Thank you, Mih–for your kindness, your patience, your friendship–thank you!
I have blogged for years now. But I never met a man as gentle and kind as Mihran Kalaydjian. Because aside from the fact that he had been so generous reblogging my posts, there was this one very warm conversation I had with him.
When I posted my condolences to our dear Ajaytao, I made Mihran cry that day. Although I was worried if I made him cry because I wrote bad; or I wrote something for Oscar’s (coz I do have the tendency for drama), but I was really touched with his honest sentiment. Coz Mihran never met Ajay, yet he shed a tear for him. He even asked me “Why am I crying, Aina?” I told him, “It’s because Mihran, you’re a gentleman with a very big heart and beautiful soul.” And so we were both crying in the end.
And I mean those words up to this very minute that I am writing this post. I could go on forever enlisting all the great things I appreciate in Mihran. So, I narrow it down to ten, and they’re below:
I guess, what I am trying to say: Mih, thank you for coming our ways! Thank you for the kindness you do everyday! Thank you for being a true gentleman in every way! You earned not only our respect, but our hearts as well. May all the blessing of Heaven and Earth be upon you, my friend! A million thanks to you kind thing!
P.S. Please own the message of the song below. It’s for you. I thank you with all my heart and soul!
Spring Semester 2015 is up, and so am I. Because, finally, I’m completely moving to the bigger campus of the University of Hawaii West Oahu. And what this means to me, is that I am getting close to my humble dream of becoming a Certified Public Accountant and tax attorney–and in lieu of a lifetime devotion–to be more of service to my less-privileged clients at Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.
However, as I was struggling yesterday with the $4.00 tote bag that weighed more than 20 lbs. of $1,000+ worth of hard bound textbooks, I couldn’t help but cry for the prices I had to pay in achieving my dream: First, being away from my children. Second, possibly being away from you too, my WordPress friends (for inevitably losing this liberty to write and blog as much as I love to).
It was a quick sentimental moment. But I ended up writing the poem below (quite inspired by William Shakespeare’s All the World’s a Stage).
Regardless, thank you everyone for the support and friendship–a million thanks to you all! I hope you cherish your crafts (just as you cherish your blogs and followers too). Have a good weekend, and be happy!
In the vast savanna of Africa,
I came to life.
But unlike my cousins,
who lived million years
before me,
I did not inhabit the trees.
I did hunt and join gatherers, so I may live. I roamed and thrived in Africa, and colonized different corners of the world through persistence hunting and the agility of my bipedal feet.
I survived wilderness through the culture more powerful than the blood running in my stream.
A victim of melting ice and rising sea levels, I had to walk and walk as a nomad, until I found the rich soils to plant the foods that gave me heat.
Though always bullied by climate change, I knew: I should be a guardian of nature, or a loyal friend at least, but never as an enemy– more so, its worst enemy.
Tricked by this-worldly side of me, I was a slave of my whims and needs.
A willing prisoner of material possessions and temporal needs, I hurt Mother Earth and compromised my life and all lives poorly thinking that was how I should live.
Guilty as charged, and stricken by greed, I am responsible for the evil profusion of CO2, and demonic dependence on chemicals and GMOs too.
Indeed, I am what I am, but I can overcome my flaws.
For with a willing heart, and fierce determination, I still can mend the wounds I caused this world– as I am so endowed with knowledge and wisdom.
To heal myself, this world, and the universe– from all iniquities– is now my utmost priority.
I am Homo sapien
to scientists;
A man
to many;
And,
I am Earth’s
greatest legacy,
and I will
always be.
“Thank you for the music. . .
Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing. . .
Who can live without it?
I ask in all honesty. . . ,”
Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulveaus.
The other day, I read an article against music. Honestly, my reaction was negative; and, that was for obvious reason.
However, please allow me to be proactive, as I share some of the benefits of music in our lives:
Among Children
In an academic article written by Donald Taylor (with Sage Publication), he writes: “Research shows that students usually enjoy playing classroom instruments (Boswell, 1991; Bowles, 1998), which may serve as motivation for continued learning. Although children often enjoy singing in kindergarten and first grade, they may sometimes be more reticent and self-conscious about singing as they grow older (Blyler, 1960; Bowles, 1998; Mizener, 1993; Phillips & Aitchison, 1998; Siebenaler, 1999).”
Even Sarah Sparks, at Education Week, she notes: “New research suggests that the complexity involved in practicing and performing music may help students’ cognitive development. Studies released last month at the Society for Neuroscience meeting here find that music training may increase the neural connections in regions of the brain associated with creativity, decision making, and complex memory, and they could improve a student’s ability to process conflicting information from many senses at once. Research also found that starting music education early can be even more helpful.”
Among Elders
Moreover in April 18, 2012, Nursing Standard’s editor-in-chief, Jean Gray reports: “ Implementation of creative therapy resulted in improvements in creative self-expression, communication, pleasure and enjoyment, and general engagement in people with dementia. The evaluation has emphasized the positive effects of creative or artistic approaches on dementia care, and supports previous research on the use of such approaches in NHS dementia care services. Further research on the immediate and longer-term outcomes and benefits of creative therapy for people with dementia is recommended to support the routine availability of such therapy in dementia care.”
Among All Ages
Likewise, at Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, scholars Attila Szabo, Sarah Ainsworth and Philippa Danks write: “. . .the acute mental benefits of exercise can be reproduced with other physically less challenging, and ‘‘virtually effortless’’ interventions such as humor and music. The latter both reduce state anxiety whilst improve affective states.”
Personal Attestation
As most of you know, I’m a mom of three, separated to my kids and entire family (who are all in the Philippines), while I live and study here in Hawaii.
Being alone in this paradise, at the beginning wasn’t easy. I was home sick, and identity sick (because I left my native country at the height of my news writing career). But what kept me sane (along with my school, and my goals, to give my kids the brightest future), were my playlists.
With my favorite songs, I can write lyrics, poems, academic essays (rigid and stringent rules apply in academia here in the United States), even short stories on impromptu basis.
At school, along with the books, music is my faithful company in many libraries of the University of Hawaii.
I really can’t imagine life without music; for without my playlists; without the songs that appease my soul; without the music that touches my heart, I probably won’t be here blogging with you, my beautiful peers from WordPress.
Successful People in the Music Industry
Steve Job’s and Apple’s success, was not made by MAC. Rather, it was the iPod; and, its ability to download; to keep and play thousands of songs that made them succeed. And it even led to a bigger and undisputed success, because that creation led to further innovations of iPad and iPhone.
Jobs was smart enough to create technologies that will complement our love for music (or through media).
His creativity even had a groundbreaking (in garages), while he was bonding with his co-founder of Apple, Steve Wozniak, whom he shared his love for music (especially, those composed and sung) by Beatles
Another phenomenal person that succeeded in music, was the legendary man in the video below, the late Michael Jackson. There are many more others; actually, there are countless of them.
In Hollywood, one of the most important elements for a movie to succeed, is a good theme song. Musical scoring plays a crucial role. And a soundtrack enhances profitability.
In matters of faith and religion, churches acknowledge the effect of music in their services. They all use music to sing glories and praises to God.
Nevertheless, and as far as I am concerned: Music is only bad if the cd is pirated. Because reality is: With how relaxing music is, I still can sing and groove, even if me, or someone is totally out of tune.
Works Cited
Gray, Jean. “A move to local pay would make no sense.” Nursing Standard 18 Apr. 2012: 1. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 July 2014.
Sparks, Sarah D. “Studies Highlight Brain Benefits From Music Training.” Education Week 33.13 (2013): 6. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 July 2014.
Szabo, Attila, Sarah E. Ainsworth, and Philippa K. Danks. “Experimental Comparison Of The Psychological Benefits Of Aerobic Exercise, Humor, And Music.” Humor: International Journal Of Humor Research 18.3 (2005): 235-246. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 July 2014.
Taylor, Donald M. “Orff Ensembles: Benefits, Challenges, And Solutions.” General Music Today 25.3 (2012): 31-35. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 July 2014.
“Hypocrisy does not dwell,
nor hide in a song.
Rather, it’s deeply, darkly etched
in the heart of a very unhappy,
and insecure person,”
ME, Music’s most loyal company.
In the vast savanna of Africa,
I came to life.
But unlike my cousins,
who lived million years
before me,
I did not inhabit the trees.
I hunted and joined gatherers, so I may live. I roamed and thrived in Africa, and colonized all corners of the world through persistence hunting and the agility of my bipedal feet.
I survived wilderness through the culture more powerful than the blood running in my stream.
A victim of melting ice and rising sea levels, I had to walk and walk as a nomad, until I found the rich soils to plant the foods I needed for heat.
Though constantly bullied by climate change, I knew: No matter what, I should be the guardian of nature, or a loyal friend at least, but never as an enemy.
Tricked by the worldly side of me, I was once a slave of my whims and needs.
A prisoner of material possessions and temporal needs, I hurt Mother Earth and compromised my life and all lives just to live.
Guilty as charged,
and stricken by greed,
I am responsible
for the evil profusion of CO2,
Misuse and abuse of chemicals
and GMO too.
Indeed,
I am what I am.
But I can overcome my flaws;
and, still be the best
that I can be. . .
For amid it all,
I still can mend
the wounds
I cause this world,
for I am endowed
by knowledge and wisdom,
and this power
right at my finger tips.
To heal myself,
this world
and the universe
from all iniquities,
is now
my utmost priority.
I am
Homo sapien
to scientists;
a man
to many;
And,
I am Earth’s
greatest legacy,
and I will always be.
Lyrics, Sentiments and Me 
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