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.