On Travels

When coworkers upload their travel pics to Multiply or Flicker, I can't help but to look at their adventures with so much envy. I wish I was there, too! Scanning the wildlife that abound on that tiny island; feeling the foam of the ocean on my legs as I watch the sun melt in the horizon; wrapping my toes to the silky grains of the sand while I rest my body for a quick nap; dipping my body to the icy cool water; waking up to the freezing morning atop the conquered mountain... or simply the one who was making faces while the camera captures the moment.

I've yearned to be the Adventurous Joe but somehow, constraints of some sort always held me back. Quite the pragmatic, money has always been an issue. It's too costly or it's not within the budget or...

the justification won't end!

...not to mention, your travel companion must at least be likable for a day or else that planned out-of-town will end with so much bickering. Imagine spending the whole time with a friend who constantly nag about mosquitoes and every five minute or so will ask "are we there yet?" Talk about Donkey on Shrek!

Now, I became the unnamed observer of the bustling life of other people. The proverbial life is passing right before my eyes seemed quite true. As I wallow on my inactivity, a couple of people I knew went to a four day island hopping; as I sat in front of the TV watching a rerun, friends will tell me how much they enjoyed their time discovering this awesome getaway; while I was there thinking about my existence, some people actually add meaning into their existence by living it up.

Asking them how much it cost seemed a futile attempt to rationalize if the benefits outweighed the money they shelled out. Asking them if they had fun is really a rhetorical question; based on their photos...yep they truly did!

Summer is peeking over the window and I could already hear plans for out-of-town getaway. In as much as I want to pack up my bags and enjoy a memorable weekend, I know that I will just be staring far beyond and wish that I could.

And when I close my eyes, I do wonder if I, too, can scale that jagged mountain or swim with the company of fishes or press my toes on that warm sand or watch the sun burst across the ocean.

I can only wonder...

A Little Patch of Green in Makati

Washington Sycip Park

"In the nearly six decaded that I have been advisor to companies operating in both the developed and developing countries, I can say with confidence that westernstyle democracy may not be a workable proposition in the absence of a developed westernstyle economy! For most of us who have lived all our lives in a developing economy, it is easy to understand why. But for those who have spent their entire lives in a developed nation, it is difficult to understand why not."

On Being 25

Tomorrow, the quarter century club will finally accept me as one of their own, at least for one year membership, I suppose. Yeah, yeah! I will be 25 this September 1 and in as much as I want to cry my hearts out and beg the heavens to postpone the aging process, getting older is inevitable.

Being 24 was quite a bumpy ride, albeit, a very memorable ride; I changed two jobs since and thank God I made the right decision once I left my previous posts. Also, a very close friend left the country for good and up until now, his presence is deeply missed. Love, aaah! Love did flourish. I found someone I can truly say I am very happy with. With full confidence, I am hoping that she’s the one. Also, I have met lots of people that I haven’t had a clue existed before. Most of them are nice but a bunch, to put it mildly, is already on my list of ‘who to avoid”.

Although, I have a pretty clear expectation when I was still a wiry sixteen years old about me rolling this age, nevertheless, reality ensue. I thought that I will have the uber good body I longed for but that good-for-nothing genes come into the way. My tummy, I believe, was program to jut out…darn it!

Career wise, well… just a little off-tangent to what I was envisioning before. I still have insecurities about not having a title and now planning to take the giant leap to take the board exam, which, I hope, not a giant leap for a humbling stumble.

Anyway, I recognize though that for a country folk like moi, I was given the chance to swim alongside the big fishes of the city and I realize that they too have insecurities and fears like most screw ups. If the guards are down, true humanity with all its failings and weaknesses do emerge.

All in all, however, I think I did a little of growing up. I expect lesser now and most of the time, just shrugging my shoulders to what others may consider essential. Success and happiness is relative. I have seen much poorer folks that can outshine Bill Gates if contentment should be given a much higher weight. Would it be a much happier world should the comparison of have’s and have-not’s be left across the borderline of childhood and puberty? That way, every person entering the GrownUp Ville will not equate superiority with financial success, physical attributes or the new H3 parked across the street. But I digress…

Now, I rummage through the chaos within my brain the priorities that I should not miss as I embark the quarter century mark: Faith in God, great relationship with the parentals and the sibs, and finding true and lasting friendship from the swarm of leeches—in that absolute order.

Why! Oh! Why! You might say, well, here goes:

• Faith in God and a good relationship with Him is the only lasting relationship everyone should know about. That will outlast even the ring you brought from Tiffany’s.
  
  
  


• Having a good bond with your Fam will do you favor should you screw up big time. Who on earth would put up with you but the one who were there from the beginning…am I right or am I right?

• Finding a satisfying relationship with anyone not connected with your family tree is like hoping to find the face of Michael Jackson in a 100 dollar bill (I know the association sucks). Someone sent me a message that clearly illustrates this one: “If someone wants to be a part of your life…they will make an effort to be in it.” From my vantage point of being 24, I know that not many people will go beyond themselves for a proverbial friend. If you happen to stumble to just one good friend in your lifetime, just make it sure that he knows how important he is. Many of us often overlook the value of true friendships.

So, as I bade my farewell to my ol’ pal the number 24, I must not forget the lessons I’ve learned while traversing this familiar road, and from the challenges below, I should not let my vision waver to the summit on which I was made to conquer.

25…here I go!

Wishin' You a Great Day

Today, I wish you a day of ordinary miracles...

fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...

An unexpected phone call from an old friend...

Green traffic lights on your way to work...

The fastest line at the grocery store...

A good sing-along song on the radio...

Your keys right where you left them.

Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

Filipino Style Transformers

strICEsCREAM

megaTRIKE


frenZIKAD

bumbleJEEP

barriCART

optiBUSprime

From the Desk of the Infuriated Jef

To The Arrogant Fresh Grad in the Office

This is just an unsolicited advice, OK! If you think your three month training in one of the prestigious auditing firm in the country makes you a far better and more qualified employee than the rest of the peeps, then think again kiddo.

I don't like you bad mouthing the hand that feeds you. If you believe that your level is above the company's standard and that you are paid far below what you can earn outside, then my friend, the door is wide open.

Please! Prove yourself first before you sanctimoniously preach about how Company A or Company B provide a much more salary competition than what you are receiving. You always think about how much money you can earn with the CPA attached to your name. Although, I have the faintest idea that what you're really after is --money. Be careful, that kind of thinking will sap your soul empty.

Invest in experience first my dear diaper trained friend. Those three months you have mentioned meant absolutely nothing. That's just a walk in the park for crying out loud.

So the next time you complain about how much they are underutilizing you, feel free to go. And by the way, the company you were referring to have the following for your taking:

* Night Shift
* Work -- Toxic level

So...take the plunge, eh!

What I Have Learned

... the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

... when you're in love, it shows.

... just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

... having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

... being kind is more important than being right.

... you should never say no to a gift from a child.

... I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

... no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

... sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

... simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

... life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

... we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

... money doesn't buy class.

... it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

... under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

... the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

... to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

... when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

... love, not time, heals all wounds.

... the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

... everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

... there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.

... no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

... life is tough, but I'm tougher.

... opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

... when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

... I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.

... one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

... a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

... I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

... when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

... everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

... it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.

... the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

-- By Andy Rooney