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Hey fellas, anyone miss me?

Yes, I am back after a little over a week from all over Southern Philippines– Negros Oriental, Bohol, Cebu, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte. Sonia and I are both sitting in our desks (she’s in the other office room) feeling the same sensation of seasickness.

And we’re set to leave for Northern Luzon midnight tonight too.

My spirits are still up, but my body is aching at its worst. I thought I’d be complaining by this time, but no, this “tired” feeling is very much welcome. If I had the time to spare the next days I would keep physical activity going. It feels good to be tired!

(Save for one teeny tiny detail that some of you know that I am experiencing a wee bit discomfort. No heavy baggage for me tonight.)

More details on Tuesday, I have to get ready now for Baguio.

Dumaguete-Apo-Dumaguete
Dumaguete-Bohol-Cebu-Iligan
Iligan-Cagayan de Oro-Iligan
Iligan-Dapitan-Dakak-Iligan

I’m sort of caught in a crossfire. On the one hand, Laarni is planning the trip with Ate Lars and Sonia is all for staying as long as possible in the Visayas region. Michelle isn’t too keen on staying too long because we still have plans for the following weekend in the North (Baguio). They’re having trouble resolving plans since Michelle needs someone to go home with her on the 26th, and Sonia needs someone to fly with on the 27th. I’m the odd person out and Laarni et al are staying til first week of June. It’s actually the first time I’ve seen this sort of squabbling in the Math “young” group.

It was the first time I ever seen the Wolves play… Nobody told me Latrell was on the floor!!! Big three they were calling them- Spreewell, Cassell and Garnett. Garnett is one scary SOB. I was feeling depressed with over 6 minutes left in the 4th Q wen the Kings were down 10 pts. I was giddy with delight when Peja sinked a couple of three-pointers, hoping against hope that it would be a comeback of giant proportions. But alas, it wasn’t meant to be.
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Today was my last Executive meeting at the College of Science. The Dean formally gave her thanks in behalf of the Board, and I was close to tears when they were all smiling (toothily I might add) at me as the bid farewell. One of the directors said, “We’re gonna miss you, but it’s for your own good.” I resigned from my administrative post, and it takes effect on 31 May 2004. Bye bye officework, it’s plain ol’ pencil- and chalk-pushin’ for yours truly.

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Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?
God: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Me: Why are we then constantly unhappy?
God: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analysing. Worrying has become your habit. That’s why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?
God: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty…
God: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?
God: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don’t suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.

Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?
God: Yes. Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can’t we be free from problems?
God: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons to Enhance Metal Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.

Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don’t know where we are heading.
God: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.

Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?
God: Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.

Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?
God: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Me: What surprises you about people?
God: When they suffer they ask, “why me?” When they prosper, they never ask “Why me?” Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.

Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I can’t get the answer.
God: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.

Me: How can I get the best out of life?
God: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.
God: There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.

Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat.
God: Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don’t believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

penreyes: ikaw nga dyan madalas mag-online eh
ric del rosario:
ric del rosario: sino kausap mo… AJ?
penreyes: wala po, nag-email lang ako k janeth
penreyes: ikaw, celeste?
ric del rosario:

Saturday : Shopping for grant quota.

I still need to spend around 6,000 bucks to complete my research grant quota for next week. Ajay and I met up with my mom at Landmark. It wasn’t the first time. Come to think of it, it has been a lot of times that the three of us spent time together. Ajay and I had been eating cupcakes at French Baker while waiting for her. We lounged there a few minutes then hopped on to Carls Jr., which by the way has revised its system for “bottomless drinks”. Ajay and I exchanged disappointed glances, obviously sharing the sentiment for another failure in the fast food war vs Jollibee. A half-hour later my dad showed up, to our surprise. My dad can’t pass up an opportunity for freebies, I’m sure he knew about my intended shopping spree in the Makati bookstores. We made a stopover at Cheesecake, etc. (boy we haven’t done any purchases so far save for human fuel). After a yummy apple pie a la creme (which I ate almost on my own) we finally went to the premier overstocked but ignorantly staffed National bookstore. I had trouble spending since I couldn’t find anything I wanted. We went to Goodwill Bookstore, and not soon after my brother was calling me and met with us there. While the folks browsed around (my dad is in heaven each time we are in a bookstore) Ajay and I stormtrooped to Parksquare to pick up his C++ book. Everyone was gathered in Goodwill not long after that (Ruth, Kuya, Mama, Papa, Ajay and I) and we were in a dinner-venue dilemma. We ended up at Don Henrico’s, where several students of mine were also dining. SO well, that’s the sum of my Saturday.

Sunday : Rest day

Uneventful. Most of the afternoon I was working on the last few documents I need accomplished by Tuesday for the College of Science. I’ve resigned from my position there and my appointment expires on the 30th of May. As that day approaches the things I need to do for that office seem to be unending. Sigh. June isn’t coming fast enough.

Monday : Eleksyon

Woke up 6 a.m. Voted by 7:30 a.m. Home by 8 a.m. There hardly was any action at the polling area save for the usual “reception queue” that forms at the entrance/exit of the school. I went with my brother in the afternoon, around 1:30 p.m. so he can find our precinct quickly. (And I took more pictures, which I’ll probably put up next time, if I remember.) He wouldn’t get up this morning and well, he’s back in bed again right now at 6 p.m.
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Ric was online in Yahoo again today, and he greeted me with an exclamation “ANDALAS MO NAMAN MAG-ONLINE!” Yeah right, like he doesn’t come online as often, probably to talk with his lovey-dovey girl
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Lilet was online too, but we weren’t able to talk as much since probably Jayke and she were on their way out to see “Van Helsing”.

My brother sleeps on as election day begins.

Mom and dad traipsing to the polling area.

Filipinos in San Pedro flock to vote in the national elections.

Dad drops his ballot in box.

Mom drops hers.

Illegal! A “reception line” is formed right at the entrance/exit into the polling area.

In a trike cab… we had no choice it was raining.

A free ride provided by the incumbent mayor.

Too bad for LA.
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IBC will show Game 3 Sac vs Minnesota on Tuesday! Yay! Can’t wait.
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National elections on Monday. Freaky.

Since the local channel here is devoted to showing mostly Laker games, I am officially missing out on the Kings’ games.

Anyhow, thanks Anthony for the updates, and for explaining how the homecourt schedules are done.

At least I can get more sleep the next couple of weeks, or at least ’til the end of the Lakers-Spurs series.