... on commuting

Going to the office and back home, I rely very much on public transport- jeep, FX, bus and the MRT. Commuting everyday, I consider every trip an adventure. But sometimes there are some irritating personalities...

• The Hello World Commuter. These are people talking out loud inside the vehicle. There's nothing wrong with talking during the travel but please be mindful of the volume and be considerate to your fellow passengers. First of all, we are not interested. Secondly, we don't care about your stories for we don't know you or the people in your stories.
  

• The Deaf Commuter. Don't you hate it when you are being ignored if you asked somene to pass your fare or to move a bit? The deaf commuters are the people who seems to not hear a thing when you asked them to move a little or to pass your fare to the driver. At first, I thought that they are wearing earphone, but they are not, the deaf commuter simply choses to ignore your request.
  

• The Unprepared. Knowing that you will be commuting, one should be prepared with their fare once they leave home. How can you expect a driver, in the morning, to have a change for your hundred peso bill. What make it more irritating is that they make it seems like it's the driver's fault. The worst breeds are those stupid one who would hand their fare at the time they have to step down then expecting a quick return of change .
  

• The Hair Lady. You were in the the jeepney sitting beside this beautiful long-haired lady. Feeling lucky? Don't thank your stars yet. When the jeepney started and the wind began to blow, will you still feel lucky that your face is being flagellated by her hair. Does her hair taste sweet?
  

• The Spitter. I used to love sitting at the back portion of the non-aircon bus rather than the front. I enjoy the breeze blowing in my face when the bus sped up. But recent incident made me change my mind. While in a bus going to Novaliches, I was so disappointed that I didn't got a window seat, worst, I was seated on the third row from the front. We were in front Camp Crame when the guy beside put his head outside the window then spit. Then someone from the back shouted, "Tang ina...wag naman kayong dumura dyan sa harap". Oh well..

• Crying kids and restless brats. Kids are fun to be with except when you're in a moving vehicle. How would you appreciate a kids crying their lungs out? I know it is not the helpless kid's fault. How about those 2 and 3-year old kids who are so creative in making thousand and one irritating noises not to mention those restless brats who keeps on jumping and shifting positions every three seconds. I know I've been a kid too but I assure you, I am very behave during travel . My mom could attest to that.

Chat... chat... chat...

The world is really getting smaller and smaller... Today, I have talked to people miles away as if they are just next door. Plus, with the aid of the web cam, Iam able to see them.

This morning, I talked to Starra ,who's also in Jersey but I haven't got a chance to meet because of hectic schedule.

Then tonight, I have a conference chat with Hazel, who is in Singapore and with Anai who is in Malaysia. This time everyone is fully equipped with mic and web cam (last time we did this, Anai was just talking in Braille and no webcam).

The conversation covers anything we could think of- what's going on our lives, news that we heard about our former project and people we knew.

Hazel took a screenshots of our webcams and here it is...
Sayang... the picture doesn'y include Agri and her Astroboy shirt.

Cheers to more chat sessions in the future... what's next? portkey?

Who's who?

Saw this blog entry... make me stop and think for a while...

Don’t Stress About Your Achievements

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip. (You know, the one with Charlie Brown and Snoopy)

You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you’ll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. S ee how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones ith the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Just think about the people who have made a difference in your life, and take the time to let them know you appreciate them.

“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.” (Charles Schultz)

Thank you...

Living, not just mere existing, for 30 years, I would not make it if these people aren't around...

• My family - Mama, Toots, Bryan and Cherie. My reason for everything I do. My inspirations.

• My Aunts, Uncle and Cousins - Uncle Max, Auntie Mary, Auntie Tiling , Kuya Budoy, Ate Aning and Auntie Pikay. Thanks for the time you spent with us.

• Mean, Arnel, Jheck (and Biboy), Josephine (and Francis), Than-than, Elma (and Jay), Oliver (and Alma), Isko, Elod, Balot, Babes (and Ricky). Thanks for sharing the years in Colegio de Sta Cecilia and for the continuous friendship.

• ACP Encapment friends Elias, Nigel, Vladimir, Nogel, Alex, Aisa, Jaq, Ethel, Kulit, Aileen, Sofia, Mau, Alex- It was fun meeting and spending that one week with you guys.

• Jannette, Julius, Warlito, Richie, Nanie (and Richard), Nanet (and James), Dheng (and Gayo), Mai (and Elmer), Yeye, Richard R, Lau, Racquelli, Glendale, Edel (and Jessie), Marie Anne, Raymond, Anna, Ate Malou, Ate Ems, Mike, Cesar (and Cynthia), Egay. College will never be the same without you guys. My sincerest gratitude.

• My teachers – for providing all the knowledge and challenges that prepared me for the real world.

• Sir Gabriel Aquino – for introducing me to computers and predicting that I will do well in this field.

• Ate Sarah Gavarra – for being the “ATE” that I never had.

• My SVI batchmates Aileen, Mommy Roche, Shirley, Anna P., Efren, Erich, Andrew, Dave, Jon – thanks for the help during training.

• Tools Team. Boogie, Waltz, Star, Nery, Ena, Adonna, Emerson, Libay, Don, Sheila (and Chris), Ces, Joyc, Bobby, Haids and Sir Bong – Thanks for teaching me all I need to know to survive in my first project.

• Boogie Rabago – thanks for teaching me all cool stuffs and for all you advises.

• Sheila Arias – for all the laughter and tears we shared. Salamat.

• Sigma-Aldrich Project. Didith, Bernie (and Papa Mon), Gerald, Gordon, Joy, Aby, Doins, Ces, Reg, Rex, Abdon, Mildred. Thanks for all the fun we have during nightshift.

• Didith Barcega – my sexiest team lead and advisor. Super thanks!

• Safeway DataWarehouse Project. Gerald, Mildred, Mardonna, Bernie.

• Other SVI friends. Rhea, Boss Maritz, Sir Bob, Anna I, Aileen, TinTin and Don, Margot, Lanee, Binot, Dante, Nene, Ronnie, Flora.

• Triumph Support. Xerxes, Sancho, Jay Perth, Gary, Chris P, Tony N, Heather, Tanya, Paul, Patty, Starra, Boss A, Marife, Zean, Victor, Jovic, Ally. – It was a pleasure working and learning with all of you.

• Xerxes Mangapit, Sancho Supnet, Chris Price and Tony Nerada – my TSUP mentors. I’ll never be a PRT expert without you.

• Paul Umali and Starra Valderia – my “katarayan” mentors. For teaching me not to be nice at all times. Salamat po.

• Patty Gonzales-Santos – for answering all my DB2 questions and for being my 3 o’clock habit (meryenda sa penthouse) buddy.

• Jovic Sebastian – for all the things you have done for me and the team and for leadership example you showed.

• Starra Valderia and Gary Gutierrez – for being 2 of the best friends I have in Triumph.

• Hazel Ortiz, Tina Pazzibugan and Anai Villanueva – for the continuous friendship that never been thwarted by distance nor time zone.

• Lysander JP Celestino and Marife Morandarte– for always being there when needed. The most reliable friends I ever had. People who always find time to listen. Salamat sa lahat ng libreng tulong at advices.

• Zean Cabading, Ally Nable and Victor John Abrenica – for letting me to be your mentor. I am proud of you guys. Keep on learning.

• Mylin Tan, Lanie May Cheng, Mark Chua Chui Hian, Liza Jolina Ortile, Laennec Jose, Charo Lapid, Grace Maquito, Sherilyn Eiaw - Thanks for being good friends

• Dea Buhain and Arkady Shrayman – for trusting me to lead your offshore team and for the onshore opportunity.

• Jeff Ong and Walter So – for being so accommodating and helpful during my stay in NJ. Thank you my brothers.

• Murray Zilbering – for making every day in the office a fun day, thanks a lot.

• Allan Yeung – for being the best cubemate! I appreciated all your techie advices, food advices and al the cool stuffs you gave me.

• Miss Juliet, Miss Ruth, Miss Malou, Miss Dea and Raul – for making lunch time a good time for non-work related conversations. You are the best lunch buddies.

• Tito Roy and Tita Susan – for the wonderful stay I have in Denville. For making me feel at home.

• Sir Elmer Maximo – for taking care of us in NJ, my utmost gratitude.

• Jefferson Ong – for all your help and for touring us in NY.

• Tolits, Ariel, Ric, Harley, Zeny, Roslyn, Thea - Salamat po sa pagtitiyaga at pag-intindi sa topak at kakulitan ko.

• New Yorker friends. Maricar, Angie, Mary Rose, Ivy, Fr. Erno, Vidal, Armel, Mackie, Kuya Ronnie, Justin and Jade – for all the things you have done for me while I’m in NY.

• To the lobster – thanks for the chance and for making me realize that ther are some things that I am still capable of doing. Sorry things didn’t turn out as expected. Salamat sa friendship.

... on to my third decade

An hour from now and I am officially on my 30s.

I am born on March 19, 1977 which falls on a Saturday and a full moon (that explains the mood that follows the moon). My zodiac sign is Pisces but I do not know to swim. According to Astrology, these are traits of a Piscean:

Imaginative and sensitive
Compassionate and kind
Selfless and unworldly
Intuitive and sympathetic

On the dark side....

Escapist and idealistic
Secretive and vague
Weak-willed and easily led

Are they true? I dunno. I'll ask my friends if they're true...

In the Chinese calendar, my birthdate coincides with the year of the Fire Snake. I think this suits me well.

THE SIGN OF THE SNAKE

The Snake is the intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the Animal Signs. They are attractive people who take cries with ease and do not become flustered easily. They are graceful people, exciting and dark at the same time.

Contemplative and private, the Snake is not outwardly emotional. He can appear cunning and reticent and works very modestly in the business environment. The Snake will plot and scheme to make certain things turn out exactly as they want them to. They are not great communicators and can become quite possessive when they set their minds on achieving the interest of a partner.

Continuing...

FIRE SNAKE - 1857, 1917, 1977
An intense and masterful Snake. Active in mind and body, he performs energetically. Fire added to the already imposing Snake personality can give him great public appeal and charisma. He exudes confidence and the ability to lead. People will vote for this type of person if he chooses to go into politics.
Although he may hold open forums to solicit or assess the views of the majority, the Fire Snake is terribly suspicious by nature and has total faith only in himself. He is too quick to censure and to condemn. Sometimes he insulates himself with a closed circle of friends and advisors, thereby isolating himself without knowing it. His strong, almost maniacal desire for fame, money and power will make him insist on concrete results. Persevering and uncompromising, he sets his sights on the highest goals and once he gets to the top, he will cling to power indefinitely.
The Fire Snake is the most sensual, fervent and jealous kind of Snake. He will display excessive love or hate and be very preoccupied with himself.

A career in politics? Why not?

Long weekend holiday

Sept 4 is Labor day in US. We have lots of plans to do on this long weekend but end up doing nothing.

One of the plan is to take the 3-day tour to DC and Niagara Falls and the other is to go to New York. None of the plan materialized instead we end up again in Rockaway mall where I spend quite a few in Aeropostale (50% off on all tops but I got a cargo pants for $14.99).

I've been here for one month now and I've been to New York once. Next weekend, come what may, I'll be in New York.

When you're the one left behind...in NJ

When I arrived in Jersey, I was used to seeing the staffhouse full of people and the environment is so jolly and noisy. I thought that this will always be the case until the day that people starts leaving to go back to Manila.

It started with Liza leaving on a Friday night. I find it weird that I felt sad saying goodbye to her. I only knew her for a few weeks and we're not even close. The next day, Alfred, Cathy V, Romy and Ron fly out (though Ron and Romy is stoll coming back to catch their flight). A week after, another wave of returnees went home(Ron on Thursday, Carl leaving on Friday, Robin, and Romy on Saturday and Mario on Saturday). That leaves me, Darrix and Roslyn left in the staffhouse on a gloomy weekend (Patrick and Benjie went to Niagara on that weekend).

On Saturday, since Darrix is meeting his wife's cousin in New York. Roslyn and I decided to go with Cathy A and Mario to New York. But we have a late lunch and the it seems like it will rain so Roslyn and I decided to go to Rockaway Mall instead.

The next day, more rain came and we cannot go out. Because it is so cold, we opt to watch the 4400 season 3 marathon in TV.

A laptop loan incident

I have no intention of buying a laptop when I went here. But when I see the prices and the specs of the latest model, not to mention the fact that I could loan it from the office, I decided to buy one.

I wrote to Miss Luz in Manila and inquire if I am eligible for the loan. She replied to me asking me to coordinate it with Miss Cez who asked me to fill in a form and sent it back to Manila which I did promptly bacause I am so excited to get one. Days passed and I got a mail from Miss Bam (from the 77 Softwares office here in Rockaway ) that I could drop by the office to purchase the laptop. I quickly browse for a model of the laptop, do comparison and check prices and specs. It is my second laptop. The first one only lasted for a good 3 years and cost me around 2000 USD. There's no way that I wouldbe wasting such money again. After a couple of comparison, I finally decided to purchase a Toshiba laptop A105-S4084 (see specs here) and went quickly to the office to make the purchase.

The next week, I was so excited everyday to have my laptop. I discovered that the price went down from 949.99 usd to 849.99 usd. I called up Circuit city to ask if they could make price adjustment and they did. They also inform me that the laptop will be delivered on Wednesday.

Come Wednesday. So excited to claimed it but my bubble is burst when I was told that it was put on hold because it still lacks approval. WTF?! That is so stupid. If there are lacking forms or approval, why would they allow me to make the online purchase? What's the point of putting the laptop on hold? What good does it make?

I was pissed by the incident and by the person who put that laptop on hold. I was so pissed that I need to go to the the park to release the disappointment.

New York, New York

Woke up excited today because we are going to New York. Yes! New York baby!

Since we missed the 10 and 11 am bus, we took the 12 noon bus and have an 1-hour trip to the Big Apple. We took the subway to go to Central Park- a very large park. While walking, we noticed that we can be paired by the color of our shirts. Liza and Roslyn are Pink Team, Ron and Robin are Blue Team, Alfred and Romy are White Team and Cathy and I are Yellow Team. After a long but enjoyable walk, we settled in one of the picnic area and have our lunch of rice and chicken afritada that Ron's cooked the night before. For dessert, we have macaroni salad.
Lunch is followed by more walking and from Central Park, we decided to go to Metropolitan Museum of Arts.

After the Musuem, we went to Chinatown where we buy souvenir shirts and ate dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Then another walk to see Empire State Building along Madison Ave.

First day at work in NJ

Around 8:30 am, Carl, Darrix and Cathy A picked me up then head to Geraldine's Court for Tom. Since it is my first day at work, Cathy A accompany me and introduce me to everyone.

The campus is a very large area with several buildings surrounded by tall trees. Our group, Derivatives, were in building D while the other group (Robin, Romy, Ron, Alfred and Roslyn) as well as the cafeteria, is in Building C. There's also a breakfast cafeteria in Buiding D.

It is nine o'clock am and there are only few people in the office. Since Dea is not yet in, Cathy introduced me to some people I used to know only in email or phone call like Dom, Jim, Murray, Walter and Jeff Ong. We also went to Shawn for my cube assignment and to Jordan to arranged a meeting with John O'niel for the id. I was set to meet John at one pm.

Dea came and I got into my cube. I can't believe that I am occupying a cube all by myself. A cube complete with upper shelf, rolling bin and a cabinet. How I wished I could bring all of this in our Manila office.

I started working and catch up with emails. I got so engrossed with work and new environment that I forgot about the meeting with John. I just realize it when Cathy came and asked me if I went to John. OOOPS! It's my first day and I am giving an impression that Pinoy are not respectful of other people's time. What a blooper! I went to Jordan to asked if the meeting can be resched. He arranged for me to meet John the next day at 09:30.

My day in the office ended at around 05:30.

What happened the next day? I got a mouthful from John (but he's a nice person) and have my id.

First Gimik in NJ- FITG Picnic

On my second day in Jersey, I attended the Filipino IT Group picnic. Pictures on the event are posted in here .

My home in Denville

Here are some photos of the house and room in Denville.

A long overdue kwento

I've been here in New Jersey for three weeks now and I have not updated this blog to tell about my trip, experiences, people here in US. I'll try to recall them as much as I can and tell it as if it happened yesterday.

My second plane trip

It is my second time to go to US but I am still excited as the first time. I came to the airport quite early because I miscalculated the travel time (since we're leaving at two am, there should be no traffic).

I arrived in the airport too early but the line for check-in is already long. I guess there are people more excited like me. While cheking in, I was picked for a ramdom baggage check. Since I only have clothes, pulburon, chocnuts and other padalas in it, I am not much concern except for the way they rummage into it. Good thing that the guy is nice enough to keep things the way they are.

After checking in my baggage, I went to the gate but I stop in for a while for a quick breakfast of siopao.

Plane departed around 0630 when I am seated in the middle left aisle. Because of my condition, I requested for a low cholesterol meal. Since special requests are served first, I got my meal ahead from the the other passenger. When I check my meal, it is fruits, orange juice, egg, potato and spinach. i didn't touch the spinach because it didn't smell good. When the flight attendant, start her round to serve food, she noticed that I am not touching my food and ask me if I like it. I said no and ask her if she sould replace it with something else. She said that she'll check if there are extra after she have served everyone. By the way, I have no seatmate. I am not sure if the flight is not fully booked or there are people who resched their flight. Minutes passed and she's nowhere in sight so I decided to eat the potatos and egg. I am almost done eating when the flight atendant approach me handing me an omelet saying there's a spare one and I could have it.

It was around 11 am (Japan time) when we landed in Nagoya and I don't want to deplane. I'll be seating in the same seat on the same plane on my way to Detriot anyway, why would I bother to get out of it. Thought of pretending to be asleep playing on my mind just to have an excuse from not stepping out. That won't work, I think so I lazily get my heavy knapsnack and try to smile on my way out as the flight attendants saying adieu.

While walking to the next gate when we wil wait to board to the next plane,I have a chit-chat with a couple of American exchange students wearing PUP PE shirt. They explained that they were sent to Manila on a Christian mission. They ask me if am heading back to the States for school. Hehehehe.

I met Gladylyn (a fellow 77 GSI employee) in Nagoya. Since we have timw to roam around the airport to check some Japanese stuffs. She bought a smoked squid.

We boarded on the time around 1 pm (japan time) and I am seated at the same seat but this time I am seated beside a Japanese exchange student going to US. The flight is long and tiring though I am doing nothing except sleep, watch movies (She's the Man starring Amanda Brynes and Aquila and the Bee - an inspirational movie about a black kid winning a spelling bee comptetion). As usual, my food was served ahead because of the request I have done. Food were not so great when you have medical condition. With that, I'll never do another special request again. Here are some items about the flight:

• the japanese girl seated beside can't understand and talk English well. When food is served and she is asked to choose between two meals, she just nod and accepts whatever is given to her.
• I pulled another "I-did-not-like-my-food" stint to get extra food but I failed. Though I got warm milk
• I got hungry during the flight and ask for the some mini-pretzels snack. This time, it is a success.
• When we are on top of the Rocky Mountain, I was at the tail of the plane watching from the window.
• I was reading a comic book Power Mark while on the plane.

We reach Detriot airport at around 1 pm EST. Glad and I decided to split so we weren't be interviewed by the same immigration officer. It will be easier that way. So I went to the queue of some Japanese. It seems like m,y choice of line is not good. It took them longer time to be interviewed. When my turn came, I am no smiling anymore. I answered very briefly. When I was asked why would it take 2 months for me to learne the system, I irritably answered, "I dunno.. I am not the one setting the timeline. It's my boss." When it is time to take my picture, the immigration officer told me that it will not hurt to smile.

From the immigration officer, i went to the carousel to get my luggage and proceed to custom officer booth. Still irritated from lack of sleep, when asked if I have food in my luggage, I reply, "None. Why would I bring food on a business trip?". The custom officer just smile at me and instructed me to proceed to the check in area. I checked in m baggage and look for Glad who, despite of a little problem with he immigration office (her name is not listed in the database), still got ahead of me.

Our flight is delayed by an hour so Glad and I decided to check some stores/shops. We called 77 Software office to inform them about the flight delay. The flight to Newark is quite a bumpy ride. I was seated beside a doctor whom I asked a couple of questions on medical stuffs and how a real doctor similar to the doctors I saw in Scrubs, House, Grey's Anatomy and other series. On my left is a huge man who is a resaercher who watched "White Man Can't Jump" in his portable dvd player.

We arrived Newark airport at 4 pm EST. The sum is still high and the weather is the same as in Manila minus the humidity. My New Jersey adventure begins.


New Jersey - it is not what I think it is...

I rode with Miss Che and Sir Elmer from the airport to the staffhouse. While on the car, Sir Elmer was on the phone talking angrily. My first conversation with him is not a good experience. I find him mataray. The few minutes in the car with him didn't change my first impression. Later on, when he's done with his issues, he calmly talked to me explaining that since all the staff houses are full, I'll be staying in a separate house. I'll be staying with a Filipino family and since I don't drive, I'll be on a hatid-sundo basis. He also explained that it will just be my sleeping quarters for most of the time I will be staying in the staffhouse.

When we arrived at 77 Software office. I was surprise to learn that the office and the staffhouse is in one building. The ground floor was the office and the staffhouse is on the second floor. Also the surrounding is not what I expected. I was thinking that New Jersey is like New York with buildings, busy streets and fast-moving people. I am wrong- very wrong. The place is a suburb no different from San Ramon (in California).

On moving on...

Marife send me this article and I agree on all of the stuffs in it. I think it is worth sharing.

Closing Cycles
by Paulo Coelho

One always has to know when a stage comes to an end.

If we insist on staying longer than the necessary time, we lose the happiness and the meaning of the other stages we have to go through. Closing cycles, shutting doors, ending chapters – whatever name we give it, what matters is to leave in the past the moments of life that have finished.

Did you lose your job? Has a loving relationship come to an end? Did you leave your parents' house? Gone to live abroad? Has a long-lasting friendship ended all of a sudden?

You can spend a long time wondering why this has happened. You can tell yourself you won't take another step until you find out why certain things that were so important and so solid in your life have turned into dust, just like that.

But such an attitude will be awfully stressing for everyone involved: your parents, your husband or wife, your friends, your children, your sister, everyone will be finishing chapters, turning over new leaves, getting on with life, and they will all feel bad seeing you at a standstill.

None of us can be in the present and the past at the same time, not even when we try to understand the things that happen to us. What has passed will not return: we cannot for ever be children, late adolescents, sons that feel guilt or rancor towards our parents, lovers who day and night relive an affair with someone who has gone away and has not the least intention of coming back.

Things pass, and the best we can do is to let them really go away.

That is why it is so important (however painful it may be!) to destroy souvenirs, move, give lots of things away to orphanages, sell or donate the books you have at home. Everything in this visible world is a manifestation of the invisible world, of what is going on in our hearts – and getting rid of certain memories also means making some room for other memories to take their place.

Let things go. Release them. Detach yourself from them. Nobody plays this life with marked cards, so sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Do not expect anything in return, do not expect your efforts to be appreciated, your genius to be discovered, your love to be understood. Stop turning on your emotional television to watch the same program over and over again, the one that shows how much you suffered from a certain loss: that is only poisoning you, nothing else.

Nothing is more dangerous than not accepting love relationships that are broken off, work that is promised but there is no starting date, decisions that are always put off waiting for the "ideal moment." Before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished: tell yourself that what has passed will never come back. Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person – nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need. This may sound so obvious, it may even be difficult, but it is very important.

Closing cycles. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because that no longer fits your life. Shut the door, change the record, clean the house, shake off the dust.

Stop being who you were, and change into who you are.

I could see clearly now ...

Yes! no more blurry vision. I got a new pair of glasseses. My grade goes up from 25+/25- (my old glasses) to 75+/75+ (my contact lenses that I purchases 4 weeks ago) to 200+/200+. My right eye which used to be nearsighted is now farsighted. My vision is expected to fluctuate as same as my blood sugar.

As if looking at someone else's eyes

Due to my high blood sugar, my vision is also fluctuating. One day, I could see perfectly well without glasses or contact lenses but the next day, everything is blurry; As of this moment, I am writing this blog with my blurry vision. The weird thing is, when you cover an eye, the other eye can see well. I have to squint or close an eye to see what am I typing. I don't like this.... my vision is importatnt to me.

of being too much sweet ...

Weeks ago, I woke up with my vision suddenly blurred out. I cannot see the faces of more than 10 feet from me. When I went to the optemetrist to have my eyes checked and she asked me if I have high blood pressure or am I diabetic. I said no. She suggested that I shold have a check up first. She is not recommending to have my glasses changed but suggested to use contact lenses instead.

For days, I wore contact lenses. Last April 28, I took my very late pre-employment medical exam. The doctor took my blood pressure and I got 171/40 which is alarmingly high. He took it 5 times with a 10 minute interval and got the same blood pressure reading. I asked him for any advice or medication. He surprised me when he reolied. " Hindi kami nagbibigay ng advice, annual checkup ito.". What the f*** is that? Does it mean that if someone collapsed in front of him, he'll do nothing because he assigned only to do check up. That's bullsh*t!

Anyhow, the next day, I went to Healthway in SM North to have the checkup. The doctor asked me to have some blood test to measure blood sugar, cholesterol level and other stuffs, urinalysis and ECG. Since blood will be extracted, I need to fast for 12 hours so starting 9:00 that night til 9 am the next day, I am not allowed to eat and drink. Yes I cannot drink. That bitch doctor wanted me to die of thirst before I die of diabetes. This made me hate her more (the fact that during discussion she's not looking made me not to like her already). She also suggested to see the opthalmologist because my vision is affected. The opthalmologist is nicer but when I told her to take the vision test after I have the other lab test (blood tset, unrine and ECG), she retorted, "Ok lang mauna yung iba. Aanhin mo nga ang mata kung patay ka naman". Are they allowed to be that negative? I will not want to go back to her. Not anymore.

I went back the next day to have blood extraction and urine sample and ECG and I got the result the next day. I went to see another general physician because the first doctor is out (Thank God!). The new doctor is better. She look at me when giving her opinion and more jolly. She told me that the results are bad. Everything is high - blood sugar, cholesterol and uric acid. Good thing that my liver is healthy. The high blood pressure is a secondary effect of high blood sugar. She asked me to see a nephrologist (to see the state of my kidney) and endocrinologist (to give me medication on insulin).

Since there's no available specialist in Healthway, I went to MCU and found the kidney specialist who interprets and explains the lab results to me and give me medications. Since she's an internist also, I would not need to see another doctor (endocrinologist). She covered everything from my medication and diet.

Yes folks. I am a diabetic. From this point, no more white Toblerone and extra rice. There is a long list of food that I cannot eat and this is torture. But I know someday things will be back to normal. As the song in Avenue Q says, this is just FOR NOW.

Five Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

from the musical Rent

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Seasons of Love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure - measure a year ?
*
In daylights - in sunsets
In midnights - in cups of coffee
In inches - in miles
In laughter - in strife
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In - five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in our life
*
How about love ?
How about love ?
How about love ?
Measure in love
*
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
*
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand journeys to plan
*
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life of a women or a man ?
*
In truths that she learned or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned or the way that she died
*
It's time now - to sing out
Tho` the story never ends
Let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends
*
Remember the love
Remember the love
Remember the love
Measure in love
*
Measure measure your life in love
*
Seasons of love ...
Seasons of love

The Present

Last Friday, since there were no tasks assigned to asked, I dropped by National Bookstore in Podium to buy some stuffs that I can read to pass time as well as to claim my discount card (which I return because they mispelled my lastname). While looking for the latest copy of Reader's Digest, the book "The Present" caught my attention. This book is written by Spencer Johnson, the author of "Who Moved My Cheese?" - another worth-reading book. Since I found "Who Moved My Cheese?" inspiring, so I decided purchase a copy.

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I just finished reading the book and I am so happy I purchased one. It teaches a basic but often forgotten and taken-for-granted lesson -- to focus on the present, to learn from the past and plan for the future. Many may claim that they have heard it and had applied it, but why is it that many are still unhappy or unsucessful? Perhaps they have forgotten. Maybe it's time to review our ways.

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Are we so trapped in our past? Do we still have those emotional baggages in our shoulders that prevented us from moving on? Are we still feeling guilty for things we have done or things, we failed to accomplished? Are we still bothered by "... should have been ..." and "what if ..." thoughts?. The bad news is you can't change the past. There is no undo button to erase yesterday's errors. And time machines are only in movies. But you can still make it up today. One must not dwell on the dark shadows of the past but focus on what is important in the PRESENT. Think of the things one have right now and use them. Learn from past mistakes to avoid not-so-good things from recurring. Today is the moment when the ideas and improvements, that weren't applied in the past, can be utilized. It is time to take a different path and do thing in another approach.

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The book also discussed about planning for the future. In order to be successful, one must plan his goals and put actions in it. Planning is very easy but putting it in action was the challenge. As the book says, "No one can predict or control the future. However, the more you plan what you want to see happen, the less anxious you are in the present and the more the future in known to you."

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Another thing the book talk about is combining the lessons about past, present and future with purpose. It stated, "How do you respond depends upon your purpose. When you want to be happy and more sucessful, it is time to be in the present moment. When you want the past to be better than the past, it is time to learn from the past. When you want the future to be better than the present, it is time to plan for the future."

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http://www.thepresent.com/images/landing/BigBookTop.gif

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Lastly, the book defined success. It is said the success is becoming who you are capable of being and progressing towards worthwhile goals. Each of us defines for ourselves what it means to be successful. With this, no one can judge us wheteher we are sucessful or not for we define our gauge for success.

Morning post

It's Friday morning and I am in the office!