Idea that crossed my mind: On blaming

"Blame others and you'll get resentment. Blame yourself and you'll get realization."

-Henry C.

Travel Bugs

Travel is exciting. You get to see a lot of places, know a lot of people and hear a lot of stories. It is full of adventure but hey! There are also problems you may encounter. They also think that travel is expensive but if you use your brain and prepare for it, you can afford a memorable and worthy travel. Here are some useful tips for all travel enthusiasts out there.

1. Know your purpose. By clearly establishing your purpose, you can set your priorities. If possible be specific with your purpose so that you can prepare a checklist of things to bring. A checklist is important to avoid missing the things that you'll need when you reach your destination. For many times, I missed some important documents and stuff by not making a checklist. I depended on my memory so much that I end up buying those things that I missed. This can ruin your budget so you get to compromise your objective. It is useful if you write this in a small notebook you can call as your travel notebook.
   
2. Don't forget to bring a jacket. A jacket is very useful when you travel because you'll have something to warm you when it gets cold in the bus or in the night. You can wrap you jacket into your waist if it's warm and can't get to open your travelling bag.
   
3. Bring some useful light tools. As for me, I find it useful to bring a switch (Swiss) knife. It has scissors, knife, bottle opener, etc. But don't hand carry this because it will be confiscated when discovered by the security if you travel by plane. A nail-cutter is useful too.
   
4. Travel light. This has been an advice of many travelers and it will give you so much comfort. But don't travel that you forget the necessary things because you want to travel light. You might end up in trouble if you do this.
   
5. Bring a small book. You can read while you wait for the bus or for the plane to go. It is wise to read than to murmur and complain while waiting.
   
6. Make the most of what you have. This is something that gives me ease because I always focus on what I have and not on what I have. I discovered that my cell phone can play a video. What I did was I loaded it with an exercise video so I don't need to carry a player and a disc. There are a lot of things that we have that we take for granted. We don't maximize its potential because we focus on what we don't have rather than on what we have. Another instance happened to me. When I was travelling, I sat at the right side of the bus where the sun was shining. It was warm and it made me very uncomfortable. That time, I don't have a cap to protect me from the blinding light. I realized that I was wearing long-sleeve polo over a white T-shirt. I took it off and covered it on my head. It lessened the heat that I felt and the glaring light. I realized that if I focused on the cap that I missed to bring, I might end up blaming myself and complaining the heat and the light that was very uncomfortable.
   
7. Travel can be exhausting. But if you have a bottle of water, a drink can save. So don't forget to bring a bottle of water because it can give you a mile of comfort.
   
8. Decide early on what 'pasalubong' to bring home. We Filipinos can't make our travel complete without bringing 'pasalubong' for our loved one's. It's a good way to share the joy of travel when we give something for others. You can ask them what they want so that you can prepare for it. In the end it's the thought that counts.
   
9. Bring a camera but don't forget to check the battery. Taking pictures is the best way to preserve every travel in our memory. When we get back at home it's really nice to tell stories with pictures. I have experienced bringing along my camera only to find out that the battery was empty. I wasn't able to take pictures and it was a lesson that I want to share with all the travelers. It's good that you have an extra battery or a charger with you. I bought a fast charger for the battery of my cell phone and camera at the same time. It is more convenient than having separate chargers for your gadgets.
   
10. Seize the moment. Have fun and enjoy the moments of your travel. Thank and feel every opportunity you encounter because when you travel, it is a chance to widen your horizon, a time to unwind and a time to get away from the heavy pressures of our daily activities.
    

To all of you guys who will be travelling, Mabuhay! Have a safe and happy trip! Where's you destination? Bon voyage!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Without meaning

Life is without meaning. Yes, that's true. It is in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Holy Bible. We are born. We grow. We learn. We work. We spend. We work again so that we can earn again. There are series of activities we do in a lifetime, a time for everything. Some have achieved lots of accomplishments while others die young. Life is full of uncertainties. In the end, we die. All will be worthless. So, what's the use of all of this? It's meaningless.

Isn't that funny? We work for nothing in the end. It's also very sad. It's crazy. This is the same feeling I felt when I watched the Korean film "The Classic". The story of their love was not given the chance to happen. They did not end up being together. It's painful. But given the chance that they end up being together, it will still be useless because in the end, the man died of sickness. What's the use if in the end you're going to die?

You'll not even be able to bring all your riches when you die. In the end, when we become equal in death. Death is terrible but meaningful because it will be the end of everything. So, life is meaningless and death is meaningful. I can't believe it! What an irony! So, it is useless to live and useful to die. I better die. But I don't want to die because no one wants to die.

The point is everything is useless. Even what I'm writing is meaningless. But the moment you read it, it will be meaningful. That's the use why I write because somebody will have to read it. So what is meaningless can be meaningful. Kinda hard? No it's easy.

It's just like this. We live for others, not for ourselves. When die for ourselves, it becomes meaningful. Just like Jesus, He died for us, for our sins. It gave a great meaning. It will be meaningless if you can't avail it.

 

 

 

 

I miss Sylvia

You might wonder who Sylvia is. Sylvia was with me since December 2003. We had been together for almost 5 years. We had a very good relationship until I finally decided to let her go. I have no other complaints other than the minor defects. Many don't know that I was with her but she was with me most of the time not only in good times but even in my lonesome time. She was there when my heart was broken. She heard many conversations but she was very silent. She might manifest what had happened but I believe she kept it only to herself. She accompanied me in most of my activities and I was thankful that she became a part of my life. I have learned a lot of things with her and through her. She's not pretty. But I saw her beauty beyond my eyes. In my mind she is.

But time tells me to say goodbye. I know she was hurt because she did not allow to be photographed when I last saw her. For whatever reasons, my camera didn't work when I wanted to had a picture with her before I let her go.

As I reminisce, all I could say is that she is important to me. Yeah, it is true that you will only know the value of a thing when it's gone. Sylvia was my silver car. Goodbye Sylvia! Make good to your new master.

This one is for Jean

Jean, this one is for you because you have been asking me about my previous blog. Thanks for your concern. I told you that I was already okay. Thank you for training me well and for the tips (in tellering). I was able to apply it in my work now that I'm assigned in branches. I was very confident in handling miscellaneous transactions but I was very cautious with the 'reversal' 'coz I might bring that very unwanted thing. Today, I did 180 plus BIR's and got only 2 reversal. I targeted a 100% error free transaction but my eyes and fingers were so tired already when I was in the 120's. Anyway, you said that it was normal so I took you word.

I am happy to recall when we had our break in 'Hapit Anay' last time. It was full of revelations. But I want to learn from all those bad things.

I'm here in Taps & mix right now, just taking time to relax. Just please keep in touch. I sent you a text message last time. I wondered if you received it 'coz I didn't get your reply. Well, see you when I see you...

God Sees Me

Problems in the family, demands of work, failure of plans, broken relationships, etc. make me feel down. Sometimes, I want to give up, quit and escape. But I think that no matter what I do and wherever I may go, it won't solve all the problems in life. I'm sure there will always be a problem. This has made me feel empty and leave all my accomplishments meaningless.

But I am happy of the thought that God still sees me and loves me through the people who touched my life.

God only YOU can fill the emptiness in my life. Today, I recommit myself to You. Be my master. Please direct me.

The journey continues...

Before...
I was surprised when the information came that I will be assigned in Alabel, Sarangani Province. A lot of hesitations held me back in my mind. I was so perplexed. How would I react? Will I be sad? happy? excited? puzzled? All those emotions lived in me nights, days, hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds...

Time passed, I made the choice to take the responsibilities given to me. I traveled the way and back. I prepared myself for the challenge I saw.

Now...

It's another day. I'm in the regional office, sitting, thinking, recollecting. I surpassed the challenge for two months and here I am, hoping to beat another challenge that will be given. It may be difficult but that makes the challenge more challenging.

A lot of things will come through I know. Not only in my career but in all aspects of my life. I want to see it coming one by one and I am ready.