!

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almost exactly like my Canon IXUS 30 digital camera... will surely miss it!

Painful Loss

It’s over.

It was like a bomb to realize the loss. There was denial, clear cut but did not succeed against the truth. Gone. Will never come back.

We have been together only for three months. I treated with care, cherished the joy I have been having, and appreciated the striking quality. None could replace the vivid pictures of candidness, sharp details and moments of love.

I possessed and I lost. In a snap, gone. And I cried in the bathroom, very hard. I cried my eyes out after learning the truth – no possibility of a come back. Papsie made a mistake. What a mistake, a careless effort to disregard!

How I wished I did not choose to bring along. Just left and forgot about the plans of joyous collections. Just left and concentrated on the plan of just listening to mass. But these thoughts cannot erase the hurt. Tricky what-ifs that could have been avoided and whatnots that could not replace the loss.

My Canon IXUS-30 digital camera is gone together with my cellular phone. I was still hopeful till noon that the finder will not be a keeper. As evening comes, the hope vanishes.

My fellowship with my valuable possessions is over.

Should I blame Papsie for the carelessness? Should I blame myself for bringing it along instead of leaving it at home? Holding him or myself accountable could not bring it back. Could not reverse the instances, either.

A bad day, it is. But thank God for it. I learned a lot today. And I thought real bad luck only happens on Friday the 13th.

I still cry but not loads of tears anymore. Only drops of tears. I regret the many things today that transpired but only time could heal my distress.

I miss my camera.

Extraodinaire Catching Attention

As always, eye-catchers draw attention. Men and women alike wonder how the hell that voluptuous lady friend of Mr. Yuckie got a pair of big, soft rounded boobs, or why that macho dancer gyrating on stage has those big muscles and chests (breast augmentation? nature augmented?). Men gape at the flawless pair of legs that draws their breaths out of the capillaries of their lungs. Men, women and even children float because of fascination at the beautiful face of Catherine Zeta Jones, or because of the handsome features of Keannu Reeves (that would include me!). They also marvel at Jennifer Lopez’s butt twitching while performing "Let’s Get Loud".

But hey, these are not confined to the human species only. The animal and plant kingdom also have their share of species extraordinaire. As I surf the net, I found some extraordinary looking pics from kingdoms Animalia and Plantae. In the kingdom Plantae, the chinese lantern plant which resembles Chinese lanterns is extraordinarily orange colored and the snap dragon flowers have a unique, irregular shape and come in shades of yellow, red, pink, orange, bronze, lavender and white. They are said to have jaws that can be snapped open. In the kingdom Animalia, you will adore the extraordinary Fennec fox that has over extended ears. The white Bengal tiger never stops to amaze me of its angelic look and color under an extraordinarily ferocious face.

So many very unusual creatures on earth. Do ordinary men possess these extraordinariness, too?

Si Kay ay Isang Libro ni OSCAR WILDE

Oscar Wilde: The Portrait of Dorian Gray. You are a
horror novel from the world of dandies, rich
pretty boys, art and aesthetics, and
intellectual debates between ethical people and
decadent pleasure-seekers. You value beauty and
pleasure but realize their dangers, as well.

Which literature classic are you?
brought to you by QUIZILLA

Si Daryl ay Isang LORD OF THE RINGS na libro

Kelangan ko lang talagang i post ito. Sobrang natuwa si Daryl sa resultang ito:

J.R.R. Tolkien: Lord of the Rings. You are
entertaining and imaginative, creating whole
new worlds around yourself. Well loved, you
have a whole league of imitators, none of which
is quite as profound as you are. Stories and
songs give a spark of joy in the middle of your
eternal battle with the forces of evil.Which literature classic are you?
brought to you by

The Words that Slip from the Mouth

Proper words in proper places, make the true definition of a style.

Jonathan Swift (1667 - 1745)
Anglo-Irish writer and clergyman.

"Letter to a Young Gentleman lately entered into Holy Orders"

¶¶¶¶¶

Each word and phrase that slips from the mouth is a reflection of a person. It is an intro, a free advertisement about the quality of a person. If the mouth (along with the eyes) is the gateway into one’s soul, then the words are the meaning of his soul.

Many of us identify ourselves with another person because of the words that slither from him. We get interested because it will not be so difficult to relate and the communication will go smooth. But there are also cases that we get interested because one is a total opposite of our own personality. This is tricky because we sometimes end up using the same language that opposite has – loosing afterwards our own identity.

I am sure I will not be opposed if I say that we are responsible to every single word that slip from our mouth. It makes no importance if the words are our own or ones that we acquired from listening, reading, viewing or observing. But that every single word that slip has with it what we call responsibility. We are accountable with every word, with every phrase comprised of words, along with their commas and periods, accents, or stress, and with every emotion that goes with each word. If with words we have the authority to act, we also have the full responsibility to any mix-up caused by our words.

Words have power. They can heal, or cause, a broken heart; can dampen, or heighten, one’s fears; can bless or curse; can bring about love, or hate; can influence, or disappoint; or, can inspire, or bore a listener. What power they had brought individuals to leadership, and to authority!

Because we use words to communicate, we should never use them to make a promise that we are sure we cannot fulfill. We should never use libelous words to destroy other people. We should never use them to deceive anybody and make his life worse. We should never pass judgment or find fault with another using words.

We tend to forget always this -- > responsibility, when we talk. We do have our rights to express but we should never ever forget the accountability with such freedom. It is always best that we ponder before we talk, so that we can use ‘proper words in proper places’.

The Words that Slip from the Mouth

Proper words in proper places, make the true definition of a style.

Jonathan Swift (1667 - 1745)
Anglo-Irish writer and clergyman.

"Letter to a Young Gentleman lately entered into Holy Orders"

¶¶¶¶¶

Each word and phrase that slips from the mouth is a reflection of a person. It is an intro, a free advertisement about the quality of a person. If the mouth (along with the eyes) is the gateway into one’s soul, then the words are the meaning of his soul.

Many of us identify ourselves with another person because of the words that slither from him. We get interested because it will not be so difficult to relate and the communication will go smooth. But there are also cases that we get interested because one is a total opposite of our own personality. This is tricky because we sometimes end up using the same language that opposite has – loosing afterwards our own identity.

I am sure I will not be opposed if I say that we are responsible to every single word that slip from our mouth. It makes no importance if the words are our own or ones that we acquired from listening, reading, viewing or observing. But that every single word that slip has with it what we call responsibility. We are accountable with every word, with every phrase comprised of words, along with their commas and periods, accents, or stress, and with every emotion that goes with each word. If with words we have the authority to act, we also have the full responsibility to any mix-up caused by our words.

Words have power. They can heal, or cause, a broken heart; can dampen, or heighten, one’s fears; can bless or curse; can bring about love, or hate; can influence, or disappoint; or, can inspire, or bore a listener. What power they had brought individuals to leadership, and to authority!

Because we use words to communicate, we should never use them to make a promise that we are sure we cannot fulfill. We should never use libelous words to destroy other people. We should never use them to deceive anybody and make his life worse. We should never pass judgment or find fault with another using words.

We tend to forget always this -- > responsibility, when we talk. We do have our rights to express but we should never ever forget the accountability with such freedom. It is always best that we ponder before we talk, so that we can use ‘proper words in proper places’.

Seven

I like the number seven. I do not believe in lucky numbers but i do like the number seven. It originated from my amazement how God created the world in seven days.

This will never change until I die - that I was born on the 7th of May. And to celebrate it, I share with you my seven ME, my seven songs for this day and seven quotations.

ENJOY PONDERING, AND LISTENING TO MY KIND OF MUSIC. (Psst... no rock this time.)

Many thanks to Tristan Cafe where I got the lyrics while I listen to the music.

Recreations: listening to music, silence.

- Edith Sitwell (1887 - 1964)
British poet, critic, and writer.
In her Who's Who entry for many years.
LISTEN TO THIS ---> HOW DID YOU KNOW by Gary Valenciano

Recreations: listening to music, silence.

- Edith Sitwell (1887 - 1964)
British poet, critic, and writer.
In her Who's Who entry for many years.
LISTEN TO THIS ---> HOW DID YOU KNOW by Gary Valenciano

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Recreations: listening to music, silence.

- Edith Sitwell (1887 - 1964)
British poet, critic, and writer.
In her Who's Who entry for many years.
LISTEN TO THIS ---> HOW DID YOU KNOW by Gary Valenciano

Each coming together of man and wife, even if they have been mated for many years, should be a fresh adventure; each winning should necessitate a fresh wooing.
- Marie Stopes (1880 - 1958)
British scientist and birth-control campaigner.
Married Love
LISTEN TO THIS ---> CRAZY FOR YOU by Sponge Cola

Each coming together of man and wife, even if they have been mated for many years, should be a fresh adventure; each winning should necessitate a fresh wooing.
- Marie Stopes (1880 - 1958)
British scientist and birth-control campaigner.
Married Love
LISTEN TO THIS ---> CRAZY FOR YOU by Sponge Cola

111547858198946838

Each coming together of man and wife, even if they have been mated for many years, should be a fresh adventure; each winning should necessitate a fresh wooing.
- Marie Stopes (1880 - 1958)
British scientist and birth-control campaigner.
Married Love
LISTEN TO THIS ---> CRAZY FOR YOU by Sponge Cola

Is life worth living? This is a question for an embryo, not for a man.
- Samuel Butler (1835 - 1902)
British writer, painter, and musician.
LISTEN TO THIS ---> EVERY LITTLE THING HE DOES IS MAGIC by MYMYP

Is life worth living? This is a question for an embryo, not for a man.
- Samuel Butler (1835 - 1902)
British writer, painter, and musician.
LISTEN TO THIS ---> EVERY LITTLE THING HE DOES IS MAGIC by MYMYP

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Is life worth living? This is a question for an embryo, not for a man.
- Samuel Butler (1835 - 1902)
British writer, painter, and musician.
LISTEN TO THIS ---> EVERY LITTLE THING HE DOES IS MAGIC by MYMYP

You don't have the same resistance to alcohol. You lose the arrogance you have when you are 20. Thank God.
- Gérard Depardieu (1948 - )
French actor.
The Observer (London)
LISTEN TO THIS ---> LOVE OF MY LIFE by South Border

You don't have the same resistance to alcohol. You lose the arrogance you have when you are 20. Thank God.
- Gérard Depardieu (1948 - )
French actor.
The Observer (London)
LISTEN TO THIS ---> LOVE OF MY LIFE by South Border

111547708807129794

You don't have the same resistance to alcohol. You lose the arrogance you have when you are 20. Thank God.
- Gérard Depardieu (1948 - )
French actor.
The Observer (London)
LISTEN TO THIS ---> LOVE OF MY LIFE by South Border

It is impossible to love and be wise.
- Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626)
English philosopher, statesman, and lawyer.
Essays, "Of Love"
LISTEN TO THIS ---> BECAUSE OF YOU by Kyla

It is impossible to love and be wise.
- Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626)
English philosopher, statesman, and lawyer.
Essays, "Of Love"
LISTEN TO THIS ---> BECAUSE OF YOU by Kyla

111547698746565385

It is impossible to love and be wise.
- Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626)
English philosopher, statesman, and lawyer.
Essays, "Of Love"
LISTEN TO THIS ---> BECAUSE OF YOU by Kyla

Drinking when we are not thirsty and making love all year round, madam; that is all there is to distinguish us from other animals.
- Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (1732 - 1799)
French playwright.
The Marriage of Figaro
LISTEN TO THIS ---> A LITTLE BIT by MYMP

Drinking when we are not thirsty and making love all year round, madam; that is all there is to distinguish us from other animals.
- Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (1732 - 1799)
French playwright.
The Marriage of Figaro
LISTEN TO THIS ---> A LITTLE BIT by MYMP

111547589220603149

Drinking when we are not thirsty and making love all year round, madam; that is all there is to distinguish us from other animals.
- Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais (1732 - 1799)
French playwright.
The Marriage of Figaro
LISTEN TO THIS ---> A LITTLE BIT by MYMP

One must always tell what one sees. Above all, which is more difficult, one must always see what one sees.
- Charles Pierre Péguy (1873 - 1914)
French writer and poet.

LISTEN TO THIS --> YOU'LL BE SAFE HERE by River Maya

One must always tell what one sees. Above all, which is more difficult, one must always see what one sees.
- Charles Pierre Péguy (1873 - 1914)
French writer and poet.

LISTEN TO THIS --> YOU'LL BE SAFE HERE by River Maya

111547581890758557

One must always tell what one sees. Above all, which is more difficult, one must always see what one sees.
- Charles Pierre Péguy (1873 - 1914)
French writer and poet.

LISTEN TO THIS --> YOU'LL BE SAFE HERE by River Maya