Five Hundred Twentyfive Thousand Six Hundred

Today is the last working day for the year. Since yesterday, I've been outlining my self-appraisal of my performance for 2006 which I'll be discussing with my supervisor early next year. It's essentially a whats-good-whats-not list of my assignments, projects, tasks and extracurricular activities for an oil giant. Ultimately, it becomes a basis for comparison of how I fared the previous years against the present year.

And this got me thinking. On a personal level, how did I perform? Am I in a better place than I was last year?

There's a song that goes, how do you measure a year in life?

in daylights, in sunsets
Some posts back, 2005 was a good year for me for career and health. I thought that nothing could top the ecstasy I had in 2005. But 2006 was eventful for my career, health, family and friends. Of course the year had its share of hardships and failures but the sheer number of achievements I've done and seen this year were truly gratifying.

in midnights, in cups of coffee
Coffee is my new therapy. Even if only for a short moment, being alone with a cup of good coffee relaxes me. And coffee bars have become one of my social venues: reunions with old friends, monthly Saturday-night sessions with my fishygroups, and plenty of 'almost-dates' (that is, as if we're "almost dating"). And yes, those coffee socials reach well-past midnight.

in inches, in miles
This year, I was traveling on vacation or on business all over the place. Malaysia in February, Bora in April, Laiya in May, Singapore in June, Australia in July, Davao in August, and successive trips to Malaysia and Singapore starting September. Saw a lot of places and did a few things for the first time (like drifting in the white water rapids -- damn, that almost killed me, and climbing Sydney Harbor bridge).

in laughter
Old friends stayed, new ones came. Some crazy gimmicks and antics were done. It's a good thing that the men in white coats haven't come yet to take me and my friends away.

in strife
The country needs a lot of help. In my personal capacity, I tried to do my part. I spent a whole day painting roofs for a GK Village. I donated almost all of my children's encyclopedias (which I earned in 5th grade by successively winning a TV quiz show on ch2) to various orphanages. I went treeplanting and beach cleaning. On a more ambitious project, I sponsored a Nairobian orphan under the Wold Vision program.

in the truth that he learned
This year was all about decisions -- how to decide, when to decide. Should I resign? Should I apply abroad? Should I stay and wait? Should I speak up? I learned that I should command my life, and not let the events command me. I learned that options can be seen as either opportunities or burdens. I learned that decisions make a person. The small ones build or break character, the big ones give life direction.

in times that he cried
I cried twice this year. One was due to a physical injury: I fractured my little finger while playing badminton. Never did I realize that such a small body part can cause me to cringe in pain. Hell, I almost fainted.

Oh yeah, and I saw my best friend cry. Even giants have a soft side.

in bridges he burned
Personally, I wouldn't want to burn bridges. But if that is what it takes for all of us to move on to new chapters in life, so be it.

in the way that he dies
The second time is for the death of the father of a cousin-slash-good friend. I cried for his loss, but I cried more for his situation.

There. That's a rough, disjointed lyric-by-lyric account of my year. It was a big year; it was a crazy year. Overall, it was a good year. If I do the whole time-series analysis: yes, I am in a better place. Yes, I did achieve my objectives. And most of all, I am happier. I've never felt more blessed, accomplished, connected, inspired, challenged, and most importantly, loved. Measure in love, indeed.

To my loves: Mom and Pops, my siblings, Quito, Maqui, MJ, Chard, Tin, Ube, Chie, RG, Lissa, Roms, Kaye, Julie, Jackie, Emer, Geland, Janice, Carmela, Cris. Chito. College friends. High school friends. Airsoft friends. Badminton friends. Bachelors group. And everyone else I cannot categorize, but nonetheless remember. God.

Thank you for rocking my five-hundred-twentyfive-thousand-six-hundred.

Why there is Christmas

Christmas, for me, is a good excuse to show appreciation and thanks to the people who have contributed to my personal well-being --- a healthy sanity level, physical well being, a reasonable E.Q., and managing matters of the heart. =D This is actually the basis of my annual Christmas shopping and gift-giving list for non-family members. I admit that when it comes to saying 'thanks' sincerely (even if the recipient perfectly does not expect it), I'm a perfect chicken.

Coming from where I am, I find this the best Christmas message I've received among my peers.

"Days coming and going and the lack of immediate intimacy don't have to change how we have been, how we are and how we will be for each other. Thanks for everything everybody.

Apir!"






Pao is my second cousin and incidentally was my classmate from kindergarten to fourth year high school. He's such a good boy that if my mom can have her way, she'd officially announce that she is his unofficial ninang.

This year, Pao survived a break-up (11 years of going steady), his father (uncle Tommy) had 2 degenerative stroke attacks and finally surrendered a month ago, he was unemployed for a time and still managed to find means to keep his core family (mom and sis and nephew) live decently. In his times of need, even without asking me to, I'd dip into my funds and readily aid him. His cause is worthy and sincere; in fact, it's both heroic and admirable.

Christmas is about giving thanks. And this is the most sincere one I've seen. =)

Merry Christmas everyone!

Blooper

Last night, Mac (one of our trainee-interns) invited me for drinks at Jake's/Bryan's place. So over holdem-style poker, I, Emer, Mac, Jake and Bryan finished a liter of Chivas.

At certain points of the game, Geland will send me an SMS to update me on his whereabouts (he borrowed my car three days ago and was returning it late last night).

We adjourned the drinks at around 230am. As I'm already sleepy (and consciously drunk), I drafted an SMS for Geland: "Pogi, tulog na ko. Iwan mo na lang ung car keys sa candle holder sa labas ng bq ko."

Well, it seems that Geland didn't get my message because when I woke up I had the following messages on my phone:

304am, from Geland: Gcing ka pa pre?
336am, from Geland: I left ur keys sa lalim ng floor mat. Lasheng ka na hehehe. Nyt. And thnx u sbra.

Puzzled on why would I get those messages on my phone, I reviewed my 'Sent Items' and found out that I sent out my 230am SMS to a girl-friend of mine instead of Geland. Wahahaha!

1002am, to girl-friend: Wahahaha... I think I missent u a msg dis morning. Hehehehe. Hapi thursday!
1009am, from girl-friend: yep, for a while i was flattered you called me pogi. mwehehe. happy thursday!


Hahaha. That bit of light humor ought to give me a good start for today.

Vote Vote Vote

Aaaarggsss... time for me to downgrade my otherwise 'reserved-quiet-geeky' look for another ham.

I have this dance performance on the 'Bagets' theme tomorrow and I sort of ransacked my closet yesterday trying to mix-and-match.

So which one is it gonna be?

A. B. C. D.

Seven Years and a Day

Seven years ago I stepped across the threshold separating my strobe-lit city life from the rural lifestyle of my to-be workplace.

I turned seven years and a day old today as an employee for Shell, more specifically as a technologist in their refinery.

It's been a motley of frustrations, long nights, stress, surprises and weekend works. I've also had my share of fulfillments. Occasionally, it's fun but most often it's really a very serious and challenging workplace.

A close friend of mine asked me how's it like working as an employee for the last seven years. My reply:

It's like scaling a very huge rock formation, freestyle. It's hard, it's difficult, it's demanding. Every inch you gain in the climb is an effort, and there will be points along the way tbat you seem you'll get stuck. There's little room for mistakes --- make a wrong judgement and you can plummet straight down. What drives me is the same as for any climber: getting to the top, seeing what I've conquered and being proud of my OWN capabilities.

I'm not at the top yet --- I'm stuck somewhere in the middle. Like any climber, I'm trying to figure out a way to get to the next level.

Surprising Atsi and Niks

There are people who deserve pleasant surprises now and then.

The victims:


The masterminds:


The entertainment:


Our birthday greetings to Atsi and Niks! Hope that many more pleasant surprises come your way.