What's the Fuss?

A couple of days ago, I took the LRT from Buendia to Doroteo Jose. I usually take the very first coach designated for female passengers. It's spacious and less crowded. After 2 stops, I think we were in Pedro Gil station when a bulky man in his late 40s entered the coach. I couldn't figure if he was American or European but I was sure, he wasn't a local. He looked sweaty and sticky and he was standing near the entrance and I was at the other side of the coach so it didn't really matter. It was in United Nations station when a group of female students got in and started to whine.

Student 1: Hmp, naamoy ko sya.
Student 2: Ano ba sya? Arabo ba sya? Arabo ba? (Take note, the whole coach could hear her ask.)
me (in my thoughts): Geesh, what if he did understand Tagalog. It'll be so embarrassing. He might be a tourist in the area and might as well be "nice" to him.
Student 1: Eh bakit kung Arabo?
Student 2: Kasi marunong ako mag Arabo. Galing ako sa Saudi Arabia. (Hmm, this is all about her after all. I thought it was about Lawrence. Lawrence who? Lawrence of Arabia.)
Student 1: Ah talaga. Anong sasabihin mo?
Student 2: Sasabihin ko sa kanya, sa kabila sya kasi female area to tsaka masikip na dito tsaka yung ano nya ... (Duh, as if one passenger alighting would help give us a bigger room to move.)
Student 1: Marunong ka magbasa ng sulat ng mga Arabo.
Student 2: Ay hindi. Salita lang.
me (in my thoughts): Ngek. What's the fuss?! I think the whole female population on that coach heard her brag about her trip to Saudi Arabia.

Back in college, I also took the LRT going home. I remember one afternoon when the coaches were all full and I had to squeeze myself in or it'll take an eternity for me to get home. I was successful in getting myself in when I overheard a lady and a man arguing. I presume they are strangers.

Lady: Ano ba! Wag ka nga tulak ng tulak!
Man: Di naman ako nanunulak eh.

After a few minutes, I think the man kind of pushed the lady and got her really annoyed.

Lady: Ano ba! Sinabi na ngang wag kang tulak ng tulak eh!
Man: Di kita tinutulak!
Lady: Konting tulak mo pa mabubuntis na ako!

me (in my thoughts): Nu ni nu ni nu. Puede palang mabuntis sa LRT ano? Delikado. Tsk tsk tsk.

Tomorrow will be the opening of the Olympics and Pa is pretty much excited and has been contemplating on subscribing to Sky Cable's Pay per View for the whole event. It costs Php 2,500 and he's been trying to validate this unnecessary expense and it was Ma who told me about his planned subscription. I know Pa. When he wants something, he sells the idea and rationalizes his actions and explains himself over and over.

Ma: Meh, si Papa gusto mag Pay per View para sa Olympics.
me: Magkano daw?
Ma: Php 2,500. Puede naman nyang panoorin yung delayed telecast.
me: Oo nga. Mahal din noh?

Then Pa walked towards the kitchen and tells me about his plan to support this event by the People's Republic of China.

Pa: Meh, alam mo ba may Pay per View ang Olympics. Php 2,500 lang.
me: Pa, ang mahal.
Pa: Hindi. Kasi good for 14 days yun.
me: Ok, ikaw ang bahala pero sayang din kasi. Puede naman sa delayed telecast.

Ma then went to the kitchen and heard our conversation.

Pa: Zen (that's my mom), sabi ni Meh bahala daw ako sa Pay per View.
Ma: Ok.

So Pa goes to the Master's bedroom and calls Sky Cable. They talked for a good 5 to 10 minutes and he goes back to the kitchen.

Pa: Zen, alam mo ba client tayo ng Sky Cable since 1990 pala. Kaya pala di na tayo tinaasan ng rate.
Ma: Bakit noong may rewards program sila, di naman tayo binigyan ng points. (May tampo pa pala si mother.)
Pa: Sabi nila tapos na yun. Oo nga pala.
Ma: Ano?
Pa: Sabi ng Sky Cable, Php 1,500 na lang ang subscription dahil matagal na tayong client.
me: Wow, ok na yun. Mura na.
Ma: Oo nga. Ok na yung rate na yun.
Pa: Kaso may problema.
Ma: Ano?
Pa: Wala tayong digital box kaya di rin tayo makakanood.

Horror of all horrors. Turns out, in order to be able to access the Pay per View, we need that box to see the ceremonies live. So much for wanting to view this once in a lifetime event. Pa has been excited to watch the Olympics. I don't know if it was because it's a global event that only happens every four years or because he was rooting for China. I can just imagine how my neighbors from China will be cheering and rooting for Team China and Yao Ming over the mah-jong table tomorrow night and the next 14 days.

No More Busyness

Today, I happen to once again pick up Joyce Meyer's book I Dare You. It talks in detail how we can embrace life with passion. I'm not the busiest person as of this writing and it's a welcome change. Slowly, I have grown accustomed to this laid back way of living. It got me thinking if I wanted this slower pace in life permanently. It did cross my mind a couple of times to choose a career option that is less demanding. One that doesn't require me to be on call 24/7. A job that gives me time to do things I love. Striking a balance may not that difficult after all if I choose to do so. I know at some point, I'd look for the madness but Joyce Meyer wrote something relevant and apt at this time.

"Stay busy for long periods of time, like weeks or months, and you'll find it very hard to take a break when you have a chance to do so. It's hard to relax and give yourself permission to catch your breath, to read a book for enjoyment or to sit down and watch a movie on television. Thank God, it is never too late to make a fresh start. Our attitudes need to change and our priorities definitely need to adjust."

I agree that everyone is in a rush to get somewhere, and yet few even know where they are going. We don't even know what this busyness is all about. Today is an example of how I spent my quiet Wednesday. Perfect quiet bliss.

1. I woke up around 7:30 AM and brewed myself a cup of hot coffee. I paired it with my favorite ensaymada from Mary Grace and read the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star. Not really from cover to cover but I went through articles I thought I should be kept abreast with.

2. Just before lunch, I helped Ma in the kitchen. Preparing meals is something I enjoy lately so I was cutting up red peppers, potatoes, carrots and onions for a nice, creamy soup on this cloudy day. I was happily dicing away. Observing Ma in the kitchen improves my culinary skills. Been cooking a lot lately and this is something completely alien to me years ago but now it's pure enjoyment. It's surprisingly relaxing.

3. After lunch, I read a few chapters of the Bible. Am reading Matthew and it writes about the different parables and teachings and I love reading it. Then I thought of reading up on Joyce Meyer's book again. Was able to leaf through 20 or so pages and it made a lot of sense reading about misplaced passion in life and what wastes our time. My reading will not be complete without my pen and bookmark that serves as my ruler. I love highlighting sentences which I think are important and relevant. Call me a nerd but that's just the way I am lately. Intense at what I do and focused (I think I've been like this even before).

4. As I was doing my reading, I brewed another cup of coffee and when I felt my hunger pangs, I enjoyed a cheese roll on the dining table. Nothing beats this cheese roll from Mary Grace. Not too sweet and soft to the bite. Most of all, it's cheesy. Yummy! Been thinking of having another one but it's going to be too much sugar rush for the day.

5. Before I knew it, it was time for dinner. I headed back to the kitchen and helped in the preparations again. For dinner, we had pan fried salmon, blanched baby pechay topped with toasted onions and steamed chicken. I usually don't eat rice during dinner but just the same, I enjoyed the meal.

I'm simply enjoying this moment while it lasts. I'm taking in as much as I can from this experience. No pressure, no stress, just me and my cup of coffee and a good sensible book.

Signs of the Times

My preferences are changing. Basically my taste has evolved and recently, it dawned on me that my choices have indeed matured. Age for me is indeed just a state of mind. I believe it is. Proudly, I'm a woman (naks woman na ako!) in her 30s. Being at this age gives me more confidence. It's not the kind of confidence that a sanitary pad gives me but it's one that allows me to handle any situation and get through it unscathed. I can choose to walk away if I wanted to without the guilt of thinking about what every single person on this planet would think of what I did. Everyone has an opinion about everything anyway.

Lately, I've been thinking of enrolling myself in a Wilton certificate cake decorating course. Classes are held in Living Well in Podium. There are different courses offered depending on your skill level. There's Course 1 for fantastic cakes. I'll learn how to decorate shaped cakes, make star and shell borders, floral accents, leaves and roses. The course also teaches figure piping among others. I'm also interested with their Course 2 for flowers and borders. It'll be more on decorative touches like rosettes, rope borders, rosebud and color flow techniques. Lifelike flowers such as apple blossoms, daisies, daffodils, mums, pansies, violets, primroses are also included. Am really excited to take these classes. It of course depends when my first day at work will be. Well I'm hoping I'll be called and start work this September so I can enhance my creativity before I join the corporate world again. After the culinary attempts, it's time to bake and decorate.

They say that when one starts to appreciate jazz, it's a sign that one is getting older. I've always associated jazz with old people. If you happen to see my CD collection, it's usually house, chill out and R&B. No jazz. I used to listen to Wave 89.1 but lately, I've been tuning in more to 92.3 where it's usually jazz music. My new kind of music helped me with my driving too as the rhythm is slow and calming. Nothing provocative and palpitating. I don't think techno music will help me to chill. Jazz is just one of the signs of the times I guess.

Another sign is my tamed credit card bill. I have finally controlled my shopping. My love for fashion and make up had to take a backseat for now considering that I'm in between jobs at the moment. I have to be practical and separating my wants from my needs is the right thing to do. If I don't need something, it can wait. If there are 2 things I will not have second thoughts splurging on, it's food and travel. You can never dissuade me from trying different restaurants and traveling to different places. I'm setting my sights on Palawan next. Can't wait to either go to Dos Palmas or El Nido.

Lastly, patience is a sign of maturity. I've been provoked many times over in different situations by different people. I'd say choosing my battles is one I've learned to do. How easy it is to throw a fit and scream on top of my lungs but I chose not to. I could have made it my career to carefully plan how to retaliate but I'd rather not. Vindication will come one way or another. A personal vendetta is out of my list.

Things have taken a different turn. I just know it. I had a job interview with a consul general this afternoon and having gone through my resume, she asked me something that struck me. What was the most valuable lesson you've learned after successfully establishing your career at such a young age and having traveled the world? My answer was plain and simple. No matter how successful I am, I need to always balance my life. Living, eating, breathing and thinking about my career 24/7 does not do me any good. In order for me to be on top of my game, it takes more than a career. I need to have a life.

Impossible Things Are Happening Every Day

Impossible!

But the world is full of zanies and fools who don't believe in sensible rules
and won't believe what sensible people say...

and because these daft and dewey eyed dopes keep building up impossible hopes

impossible things are happening every day!

Those were the singing lines of Cinderella's fairy godmother when Cinderella was wishing to attend the Prince's ball. My sister and I had free tickets to Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at CCP last Thursday. Despite the rains and flash floods, I braved the traffic and made it before 8 PM. I was there 7:40 PM to be exact. The play started 20 minutes late to accommodate the audience who were stuck in traffic. Orie who left Edsa Shangri-la at 6 PM so she could reach CCP before 8 PM, arrived at around 9:30 PM. She got stuck at the turtle pace traffic in Buendia. As they say, better late than never. At least, she got to watch Lea Salonga perform and see the lavish production numbers and the intricately designed set. There was a lot of singing - of course it's a musical!

Impossible things happen every day. If you just take time to see the small miracles in every day life then you know, there's nothing impossible. I thought of drawing up a list of what I consider are my small miracles.

1. Free tickets to Cinderella - At the back of my head, I wanted to watch the play but considering that I was saving up for something else, I decided to forego the opportunity to watch Lea perform. Until last week, Orie told me that she had 2 free tickets. Yipee! The seat assignment was probably 7 rows away from the stage and I was near enough to see the cast up close and far enough not to get a stiff neck. Just when I thought the free tickets were enough treat, there I saw at the lobby of CCP - Chiz Escudero!!! Pardon me for being a rabid fan but he really stood out from the crowd with his height and built. He was a bit lanky though and I thought he'd look better if he was a bit buffed but overall, he was a Prince Charming. I wanted to take a picture with him (say chiz!) but I simply contented myself looking at him from afar. Awww. (Ligaw tingin halik hangin ata to.)

2. Free trip to Bangkok and Hong Kong - My close friend's mom gifted me with free tickets, hotel accommodation and pocket money last April. Initially I didn't believe it was true until I received a call from Auntie telling me to go on leave. That was a fun trip that I had with 2 of my great girl buds. Diet was not a concern the whole time and we tried different restaurants and walked the streets for good bargains. Shopping was definitely part of the agenda though I didn't buy much for myself.

3. Free trip to Cebu - Marissa's Mabuhay Miles were transferred to us and the family enjoyed the weekend at Cebu. All four round trip tickets were for free. Orie also had her birthday treat at Shangri-la Mactan. We had a discounted overnight stay and it was fun, fun and fun. Everything was free for me on that trip and for a change, I was on the receiving end of a wonderful treat. It was my second time to stay in Shangri-la Mactan and I wouldn't mind going on more trips to the island.

4. A job offer from a former business connection - A couple of weeks ago, I was thinking of a former business contact whose cellphone number I've lost. Out of the blue, I got a SMS from him and though he didn't introduce himself on the message, I instantly knew it was him. I thought it'll be the usual hi hello and as it turns out, he had a job offer for me! We talked for a while on the phone and I met with his business partner the week after.

5. My former lady boss' assistance in my job hunt - I try not to burn my bridges wherever I go and I've always kept in touch with my former boss. She was the person I reported to at my first job and early this year, I went to see her thinking of rejoining her group. From that meeting, several things have happened and one thing led to another until I met the President of this company I liked last week. She has been more than helpful to me and she was kind enough to allow me to explore other job opportunities despite the fact that she wanted me to work for her again.

6. Reading the Bible - My spirituality has always been an area in my life that I felt I needed to work on. Prayer requires time and should be in one's priorities. It all fell into place for me and friends popped into my life just when I needed a spiritual push. It was one my of college friends, Cons, who accompanied me to OMF Bookstore near Pioneer last month. It was there that I bought my own Bible. I'm not perfect and I do acknowledge that. Whenever I look back at the journey that I took to be where I am today, I am truly amazed at how God's hand guided me to where I should be. Had you seen me months ago, you'd think it would take sometime for me to let go and find my path but it didn't take that long. I am also constantly amazed at how God speaks to me through my reading. Just when an issue or question brews in my head, I come across a verse or chapter explaining what I had in mind. Coincidence? I call it providential.

Always expect the good things in life. As Joel Osteen puts it, live favor minded. Nothing is impossible. It only becomes impossible when we say it is so. My small miracles are blessings and it confirms so many things and one of them is the fact that impossible things are happening every day in my life.

All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy

Who says one cannot be playful at work? When work is up to your neck, you need a good laugh to lessen the stress of work life. I have endless stories to share about how I have witnessed hilarious moments at the office. In every work setting, there are different characters whether they are villains, extras or simply lifeless props. Like I said, the world is a stage. I had my share of being involved in a real life scene that looked liked it was straight out of the script from The Office. I got away from being issued a written memo. Over what you may ask. Let's just say it's something orange, something sour and at the same time sweet. It's kiamoy. What?! Kiamoy?! Yes. Kiamoy. The one you happily chew on and throw away the seed after you snack on it.

Here's the story. Our group was thinking of running a promo and so there were several email exchanges within the group about the concept and mechanics. All the heads contributed on what they thought would work and I don't know what got over me but I picked on Y's reply. So I naughtily suggested some promo title and what I thought should be given away as freebies. Y was also in the mood to joke around and even suggested a hilarious promo title with undertones. Then Y said that it would be good to distribute the freebies with kiamoy. Why kiamoy? Because it's abundantly found under someone's desk if you try to peek underneath it. You know what I mean - those small rounded green sticky "things" found underneath desks be it at work or back when we were in school. Watch out for that arm chair! We had a few good laughs and that was it. Case closed or so we thought.

A few weeks later, someone from up there asked A for all the emails pertaining to that promo. A was tasked to collate all the emails and so he did without scanning the emails for their content as it slipped his mind that we had a series of naughty email exchanges. He was able to fortunately remove one or two emails found with naughty contents but for the most part, he was able to send it out to D. Uh oh. I smell kiamoy trouble.

The following day, D walks into the office and calls Y for a private discussion (I say it was more of a dressing down and confrontation). It took probably 20 minutes or so before Y came out and walked back to his work area.

me: Uy Y, anong sabi ni D?
Y: Tinanong nya ako kung bakit ko daw nasulat yun. Kung may galit ba daw ako kay ano.
me: Anong sabi mo?
Y: Sinabi ko wala. Nasulat ko lang. (Uuuy, wala daw syang galit.)
me: Ok tapos?
Y: Tapos sabi ni D, mememohan daw tayong dalawa. (It got me thinking, on what violation? Salty conspiracy? Kiamoy connivance?)
me: Ah ok.
Y: Tapos sabi ni D na alam naman daw naming dalawa kung ano ba talaga yung kiamoy na sinasabi ko. (Oo nga naman. Eh kung tinulungan na lang sana natin sya magbilog bilog nung mga ... ay wag na nga.)

Who wouldn't figuratively think of what those kiamoys symbolize? Well the written memo wasn't issued after all the brouhaha and to this day, I have a good laugh whenever I recall this boo boo. If you think that D never got to ask me about this kiamoy issue, he did. He passed by my work station the same day he talked with Y and he asked me "Melissa, asan ba ang kiamoy dito?". He was pointing to the table of the person who was the subject of the kiamoy controversy.

After that incident, that didn't stop me to do another unthinkable - "kidnapping" Buzz Lightyear from one of the executive offices. Buzz is a small plastic toy proudly standing on someone's executive table. Buzz has been hung on the ceiling with Y's help (Y and I are on the same page when it comes to juvenile pranks) when the owner wasn't looking. On another occasion, it was Valentines to be exact and I wrapped Buzz in a Japanese paper and placed him inside a plastic container and decorated it with a bow. It came with a love letter of course. It was meant as a gift for the rightful owner. Well, the owner unwrapped my Valentine's gift to him and read the love letter. After a few minutes, I heard him scream my name from his office. MEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Umm, I think he liked my gift.)

Again, all work and no play makes Meh a dull girl.

Patience Is A Virtue

Yesterday was the the most important interview in my job hunt. Anxious was an understatement. I was pretty much nervous and I prayed hard to get this job. I had a series of interviews with this company and each and every time, I felt calm and it felt right to be in their office. Maybe it was my gut but whatever it was, my vibe felt I belonged there. I was scheduled for a 6 PM interview with the President and I made sure I came in early for the scheduled interview. I was 20 minutes early and I was dressed differently. I would usually be in pants and blazer but this time around, I wore my new gray pin stripe skirt and tailored top. That completed my corporate look. Needless to say, I also took time to iron my hair and I put on a natural look for my make up. Shades of brown on my eyes and a puff of pink blush on my cheeks. I love it! Anyway before I get enthralled about my love for make up, there I was on the 21st floor in a building in Makati patiently waiting for 6 PM.

When I got to the President's Office, I was told by the assistant that my interview would be moved to 6:30 PM as he was still in a meeting. No problem. I sat on the couch and quietly read a book. From a few steps away, inside the boardroom, I could hear the bosses discussing about space planning and renovations. Interesting. I read several chapters and have gone to the ladies room twice and before I know it, I've been waiting for almost 2 hours. Yes you read it right. Two hours. The President did walk up to me and introduced himself and apologized for the long wait. It helped that I had a book on hand and I've set my sights on this job opportunity. Generally, the interview went well and I'm positive I'll be able to get the job. (Naks!) Yipee! It'll be another industry (somehow) and definitely new challenges.

I'm not the most patient person on this planet but I try to be one and I think I'm quite successful in doing so. I read somewhere that we have to pray for the right attitude and patience is one virtue we have to pray for. The more impatient you are, the more you will be drawn to circumstances testing your patience. Back when I was taking my driving lessons, I'm not the type who'd love to honk the horn. I hardly do. If a car wants to cut my way, I let him do so as being one car ahead doesn't make a difference at all. The last thing I want to happen is to be shot dead in the middle of the street for road rage. Bus drivers can be really annoying but I can't change them by pointing a finger at them or by cursing them to discipline themselves on the road. Patience. We've got to have more of it.

I'm also surrounded by people who are persistent (it's a more politically correct term for makulit). In my very own family, I have a cutely persistent father. A few days ago, he was bound for Cebu and was giving reminders on this and that. I was in bed and I just woke up and he was in the bedroom. Not even a good morning or hello. It was ...

him: Meh, nag iwan ako ng tatlong blank checks sa drawer ko. Kung dumating yung bill ng Meralco o MWSS, gamitin mo yung checke.
me: *Yawn* Ok.

I stood up and prepared myself for breakfast. While I was happily eating my pandesal with homemade peanut butter, Pa was near the table.

him: Meh.
me: O.
him: May tatlong checke dun sa drawer ah.
me: Yes Pa.

This happened just a few minutes apart. Say 15 minutes. After breakfast, I can't recall what I busied myself with then came the time that Pa had to leave for the airport. We haven't even said our goodbyes when ...

him: Meh, yung tatlong checke nasa drawer ah.
me: Pa! You told me awhile ago. (Sigh.)

Well Ma tells me to be more patient with Pa and I'm trying. I guess this is life's way of walking me through my own persistence with other people as well when I'm all hyped and high on iced tea. Just the other morning, Orie and I were in the bedroom and Orie was preparing for work. Out of nowhere, I asked her ...

me: Orie, maliligo ka na?
her: Oo.
me: Ah ok.

I turned my back and walked away and just before I got out of the door ...

me: Orie, maliligo ka na?
her: Oo (with that smile on her face that she knew what I was up to)

They say things come in threes so for one last time ...

me: So ano, maliligo ka na nga?
her: Oo!!!

So I walked out of the bedroom and let her prepare for work. After she dressed up, she asked me ...

her: Maliligo ka na?

That was a dose of my own medicine.

How Php 450 Monthly Can Change A Life

The front page of the Annual Progress Report
The inside pages of the report. It's divided into 3 sections.

Yesterday morning, a letter came in from the post office. It was an annual progress report from Rosemary. She's the child I've been supporting for 2 years now. I haven't seen her in person but she sends me letters once in a while. The report contains her picture and her handwritten messages to me. There are several sections discussing about her education, health, spiritual activities and her message for me. It was really sweet.

It was one of my former co-workers who invited me to support World Vision. World Vision is a global organization that supports the education of less fortunate communities. Here in the Philippines, they have been actively supporting families. Support can come either through livelihood for the parents or education for the children. One of the best gifts my parents gave me was my education. It opened so many doors and I'm very thankful I have been blessed with supportive parents. They had the vision to provide me with the best so I can live a really good life.

Christmas is 5 months away and I'd like to invite you to sponsor a child. There's enough time to save up for this worthy cause. It will only cost you Php 450 a month or Php 5,400 annually to send a child to school. For some of us, this could mean being able to buy 2 pairs or more of shoes or a nice decent dinner in some posh place. With the sponsorship, you can pay for a child's tuition for ONE YEAR. These are the children in provinces and the money goes a long long way. The payment can be made monthly, semi-annually or annually. The money is also used for community development purposes and to help ensure that a child receives the education that he / she deserves. You may also make a one time donation of any amount to this organization if you wish.

I hope you'd consider sponsoring poor children in the Philippines as a way of giving back to the community. For more information about World Vision, point your browsers to http://www.worldvision.org.ph/. You can also call 372-7777 or 0917-8664824 (text only). Pay it forward!