Goodbye 2007. Review

I have experienced great joys in 2007. There were challenges which required a lot of patience. Three more days to go and all I can say is that I accept everything with all my heart and mind. I will treasure these experiences and then time to move on once again.






2007 Highlights



January

My favorite message was: "Rule in the midst of your enemies"

Mayor events: Baby shower of Josephine

First glimpse of Polo through 4D

Bad trip moment: Citibank experience



February

Gift of the year: Juan Paolo Andre's Birth

Favorite message: Ephphata (Be opened)

Tragic moment: Death of Chili, our dear fish






March

Greatest moment: Becoming a daddy and experiencing it the whole month

April: Major Event: Polo's baptism

Favorite message: Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted and with for the Lord

Senti Moment: My memory of my dear sister when she was still here in Manila






May

My request: A Christian Mentor (nope. hasnt arrived yet)

Favorite message: And Behold I am sending the Promise of my Father upon you

Favorite Post entry: A miracle in May

Event of the month: First Mother's day celebration

My Favorite Picture of Polo:











June

My new found favorite mall: Bonifacio High/Serendra

Place to die for: Boracay

Event of the month: First Father's day celebration

Favorite message: Sit at my right hand until I placed your enemies under your feet



July

Event of the month: Birthdays of Josephine, Daddy, Kuya and Me.

First family outing at Subic

Polo's first swimming experience

Visitor of month: Ate Imelda and his son

Shocking moment: Cost of eating at Spiral Resto and paying for it

Favorite entry: Something about us

Revelation: My promotion



August

Praning moment: Polo getting sick

(just one post in August)



September

Country visited: The mysterious India

Frustration: My promotion

Milestones: Polo can crawl and sit

My poem: No one like you

Favorite post: A day is created (and always meant) to be beautiful



October

Favorite Message: Go on your way
Event of the month: DLSU UAAP Basketball champion again (and defeated ADMU bigtime as well then UE who never lost during the elimination bowed down to the Archers)
Career status: Getting impatient
Polo's moment: He received so many toys from his grandparents in US

November
Great learnings: A lot of nursery rhymes
What I've been waiting for: My promotion!!! Wipeeee
Favorite bible character: Eleazar
Relief: No more parking fees

December
Event of the month: 3rd Wedding anniversary and Christmas
Getaway place: Caylabne with the whole family who came in one at a time
Gifts of the month: Brand new Hyundai Tucson and my new pair of Crocs
Not so nice experience: Getting sick because of the stress
Accomplishment: Being able to write my 100th post!

Merry Christmas 2007

Polo's First Haircut

BEFORE
DURING
AFTER

Polo's haircut

Josephine and I really thought that his hair was already so uncool for a cute boy like Polo. His hair was growing on his the side if his tiny head but the middle part remains bald. It was really bad for picture taking unless he was wearing a hat. Yes, the folks kept on reminding us that we should cut his hair after he turns one. I'm sorry according to my discovery and national geo or even myth buster knowledge, cutting of hair after one is more of a culture/tradition or anything else. Yeah, so many people questioned our wisdom for doing so but we had to ask what their reasons are but nothing the APA can substantiate. The answers are more of a hand me down from our grandparents. His pedia actually gave us the go signal. We had to cut those hairs! I don't want Polo to have a bad hair day during his first birthday party. Look, he looks better! :)

Stressful Christmas

We had fun. I did. It was Polo's first Christmas after all. I just have been promoted. I have a new car. Full of blessing really. But here I am, 26th of December, sickly. Actually, even Josephine has colds (no please, i hope not Polo). I can say that this was the most exhausting and stressful Christmas ever! It drained my 34 years old body to its last calorie (though, my fats are still safe). Praise God for my new Hyundai Tucson! I find it easier to drive. Yup, I struggled at first but it is a lot better than the Honda City. So, that helped me coped with the monster traffic that we had to face everytime we visited Greenhills for our Christmas shopping.

Polo had to stay up late for how many days and it culminated on Christmas eve. I feel sorry for him. I could see and feel how tired he was. He wanted to sleep and rest but because of all the merry making, he had a hard time sleeping. To think that it would be noisier next week (New Year's celebration). But as I've said, in spite of this experience, we still enjoyed our Christmas with our Family. Praise God for all the blessings we received this year. Polo is the best of all the presents we received and we received as early as February. :)

Merry Christmas to all!!!
Let's all praise and thank God. He is the reason why we are celebrating this special day. Because of Him, we are saved. His gift was his own Son because that is how much He loves us. We've encountered trials and joys and he we are still. Alive and kicking!

pictures pictures pictures

do we really have to pose like this, mom?

Im with my cousin, ate Praise

Serious family (kuno)

I love swimming! where is daddy?

my cousins!

mommy!!! my cheeks are heavy!

Again with Ate Praise

Done swimming

with my cousins Kuya Isaiah and Ate Praise

where is my food?!!

Kuya is driving!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............

family picture

am I heavy?

can I eat this rubber ducky, mommy?

waz up?

what happened?

I can't wait to eat..

how does this works?

Celebrating our 3rd year wedding anniversary

At first, I really wanted to celebrate it with our close friends but the schedule was tough. We can not force them to join us. I realized over the weekend that maybe it would be best to gather the family first before others. Finance was a concern but a good (early) planning next year maybe could help. Dont jumped right into a should and should not or do's and don't about this matter. At the end, we had our family celebrating it with us in Caylabne. We all enjoyed the gathering and it wasn't that expensive.

November 30.

We packed our bags into our small car (maybe Ezekiel's final assignment-long driving) and headed to our Caylabne adventure for a 3 days 2 nights stay. Me, Josephine and Polo made a stop over at the Petron station for our Mcdo lunch. I think whether we need to stop or not I guess we would have to. I mean. It is like a tradition already if you are heading south. A stop over is always fun. It was also Polo's first time to go to south. And the picture taking has started! :)

It took us about two hours to reach Caylabne. Too bad Polo was sleeping and he failed to see the hill that we climbed to get to the resort. I thought we still had time to go swimming but it was really cold. We had our merienda and Polo had his and by the time we finished everything it was already getting dark. So we ordered our dinner even if we just finished our snacks and later on watched the cultural presentation of the staff of Caylabne.

Polo got tired and we went back to our room so he can rest and change clothes. As for me, I went to the break water to catch fish. It was really cold and I was all alone. At first I just caught small fishes and a lot of "sabit". I was running out of weights because of the waves and the rocks. That didn't deter me to pursue my goal. So I prayed that I may catch a Maya Maya or a Talakitok or a big Lapu Lapu. After I said my prayers, I caught a big fish, a Maya Maya! Whoa! Prayers work! I went back at our our room at maybe midnight already. Satisfied.

To be continued:
December 1, Anniversary day.

Few more days

For the first time in my life, I know nursery rhymes by heart!! hahahahaha! Thanks to Polo who has several DVDs of Barney. ( or I should thank Barney for correcting my nursery ryhmes and actually being able to complete the whole song). I love Barney! Imagine, I am a 34 years old daddy and yet it is only now that I was able to correct a lot or all of my nursery rhymes. I'm so soorrrrrrrrrrry my countrymen but I preferred playing outside our house thatI didn't have time memorizing these things. I grew up outside our house because I spent most of my time in the street playing with other kids. That would be tough for Polo to follow. He can't be me. I think I eat breakfast at 7am then goes out to play return at 12 for lunch then sleep a little (10min maybe) then play again until 7pm and sometimes I still manage to go out and still play before going to bed. That, my friends, was my schedule during summer when I was a kid.

I did a lot of things. I had a lot of outdoor activities. I can not imagine my son doing all these! One. I am a safety first person. Second. I dont think children are still playing outside. Well, Polo and I can always share play station. I can not imagine Polo climbing to the top of a tall tree or crossing a river even if a lot of people died in that river. Or seeing him torture frogs to death. hahahahaha.. no no no no.. He will be different and more cultured/refined I guess. Is it good? I guess so. Everything that life offers is always good. Blessing. What ever happens I just want to share Polo my relationship with God. Above all. That will be the first thing that I will teach him.

Praise God I will have a new car. Thank you thank you Lord. Ezekiel needs a lot of fixing. I will let kuya take care of him and at least he can restore our car to its original state. God gave me that car five years ago. It is His gift to me and I am sad that it has deteriorated so much. Though, I know that it is something expected. Basta, kung ano ang puedeng ayusin ayusin. I dont know if I want to sell Ezekiel because of its sentimental value but I guess we have too. I will ask God and let's see. :)


Hi Marieli!

Basta never hesistate to tell me anything or ask me anything. I am your brother and time nor distance will never change that! :)

96th Entry

Happy birthday to my Dad! (Yesterday, November 21). May God bless you with peace and joy and of course good health as you enter another decade.

I remember exactly last year, Josephine and I found out that we were going to have a baby boy! I immediately called my parents to tell them the good news. They really want to have a baby boy Agustin. Ok. They did. The youngest carrier of our surname.

Incidentally, yesterday Polo celebrated his 9th month birthday. It was simple. We had no money to buy the cakes we used to buy so we just bought Ube macapuno roll! That was enough for Polo of course. He was so happy yesterday and I really am touched whenever I see him like that. Anyway, the only people there to witness his 9th mo bday were me, Josephine and his lola Annie. He is now eating like pacman as if his belly has no limit. Go go go.. big boy!

Speaking of birthday. BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIN TIN RACHO!!!!!! yipeeeee..yahooo..yipeeee... NOVEMBER 16. I will take note of that. so next year I will not forget it anymore. Special mention ha!!! I pray that you will meet more people and gain more friends. Otherwise they will miss a good friend if they fail to meet you! I hope that you will find "The One". uuuuuuuuuuuuyyy... it can mean a convent as well.. hahahahahaha.. Oh well, oh well.. madame.. baka magkaroon na ako ng bagong car.... kaya sana e makasabay ka uli sa amin.. pero mga next month pa.. :) O ayan, special ka na ha! isinama kita sa blog ko.. :)

Yes! I will meet one of my goals this year. Salamat! this one is simple. To be able to post at least 100 entries! I am just 4 entries short. Dami ko pala nasulat this year. Makulay. I guess it is because of Polo.

Eleazar

" At our age, it would be unbecoming to make such pretense;many young people would think that the ninety year old Eleazar had gone over an alien religion. Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life, they would led astray by me, while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age. Efen if, for the time being, I avoid the punsihment of men, I shall never, whether alive or dead escape the hands of the Almight. Thereforem by manfully giving up my lifenow, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws."
from 2Mc 6:18-31

Amazing how Eleazar hold on to his principles even if it would mean his life. Amazing as well that his sentenced was carried out even at his age. Two principles colliding. Can I do the same? Literally, it is something I can not answer. To die over principle. Wow. He died not because of pride because 1. He wants to be a good example to the youth. 2. Because of his love to God. It is easy to say that I will die for Jesus but will I ever have a chance to be confronted by such an agonizing and terrible situation. I am living in a country where we can tolerate any religous belief. I guess I do face lighter situations.... I admit that I fail at guarding my love for Jesus in small things. How will I be entrusted with more then? Whether I do it or not, Jesus remains the same. He still loves me dearly. He still blesses me. He he still with me. Hirap hirap hirap. All I can say Jesus, you are still in my heart and mind. I may not be as mature as I should be in my relationship with you but I want to remain with you. I know my dearest friend that you have stood by me. I acknowledge your presence and sometimes I admit that I deny it.

Eleazar, the first time I read his story. It made me think and be inspired. He died a long long long time ago (BC) and yet his reason why he chose to die is something that is admirable until now. I know you are in heaven for a job well done. I hope that in my life time, I will be able to meet a man like you. Someone I can emulate and be like one someday. To do my best for my God.

It is a new day!

Outside, the rain is pouring it all to us. Not really strong but a long continuous rain since this morning. Gray weather. It is really dark and cold. Gloomy ey! I heard someone said it's a BED weather. If you ask me, yeah.. it would have been better if we can just stay in bed for the whole day. Ok. Whew... no can do.. :) But at least it is already Thursday!

It is a new day indeed for me. Time to clean up some mess. Some for keeps others straight to the garbage can. No time for sorror but only for rejoicing. Change of point of view! A paradigm shift! Enjoy it a bit then I will have to pack on my new clothes, tools, ideas, equiptment and then continue the journey. Ok. I still have to celebrate! :) But unlike this rain I dont think I want to pour everything. It isn't the end of a journey yet. I just arrived in a comfortable station, a milestone. Stick the flag then leave.

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Our newest helper left this morning. She just stayed withus for one night. I thought she would spend a goodtime with us but unfortunately just like the rest she decided to leave. Wow! I dont get it. What is wrong?!! In less than a year, I think 9 helpers have already entered and left our house. High turnovers. A lot of them just spend a night then the following morning they tender their resignation because of so and so reasons. Maybe valid but really frustrating! I just wish them well but for those who left and not being able to get a decent work. You just wasted an oppotunity and I am not sure how sincere you were with your intention to work. Oh well. That's life.

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Matt and Nathan went to the apartment of Matt's long lost father. There was tension at first and then later on Dad of Matt shared his reasons which made Matt to let go of his suspicion and his defense. Clever. Dad called Matt in a room and when Matt entered it became a prison cell. Inside, he was confronted by his problem with his ex-wife which maybe was his fears/concerns and Nathan followed him inside the room but was greeted by his deformed burnt image. Both of them were fighting their symbolic concerns only to realize that they were actually fighting each other and that Matt's Dad tricked them. :) - from Heroes season 2.

Ok. I guess we do that. We unknowingly fighting a ghost of our past.

Good bye parking fees!

Php110, Php115, Php160 and upto Php19o. The the cost (range) of parking fees which I have been paying since 2002. Five days a week! Good bye LKG, metro parking, ayala parking PBComm. I got my car pass last Monday and I kept the last ticket I paid (Php160). I could save as much as Php3,800 per month in parking fees. Praise God. Thank God.

Gasoline allowance will eventually follow. Additional savings approx. Php6,000 per month. Significant savings. I just have to keep my receipts. No matter what the price of gas will be, I am allowed to fill up my car up to 200ltrs of gas. Whew!

Now, what about sky way toll fees. :)

There are a lot more blessings and I am happy. Lord, please guide me/us how to be good steward of your blessings. thank you.

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Lately, I felt being paranoid about so many things. I know that I am a positive thinker especially if my back is against the wall or if I am put in a corner. I can fight my self out of a desperate situation. But I realized that if things are doing great for me, I tend to think that something will happen bad! That, what I aspire for will not be given to me. Weird. For example, this promotion. I knew there is a great chance that I will be promoted this year. God reminds me to be careful with my thought, to relax, to trust Him, to allow Him to unfold before my eyes the blessings he has for me. Yet, I was always afraid. Afraid that I might do something wrong that will jeopardize my promotion. Afraid that people might see why I should not be promoted. Afraid that I am not really qualified. Afraid that there will be a major organizational changes and will affect movement................................ see, how horrible my situation was!! I had to bear it for several months. Lies and lies were entering my thought and imagination. Every delay was like a sounding cymbals inside a small cave. How I wanted to run. How I wanted to escape the moment! God knows all about it. Praise God. His love endures all things. He was there in all the scenarios I mentioned. He was holding my, embracing me tightly to calm me. God's love was so evident. It was His grace that lead me to read His words everyday and helped stay focused.
God, thank you thank you. Not by my strength. There are a lot things to do still. Why I have this attitude? I know I know the answers in my heart. But it wouldnt hurt if I can hear people giving me their thought about it. Why I think like that and how to overcome it! I am sure that this will manifest again one day and I am tired. I need help.

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Polo got sick last weekend. It is so hard because you know as parents we want him to be ok and yet it wasnt the case. Last Saturday night, his temp kept on souring until it reached 38, 39 and then the dreaded 40C. Pressure cooker! At 5am we decided to bring him to the ER. We stayed in the hospital for 6 long hours. Polo was sick, not getting enough sleep and irritable plus seeing him in pain when the doctor has to extract blood from him. AAAAAAAAAAAAhhhh!! Too hard to bear! The verdict. He has a slight ear infection caused probably by colds. The doctor gave a prescription and we immediately bought amoxycylin and paracetamol for his fever. Ok. Polo improved and started to giggle and smile after awhile. BUT after a day, he has rashes all over him! Allergic reaction to his medicine. again. So his pedia recommended for us to give Polo antihistamine and a really expensive antibiotic, zithromax.

His rashes are gone. No more fever. Today is the last day for him to drink antibiotic. We will bring him to his doctor today just to be sure that he is in pink of health. (draw back. almost all people in our office are in Macau now. Then two of the the coordinators are on leave today. I will have to go to the hospital later.. grrrrrr...) Peace. :)

8 more 2 go

Let's rest and be at peace. Blessing should carry along peace and not bitternes nor resentment or anger. Blessing is side by side with peace, love and joy. Right?! Right! That's my decision. Starting today I will just enjoy. No room for such things in my heart. I am grateful and really blessed that everything has turned out like this.

Christmas has started and I think it is also the time to open our hearts with its meaning, its spirit. Yep. Christmas is peace. It is getting cold outside (for us tropical people anyway) but Christmas this year will be totally different than it was last year. No no.. Jesus didnt change his birthday nor the celebration but we have Polo in our arms this year! I'm so happy that Josephine and I are blessed with this adorable, sweet, funny, cuddly little boy! True true. Polo is the greatest gifts we have received in our three (3) years (just a few more weeks more) marriage. No one or nothing could ever replace him. He is gift number 1. Imagine our Christmas actually started as early as February! Polo will turn nine months two weeks from now.

So Polo, how are you doing? What can you say about your life right now? Are you happy? hahahahahahahaha... well, someday Polo might be able to come across this blog. Someday. He will be surprised that his life is actually documented by his mom and dad. separately pa. He will find his pictures posted in the cyberspace. Dont worry, son, lahat is artistically done! Great!

Time to plan for our wedding anniversary celebration. We realized that we spent our first two anniversaries in Tagaytay. This year....hmmmm.. might be in Caylabne where we celebrated Josephine's pregnancy! Polo was still in her tummy but now.. he can swim with us, fish with us.. Cant wait for December 1. Three weeks to go! We to plan plan plan and plan!

I am nearing my 100th entry!!! yehey! Starbucks planner..here I come!

Untitled

For me feeling inadequate is not a serious matter. I acknowledge that there are still a lot of things to learn. In every aspect of life. I have achieved nothing. Not that I am putting myself down. Or not accepting the blessings and gifts that I received in my life. No. I say this because what really matters in my life is knowing and following Jesus. Then everyting follows. I am made complete because of His love alone. I sometime feel sad and unappreciated but the thought of having Jesus at my side is already an assurance that I am doing fine. When I turn my sulking face to him and receive His smile. I am ok. It is the same feeling whenever I sleep and seeing Josephine and Polo beside me. Or holding my wife's hand without really saying anything. Or to hear her laugh and see that she is doing fine. Or carrying Polo until he falls asleep. That feeling of assurance keeps me going. I have not stopped I realized in spite of the challenges I faced everyday. Not because of my own strength and will but more so because of His presence in my life. If I tired, Jesus lifts me up. If I feel hopeless, Jesus would just put His arms on my shoulder and I am fine. Different strength when I I rely on Him. Seriously. Is the race over? a big NO! Until my final breath I will continue to do what must be done. As much as possible according to His ways.

See now. I feel a lot is on my shoulder. So many demands around me. Yet, I can not seem to ask for what I want now. Who came in? Jesus. It feels good that in moment like this Jesus let me feel Him. Ok. I will do the obligations imposed on me. I dont care because I am ok with Jesus.
My life for the past 15 years is all about Jesus. I'm not a good witness though. But personally, I believe in Him and His guidance. It will not change by His grace. It has been challenged a lot but His firms hands do not allow me to drift off. He is with me everyday and in every way. I am not alone after all. There is much to know about His love. My friend. My mentor. My coach. My everything.

So much to do to feel depressed! There is a new road ahead and I will not rest yet. Not just yet.

Jesus words became a reality

The Gifst and the Calls of God are irrevocable!

My friends sent me a message this morning and congratulated me as they gave the good news. After a long long long wait God has finally made people moved and formalized everything! Praise God. I thank him so much for this year! Polo of course is the greatest blessing of all. It was a promised fulfilled! Today... another promised He has given.

What does this promotion means to me?

A lot I guess. Not just the increase in salary or perks but somehow it is connected in how I feel about myself for quite a long long long time. You know, after what happened to me in college where my confidence/esteem/self worth fell to the ground! God helped me restored it. It was all my own doing and I have forgiven my past a long time ago. I decided to move on and I found it extremely difficult. I made a mistake and I knew then that I have chosen an unusual path. It was possible to cross it but it wasn't easy. I paid for my wrongdoings. Slowly, Jesus lead me to the right place where I should be. Following and trusting Him aren't that easy either. So here I am. Done. Not that I have achieved my dreams already but God has shown me the fruits of His mercy to me. Thank you Lord. I will praise and worship you all the days of my life.

Nothing is impossible with Him and when He promise something, claim that it will happen because it will. We only have to prepare.

Thank you Lord!

Sunday Sharing

I thought I was about to die. An hour and half of light badminton was like hard labor. Prison punishment. No Kidding! I huff and puff and after just a few minutes I was out of wind. Bad. Really bad. We used to play 4 hours or more when we started playing badminton years ago. But now. My oh my!!! One year without exercise or anything affected my endurance. How will I be able to get back in shape.

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How did I spend our four days rest? Four long days!!! I rested most of the time. I want to and I need to. It is unlikely to have this long rest without applying for a vacation leave. And VL is really intended for out of town activities! Rest doesn't come as much as I want it to. Guess what?! I think this year is my healthiest ever. I got a flu only once and nothing more! Good! Good.

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Tomorrow is the day! I mean THE DAY! what will happen? I dont know. I will just expect for the best and nothing else. No plan B! Just one single thing in mind! It is a big thing! There is another opportunity though. I am excited to explore it since it is something that I wish to happen. Seriously. I read the challenges briefly and I think I can handle it. Though, I of course fear something because it is a risk and unknown. Lets see. I acknowledge I have to ask God about this and His guidance. Amen.

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NBA season has started. I am controlling myself so I won't again spend my energy watching and knowing what is happening in the NBA. Of course, I am still a Lakers' fan. Kobe Bryant rules! I also like Houston Rockets! T-MAC!! and then New Jersey Nets. Kidd, Carter and RJ. It has just started so I dont know yet. I like howw the Lakers played vs the Suns the other day and the fact that Kobe didnt have to do everything. Arriving at 4 am had obviously affected how the Suns played.

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My number one mall before was Greenbelt! Because of the open space and its clean surrounding and its beautiful building. Before, I even spend some Sunday mornings in Starbucks. 7am or so. Just being there. Silent. Writing my journal or simply to relflect. Then, I would leave at lunch time. Now, I am captured by Bonifacio Heights. Its structure is different from any malls. There is an open space where people can walk, children can play, or just sit there and think about life. Then if you get hungry, it is easy to just pick a restaurant and eat (expensive though). Krispy Kreme! Yummy. But if we need anything especially for Polo, we buy it SM!! Heheheheeh.. The prices are reasonable and all the things that we need, it is for sure in SM! There is one near our house. : )

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Our rooms (here in PQue and Marikina) are cluttered! I am choking whenever I see the mess we have. What do I need to do? 1. Check our wardrobe and find out what we can donate. Too much. If I dont use for months then it is bye bye time. Except for the seasonal clothes. As if, we have several seasons in the Philippines! hahahahaha. What about the other stuff? Shoes, bags etc., I really want a clean, organized, big room. One day. Right now, I must learn first to make our rooms liveable and breathetable(?). When I am stressed, it doesn't help me to be in this kind of surrounding.

In other news

November officially came last Thursday. Everytime November is mentioned we only talk about All Souls day and All Saints day. Just two days. It's also the birth month of some of my friends and of course my Daddy. Speaking of which, let me share my family pictures aside from Polo.

I have not seen my parents and Marieli for like five years already. Too long. I really hope our plan to visit them will push through.

Mariel is all grown up. A smart kid! Keep it up. Dad has lost some lbs and I guessed he decided to have his hair like this so as not to make his gray hair obvious. Mom gained what Dad has lost. Think for your self. :)

I'm not sure if she will agree but Mariel does looks like Kuya. Oh, wait I have their pictures together.

I should have edited this picture and zoom in so the resemblance will be more obvious. But I dont have time for that.

Aside from a good education, the greatest gift my Dad gave me was showing (by example) how to love faithfully, truly, sweetly a wife. He loves my mom and we know it because he isn't afraid to show it to anyone. I mean then and now they are still sweet and they still laugh together and of course holding hands while walking.

My other sister, Michelle and his husband Deo Dandy. So far Josephine and Dandy are the only new daughter and son of Dad and mom. I hope a new one will follow soon.. ehem ehem...

We still have not experienced being complete. Dont know if it will happen or when it will happen.

I have to introduce Polo to them so he will grow knowing the people who love him. Not just us.

Few Words

10 months have passed and here we are. How fast things are are?! Polo has turned 8 months and has showed significant changes. Growth spurt! Go! Go! Go! Oh, aside from Christmas we should plan for Polo's first birthday party! What a happy child he is! Happy Happy Happy. The nearest celebration we will be having is our wedding anniversary!! Wohoooooo! Wohoooo! 3 yrs. Wonderful years. Beautiful years. Josephine, my beautiful wife. Loving mother!

1. God
2. Family
3. Career
4. Friends
5. Others

Five important parts of my life. Time to re-group. Time to think! Time to plan.

Oh no! I have to go to a meeting now!

Polo working

"This is where we live, Earth. Why is this star smiling at me?"

"Yup? Is there something I can do? I'm busy but let me check my schedule"


" Hmmmm... how will I make this thing fly? Let me see... e=mc2, the gravitional pull and the weight of the object.... mass x volume.... oh, I just need a strong arm!"

"Hep hep hep.. i have nothing to do with this mess. Daddy just gave me these toys!"

" Ok. For now this is ok, being cute and all. I hope Daddy will wear wings as well."

Talking to my self

Tell me about the star that seems to be so far away
I see it but how just like you can I touch it
Or one day own one of those glistening gems
I don't get tired. I want to listen to you
I want to have my own stars!
Hang them on my wall and be my light.
Not just for myself I am telling you but for others too!

That's too big! Maybe you can but I dont think I can
Do you think so? I already have my own stars?
Who gave it to me? Oh yeah, you are right!
God did! I have my loving wife Josephine and my heaven sent Polo
Definitely, I see them alright especially if I feel lost and alone

Go on. It is good really to talk to you.
You enlighten me. Inspire me. Move me.
So tell me, what about those stars? Can I still reach them?
Do you think so? Apart from my stars, I can have as many as I want!
Wow! Not really. I am a simple man.

I want to travel with my family. See places of different interest.
Expose my child to the whole world.
A simple house where light can easily come in.
Surrounded by plants and plants where we can unwind.
A library of my own and maybe
Just another car to bring all we need where ever we go

A good education for my son and send him where we think is best for him
Additional degree maybe for me about the world
About people and cultures and arts
I like that

Sponsor less fortunate children to go to school
Move me here move me here because I think I can do this now!
I can give him food, I can give him clothing maybe
But education will bring him/her somewhere and improve his life
I want to help and be instrumental to them

If I want I can. Thank you. Be with me. Nothing should stop me from pursuing these
What makes me complete is something I should focus on
Like what you've said. Discipline and faith in God.
Excitement instead of fear
Goals rather than difficulties
Bridge instead of walls

There is hope. It is enough. One day. It can make me happy.
One day. Just one day. No need to wait for tomorrow.
Or ponder too much on yesterday. One day is today.
Now. Now is the life that I should live.

I will capture my star. Now. Place around it a tight rope.
Not to trap it but to let it carry me to other stars.
Thank God. I am. Really!

A few minutes to spare

I only have to wait a week and I will know. It is near so near that I can't help but get excited. Oh, I hope it will turn out the way I want it to be. I read an article by Jack Canfield and it was like the article was referring to me. Yes! I have so many things that I want to do, tasks that I need to finish, Plans that remains plans until now and much much more. It is true. These unfinished business are really pulling me down. Like balls in a chain that tightly clamps my feet into the ground. Cant move up, sideways, or whereever. Just stuck.

In fairness, not all the things in my life is considered stagnant. I mean. Yeah, there are just some plans that I want to happen but nothing is happening. One. I guess I have to list it down. 2. I need to know what I need to do. 3. Deadline. step by step, Marvin. Little steps will eventually lead me to where I want. Ok. But of course without the chains then I can lift my feet farther.

Long weekend!!! Oct 29 is election day (again). No work. October 31, half day most probably. Nov 1 and 2 are holidays. So we will be back by November 5. Yahooooooo! But then again. I am sure there will be a lot of things to do by that time. I will just have to check my emails at home.

I guess it is the best time to review my plans, create plans, prepare for next year, clean clean clean.... :)

Not Another Promise

"Go on your way" from Luke10:1-9

Has someone made a promise to you but you've been waiting for it to happen? How long can you handle it? Is it a test of one's character? How long will you be able to function without being distracted? Think think and tell me about it. I need to know.

I am a patient person. With circumtances, with people or practically anything. I can wait hours without really getting upset (provided I am not hungry). Let me wait in Starbucks, I can spend the whole day sitting and reading or blogging and I will not be angry. See. I am patient. So when something bothers me already, it is really streches my patience to its limits. Waiting not only what I mentioned above but basically in anything.

If it does affect me, I turn to God to help me. Aaaaaaaaaaarrrgghhhhh...... too difficult to bear.

I seldom doubt people and when I do, I know and feel that I am doing something wrong, Me. Always a benefit of a doubt. That's me. I still of course say something bad against people from time to time but I do feel bad about it afterwards and I try my best to correct it. Ok. Some people will also push me to do otherwise. Not easy. But hey that's life.

I hate being late. Hate it. hate it. hate it. I do not want to be late but I can tolerate people being late. As for myself, there is this standard that I always want to meet. Always. Just imagine how I feel when ever I am late or we are late in any gathering. Sad.

What else. I dont like noisy people (so, I hate my self.. hahahahaha). Noisy in a way that the conversation is so about him/her. As if he/she is the most superior of us all! I guess no one likes that. I do not like women laughing wildly. No matter if it is high pitched or low tone. Basta. It is annoying.

Honestly, I am afraid of giving promises because I believe that it is something that I should fulfill. Like, when I was India. I promised a vendor that we could meet/dinner after the day's event. Then, I realized that it would have been better to join the group instead of meeting with that vendor. I tried to cancel it but the vendor stated the article of commitment. So, I acknowledged and I gave in. Was the meeting worth it? maybe not that much in terms of business. But I guess it felt good that I fulfilled my promise.

Promise me? be careful. I will believe in it.

For another Mar in NJ

Dear Marieli,

My not so little sister anymore. I understand your sentiment and observation and I guess it is a by product of really being too far from each other and for the time we have not seen each other. When you left, I knew that it will be like this. I definitely have not lost my connection with you. I guess you were so little then while I was already grown up. You know what I mean. As I've said in my previous post, I still miss you and think of you but it is just hard to bear knowing that I can not do anything especially now that I have a family of my own. This doesn't mean that I have already distanced myself to any of you. This is the reason why I try as much as I can to stay connected to you and our partners. That's why even if it costing me to call you guys especially on special occassions, I still see to it that I call.

Don't get me wrong. I have not really explaining here but only I want to reaffirm to you that whatever happens, where ever we are, time and distance will not be able to separate us. You are my sister. As I've said before, we hope Josephine, Polo and I will be able to visit NJ next year. I hope. I hope. I also want Polo to have a good connection will all of you. Because we are family.

See you soon.