It made me so happy, I cried

Today, the 30th of April at approximately 3:15 p.m., my dear friend said the sweetest thing anyone in my life (and I have a lot of anyones in my life who love me) has ever said to me...it was on the phone but it made my heart skipped 2 beats...really ü. I said I won't write about what he said on my blog because...well, I have my reasons. Who knows, I might write about it soon ü.

My dear friend is not the type who would throw caution to the wind but I guess it's a windy day today. Thank you very much for making me cry a while ago, my dear friend.

From bestfriend to boyfriend and the road back

It's going to be a long trip...and lonely, too (for now).

Risk aversion or the art of playing safe

I have been wanting to write on this topic ever since my dear friend posted a question to me (which we would do to each other ü)...it had something to do on choosing which contest I would join: (1)there are only 2 tickets and the prize money is P100,000 or (2)there are 10 tickets and the prize money is P1,000,000...I can only buy 1 ticket and I can only join 1 contest. For me, it was simple, I chose the 1st contest. And there he was telling me about risk aversion (he read about it in an article on Freakonomics which I've read also). Of course, we had a long conversation about it which I actually enjoy...specially when he's passionate because I get passionate when he's passionate...in conversations, okay ü

So, what's wrong with playing safe? I wouldn't think of myself as an adventurer although I wish I am. I don't eat lengua, chicken feet and tripe. However, I hated sushi before but now I like it so much. I, also, never thought that I would enjoy eating isaw. I haven't tried bungee jumping and I don't plan to...but who knows? But I've experienced taking rides in amusement parks not really being sure if these rides are scary. After taking these rides, I was okay...a bit shaken but okay. I don't consider myself lucky in raffles or contests although I've won in some...unexpectedly.

In my life, I think I've made choices and decisions that are particularly safe...well, except for 2 decisions I've made...the one I made on September 30, 1999 and the one I made on November 27, 2005...I wouldn't call these decisions safe but I wouldn't call these as risks. I don't know what to call these decisions...let's just save this story for another time.

Let's face it, safe choices and decisions can put you to sleep at night...no worries. However, there are times that you have to go out of your comfort zone and try something new. Seize the day...or at least the moment. Timing is important, though. But sometimes we're not really sure when the right time really is.

I had my hair cut short last Easter Sunday...that was a risk, I tell you. I was holding on to my long, straight hair up to the last minute...as if testing myself if I'll change my mind...but I didn't. About 5 inches length of my hair chopped off...no regrets!

Early this week, we (in my department) had a meeting. Our supervisor called for the meeting because, apparently, people in the department are 'bad mouthing' other people within the department including the supervisor. I could have taken a back seat and kept quiet. Whatever I have against anyone in the group I can always keep to myself or share it with my dear friend. I guess it was grace from God that I suggested that we open up to each other about any grudges that we have. I have always believed that the cause of any misunderstanding is precisely that...misunderstanding. If you become indifferent about it there will never be a chance to clear things out. So, I took the risk, I shared. My feelings. Disappointments. Frustrations. I did, however, shared my hope for the group which I still have now. I felt good about the meeting. However, a day after that there are still talks about how this person works and that person works...so, I guess this is not the end of this story.

My dear friend is off somewhere this morning. This somewhere is not his comfort zone. You see, he's going to change jobs. His work before was a safe place to work...his comfort zone. Right now, I am proud that he's not playing safe in going in this company. The task ahead for him in this job is new not only to him but also for the company. It was after much discernment when he finally chose this new job. He is scared and I am scared also.

So, sometimes, even if the timing is right, risks don't guarantee a smooth sail afterwards. But like I was telling him...THIS IS THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM...let's hope for clear skies soon ü.

A different Lenten week

Ever since, my Lenten season was spent exactly the same way how my family spends it. If they were going to go out on vacation, I would go with them. If they were going to spend it here in Manila, I would spend it here in Manila. That has always been how it was.

This Lenten season, I am going to do something different. I am going to go through the Lenten week in the way I want to go through with it. I am going to stay home while my family will be spending it in the province. I woke up this morning and they have left already. I feel independent (at least for this next few days)...but it's a moment that I feel both excited and scared...weird feeling.

There are 2 things I want to do for the next 3 days...Reflect on Christ's Passion and clean my room (general cleaning). These 2 things I only do once a year...pity. But I have a strong feeling that it's going to be a blessed 3 days. Why? I just have that feeling.

Here's to this blessing.

Remembering not to forget my dear (matalik) friend

My insight last night is this:
Friends make life worth experiencing.
Friendships make experiences worth living.

My dear friend (also known as my weird best friend ü) and I became friends almost 9 years ago. I never thought that this friend can make my life richer…but he did. We became more than friends and still the friend in him was there for me, no matter what.

A few years back, my dear friend and I mistakenly drove off with a car we thought was ours. The experience was so funny (and weird ü) but I feel so lucky to have experienced it with him. This is just one of many experiences we’ve had together…my dear friend and I.

The highlight of our friendship is the conversations we’ve had and continually have…we never run out of things to talk about…talking to each other has always been as natural as breathing.

I wouldn’t exchange this dear friend and the experiences we’ve had together for anything, not even for a Jaguar…and I tell you, I really love Jaguars ü

Minnie, Incorporated

Inspired by (my) weird best friend

Here I am, accepting the fact that I am going to work here for (at least) another year. The only way to make my work worth doing (and enjoying, of course) is to see myself as my own company...I'm everything. I'm the CEO. I'm the janitress. Everything. I like my company because I like the service it gives. Everyone in my company is a listener. That is our main service...to listen. Tell me, who wouldn't want that kind of service? No need for advice. No need for probing. No need for analysis. Just listen. Of course my company needs to do quite a bit of clerical work...actually, a lot of clerical work. But I don't mind because I love my company. I should make good use of my time, my energy and my resources. No unnecessaries like complaining (not the useless ones), gossiping (my aim for this year)...so far these are the only ones I can think of. So, blog, this might be my last entry (during office hours anyway). I'll do my posting when I'm home. My company would want to be ISO 9001 certified...allow me, please ü

Philippines, country I love

When I was young, I used to believe that I'm so lucky that I live where I live. I was about 8 or 9 years old and I would write down as my address the street where I live, the subdivision, the city, Metro Manila, Philippines, Asia, Earth...ain't I weird? But honestly I really felt that I am in the best place any girl can live. Now that I am a bit older (much older, actually ü) what I feel is more of happiness to be in the Philippines. I know a lot of Filipinos are leaving the country for better opportunities abroad. I know those who are still here and would want that chance also, find ways to leave also. I have had debates about this with some members of my family and some of my friends. "If I leave, then who will stay?" That's usually my line in these debates. It's like leaving your house (where a lot of people used to live) and no one's left to take care of it. It may be an old house but I would rather stay and do my best to fix it up and maintain it. These people whom I've had debates with would tell me that the reason why I'm staying is because I have a stable job in the field of education. I actually do but modesty aside I know I can easily qualify to work abroad and make more money in the same field. But I don't want to do that. Why? Well, our country needs good teachers, hardworking doctors, honest lawyers, and so on and so forth. Those who have left us have their reasons for leaving us and I have nothing against them. I just want to stay here and be the best in my work in hopes that my students would grow up to work and do their work well...whether here or abroad...I am still hoping they'll work here, of course.

So, what's so great about the Philippines? You have probably heard it so many times that Filipinos are one of the happiest people in the world. In my trips to Australia, I can always tell if the Asian looking person passing by is a Filipino...it's the smile (then, you would see that he/she is holding a bag of Chippy ü). Filipinos, generally, are also very emotional people...when they're happy expect uncontrollable laughter and when they're sad expect tears. Filipinos are also forgiving. Where can you find a country whose citizens would still elect people in the government who have had cases of corruption? Only in the Philippines. I wouldn't want to go further on this because I am not really a let's-discuss-politics kind of person. I just want to point out that that's how forgiving we are. Most of the Filipinos are shy people. They are not really aggressive. I have noticed this in Filipino consumers. In a fast food restaurant I have seen Filipinos who would not call the attention of the manager if their food is too hot or their burger has no lettuce. I think most of the time they wouldn't want to bother the managers with their concern. Wait, this might not help me convince you how great Filipinos are. Okay, okay...As a whole, Filipinos are warm and accomodating people. They would cook you the best food and give you the best room in the house...I think I've read this somewhere. If you're a foreigner and you're lost anywhere here in the Philippines, don't worry. There's a good chance that the first person you see would know some English and would happily help you out (and if he/she doesn't know how to speak your language, he/she would still try his/her best to help you out). There are so many great places in the Philippines and I think I've only been to only a few of these wonderful places. I still have to go to Sagada, Bohol, Davao, Palawan, Zamboanga and many more. There are so many festivals, fiestas and celebrations in this country and each one is unique on it's own.

I just came back from another Asian country (I don't want to mention the country because I wouldn't want to offend readers from that country). I didn't feel good about how the people there are...they were not warm and accomodating...well, majority of them weren't. I was gone for only 3 days but I missed Filipinos already. I was missing the Philippines, too. I was telling myself...give me hot summer days, the smell of the esteros, the dust of the streets, the fast jeepneys with loud radios, the tsismisan...I want to go home!

The day after I arrived home from that vacation I went somewhere in Marikina. I was about to ride one of those fast jeepneys with my bestfriend when we saw a couple vendor being apprehended by, what seemed to be a police officer dressed in civilian clothes. Apparently, it's illegal to sell on the streets. I felt sad because these people were just trying to make a living selling guavas. But the law is the law. I know, I know...there's so much to improve in our country. If you ask me, I believe people living in poverty should be given priority. I am so sure that we, as a nation, can do something about it...I believe there's a solution for this.

There are so many good things about the Philippines and yes, there are still things to improve on. If you're asking me if I still love living here in the Philippines...you bet I do! Maybe love is blind but there's much to see (and hear and taste and feel) in PILIPINAS ü