Samar Vacation 2009

It has been three years since I last had vacation. It was nice being reunited with my family. I didn't even want to go back to my busy life here in Manila. Life there is very simple. People sleep early and wake up very early. While I was there, I met old friends. I hadn't seen them for the last three years and they have changed a lot. Most women I know are married. So they kept on asking me the question I was trying to avoid; "When are you going to get married?" I felt a lot of pressure answering that question. So I asked myself am "Do I really have to get married now?" To them, a woman unmarried at my age is an old maid because most people get married at an early age. I told them I am not picky, I just haven't met the right person to love yet. It would be overwhelming if I marry the person not because I didn't have a choice but because he was my choice. Anyway, I wanted to extend my vacation but I had to go back to work. Until now, I still feel lethargic. My family was very sad when we were about to leave. I'm looking forward to having a long vacation again. And I hope next time, I would bring someone special so they won't have to ask me about my love life again.

First Quarter of 2009

Every new year approach, I set goals in mind. I want to accomplish many things and become successful in life. One of the things I told myself I will change is my time management. It's too bad that until now, I have not been able to handle it well. I blame myself for this because its just a matter of discipline. I am the do-it-all type of person. I do it all only when I am in the mood. I started buying books lately, books that just sit on the shelves. I never even have the time to read them. So the first quarter of 2009 is finished and now is the day I must start doing something to change my life. I have to re-evaluate what had happened to the first quarter of 2009. Now is the right time for a change. These are the 10 things I want to do for the 2nd quarter of 2009:

1. read at least 2 books a month
2. take my master's again
3. be early for work at least 30 minutes not just in the nick of time
4. do household chores
5. sleep 8 hours a day
6. travel out of town to have fun
7. save money
9. go to a fitness club at least 3 times a week
10. buy a laptop

I wish a can do all these things. I want to be successful and be happy and feel good about myself. I will re-evaluate these things at the end of the first half of 2009. I hope I can do it!

Fate vs Destiny

There are many ways to make life meaningful to live by. Each choices we make determines what future we want to have. There is big difference between destiny and and fate. I once watch a Korean TV drama and was enlightened by what I heard from the leading actress. She said some thing like destiny is like a ball throwing right in front of you. It's either you choose to catch the ball or just leave it and never bother to get it. Fate on the other hand is like a ball throwing right at your back. It just hits you without knowing when it happens. Then I realized that we all make our destiny because we choose it. However, making a choice sometimes is not that easy. Sometimes we think it may lead us to a dangerous situation that we never expected. Sometimes it makes us happy that we make the right decision. Making a choice is like gambling. It leads you to something that sometimes you never expect to happen, so sometimes you think you are just one hell of a lucky person. Whatever there is in the future by the choices we make, it is better to live life in the present. Live life one day at a time. Live and just be happy. Happiness mo, abutin mo!!! Take Enervon!

A Sad Call

I handle different kinds of calls everyday. One of the calls I received yesterday was from a woman named Mary (not her real name for security purpose). She said she would like to cancel her service subscription from us because her husband, Morris (not the real name) has just passed away. I felt sorry with the sad voice I heard from the other line. All I could do was to sympathize with the customer. I heard her voice shaking like trying to hold back from tears. I pulled out the account and check on the notes. Since I don't have the authority to cancel any account, I put her through to a customer loyalty department. When I transferred the call, I felt saddened for Mary and talk to one of my colleagues sitting just beside me. After the call, I checked on the notes on the account and found that the account was just recently activated and Morris even made several calls a few months ago. I imagined his life with his wife just before he died. I was so curious about what had happened and decided to search on the internet for the record of names. I typed in on the Google search field the full name of Morris. It gave me several articles and clicked on the one I think related the most to my research. I read the story and looked at the picture of a young man vigorous and handsome. Without a doubt, I knew it was Morris. I read the tragic story behind his death. He was a Canadian soldier sent to Afghanistan, so helpful and willing to risk his life for the good of others. I was touched! I felt sad for Mary to lose the love of her life. Not even Mary shared her memories with Morris to the public but also Morris' Family. I realized how hard it is to have a son, a father, or a husband risking life in the military service for good of his country. I remember a week ago when I received a call from a man too who requested to transfer his account to his sister because he is also moving soon to Afghanistan. I processed account transfer as he requested. I had a clue he was going to a military service too. I knew the fact that a lot of soldiers have already lost their lives in the Middle East. I told him "You take care sir and may God always protect you there." He replied, "I appreciate that." Then he sincerely thanked me and we hung up. I just realized that these soldiers in the Middle East surely made a difficult decision before leaving their family, friends, and love ones. We all make different choices and before we make decisions, we consider many things. These people who choose to be soldiers to serve their country know what risks they are facing. It may not be spoken, but am sure they put their lives in God's care as they serve their country and protect innocent people. These soldiers are brave enough to make that choice! They deserve that honor. I salute Morris for that and all soldiers who were wounded and lost their lives amidst war. You may have suffered, but am sure that in the sight of God, all your labors will not be taken for granted.

A Time for Everything
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth? 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time...Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Living Your Dream

I am one of Ellen Degeneres' fan. I love her humor. Once I watch her most recent program and she mentioned what Oprah once said "The greatest adventure in life is living the life of your dream." I was inspired and realized that there are dreams impossible but you can strive to make it happen. I would like to do that! I want to live the life of my dreams. Though impossible, I at least try. :)