Latest Phils experience

In case your wondering why this blog was on hiatus for a while was because I was in Manila for 2 weeks and immediately jumped back to work after coming back in Taiwan.

My anticipated merry vacation turned out to be a blow as our only one taxi was carjacked which tested once again my then frazzled serenity. We're supposed to go to Baguio the following day and wondered what sort of hustles then if we've left earlier...whew!

But what terrified as more was the driver, who was my older brother, a family man. The incident happened last Aug31 at 10PM along Pasay Rotonda where a certain man rode and asked to bring him to Pasay General Hospital.

Shortly, the guy asked to pick-up another man whom he said was his companion. With just thoughts of helping in such emergency, my brother did as told and in an instant the second guy declared holdup pointing a 38 cal gun on my brothers' right abdomen.

Mindful of his young children, he told the robbers to get everything they wanted but leave him unharmed. They then entered a desolated narrow street, took his 450 pesos (10 dollars)income, cellphone and the taxi.

The next couple of days are even more stressful especially to my mother who was the owner. It was our parents hard earned possession after being a sidewalk vendor for 12 years. Contrary to my air-conditioned, pretty nice work place but with a brain draining job, I still cannot whine just thinking of my parents sacrifices for those hot sunny days and cold rainy days in the street.

So despite the fact that I'm physically and emotionally exhausted, though this vacation didn't turn out as expected, my feelings were superseded by just seeing my mother's own sweat and blood turn into void.

It was her source of income, but more worried of her sons who get there living out of driving it. Even at the age of 72, mother is independent financially to her children. She never asks unless it's necessary. She even treats me when I'm in the country and I will forever treasure those moments and be grateful to her.

God do answers prayers, after 4 days of searching and waiting, a QC police called and told us that our taxi was found abandoned in Cubao Q.C. It was a great feeling of relief and joy that everything will now be settled. He even provided police officers who never took advantage and assisted us in many ways. It has somehow regain my broken trust in our security system.

So before I end this long entry, hope you never slept on it...^____^...I would like to thank once again the police of Quezon City's Pride, Pasay Best's and TF Limbas Crame for their unwavering commitment. Mabuhay po kayong lahat!!!

Clock is ticking

Since last week, Taiwan is experiencing heavy rains and thunderstorm. So, most of the time I overslept, too lazy to get-up in the morning for work. Treasured times where tickling my pillow is way much better than pressing my laptops' keyboard.

My workplace is not that far from my apartment, and my usual transportation everyday is riding a bicycle. Thou it's a little uneasy due to sweaty thing and awkward feeling riding it while wearing slacks on sunny days , I missed now my bike. Just love the feeling riding it and it's also my sort of exercise. And so, for the time being, my means not to get drenched is by taking a cab. Only this time...

The truth is I can't imagine myself riding a bicycle back home. There's just so many means available, that even it's just 2 blocks away, I may think of riding the tricycle. But living here thought me to be practical and not to be so concern on stuffs like what we called as "porma" (get-up). For the locals, no one will care or even dare to stare. What also amazes me on my early days here is to see elite cars such as BMW's parked along sidewalk vendors just to buy or eat something. It's just something rare to be seen in the Philippines.

No wonder though that most Westerners wanted to stay in Taiwan. Why? because living here is so simple, not complicated. Aside from the cheap cost of living...yeah read it right, no imposed 14% tax for every items bought, Taiwanese folks are very nice in general. Hard workers as usual Chinese people trademark, they are soft spoken and loving individuals.

No wonder too that I also love staying here. It offers great security and health care. Although the government does not offer migration for foreigners like me, my employment has enabled me to avail of permanent residency upon completing 7 years in the country. So that would be, 3 yrs from now and by then I could go back and forth without hurdles at the embassy. What else? Hmmp, not sure if I could also get my family to stay with me permanently.

It's getting late once again and I should start to snooze, but before that I just realized that time is also ticking for my D-Day...ha ha...tick tack...tick tack...yeah, 14 days to go and I'll be stepping on the 30's. Oh, how time really flies and another year will be added to my age. Can't help to think now if I'm getting matured or still immature at this point...ha ha. Just the same, still thankful thou that I have reached this age.

Let me see, what should be my plans then? Hmmp, I'm supposed to be in the Philippines at the time and hoping that the weather will cooperate. Just wondering now what's the weather when I was born?oops...hope it's fair then. Of course, have that gathering with family and I hope those close friends I've been missing since college will also be there. What else? we're supposed to go to Boracay and Hongkong if time permits. I really do hope that I could squeeze my schedule for this 2 weeks vacation. All hopes!

Weekend thing

As much as I tried getting to bed early to catch more sleep during the weekend, my body clock was somewhat get used to sleeping late. Good thou that it's weekend and free to be lazy waking up the next day.

I should be now sleeping at my bed back home, had a taste of my fave dishes during dinner that is especially cooked by mom, obviously it's only a dream. Yes, I was actually flying back to the Philippines today, but need to postpone till end of August for some urgent responsibilities need to dealt with. Yeah, yeah, yeah, no other logical reason except than work matters as my biggest European customer will be coming over next week, meaning I need to endure a bit.

The truth is I was gear to be back on December, but I think I do need this break to unleash myself from being compounded. At the same time, it would be great if I could celebrate my birthday with family. For 3yrs in a row, I have spent it here and I think it's payment time, imagine I miss my gifts thrice and surely can't happen for the 4th time. Just kidding thou, I am actually so excited for this vacation and have done my itinerary to maximize this break.

So while pondering on these thoughts and because I can't sleep, I played one CD of this series which I have watched for the nth time. It's my sort of temporary escape from reality after a hard day at work, just makes me feel good after watching it everytime. Rain & Hye-Kyo's tandem in this romantic comedy Koreanovela was a blast, even ranked as one of the highest-rated Korean dramas of all time. The most adorable pair I have seen so far (yeah, they have surpass my likeness with Meg & Tom from You've Got Mail). Oh! how cute these two look especially when one is jealous over the other (both tagged as chicken...ha ha).

Anyhow, allow me to post some pictures in remembrance and I do hope you loved the series as much as I do. I'm planning also to attach YouTube's OST , but don't know how. So, if you can provide inputs and I'll post next time. Along with my collection of videos.

Have a nice weekend everyone....^^

TV game shows

It's been 2 days in a row that I ate my lunch on some Filipino restaurants just outside the processing zone. A good get-away from the usual pentang meal at our buildings basement cafeteria, plus a relief of that ever fishy smell after which...ha ha...Nothing really beats our own taste of Filipino dish. Yesterday, I have Embutido (grounded pork with egg, carrot, raisin, etc) and today Adobong Pusit (onion fried squid sauteed in soy sauce and vinegar) as viand, so delicious.

While savoring the moment of that break, the store was also equipped with air-condition to be free from the outside heat. At the same time, they had satellite to show Filipino channels on the TV screen. It's been a while that I haven't watched any, aside of course from the help of the Internet, so thanks to the computer geeks who discovered it.

Anyway, it was Game Ka Na Ba of Channel2 that was on air, now hosted by Edu Manzano. In fairness, his a good host, a capable replacement of Kris Aquino. On the side, I can't help to laugh realizing that he needs to do some dancing move to please the viewer's...ha ha, it might be call of duty. The shows motif has also changed from the one I've seen couple of years ago, so this is like my first time watching it again. Yesterday, I've only seen some part and today is like the continuation of it.

So the winner yesterday is Vannie from Los Banos and there are 2 challengers to get that position. The final round was naming the latest 12 senatorial electorates, so Vannie started and rest follows. The winner should be able to answer when it's his/her turn which is under time pressure. The 2nd person miss the 3rd round, while Vannie lost the 4th round and the winner is the boy whose qualifying answer to the final round was the question: Imbey was short term for gays which actually means: Imbyerna, with matching raising his eyebrow with one hand...oh oh! it seems like his one of the federation...ha ha. Anyway, it just make me think at some point because when Vannie lost her turn, there was a pause when it's the boy's turn to answer the question. It actually adds to his time to collect thoughts and answer the question. Not mean anything here, it's just plain observation for my 25cents worth.

Anyway, the show is entertaining and informative to sum-up.

Times of Reflection (part2)

Good that my browser is now functioning properly and can key-in the title text field. So, this post is supposed to be the continuation of my previous post entitled "Times of Reflection", and as much as I wanted to write part2 there was a delay.

Life is really ain't easy, but I'm sure I'm not the only one that is having difficulty at the time. It maybe much more harder for other people.

So, the following days was a struggle of holding on and letting go. Setting my priorities straight has been a work in-process. It's like trying to meet east from the west, a total no no. But I got no choice, I have to change my perspective, otherwise it will eat me alive.

The discussion I had with my boss was an eye-opener and I hoped you could also get something from it. It was more than a 2 hrs discussion and truly you can't see yourself clearly unless from another peoples point of view. And this is what I've learned about me: He told me that I'm someone who does & tries everything to make the work polished. And because the supposed collaborative effort is not working, I put the pressure on myself and thus left me so frustrated because it's still not working.

Initially I don't know if I'll get upset or encourage hearing that criticism. But soon I bursted out my complains which I rarely do so to be honest. It's not my style to whine, if I can do it, I'll try and I will really try hard. So, don't tell me now as if it's my fault, hello, I'm already brain drained here coz of this issue, can't you see there is problem in our system that's why I need to do this & that...blah blah blah. I cried so hard and I don't care if it's right whining at the time, but I wanted him to know how I feel, how hard I'm pushing myself just to close this issue and tell you what a relief, refreshing afterwhich.

For a fast paced working environment such as mine, time is crucial especially this case I'm handling is our leading customer, which only means there are plenty of eyes on me. Theoretically, subordinates should always deliver a good job to their respective bosses and I may have overestimate this assumption, that I also raised high expectation. The fact that I'm a foreigner with define communication gap and quite different paradigm among locals are sure pressure adder.

So does it mean I'll just be lax and wait everything to fall on my lap, definitely not. But rather to extend my horizon of understanding that I can't expect things to appear just like how I want it to be. But the best I've learned is not to put that pressure or burden only on myself. I'm not saying that I could handle it now more wisely, but I'm sure I won't dwell on it just like before. In the first place I have put so much attention on it.

Neglecting the Bible's reminder: "Where your treasure is, there your heart as well". So this time, I will start to pay attention and use that time and energy to the things that are critical to my happiness which are: my loved ones, my dreams, my faith, doing things that I love, time for myself, mentoring others and taking care of my health. To be a good steward of the talents and blessing that God has entrusted to me. Afterall, where not working only for ourselves but for the One who has made us.

Times of Reflection

My daily routine has turned back once again of working till midnight, skipping dinner on time and if have luck, eat finger foods at my desk just to use that extra time and for what, for working as usual. So absorb attending to work issues, that I failed to recognize that I'm forgetting to take care of myself.

I do love my job, no doubt on that and it's the main reason why I am working so hard. Always a team player, always doing my best in resolving process issues. But this time, it's different, it hit me so hard, so hard to consider giving up and leave everything behind, the things that I have worked so hard building. It's the time that I felt so down at the wire.

I have come to the point of giving up, yes, not because it is too hard, too difficult, I wanted to get out, I can't do it anymore, maybe, just maybe...but, the main reason I believed I have come to this thinking is because I realized that what I'm doing is not the bottom line of everything.

What's the use of being able to buy things that you want if your going to loose your health. What's the use of getting recognition if your going to loose valuable time with family, losing time on the things that will make you happy. What's the use of being up in the ladder if your going to be all alone.

Those thoughts has struck me more that I ever imagine. I am putting myself on unnecessary stress and pressure that I'm forgetting the things that will really make me happy.

To be continued....

p.s. If you've notice, I put the title inside of this post as my browser can't key-in the title bar. Not sure though what's wrong. Appreciate if anyone can advise how to fix it...thanks

It's raining time again

I fortuitously neglected this page for a while and felt good somehow that I was able to catch at least the last day of the month, my 2nd post entry for June.

So where was I these past weeks you may ask? I was deeply, as in deeply engross to the torrent of activities at work. Even this humid Saturday morning does not left me go to the office to catch-up with the activities and multi-taskingly write this stuff while having my short meal break.

With only two hands, one body and one mind...ahhh! has definitely left me worn-out each day. And from the way things appear, this sting will be running till next month. Oh oh...it's raining again, and when it rains, it pours, and it pours really hard. But, there's always rainbow after the rain right?

What amaze me though is that even if my personal or social life was at stake because of the current scenario, I still love what I do and I mean it , I really do love my job. It's one thing that I'm able to do at my best, it's my passion, my obsession.

And it pays most of the time, just for example the GAP bag I received from my recent US customer visit, plus the big bang of happiness after my boss confirmation that I'll be promoted next month...yahoo!!!

And in all these things is because of God's grace, to God be all the glory.