Of Friendship: Letting Go Of Some and Keeping Some For Life

Friendship - when started and nurtured in good faith remains for a long time and even for life.  Similar to anybody's life - friendship is tested and a few struggle can end up losing one and ending the relationship. 

I value friendship even if it’s still young – I guess this is one quality inherent in me that even if a person is just a fresh entry in my life's circle, I always treat them as if they’ve been in my life from the very beginning. This quality of mine also borders into danger because some may take advantage of the goodness.

But hey – even then what’s important is that you’ve been a nice person while you’re in the friendship.

Sunday's Reflection: I Ponder As I Journey Beyond

A while ago, as I was looking for something that would be a pre-cursor for my Sunday’s reflection, I come across a photo posted in our SFC Global Facebook page (photo on the left). 

This photo consists of seven (7) interesting messages that centers on our CFC theme this year - Behold and Ponder. Seven as it fits the number of days in a week. I read them one after the other. Its hashtags read #Ponder #Share #Act #Share #Act #Ponder #Share - seven of them right? 

This is a lenten season (for Roman Catholic observant like me) challenge for every SFC single man and woman. In fact, it's the first week of lent. I know I'm not under SFC already since I've crossed over to CFC last December 2011 but I'd use this to make my reflection anyway. Since it's Sunday, it's very timely to utilize the Sunday's ponder challenge.

Confidence Downdrops

It’s a sucker - a sucker of confidence that is. 

I never saw it coming - never did. But it came - it's like it slapped me with a heavy palm. It happened - and it did tonight.

The convergence of misfits and errors really chillingly shivered me. 

The technical didn't work the way it should supposed to back me up, the sheer exhaustion, the "no sleep at all" the night before - which I didn't intend to happen. Adding up to the injury is the unexpected nerve which really took me by surprise. Plus the timing of the talk. All these factors contributed to the down-dropping of my confidence.

The Day I Changed My Heart

Over the years, I must say ours is not the best relationship. That's a sad fact.

Many a time, I’ve been a hardheaded fool. There were days of heaven with you and days counting as hell. 

I remember those days when we used to frequent the PICC grounds just to catch the early sunrise over Manila Bay. It was an energizer in my body and a comfy feeling for you as well. 

Back then, our relationship was at its best. I can vividly recall how you'd be at my bed side when weekends come so that I'd not miss our regular weekend dates. I'd wake up as early as 4am or even earlier just not to miss a day without you by my side. Us - running together, striding up the dilapidated steps of Manila Film Center back and forth and ended up gasping for breath while laughing hard - because no matter how frequent we do the routine, I still gasp for air in the end.

2014: Part 2 - Of Moving On, Going Forward & There's So Many Things To Do

Now, here's the second part of my Year 2014 post. In this part, I will briefly talk about my assessment of 2013, my aspirations, my goals, and other equally important things that my neuron would allow.

ASSESSMENT  

If I'd be putting a score in my last year's performance - in a scale of 1 is to 10, I feel like giving myself around 7.5. I'd say there's a petty disappointment running in my head as it is not even at par from my target of at least 8.5 to 9. Far from the guy in me who is used to be competitive in almost all areas of life - school, work, and other significant activities.

2014: Part 1 - A Quick Look Back At 2013

The past year has been one-hell-of-a-good-ride with occasional bumps on the road. 

Why I said that? Well, 2013 just gave me more than what I want & need - and it's not always a kind of thing which makes me smile after. As usual, the book of 2013 won't be an interestingly must-read without those challenges that shared the limelight of an equally joyful year. 

In 2013, new friendship has been found and formed. People from different walks of life - equally exciting personalities entered the scene. Others made a grand entrance in my circle and some made their presence felt in a very memorable way. Few were notable and worth keeping while others I still need to discover and get to know more. There were so many great stories and wonderful meetings. The laughter we've shared were contagious and the fellowship was circled with so much positive energy and acceptance.

Hiatus No More

My almost five months hiatus in blogging had several shares of reasons behind. As much as I am tempted to scribble it here I’d rather keep mum of the reasons tailed on it.

Figuratively speaking, it’s like when God showered me with blessings, the devil worked double time to distract me forcing to experience with like a bunch of concerns.

I thought I was defiant but not.

Admittedly, one of the most vivid reasons is that “I simply lost my usual zest to write”. I’ve tried my hardest to write, to express, chronicle even the not so interesting part of it but I simply succumb to “mental block.

We Always Have A Choice

“What has life to offer me when I grow old”? - This is the first line of the famous song "Next In LIne of After Image (I don't remember which year) that literally hit me while thinking of the first thing to write about this post. 

Quite sad isn't it? Well, I won't focus on the tear-jerking thoughts in here, though, maybe along the lines I may hit some emotions. But I'll try to make it as interesting and short as possible- knowing I'm a wordy guy. I wish I could have all the elements in writing to do all these. But heck! I'll give it a try.

Cliche tells us that "life is what we make it". I agree to it. We choose what we want, we choose our decision. Our daily existence is part of how we partake in the banquet of the world. There, we have plenty of choices - and WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHOCE! which one to pick up or out, which one to pursue and which one to make our stand for. In life, we are presented with myriad of choices. Choices that sometimes fit or unfit our system.

NOTES TO SELF: Focus On The Positive, Recognize Your Shortcomings, Examine Your Core Values and Always Forgive

Jay, I want you to realize that you’re a good person, that your intention is pure.

Your heart breathes compassion. Do not allow yourself to be penetrated by instruments of evil that might ruin the good in you.

Do not be discouraged by people telling you, you’re like this and like that because you know yourself better.

There might be some inaccuracies & inconsistencies in some of your actions but it does not mean you’re defined by it. Never allow anyone to define you for who you are not.

You’re a sensitive guy, caring, and passionate with what you do. Allow it to flourish and outwit the attempts of devil to defile you.

If you have done something wrong unintentionally, learn to repent and forgive. It is because in forgiving you’re enlarging your future and increasing your network of influences.

Most of all, try hard to practice humility in words and actions. 

You're a sensible guy and you know your core values.

So FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE, RECOGNIZE YOUR SHORTCOMINGS, EXAMINE YOUR CORE VALUES, and ALWAYS FORGIVE.

It is in your most adverse moment that the good in your heart will shine. Take courage to unleash it and defy the odds of negativity looming around you. 

And most of all, when things seem to be too big to handle let go and let God. You can always rest your case to God.

Reminding you,
YOURSELF

Road Mishap - Ten Wheeler Truck Overturned

We are on our way home last night from my wife’s place when something went wrong on the road 20 kilometers away from our place in Dammam. I’m with my brother-in-law and his wife

We passed the “check point” phase smoothly and drove fast when suddenly we need to lower down our speed because the vehicles ahead of us did so. We were wondering what happened far ahead of us that caused the traffic congestion.

It’s quite absurd to think that when you’re in a slight hurry to reach home something unlikely would happen that would test your patience. So we patiently waited while our speed is like a turtle-paced.

Why Is "Pain The Second Best Thing To God"?

On A Yoga Pose at "Dolphin Beach" facing Bahrain

While lobbying into my heart for some hurtful things that I had encountered recently, I came across just a while ago an FB status of my former co-SFC (now also a CFC like me). I felt I was knocked-out by the very words in it. I felt ashamed of how I somehow treated my situation into like questioning God. But at the very end of it, I just felt His awesome presence in me through this encouraging words. I just feel the need to share it with you guys especially those who are experiencing difficult situation like me. This somehow will assure us of the omnipotent presence of God.

Of Books, The Smell Of It, And The Love For It

When I was in my pre-school age I knew I wanted to write. I can remember the time when I used crayons as my writing pen when there was no pencil to be found. I used to write on the sand, on banana leaves and even the body part of it, in our window grills made of bamboo, on top of our table. Several occasions where I was reprimanded by doing vandalism..hahaha..bata pa lang vandal na hahaha. I just have the love for it. I even found myself using the edge of my pointing finger and scratching on top of our table as if I'm writing something while having our lunch or dinner. My tatay would normally get pissed off as he doesn't want to play while in front of the grace of God. He's right but I can't help it...matigas lang ang ulo..hahaha!

But reading? Hell no....I don't love it then. It was the last thing in my mind. I can vividly remember during my first Grade in school where in I was called by my teacher to read in front of the class as part of our reading drill. Wow man!--I am literally shaking and my palms were cold and wet. I knew I can't read fluently that's why I was so afraid to be called in front. Adding to the pressure was the bullying of my classmates. But I'm good in school. I finished the first grade ranking fifth overall. The only thing that bothered me then was reading. It's not that I can't read at all but I just don't love the idea. It annoys me.

Some of my books' collection

That "Kaboom" Moment

That “Kaboom Moment” –is a self-coined phrase synonymous to “awkward moment or kill time moment” wherein you’re not expecting a thing to happen and yet it happen in a very awkward situation. Uhu? Did I get it right? LoLs.

It’s nothing special actually, just a little rant or a trivial outburst

I had this idea while I was walking toward the office for my night shift.

v  That “kaboom moment” when you’re dressed up properly, office attire with neck tie and all when you just quickly realized while walking along towards your office that you forget to insert a hanky in your pocket and you need to wipe your sweats because it’s super duper hot (extreme humid weather) temp. is like 50+ degrees and when you reach your office you’re sweating so much as if you just get out from a bath room, Kaboom.

v  That “kaboom moment” when you realized that you fail to bring extra clothes to change the wet one. And you’re right in front of an air-conditioning unit. Kaboom!

v  That “kaboom moment” when you’re about to go home, you’re in a hurry because of “call of nature” urgency when out of the blue, your boss call you up to do something for him that will cost you at least 5-10mins. Your face is twisted  and trying to hide na may pinipigil ka. Nag decide ka kasi na doon na sa flat mo pasabugin. Kaboom!

August 9, 2012

August 9, 2012?

What’s with August 9? What’s important about this date?

I hardly noticed that I almost forgot my “2^nd Blogversary Contest”. I didn’t know I was drifting too far busying myself with lots of things and I undermine the idea that August is fast approaching and perhaps my blogger and non-blogger friends might be losing patience in anticipating my entry for the contest. I know some of you are excited to see it and eventually join. And disappointing you is far from my plan.

For first time visitors or rare visitors, I started blogging last August 9, 2010. My very first blog entry then was "Starter's Delight". Nahhh..nope...don't think of it as maybe about food or sort of that. It's just nothing. It was pure blah-blah of anything. That post was really created last August 2, 2010 but I failed to publish it on that very day and so it fell on the 9th day of August which makes this blog's "birthday". Advance Happy Birthday blog..LoLs!

Ramadan Kareem

Ramadan Kareem! - phrase used by Muslims which literally means "Have a generous Ramadan". 

When this crescent moon is sighted on the last day
 of Shaban it means Ramadan officially begins

It's the Holy month of Ramadan where I'm currently based at. Basically, Ramadan observance follows Shaban, the eight month of the Islamic calendar. Unlike, says, January, Ramadan and Shaban do not have the fixed number of days. Each month can have 29 or 30 days depending on when the first silver of the crescent moon is sighted by the naked eye. If, on the 29th day of Shaban, the crescent moon is sighted, Ramadan has begun and Muslims begin fasting on that morning. If the moon isn't sighted that night, Shaban last 30 days. And Ramadan will begin the next day whether the moon is sighted or not. 

A Little Craziness Won't Hurt Right?

Yeah, few hilarious videos won't hurt right? After all, I badly need a breath of fresh air as my previous post had stretched my emotion and turned me into a raging bull somehow..haha!


I guess, though I'm not sure, that maybe I'm one of the last people to join in this "CALL ME MAYBE" craze. It's not that I'd do a cover of my own (as Alex of Gasoline Dude dared me to do one). LoLs! Holy Ghost! I can't act in front of a camera. I'm a boring actor..LoLs! Crap! spare me for that thought..haha!


I have been watching few covers of this super-mega-hit song of Carly Rae Jepsen - a Canadian singer from Mission, British Columbia (Top 3 of Canadian Idol - Fifth Season) who popularized this song. From young teenagers to celebrities, to sports' icons, beauty queens and wow, even the president of the most powerful nation has been into it--If you happen to see it you'll surely say that "it was tailored parts of his speeches from various occasions". It crept the hell out of me when I saw it. Funny though and what I've noticed really is that technology can do myriad of things and ordinary Joe or Juan is awesomely skillful in various latest technological advances.

Annoying Indifference

It is perhaps true that when people don't love a person, an endeavor, an upcoming event, or sort of that they tend to just stay half-hearted, less motivated, and simply won't care much about it.

They embrace the attitude of "come what may". Just waiting for what will happen without acting on what can be done.

It is very challenging and equally frustrating when people displays annoying indifference to an endeavor or a cause. 

Like what I feel last night when I realized the lack of support of my batch mates (except for those who really care, I can count them) to our goals. It pains me thinking our being slow in executing our plans and taking actions despite constant reminders for the concerned people.

And Then There Was Light!

In the story of creation in the book of Genesis 1:3 was written "And God said "Let there be light," and there was light.

Light is an essential element of our lives, whether literally or metaphorically speaking. A house is not a home without someone we consider as light--our mother. It is difficult to live without the care of a person we consider as such.

I can still remember the movie "The Fifth Element" where it tackles about the four stones of the four elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air --when there was a time where the universe is threatened by evil and the only hope is the "fifth element". Though the fifth element metaphorically represented by "Leeloo" yet in my understanding it is the "love" that is the fifth element needed. 

UNCLOG

UNCLOG 
- dict says "to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions; to free from obstructions or difficulty"
        

A patron of this blog would easily gauge if I'd say "I'm still wide awake even at these wee hours now" -- that I wasn't able to beat the ticking of the clock when it hits 12:00am. And that I should supposed to be sleeping before it clicks midnight because that's my usual sleeping time. And when I failed to beat it that would mean I could go through the next morning sleepless unless I fight this somehow insomniac state. Now, this is momentarily what's happening to me. This is really me, I've been fighting against this unorthodox sleeping behavior of mine for quite some times. There were few triumphs but most of my attempts fail.


It would seem fair if I'll be telling you what caused today's erratic and unorthodox sleep pattern.Well yeah, I spent the whole afternoon until past midnight conducting physical inventory for all the products we store in our warehouse. To be exact, I reached my flat at around 1:20am. Apart form being positioned as a "Procurement Specialist" yours truly also perform some accounting works. And since I am solely responsible for the inventory system and control in our "accounting system" I collaborate by working with people directly related to inventories and sort to that effect. 


Okey, enough of the explaining part. None from the above has anything to do with what I am going to chronicle right now. The first line above is the main reason why I'm not fighting to win few hours of sleep right now. I'm grabbing this rare opportunity while my neuron is giving me ideas to write. Though this entry is quite on a personal level but as many passionate writers like me would say "this is our best comfort zone to express our emotions, to rant about things, to shout out what's inside of us". Writing is like that of a one best friend that you could say anything you wanted to say by scribbling everything that your heart dictates.

CHANGE is Coming

It had been a long plan that I wanted to drastically change my blog’s content. Drastically? Wow! such a big word. Well, for quite sometimes and as I promised during the onset of 2012, I want to create a fully informative blog which will feature any of the following segments:

  v  Books

  v  Current Affairs

  v  Faith

  v  Family

  v  Food

  v  Movies

  v  Opinions & Editorial

  v  People

  v  Prose & Poetry

  v  Places

  v  Travel

I know it’s pretty challenging to come up with a regular post on any of the above-mentioned topics but I will try my best to at least deliver. I should befriend the quote “Under prepare but over deliver” at least the pressure won’t be mounting and disappointment will be nowhere in sight if I won't be able to reach a targeted output.

This change will also help me gain more traffic in my blog and my consistent readers will be more hooked reading my entries and those who barely visit will be excited to come back again. 

As some of my blogger friends would say, it's a sort of leveling-up--climbing another ladder to create a more seasoned, up-to-date, relatively & plausibly concise, and more informative entries. 

Of course, I will never discount the fact  that my write-ups will always be prone to grammar blunders as it happens most of the times. Further, I will really appreciate anyone, bloggers or not, if they'll put extra effort in informing me through email or private messaging if they see grammatical flaws in my writings. 

As I've said, I write not to impress, I do so out of passion. My writings will always have grammatical flaws no matter how keen I'll be in editing. Plus, I do not conform to any structural way of writing nor I do an outlined framework. Admittedly, I am not a trained creative writer nor a holder of any communication arts degree. It's just passion--pure and driven kind of attitude in me that pushes me to scribble my thoughts about anything. 

And now, since we are talking of reaching a notch higher from where this blog is used to be, the above mentioned segments will be my focal points.

The scope of each segment will be defined in my follow-up entry. In the meantime, this is all for now.


HAPPY READING :)