Bringing in the Christmas Cheer

In the place where we live, it has been customary for children to knock from door-to-door. They will be shouting "Namamasko po!" and expecting to receive  coins or chocolates or any treats that will bring in the Christmas Cheer. I like this tradition. It does not really matter how much each house gives. The number of houses giving a token or so will provide quite a loot. Some kids are ready with their plastic bags or simply their bags. It reminds me that Christmas is for children, be they nephews and nieces, godsons or goddaughters, kids of family and friends or the ones whose names we don't know or whose faces we just saw today. Getting a treat or two would hopefully make them see that Christmas is about giving because a of  a God who was generous to us. May the kids knocking on my door know that there is value in giving no matter how small and in graciously and thankfully receiving. Christmas in itself is a gift. 

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

It's Christmas Time...

I like Christmas! I won't deny that I am a Christmas person. I prepare months ahead of time. I like everything about it. The first Christmas Get-Together I attended was last Monday. I noticed that I received food from all three who had done their Christmas shopping early. Is that the most convenient give-away? The picture above has cookies, ham, and chocolates.  

Re: the Ms. Universe....

Of course there will be an outcry! After all, this is the country where no one loses because they are simply cheated off a win. We showed the word how opinionated we can be.

The proverbial bone of contention is the question and answer portion. Some say Shamcey should have a better score than the rest (at least a first runner up finish) because she did not use an interpreter but still answered the question very well. But I guess her answer came off as too religious. It probably did not sit well because the answer should be all for peace, tolerance and ecumenism (remember Ms. Congeniality- always say world peace!). The answer may not have fostered that. After all, what happened to love conquers all- "omnia vincit amore!" People probably asked has she not known about Romeo and Juliet maybe not about religious differences but still a love between two opposing forces. Apparently, love cannot conquer religion.

We can say all we can about it. I felt that the question was a double edged sword. If the candidate would say that they would change religions for the love of her life, she will still receive plak for putting a mere mortal before god. This is still a no-no for those conservatives around us. When she stood tall about her faith, still some may consider that she is close minded. The sword goes both ways. Either way, there is no way to come out unscathed.

At the end of the day, let us take the answer considering the culture of where she came from. She is a Filipina. She is from the Philippines. This is the only country that does not have divorce yet...and even family planning is an issue that cannot be resolved because we go forth and multiply. This country is the only predominantly Catholic country in South East Asia. This is the country that has the largest crowd for a Papal Gathering in the whole world. With all of this, it is no surprise that she will say that. At the end of the day, she really represented the country well.

I worked so hard these past few days. I decided to treat myself to brazo de mercedes!

-Ber months

Christmas is so near....

I am giddy....with excitement...

Now, I am thinking presents! oh so much shopping to do!

Clashing Work Ethics

I have been trained to finish everything before I relax. My mother ingrained the value of hard work and delayed gratification early on. That is why, I always work hard to attain the goals and tasks I need to do. I even pull all-nighters  if need be. I thought that was the norm.

My cousin who is helping out in our small business, on the other hand, does not care. Tasks given to him is merely last priority to texting, calling friends, sleeping, watching tv or even going out. For that, my mom nags him; they end up always disagreeing. 

I realized the difference. I was probably who I am because my mother emphasized hard work as a young child.  My cousin, though, nice as he is, did not feel that much pressure nor does he want to. He probably does not feel guilty for skiving some work. I. though, feel guilty. I cannot live with myself every time I fall short on tasks that needs to be done.

God is Good. He is the Best! =)

Say Goodbye 
to golden yesterdays 
-or your heart
will never learn
to love
the present.

- Anthony de Mello, SJ

I feel helpless. I want to help, but I can't. It makes one realize that there might have been decisions that should be made, and I chose wrong. Now, I am helpless.

dreams and more dreams....

I want to be able to write a book that will get published...


that is the ultimate dream...

A little spoiled

In the mornings, while everyone else is abuzz trying to get ready for work or for school, I wake up and head to my computer to start working. In short, while everyone else are taking a bath or eating breakfast or even scurrying for a ride, I am already earning some bucks while in my sleeping garments and with morning star on my eyes. 

Yes, I am among the new bread of professionals who have been working from home. The neighbors probably find it strange that I go out late in the afternoon(well, that is for another job) instead of joining everyone during the morning rush. 

Telecommuting has its perks. I do not have to travel and brave the early morning traffic. I do not have to be pressured of having a boss breathing on my neck. I also did not have to dress up. I am sure there are other benefits that I have not noticed yet.



I never appreciated them before that much until I had to be out and about early to go somewhere last Thursday. Since we live near an exclusive school for boys, traffic was horrendous, and I could not get a ride. I realized the big relief of not being among the commuters yesterday. I suddenly realized how blessed I am for this. It was quite difficult to go out in the morning.

It has been so hot!
I am having allergies almost everyday.

postcript on ateneo vs. la salle

- It always feels good to sing the alma mater song first especially if the one who would sing last will be the students along Taft ave.

- When I got home, I was curious if Ravena will be a trending topic. 

- I was amused to see both Ravena and Atkins in Yahoo's trending box.


- It is doubly amusing to find out that news about Atkins is not about basketball but about courting a movie star. hehe

Moving Houses

I have three more days to go before I will be sleeping in a new room. I would be saying goodbye to

 an apartment I called home for the past 8 years. I never realized how long that was until we were asked by the landlady to vacate because her daughter needs the house. It made me think about the past years spent here. There were a lot of difficult times here, but because of this I learned about who I am, friendship, love, and life. I cannot say it had been all that difficult. I actually had been able to buy a lot of things here. Earn a lot, but spend a lot, too. I realized that most endeavors I started were satisfactory. There were heartaches and triumphs which pretty much sums up what life is supposed to be. 

Here's to the next chapter in a new place. 

Life Most Complicated

We are moving to a new place because our current landlady needs to use the apartment we have lived in for 8 years. Anyhow, it has not been easy to find a place to rent. After finding one, there are the complications of having all the services like the internet, the cable subscription, and the landline transferred to the new place. There is a charge for all these. Had I known, all these or that we have to move in a month, I should have not signed up for a two year contract for these things....I have to shell out a huge amount to get everything transferred.

Editing and Rewriting

I wonder...Is it just me? Every time, I read some of the stuff I wrote, I end up seeing a mistake or two. I will hit the edit button. I either rewrite or delete a letter or word that should not be there...

I supposed revision is the writer's best friend.

The Only Constant Thing is Change

I must admit; change is difficult. It is often a five-lettered word that can arise fear among those who may even be considered brave. The worst part is most of the time we do not consciously chose to change. It is like a moon in the night slowly sneaking in to the quiet dark room through the crack in the window. It often happens when you have everything figured out. Just when you know it in your blindfolds, the rules change. It shakes you up a bit. 

As I once heard Brenda of my favorite Beverly Hills 90210(1 of course), say the French has a saying - The only Constant Thing is Change, I suppose there is more truth to that than we all care to admit. And to top it all I noticed that things that progress are the ones that deliberately plan or even simply welcome change are the ones that succeed. 

Work always seems to spring something new unto me. There is always innovation, and something has to be learned. There is always something new. We always have to shape up. Learn more. Leave the comfort zones we have establish in our daily routines. The mundane becomes energized because change spices it up. 


I just hope and pray that I have enough strength, wisdom, energy, and determination to do what must be done, to adjust and readjust.