Friday, October 31, 2008

AFTER THE CROSSROADS

I came across this old post (for easter) from my old blog:
-o-o-o-o-o-
While easter speaks of resurrection, I was coming from the opposite direction. I was whirled up, high and around. Now, I am waiting to come down.. slowly, and hopefully with care. I have journeyed this way for quite long, it has left me dazed. Sometimes disoriented. I don't know what I have become. I have relied on egoism. Casted my energy to competition. Maybe so to survive..
When does a child loses her innocence? The moment she thinks of competition... In this side of my world, things have not moved on to easter.
-o-o-o-o-o-

This was me at the height of the muddle. Now that I have chosen the road to tread, things have turned calm and placid in this side of my world.


On that note, I'm signing off for some few days lang naman. It's halloween time! Fully booked ang scheds for the occassion!



Monday, October 27, 2008

The game called PROMOTION


IN THE BATTLEFIELD I CALL MY WORKPLACE, THERE IS A GAME CALLED PROMOTION. EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE A PLAYER. PLAYERS DIE TO DO THE HOMERUN NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES. SOMEBODY IS KNOCKED OFF, ELBOWED, KNEED AND BRUISED. BUT NOBODY CALLS A FOUL...

IN PROMOTION, SPORTSMANSHIP IS NOT THE WAY THEY DO IT. THERE'S NO GOOD LOSER, NEITHER A GRACIOUS WINNER. EVERYTHING IS FORGOTTEN ESPECIALLY THE VALUE OF FRIENDSHIP. THERE IS NO DELIKADESA. THERE'S ONLY I, ME AND MINE... I SAW A GAME OF PROMOTION. AND IT WAS A GAME TURNED INTO A TRAGEDY. I AM DAMN GLAD I WASN'T PART OF THAT GAME. BUT WHEN IT'S MY TURN TO PLAY IT, I VOW TO PLAY IT FAIR AND SQUARE. SO HELP ME GOD.
I wrote these lines a year ago. But just recently, I took part in this game of Promotion. I have been promoted as the Supervising Officer... So, who was elbowed, kneed and bruised? ..

It's so hard to be at a crossroads. I thank my hubby and my mom for standing by me.
(note: some parts omitted by the author)

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

ANDOY

This is Andoy..
Few weeks back, he was featured in Rated K, Channel 2 hosted by Korina Sanchez. This is the same Andoy that we met when we visited Callao Cave (PeƱablanca, Cagayan) during our road trip to Northern Luzon. He was our "spokening dollar" tour guide, and he really speaks well in english! Okay then, maybe those are just memorized lines taught to him by the Department of Tourism (wherein he got trained to be a tour guide). So we pushed him more to speak english by asking him questions outside the context of his "comfort zone" (the Callao cave). And he successfully answered our queries, and in straight english! We learned some details about his life during our question and answer portion... He stays with his lolo ( I forgot whether he mentioned about his father living with them). He has foster parents from Hawaii who helps out with his studies. They plan to bring him to Hawaii someday. He wants to be a lawyer. And when asked why, "Because I want to prove that not all lawyers are liars!", goes his famous line. "How much have you earned today from your tour guiding?", we went on prying. He earned more than 1000Php for that day. Not bad eh (summer is peak season). And he's going to use that money to buy materials for the upcoming school year... Andoy is driven by his dreams. Such an intelligent boy. I pray that he stays that way.

The thing is, Andoy was more amusing and unforgettable than the Callao Cave.



And here's a glimpse of our road trip to Northern Luzon:







Tuesday, October 14, 2008

AN OLD MAN REMINDED ME

I was alone in the room while the rest of my officemates were upstairs for a program. A retired BIG BOSS came to pick up his monthly pension. I was taken aback. Trying to figure out what seemed to be wrong with the picture before me. I looked intently at his now very old, worn out face and his unproperly buttoned suit. Oh, he was a heart-rending sight! I can hardly grasp any of his words but I understood that he had a stroke few months ago.... "But sir, the vouchers are not yet processed. But it will surely be done this week." I saw the frustration written all over his face. "But, it is usually out this time of the month", he insisted. "Sir" I tried to explain "there was a little delay in the release of funds. But I assure you it will be released not later than friday". He looked at me, as if waiting for me to announce that everything was a joke. I was trying to find words to suffice his confusion. Words to ease his desperation. But he just stood there as if waiting for my punchline. Hay..If it was a joke, it surely wasn't funny. He was staring at me straight with his tired and weary eyes. And he turned his back. Walked slowly and sadly away from me. Oh my..I guess the old man badly needed his money. For his medication. Therapy, maybe. I don't know..He was tearing me apart.

Life, it is ...

He used to have a bubbly spirit. Such a brilliant mind. A big boss in control of the world. But look at him now, almost losing everything. His youth, health, wealth. His power. And soon, maybe even his brilliant mind. He had everything that the world can offer. And looking at him, he manifests the truth that everything in life indeed is fleeting. And though these lines are commonplace, everything in this world boils down to this reailty. I feel sorry for the old man, but I surely thank him for reminding me how I should live my own life. That I shouldn't be so attached with the world. That at the end of it all, I will be losing everything. And what will be left of me is my soul and how well I was able to nourish it. And at the dusk of my life, I will have nothing but my soul faced before my God.

photo credit: lefion
o LOREN

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS!


My kids helped me out in decorating this tree. They were having such a great time especially my five-year old boy (Nick). Hubby was a mere spectator. He may be as excited but it didn't show. Well, hubby knew from the start how I'm crazy about christmas. Though he may not understand why my passion about this season can sometimes be a little overstated (listening to christmas songs almost all year round), but he tolerates me and kinda love me that way. When I'm gone (for whatever reason), he'll gonna miss me in christmas. And he agrees.



Here's my niece appreciating my christmas tree. Oh, it isn't as perfect as my dream christmas tree, but I'll gonna start to change things up a bit from year to year. I usually just pile on all the ornaments. Maybe next christmas, I'll start to choose a color palette. Or maybe I'll start this year.

Friday, October 3, 2008

YOU OUGHT TO KNOW..(coffee matters) -1



Too much coffee can trigger headache. However, coffee can help relieve the symptoms if you drink it in the very early stage of headache. Caffeine constrict blood vessels. It helps counter the painful effect when blood vessels dilate in the head.
When added to pain medication (ibuprofen), it can help improve their absorption and increases their pain killing effect..I suffer from migraine quite often especially during my monthly period (menstrual migraine) and I have tried it several times already. Oftentimes, it has saved my day from my excruciating, agonizing headache! Try it yourself.