Social Media Or Not

I am a very private person. I guess it is my personality. I was born like it. In addition, I believe the “bringing up” factor counts since my father was a lawyer/agent so we were taught (indirectly) not to be too trusting with the surroundings, with people/strangers. Be more vigilant and careful especially growing up in the Philippines.

I deactivated my Facebook account because I felt it was too much, too social. In fairness, Facebook helps you quickly reach out to anyone since a lot of people are practically using it. Anyway I survived not using it for more than a year now and I felt happier.

Honestly, I was hesitant putting up personal photos here or even my real name. However, I thought that if people want to truly see and feel my messages or my sincerity, there should be honesty. Some personal touch.  So I decided to put my name on it. Added my photo on the profile. On the 8th month of actively blogging, I posted a personal photo. Hooray!

I know that there are advantages and disadvantages of using social media. I am hesitant but at the back of my head I am thinking that if you really want to connect to people, you have to share a part of you (while still being careful, while still protecting your privacy).

I only have WordPress and Instagram to connect to you. I am already happy with these 2. You can add me up if you are using Instagram! khris_79!

Have a great week guys!!!!

The Family Tree Project

The big portrait on the wall fascinated me. Although I was too young to understand, I was aware that it was a huge tree with branches. I remember there were so many names written on the branches.

When I was little, we used to come to my grandfather’s house. He was the fourth of the five brothers (for which my direct grandfather was the eldest).  When you enter their property, one would always notice a family tree painted on the walls.  I just recall how he gave importance on family ties. He used to host  family reunions in his place. It was a big gathering where a mass was being held for the family, and celebration come after (food & entertainment). I remembered that my siblings and I used to play a lot with our cousins. When grandfather died, I do not remember having reunions at all.

When I came of age, I find myself drawn to family ties. I see the value and significance of blood relations. I believe I was in high school when I started becoming interested in my family tree. I even documented it, wrote about it in my journal. I interviewed a great grandfather and asked all the names I needed to know to build the family tree. I know I have to find that journal that contains information about my ancestors. It was kept back home in the Philippines (it was one of the many). I hope they were not destroyed by the typhoon. I know I have too many other important things I need  to do in my life. Building a family tree is definitely not a necessity or maybe a waste of my time. But I think documenting and sharing it is what my heart wants. For the ones who are to be born yet. My son is naturally interested in it. He asks a lot of questions about family members. He seems to be more like me. I told him it will be my project and I will share it with him.

It maybe good to look where we came from, to acknowledge the past, the family, our roots. To make that spirit alive, spirit of being a family. Pray for healing and pray for hope. We are but many branches coming from the same trunk, originating from the same root. In a global perspective, we are all interconnected, intertwined.

It will be nice if we all continue to value our origins, our families. Like now, I try to reach out for my other cousins, nieces, nephews (the new generation). But it seems different. We are connected through social networking sites only and I see no effort from the younger ones to get to know their families. Don’t you think it would be nice to be connected not  just by social media like Facebook or Instagram? We aim for a connection that has depth, sincerity, and meaningful. Maybe it will be one of my goals for my own branches. I will make sure my branches will forever be united in love and in the spirit of being one. I better start building my family tree project!