Ika 1 ng Hulyo 2008

It's my daughter's birthday today and also my first day at my new school. I'd be handling night classes every Tuesday and Friday. I had to be really, really early at the office because my classes start at 4:30pm....... meaning I have to leave early too.

I woke up as soon as the alarm went off. I texted my daughter to greet her. Then, I checked on the pups and gave them their meal of mashed dog food with milk replacer and changed their sheets. I gave vitamins to the dogs but had to ask my helper to take care of the grooming. Hubby and kids left the house while I was taking a shower. I quickly dressed up and off I went. Still not good enough because it was 7:15am. My target was to leave at 5:45am. I was way off target....Hay.

Unsure about the state of traffic that time because I was used to going to work late mornings, I decided to stick it out with the shuttle service. Besides, aside from a ten-peso coin, I only have P500 and P100 bills in my wallet. I am not about to lose some change again. I arrived at the terminal with a long queue of riders already. I thought this might just take a short time. Thirty minutes passed and still no shuttle service. Bad decision.... I would have been in the office had I taken a bus at Alabang. These vans were coming in trickles just when you need them to be there.....sigh. Too late for alternatives, I accepted the fact that I'll go undertime later. I made used of the time texting and reading my school material. Finally, it was my turn and I took my ride.

I had chosen to take a seat at the first row beside a guy. There was space to my right for another rider. Another guy took the seat. I began imagining the ride between two guys. Some might think I am lucky but I am not savoring the idea. No, they don't smell but I would much rather prefer two sweet smelling ladies.....Yes, ang arte ko (this is a blog I am currently working on). Anyway, pressed by massive bodies on my way to work, I made good use of my time reading my school materials and some office stuff while ensuring that my baggages are not encroaching on my seatmates' spaces. Good thing that the traffic was good and the ride smooth. I reached my destination wiithout knowing it.

I reached the office at 9:02am ready to face my challenges and steal some time to work on some presentation materials for school because I got mixed up with the subject I was supposed to teach today.

PS: Lagi ang nadidiscuss ko yun pagcocommute ko papunta office. Normally kasi pag dating ng uwian pagod na ako na tumingin ng people or pansinin ang traffic. Nadadalas din ang pagsakay ko sa bus na me naka-on ng tv tuwing hapon at dun nababaling ang attention ko. At kahit di ko gusto ang palabas, wala akong magagawa kundi manood at baka makaaway ko yun mga sumusubaybay ng palabas na yun. Naisip ko na paminsan minsan pag me kakaiba o nakakatuwang pangyayari sa hapon, eh pag-usapan na rin.

Kahopon ay kaiba sa kin kasi nagshuttle bus ako. Benefit itong ibinibigay sa mga empleyado ng opisina namin. Paminsan minsan inaavail ko ito gaya kahapon. Mga siga ang sakay ng shuttle bus at parang yun mga regular dun ay nabili na nila ang pwesto nila at halos mamemorize mo na yun lugar na kinaroroonan nila pag nagkakataon sasakay ako. In fainess, first come, first served. Kaya kataka-taka talaga na lagi yun ang pwesto nila. Wala nman written rule na walang palitan ng pwesto. Pero siguro human nature yan na maging consistent sa choices kahit sa pagpili ng uupuan sa shuttle bus. Malaman din very efficient sila at talagang yun pwesto nila sa pila eh yun din palagi. Galing ng sense of timing nila, very accurate. Tapos pag sakay nila parang talagang automatic yun pagkakaayos nila sa loob ng bus. Feeling tuloy ng isang di regular rider, eh alien siya sa shuttle bus.

Kataka-taka rin na ang mga lalaki ay halos nasa likuran at mga tagiliran ng upuan, yun malapit sa bintana. Me unwritten rule kasi na paunahin ang mga babae at syempre mga buntis at differently-abled sa upuan. Pero syempre likas sa tin mga Pinoy ang pagpaplusot. Yun iba pag-upo nakakataka at tulog agad. Siguro kargador ang trabaho nun at pagod na pagod. Yun iba naman parang iniiwasan tumingin sa mga dumarating na babae. Me problema siguro at malalim ang iniisip. Nangyari na sa kin na sumakay ako at napunta na ako sa likod at wala pang tumayong lalaki kaagad. Pagkatapos ng ilang segundong inenjoy ng pwet niya yun upuan, isang lalaki ang parang lulugo lugong binigay sa kin ang upuan niya. Hay talaga naman...... Yun iba talagang di na tumatayo. Sige na nga siguro senior citizen na kasi sila (di ba dapat magretire na pag ganito).

Ang mga ganitong observation ay makikita rin sa mga pampublikong sasaktan. Siguro nga chivalry is dead.

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Ika 30 ng Hunyo 2008

I'm back.

I was running late this morning so I decided to just report half-day for work. Monday mornings are usually like this. As soon as my celfone alarm went on, I was torn between staying under the sheet and doing a sommersault to force myself to wake up. The weekend seems so short on a Monday. My better sense made me get up the bed. I had breakfast with my son. After sending off husband and three kids. it's dogs' bonding time. I had to clean up all dogs and puppies while secretly supervising my helpers for feeding the other animals in the house. At one time, I had to take the camera as the pups appeared to be posing for shots taking two steps at a time not to miss the moment to get it in my daughter's room at the second floor. When I aimed the camera, they turned their backs or moved. Hay......... I don't think I got a good shot. All done, I took my bath and dress up. Still feeling my Monday blues, I dragged myself out of the house.

It was almost 10:00am when I reached the terminal. When I am running late, I'd rather take the shuttle service. Good thing, there's one available seat for me, the last one. That was probably the last trip too as almost all riders had been transported or were enroute at that time. Lucky me....

I was thinking I would read my book for my classes tomorrow if I could stay awake during the trip. Yes, I am back to teaching....... I decided to take a nap as soon as I flopped myself on that last seat because I actually had this headache from lack of sleep and the heat. As I was sending one last text message before I sleep, I heard my name called out by the guy at my back. It was an old colleague from a sales job I held when I was sooooooooo young. Goodbye sleep.

This guy is a decent man with lots of ideas. We occassionally meet at the terminal and sit beside each other to catch up. He is into a food cart business and the shuttle service discussions serve as consultation sessions on his business. He's really a nice person. But there are times I wish to just spend a quiet time. Well, I had to be attentive even if my body was signalling me to douse off. It didn't help that the sleeping guy on my left was leaning on me with his full body weight and my right side is the van's body. The van has four horizontal rows with four passengers made to fit a three-passenger sitting space for each row. I was being pinned to death and having hallucinations from my conversaion with my old colleague.

I almost jumped out of glee when a rider told the driver she was getting off. I was directly in the path where the rider will pass to get out of the van. So I and a couple of passengers had to get out of the van as well. Since that would mean one or two passengers less, that would also be an opportunity to rearrange ourselves in the van. After a brief discussion with the two passengers seated in my row on the best arrangment depending on disembarkation points, I was given the leftmost seat...yehey. No more going out. My old colleague also alighted a few minutes after the first disembarkation.

Nothing eventful after that. The sun is just too hot for comfort.... arrived in the office safely.

PS: Bukas aagahan ko kasi first day ng classes ko. Kailangan ko umuwi maaga kasi 4:30pm ang umpisa ng klase. Sana naman matupad ko..... Para matupad ko ito, ito ang mga kailangan gawin:

1. Umuwi ng maaga ngayon at half day nman ako.
2. Sumabay sa shuttle bus ng opisina para na rin makatipid sa pamasahe.
3. Wag maakit sa mga tuta para makapagpahinga ng maaga.
4. Wag na magsermon sa mga kinauukulan pag dating ng bahay.
5. Wag manood ng tv.
6. Matulog ng maaga.

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Ika 29 ng Hunyo 2008

Still brainchild's break

PS: Off ko talaga sana ngayon. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day di ba? minsan di ko masunod at very demanding tong tatlong amo ko at yun tatay nila. Di ako makapagresign at sayang ang libreng board and lodging. Kanina sinama nila ako sa mall at kumain kami sa Chowking courtesy ng promo ng credit card ng amo ko. Buti na lang at nalibre ako sa pagluluto.

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Ika 28 ng Hunyo 2008

Brainchild's break.

PS: Nagsisideline akong tsimay pag weekend. Di ako nagcocommute. Me car ako nyan kasi sinasama ako ng mga amo ko na maggrocery o magsimba, anticipated mass yan.

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Ika 27 ng Hunyo 2008

I had to leave early for work today as I have an early morning appointment with the boss, the big boss really big. I definitely cannot be late and had to forego my morning bonding with my dogs. After giving the vitamins to my pooches; giving the new pups a quick sponge bath and replacing the pups' playpen with fresh newspaper sheets, I dashed to take a quick shower, dressed up and left the house at 6:45am with only one goal in mind to reach my destination in time. Meeting time is 8:30am. So I had a good head start.

I took the tricycle and was again contemplating on whether taking the shuttle service or the bus at Alabang. When the queue at the shuttle service terminal is long, it is actually faster to take a bus at Alabang to go to Makati. The stigma of my experience the other day still haunts me like a bad nightmare. When I reached the terminal, the queue was short and a lot of shuttle service were already there. Whew.... so far so good.

I got off the terminal andd rode the shuttle service. I couldn't sleep during the trip and had to review a document I will discuss with the boss. We reached Makati at around 7:30am. I clocked in at 8:01am. Hey, I am not late because we are on a flexi sked. My usual time is actually 10:00am. It felt good to be in the office that early because there is calmness. There are just a handful of people around and there is no rush.

Reaching my desk, I turned on my pc and went straight to yahoo mail. I read a couple of mails. Later, my colleague who will also be joining the meeting arrived. After a quick touch up, we were on our way to the meeting talking about stuff in the office. The venue is a block away from our office. Then my phone rang and it was the boss's secreatary. I said to her that we were on our way. She said that the meeting is reset at 4:30pm............ #&^&*((())^@$%%^. Of course, I did not curse but I wanted to........ What can we do....These big bosses are really busy people huh.

I always have alternatives ready in such situations. We proceeded to the building and my colleague and I went our separate ways. I went to my friend's office, fetched her, and went off to do an errant.

So far there is nothing spectacular about this day. The daily headline, though, brings some depressing news "Flowers, prayers at sea and tears, forgiveness, and blessings.........."

PS: Noting my friends' interest in my daily riding experience, may I ask if may mga ganitong experiences sa pagcocommmute? Maganda sanang ishare nyo din by posting comments.

Gusto ko rin ishare yun usapan namin ng isang dating classmate ko na mayaman na yata. Nung minsan nagkasama kami at kwinekwentuhan ko kasi tungkol sa pagcocommute ko, aba at di daw niya alam magjeep to and from his place....... Natural nayabangan ako at natitigan ko sya ng me pagkamangha. Muntik ko nga batukan at nang magising. Unang, una hello di bagay sa kanya. Panagalawa, san lupalop ba siya nakatira, sa isla ng Batanes... me jeep din naman dun at nakasakay pa nga ako sa bubong ng jeep dun na parang si Dawn Zulueta sa pelikula nila ni Richard Gomez na "Hihintayin kita sa Langit". Pangatlo, pareho nman kami pinanggalingan no. Ano sinasakyan niya nung nag-aaral kami... barko, eh jeep at tricycle lang sakayan non. Ah baka me kariton sila non kaya me sarili siyang means at di natutong magcommute.

Aral ulit ng dahil sa storyang to:

1. Bago magyabang, siguruhin carry mo yan kayabangan mo ha.
2. Pangalawa maging creative at di na cute yan ganyan style. Kung magyayabang kailangan di obvious...na gets mo yan.

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Ika 26 ng Hunyo 2008

Reeling from my stupid mistake yesterday, I went back to ride in my shuttle service on my way to work this morning. Pretty cool because I sat in front between the driver and another passenger. Except for the burning sensation in my butt (as i was seated on top of the engine), it was a smooth ride disrupted by my involuntary reflexes from being half-asleep along the way.

The shuttle service has been the preferred mode of transportation for Makati employees from various points in the metropolis for the following reasons

• it's cheaper than riding a taxi or bringing your own car
• safer because you practically know each other coming from the same village at kakahiya naman kung me mandurukot sa min. Added bonus is you can sleep without worrying that you will be robbed.
• convenient because you are brought from the village to your workplace almost door-to-door
• comfortable because the vehicles are air-conditioned except for some which are better used as mass hair drying equipment or mobile fish dryer when their heater, errrrr aircon is on
• co-passengers smell better and the drivers don't smell. a bonus is when the vehicle smells nice

The downside, however, are as follows:

• The passengers are packed to the point that fluid exchange in terms of body secretion is enabled.
• Since the people are familiar with each other, you cannot wear the same clothes two times in a row
• You become too familiar with each other that relationships are formed which can start the gossip mills.
• Unwanted discussions may prevent you from taking advantage of the trip to take a nap.
• You should always wear your deodorant and brush your teeth so as not to be ostracized, talked about, or possibly banned.
• The drivers talk about you too and you don't know how.

With all the pros and cons, I really should just stick to the shuttle service.

PS: Sa aking pag mumuni muni sa nagyari kahapon, gusto ko idagdag ang mga leksyon na dapat matutunan ng isang commuter para maiwasan ang nagyari sa kin. These are the following:

1. Siguruhin me barya sa wallet.
2. Uminom ng glutaphos o iba pang memory booster supplement.
3. Matutong magtext sa loob ng bag.
4. Matutong kumilatis at wag masilaw sa mga makikislap na bagay sa paghusga sa katauhan ng isang tao.
5. Pilitin wag matulog sa byahe.
6. Kung di mapigilan ang antok, matutong matulog ng dilat.
7. Kung di kayang matulog ng dilat, ipaloob ang bag at importanteng gamit sa loob ng blouse o t-shirt at magpanggap na lang nagdadalang tao at para doble proteksyon i-ekis ang mga kamay sa parteng tiyan kung nasan ang mga gamit.

This public service is brought to you by someone who has just been duped. Sa mga nagbabasa, please feel free to provide more tips.

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Ika 25 ng Hunyo 2008

On my way to work this morning, I had my usual tricycle ride. Nothing unusual. Just my usual woes.... it's 12 days to my payday and I'm short on cash. I told myself I'll take a bus at Alabang if the queue at my shuttle service terminal is long. I was kinda hoping it was long because I can save some fare money if I take the bus. And the queue was long, so I told the tricycle driver to proceed to the main street where I could get a jeepney to go to Alabang feeling good about the whole thing.

I took the next jeepney that stopped to pick me up. In the jeep, I couldn't find loose change, so I gave Manong Driver P100 and said "isa lang po". Then a text message which disrupted my idle mind came as a pleasant surprise (this text message is the topic of my prior post) and I was engaged in the text exchanges until I alighted at my destination. I took the bus at the terminal and continued texting. Then, the conductress (is this the right term for a lady conductor?) began going around to collect fare and issue ticket. On my turn, I realized I forgot my get my change from Manong Driver amounting to P92. The jeepney ride was worth P8. What a way to ruin my otherwise good start &)$@$%^$%#$@&.

Well, must be God's way of balancing things. With that, I should stretch further my almost extinct cash and maybe consider walking to work instead of riding public utility vehicles. Anyway, that may as well prep me up for the work out I have long been putting off. Good luck to me.

PS: Manong if you can read this which I doubt. Bakit ka nman magbabasa ng blog ko, eh di pumasada ka na lang para kumita ka. Gusto ko lang ipaalam sa inyo na yun dapat sukli nyo sa kin eh pamasahe ko na yun sa 2 bus at 3 jeep. Gamitin nyo ho sa tama ha. Baka nman di nyo pa ideclare ke misis na mas malaki kita nyo today dahil sa katangahan at katandaan ko, actually natin dalawa. Bibigyan ko na kayo ng benefit of the doubt at sabihin na lang natin pareho tayong nakalimot. Manong wag nman gawin habit ang makalimot ha. Ako rin magtatanda na.

Para kasing di na ako natuto eh.... minsan sa pagtitipid ko mas malaki nawawala sa kin. Nadukutan na rin pala ako celfone nung sumakay ako bus sa Alabang dahil nakatulog ako. Sobrang kompyansa ko sa katabi kong babaeng medyo aged na tatad ng palamuti. Sinamantala niya ang antok ko, at dinekwat ang celfone ko. Sana manang eh nagamit niyo sa business nyong "buy and cell" sa Greenhills. Tama ho yan spelling at tingin ko niche nyo eh celfone.

Thank you sa inyong dalawa sa mga leksyon na tinuro nyo sa pagcocommute ko as follows:
1. Wag matulog among strangers
2. Wag makipagtext sa PUV

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Answered Prayer

On my way to work this morning, I got a text message from the school bus driver of my son saying that he saw my son being fetched by our helper from school. He said he pitied my son for having to commute to get home and that he can service him again.

Three weeks ago,I was agonizing over my son's travel to and from his school when his bus driver informed me the night before the first day of school that he would no longer be servicing my son. Apparently, the route to our house would cause him and his other passengers too much time and inconvenience. With the bus driver's help, I frantically scouted for a last minute replacement. Luckily, I got one from the driver's referral. Morning came and my son was picked up by his new bus service. I was relieved until I got another text message from the new bus driver telling me that he can't service my son because our house is too far. He had the good sense of telling me that he will bring home my son but that he won't service him anymore the following day. On the verge of tears, I tried to reason to no avail. I am not sure if wailing or threatening would work. Reason prevailed and I decided to tell my husband. For two days, we were trying to find replacement. No luck. It didn't help that the only alternative driver, my husband, was not pleased by his sudden designation as driver-conductor of my son. But there simply is no other choice. Forced by circumstances, he drove my son to school in the morning while my helper took the after-school schedule.

From then on, I worried sick whenever it rains or thinking about the many small trips by various transportation modes my helper and son make to get home. There was also my inner self hurting because I felt another rejection for my son. I must be getting paranoid but a small part of me surmissed that the disengagement may have something to do once again with his condition. I might be overreacting but who can blame me. Last year, his bus driver also dropped him. So please pardon my paranaoia.

My two daughters at times tell me that I love my son too much. I won't admit that because it's far from the truth. It's just that I have been hurt so many times having to deal with my son's hurt.

That text this morning message made my day and brought some tears to my eyes which I tried to hide because I was in a public utility vehicle. Of course, i said yes and thank him profusely. It's enough that another human can show great concern for my son. Thank you Manong and please continue to bear with my son as we help him make it through this life.

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OCness

How do you feel about people who are excessively clean? who are eternally repeating instructions? who has to do something in a particular way? who has to keep things in the proper place always. I just described some characteristics of someone who is obsessive compulsive or OC.

I also have a confession to make.... I think I am OC.

Is there there really something wrong with us? I find my hubby and children resenting me for being particular about cleanliness and nagging them for clutter. I get upset if the house is not cleaned at a particular time. If I am actually in the house and it's messy, I start my tirade while at the same time tidying up the place. My helpers must be rejoicing. The stuff around the house has to be arranged a certain way. This extends to the creases of the cushions; the way the bed are made; the curtains fall; the decors are arranged or hanged; and similar idiosyncracies. I really cannot accurately describe the feeling I get when subjected to these aggravations.

Shoes and slippers used outside are not allowed inside my house. There are also several slippers used for each part of the house, one for the ground floor, one for upstairs aside from the bedroom slippers; one for the porch upstairs, one for outside, one for the auxiliary kitchen; and one for the garden. Maybe I have not accounted for all slippers. My husband complains why they have to use different slippers for each part of the house when my dogs can freely roam barefooted. Good point! But I am not letting my guard down. I do not respond to such questions but as a compromise I clean the paws of my dogs when they go outside. One dog used shoes before but she doesn't really like wearing these things. Incidentally, in Japan, people cannot bring footwear used outside in houses, schools, offices, or factories. For homes, visitors can wear their socks or go barefoot. Employees should have extra footwear to use inside the office or factory. Same for students in schools. For visitors, plastic shoe covers are provided in offices or factories. I love Japan for this! The practice extends to Japanese nationals living here and Japanese companies and operating in the Philippines.

During his guesting in Oprah, Dr. Oz, a health guru, said that many potential health hazards can be avoided by not bringing shoes used outside inside the house. Can you imagine all the places your shoes walk on? It troubles me just thinking about it.

Having several pieces of the same item applies to rugs of course, brooms, floor mops, some pieces of furniture, and other stuff. Sometimes, I would like to assign people to certain places. Dirty ones in the laundry basket and clean ones on the display rack. I am bothered by the sight of hair lying on the floor and itch to pick it up all the time. I often get up even when falling sleep to get something forgotten just to put it in the proper place.

I have a peculiar habit of washing my hands more than a hundred, maybe a thousand times a day.... For this reason, I have several faucets spread around the house. As a responsible pet lover, my daily dog-handling poses great discomfort.

There are certain things for which touching is taboo.... handrail of escalators or stairs; toilet seats and flush, hand grip in public conveniences; door knobs, other peoples' shoes; naturally garbage bins; and a whole lot more. I just have to let my imagination run wild and the list can run endlessly. Door knobs didn't use to be in the list but once I saw the cleaning lady in my office hanging the mop cloth on the door knob of our confort room, I can't touch it anymore. I try to address this problem by using paper towel or napkin when I have to handle the those things. Alcohol and hand wash are also handy solutions. I prefer the alcohol more because of the sticky feeling of the hand wash.

I feel uneasy when a sweaty or sticky person touches any part of my skin. Alcohol is the first aid for such occurrence but my thoughts will be focused on going home ASAP to get a good wash or shower. I detest stickiness. And being brushed by someone with sticky skin is enough to ruin my day. In a bus or jeep, I mentally hypnotize persons passing by in choosing my seatmate. When I see someone who looks fresh, I try to invite him/her to be my seatmate using eye contact and a slight smile. Sweaty persons are my pet peeves. Ironically, I usually end up seated beside such person. Call it karma but I don't enjoy it at all. Once, an old man sat beside me. Nothing gross. Then, he started picking his nose. Imagine my horror. I couldn't move lest some of his bogey accidentally gets to me. I wanted to stand up and protest but common courtesy prevented me from mauling the old man. I tried to shield myself from the yucky assault by looking the opposite way. I secretly told my daughter who was seated beside me to not touch any part of our seat. The alcohol is ready just in case.

Imagine also when flood water gets to my feet or legs. I once emptied a small bottle of alcohol after accidentally stepping on dirty water which went inside my shoes. I was uncomfortable during my whole trip going home. When I reached home, I wash my feet with my shoes on in my garage and wash my feet again in the toilet with soap and pour alcohol. I nearly boiled my feet to eliminate my discomfort.

As a result of my excessive hygienic requirement, I can hold my pee or poop for as long as it takes if I can't find a decent toilet. Even at the verge of explosion, I'd rather pee on my pants than use a dirty toilet.

Call me crazy... I also don't understand some of my idiosyncracies. I am aware it might not be normal but i can't help it. I am not doing this on purpose. Yes, I'm obsessively and excessively clean to a fault. I'm not proud but I can't help it. If this is a disease, tell me how to be cured. I do believe some of my idiosyncracies are also experience by many of us. If this is just psychological, please tell me how I can straighten up my mind so I can stop torturing myself.

Are you OC too? Tell me about it.....

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bossing and bosabos

I have worked for at least 15 different organizations briefly or for longer periods. I have worked in a number of sales organizations, a hotel, retail trade, a service establishment in a foreign country, government, academe, international organization, and some individuals. In my working experiences, I have countless encounters with people of different backgrounds, culture, beliefs, mindsets, and attitudes. But nobody can perhaps affect us in the workplace like the boss does. This is one person for whom the saying, "he/she can make or break you" has been given a real flavor. Surely, the boss can make working a real treat or the hell that we dread going to everyday of our lives 5 or 6 times a week.

How exactly does the boss treat you? An article in a daily said that abusive bosses have been the major cause of losing good people on the job. I couldn't agree more. In the many offices I worked for, I have gone to hell and back. There were momentary times of bliss only to be broken by chaotic episodes. Many pantry talks have been peppered with the all powerful bossing. I normally refer to a favored superior as my bossing. Those who enslaved me and continue to do so can be fondly called the bosabos, an antithesis really, but that's exactly what they do, ang mangbosabos.

How do we differentiate the bossing from the bosabos?

The bossing

1. Is confident, impartial, rule-observing individual with a genuine concern for people.
2. Makes you feel welcome at the first encounter and introduce you to all members of the team.
3. Doesn't really mind the position and treats everyone as his/her equal.
4. Motivates people.
   
5. Inspire you to work well and move up the career ladder in the process.
6. Lead people by being a good role model.
7. People work for him driven by a genuine desire to achieve the organization goal and not fail him/her.
8. Acknowledges and give recognition to people for a job well done.
9. Promotes deserving people.
   
10. Doesn't feel intimidated by your achievements.
    
11. Corrects the mistake, not the person.
12. Derives authority from his/her good handling of people.
13. Works to get what he/she wants.
    
14. Uses charm and persuasion to reach goals.
15. One to be emulated when you reach that post.
    

The bosabos

1. Is an insecure and lonely individual who bends rules for his/her own selfish motives.
   
2. Welcomes you briefly and gets down to business.
3. Introduce you to your colleagues when convenient.
4. Lets you know who's the boss at the very first encounter and at every opportunity.
5. Uses people.
   
6. Does a good job of ordering or commanding people.
   
7. Feels threaten when your good work is noticed and tries to take credit for your work.
8. Steals your ideas.
9. Stalls your promotion to ensure that you continue to toil under him/her.
10. Embarrasses you when you commit mistakes and reminds you of your mistakes at every opportunity.
    
11. Derives authority from his/her position.
12. Often resorts to bullying tactics and threats to achieve goals.
13. Uses politics to get what he/she wants.
    
14. Resorts to ass-kissing to get ahead and is stimulated by ass-kissing as well.
15. Seeing him/her discourages you from reaching that position. You actually like to bypass him/her to get even.

In pantry or coffee house talks, it is easy to feel if the office has a bossing or a bosabos. Bossing are usually ushered to a seat to join in the discussion. There might be awkward moments but people generally feel secured discussing with the bossing. The bossing usually obliged but is understood just the same if he/can't join a discussion. People respect bossing.

On the other hand, a bosabos is avoided like a plague. If by chance, a bosabos accidentally walks upon people talking, people can automatically maneuver the discussions which are mostly about him/her. People abhors bosabos.

Do you feel a rush in the morning? Or would you rather call in sick? I have shuttle back and forth between these two choices in my long experience. There were jobs where I had the ideal bossing but hit a dead end in my career and had to move on. There were times I hit the jackpot but had to work for a bosabos. I have to give acknowledgment to these bosabos for teaching me the virtue of patience. Without it, I would have been convicted of murder and in case of a parole be absolved on account of double jeopardy because I could have killed some of these bosabos twice. Suffice it to say that at this point in my life, I had set my priorities and reached some of my goals. I can perhaps let go of some dreams and just be content and happy with the way things are.

Please click this article on choosing your new boss from the wisdom journal for more insights.

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Absentee Parent

This post is delayed as this could have better been published during Mother's day or more recently Father's Day. The title may elicit some adverse reaction but hopefully awaken the senses of our dear parents who may be unmindfully neglecting their parental role. I specially dedicate this post to a couple of dear friends who are in a difficult situation right now.

Absentee? One might be tempted to ask if these parents are overseas. Physical absence is readily assumed when we speak about being an absentee parent. The separation from a beloved parent easily put a toll in the well-being of family members left whether this be the spouse or the children. Even assuming that the choice to leave is a consensual decision, the impact of physical absence on loved ones varies depending on the maturity, attitude, and the strength of character of the family members. Movies like "Caregiver" and "Anak" showed us a glimpse of what a family particularly the children goes through everytime a parent leaves for another country. In reel and real life, so many children have gone astray when a parent leaves.

Parents are supposed to be the main casts in a child's life in their growing up years. Societies like ours even extends parental responsibilities way beyond the child's legal age going to their adulthood. Children in their rebellious years may resent parental guidance. Such children breeze past that ugly stage and learn to appreciate the parents who stood pat fighting back their rebellion and bringing back their senses in due time. These children will be the future parents who will learn from their own parents the kind of parenting that they will later use for their own children. Doesn't that scare the hell out of us parents! We are actually the building block of the future generation literally and figuratively.

In the past, it might be easy because there are traditional roles. A father goes out to work and the mother stays home to care for the family. Over the years, there have been various role reversals. With the advancement of civilization, the woman's role is longer confined to the home as they begin going out of their narrow world to fulfill their dreams. Families today are often two-income households resulting in family time stretched too thinly to bond together. Crass materialism, raw ambition, and hunger for power have been used as justification for the time spent by overworked parents away from their families. Stressed out, they can even take it on their kids or spouse to express their disappointments. Suddenly,priorities have changed and the family becomes just incidentals to career. The trade offs are numerous......... better lifestyle for the family. BUT AT WHAT COST?

Often, mothers carry the double burden of keeping their home while at the same maintaining careers. Today's fast paced world has not eradicated double standards. Women are expected to contribute to the family coffers while keeping their household well-functioning. Women remain to be the emotional stronghold that are primarily blamed if the family falls apart.....because women are supposed to give up everything for the family. A sad fact.

And fathers are only secondarily responsible for domestic bliss. There are fathers who think their responsibility ends when they have provided the material needs of their family. They expect that domestic matters including children are taken cared of by mothers. Even when the mother is the breadwinner, a chauvinistic society encourages man into thinking that they are less of a man when tasked with domestic responsibilities. Sadly, this observation is closer to home.

As seen among families I interact with, such fathers are withdrawn from familial ties, indifferent if not insensitive to the emotional needs of the family, and often couldn't handle the maintainance of the family when left on their own. While they may keep an appearance of toughness and coolness under pressure, underneath they might just explode under such situation. Confronted with the issue of career or even friends over their family, I often wonder what their choice would be. There are even fathers who have not grown up and like to think of themselves as the eternal social being who need their peers and friends to validate themselves and keep their Friday nights preoccupied. Peer pressure is a much greater force to reckon with and they would rather stay with their friends than enjoy the familiar comfort of home life. Whether they are bored or out to prove themselves is something I am still trying to figure out.

There are also fathers who are bereft of ambition and can't seem to rise above their limitations and are contented with accepting themselves as they are. Their spouses become the main and possibly sole support system to whom the whole family is grounded on. This could proved to be too gargantuan a task for mothers who would have to ensure that both emotional and material needs of the family are fulfilled. It would be good if these fathers could at least take care of the domestic concerns. But many times, chauvinism prevails along with the many baggages of fathers with low self esteem.

Generally speaking, mothers are frequently more prepared to take on the demands of family life even while juggling a career. They have clearly set their priorities and have the uncanny ability to manage their time among the competing concerns of home and work. With a clear priority, everything falls into place. This is not to uphold mothers as I know there are also errant ones among us.

This differences between fathers and mothers in raising a family lead to deep conflicts affecting the children. Often, we parents dismiss the emotional trauma of a family in conflict in children. In reality, these children are scarred for life. With my friend's permission, allow me to share part of a letter of the son of my friend to the father confiding that even as a child he has been hurting because of his father's neglegence of his responsibility to their mother and by default to them, the children. "................You don’t have to go arguing all the time........THE BEST RELATIONSHIP IS WHEN THE TWO SIDES ARE LISTENING TO EACH OTHER AND ADMITTING THEIR OWN MISTAKES. Daddy, I guess mommy just wants you to admit the stuffs you lack and done wrong and to show that you’re sorry and WILLING TO CHANGE everything.You have been a Good Father to all three of us but I believe you are worth more. All I’m asking from you is a change of HEART. This might be something new to you, but I have been observing you eversince when I was in grade school. To tell you the truth, I hate it na you were a heavy drinker and smoker, I hate it everytime you come home late, I hate it na napakairresponsible mo when it comes to stuffs, I hate it when you and mommy fight, I hate it na you have relax too much, I hate it when you don’t call mommy. Sorry tlga. I just have to say it to let you know na hnd lang si mommy ang nakakaramdam nun. I HAVE BEEN OBSERVING............ Sad to say but I really am so disappointed after all these years........."

I shed some tears reading this. I or my husband would likely be as guilty as my friend and her husband. It never sunk in me that the children already know what is going on at a tender age. I have always thought I can shield them from the pain by keeping quiet and not discussing adult matters in their presence. I was wrong.

Which leads me back to the notion of an absentee parent...... A parent maybe absent even if he or she is at home with the family by neglecting his/her duties, through the emotional abuse he/she inflicts on family members; by his/her failure to accept responsibility, by his/her insentivity. The strain may be too much for children who have not yet develop emotional and mental capacity for dealing with pain.

There is hope though... as my friend's son in parts of his letter had words of encouragement and optimism for his dad to change fo the better. "........ But I believe you can change. I believe you are a good man inside. Kaya ka nga pinakasalan ni mommy dahil may nakita sya sayu. I believe in you since you are my father. I believe you are a great man destined by GOD to do good. Kaya I’m proud to be your son. All I’m asking is a total change, a 180 degree shift, from your present status to a different person. Be a Man who is after God’s Heart! Be the man who God said in his word is the head of the house. The Man who is looked upon by his household and the generations after him. Be an example to your family and the rest of the world, so that people could see how great is our LORD............... All I want is a new you! Please I beg of you to change your perspective in life, your motive in life, to remove all the earthly pleasures and concentrate on GOD, to be a hard-working man to provide for his family, to be responsible to all things given, to be open-minded to all suggestions, to admit your mistakes and your short-comings, to ask GOD for favor and wisdom, to call Mommy na and show her your LOVE, to be a risk taker!, to do work to perfection, to stop being so hard-headed, to budget everything, to trust in the LORD than MONEY, and finally, to ask for forgiveness to both mommy and the LORD......................Daddy, I love you and mommy so much. I don’t want anything to happen to both of you. You have been a blessing to our lives. .............Daddy, I, your son, is asking you just a small favor. ...................But instead of blaming, find the solution immediately. ...........!I believe God wants to say to you that, “Son, Come back to me. It is only through me where you can relax and have rest. Do not fall to earthly pleasures but instead the wealth that is in Heaven.” I pray that God would bless you with dreams and visions. You are a Man of GOD! And I am blessed to be your Son.With everything I said, please take everything seriously. I know this might not be an ideal present, but I wish you a HAPPY FATHER’S DAY."

I hope this reawakens our senses as the persons given the big responsibility to uphold our families. Let's stop torturing our children with our conflicts. Let's stop pretending they are not listening and do not care. Let's not be the absentee parent and start really being there for them.

Finally, my friend's son left the following note for his beloved Dad...............MY MOTTO in LIFE: “ Think. Act. CHANGE.” I hope you could do the same. Daddy, look at the bigger Picture!"

I couldn't agree more.

Note to my amiga, dayap, you know who you are......... hold on. So life's been throwing some mighty, swiffy, juicy lemons at you. You know the drill. Put on your best smile and start working on your next concoction. Life's better lived doing something worthwhile till everything comes to pass.

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Of Sunken Ships and Treasures Sought

The unexpected destruction and great loss of lives caused by typhoon Frank came at a most unopportune time. Our president is attending an international commitment in the US. National interests vs. international commitment.....what will you choose?

The scenario has been replayed many times before our eyes but still lessons have not been learned too well. Relatives going to Sulpicio Lines offices are grieving over their dead relatives and loved ones. The extent of destruction is beginning to be unearthed. With communication lines cut and infrastructure badly damaged, the fate of residents of provinces like Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, and several others are still to be determined. Let's pray that relief gets to these provinces and contact is established soon.

The wrath of nature is something that mankind is not equipped to face. We have been flirting with nature and probably provoking its demons with our mindless lifestyle. We cut trees like an amok on a killing rampage. We mine our mountains till we scar the earth. We live recklessly in wasteful abundance. We use products solely for convenience without regard to the consequences. We have all contributed to the rape of our planet. We are reaping what is due us.

A country with a record for disasters should know better. We cannot do anything about the typhoon changing course. But we can exercise sound judgement in our decisions. The ship captain could have chosen not to proceed with the voyage. The coast guards could have prevailed over the captain. The passengers could have chosen not to travel. Lots of things to ponder. As has been said, it is always better to err on the side of caution.

But what is done cannot be undone. The rains stopped. The wind is still. The wailing has stopped. The sea is calm. All that is left is the sight of a sunken ship and lot of memories of the man. woman, and children still trapped inside the overturned ship. Accounts of survivors are too much to bear. The stillness betrays the grief waiting to be unleashed. Sorrow is all around.

In the meantime, P/GMA has to keep international commitments to get more investments and trade opportunities for the country. In search of the elusive treasure, a leader chose to go on with her trip and let the victims of the latest calamity hang in their own watery graveyard. After all, she can rule by remote control. For as long as she hobnobs with the outgoing and incoming Uncle Sam, she can bring home the bacon.

PS: The victims of typhoon Frank need our prayers and relif goods to assuage the grief of the loved ones they left and rebuild their lives in the face of the widespread destruction.

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Definition of Terms

In my small office, there are terminologies which have made me pause and wonder if ever these terms will sink in. If you are a member of the inner circle, you should be able to conveniently use these term at every opportunity particularly when the Reyna is around as most of these originated from her. Here is the partial list in no particular order:

Plaza Miranda - When asked by Reyna Bosabos if i know what this means as used to describe our work in the office, i innocently answered "yun nagkakagulo sa trabaho". She said it means that the the work should be able to stand scrunity and that all options are exhausted. Huh!!!???? I have never imagined that a place known as the famous opposition venue during the Martial law years where a number of oppositionists were killed or injured when it was bombed would be synonymous with our Reyna's required output. Nevertheless, the term has been used appropriately or made to fit if unaapropriate for every imaginable work-related stuff.

Planning activity - where we gather all the bosses and planning officers of all offices to present to all what the rest don't give a damn about and provide various opportunities for the rest to give comments that everyone already knows about and this crap goes on endlessly for 3 days to 1 week depending on the program envisioned by my events management savvy colleagues. The program includes various intermission numbers that are more eagerly-anticipated because these are more exciting and well-thought of than the actual activity itself. For the duration of the event, flowing coffee and a lavish banquet await all partipants. We staff of the office, however, are expected to not eat while the guests are partaking their meals, and stay in a corner waiting for table scraps. If you violate this unwritten rule, you will be forever ostracized by the alalays of the Reyna. As uttered by B1 when she was invited to eat in one of those events, "there is no instruction", hence, she could not eat.

Program manager - the alalay assigned to be the ultimate super alalay of the Reyna and primarily handle the bitching around before, during, and after an event. She is expected to be an OC who asks questions twice or thrice. While you are atending to more important work, she is at your back when you fail to deliver what she asks you to do like put a streamer in the designated spots or make sure the coffee is hot. This person takes credit for the success of an event but has to readily pass on the accolade to the Reyna if she is within hearing distance. There has never been an event which failed if managed by an alalay.

Walk through - A guide to have a feel of an event such as but not limited to a planning activity since a birthday party for a favorite superior can also be perfected through this process. A document is prepared to list down the program activities and anticipated scenarios arising out of these activities. The document should contain official action by the responsible person usually the head alalay or a program manager and support system available from the other alalays. Non-alalays are expected to toe the line and know the alternative courses of action lest they'd be disparaged in a debriefing session (defined later). The walk thru is best done in the venue of the event for a better feel of the action and to provide a reason for the alalays to have a field trip because often the the venue is out of town.

War room - an adjunct to a planning activity. When the event coordinators look at venue, the war room is immediately specified along with extra room for sleeping for the entire entourage of the Reyna (less-favored staff are assigned to sleep with people they don't know). This room is the official tambayan of the alalays and the Reyna where they appear to be busy all times day and night especially if there are officials who are looking. The room serves as the Reyna's venue for displaying her superb organizing and directing skills. It also doubles as the sleeping quarters for the harassed alalays after spending hours editing documents when the Reyna changes her mind one too many resulting in rims of paper and reels of printer ink wasted.

Debriefing - The meeting held after the event where the alalays are praised to high heavens for the success of the event and the harassed non-alalays involved in the work are castigated for the things that they failed to do. Those castigated are given a third degree for failing to feed on the Reyna 's ego during the event. While the meeting provide opportunity for other staff to air their observations, the observations are quickly dismissed if these have something to do with the mistakes or shortcomings of the Reyna or her alalays. Surprisingly, the Reyna has that uncanny ability to turn the tables back to the non-alalays whenever these unpleasant situations happen. Emerging from such meetings, the alalays appear to be high as if they have ingested cocaine while the non-alalays are observed to have long faces with their back hunched.

Gets - Heard this from the Reyna herself and from then on has been the official term for asking alalay and staff alike if an instruction or several instructions borne out of an original instruction (that the Reyna is wont to do whenever she assigns work) is/are understood. In many instances, alalays have used this term interchangeably in giving and carrying out instructions. Since I am always stumped by the avalanche of instructions after a meeting with the Reyna, I still don't know if the appropriate response is "yes, gets" or "no gets". Help!!!

Heads up - A term heard from the head alalay and her assistant whenever they emerged from a meeting with the Reyna or those who are higher than their Reyna to give information to the rest of the alalays and non-alalays. It simply means that the discusant-alalay parrots the entire proceedings of the meeting briefly looking at the agenda paper if an item is forgotten or reading an entire agenda item if such is not understood by the discussant herself. If pressed on what it means, questions are brushed aside saying that it is all that is written. Discussant's knowledge of agenda items discussed is optional as a foot-thick document is within reach for easy reference.

Ms (name of person) - Obviously, a term used to address a female. In the work environment, the term is used to address every female to play it safe. Used to a first-name calling basis, I was introduce to the term during my briefring by the Reyna when I joined the office. Specifically, the Reyna told me that she is to be addressed as Ms (first name of Reyna) and I can have the honor also of being referred to as Ms (my name). Wheteher as a sign of respect for position or age, I never understood why addressing a person is a matter of paramount importance to the Reyna. Anyway, now I have to address every Jane Doe I encounter as Ms. (name) just like my colleagues to show some kind of formality.

Overtime - the daily fare in this office for all alalays. As we all know, this translates to extending work beyond working hours. Except that in this office, the alalays are allowed to be late after any overtime or sleep during office hours and still claim overtime pay. Overtime pay are restricted only to alalays. Non-alalays who wants to get overtime pay are expected to warm up to the Reyna and her alalays and kiss assess if necessary. Regular hours may be wasted talking about personal lives and the latest issues of celebrities if these are not spent planning the next party or assasination plot on a non-alalay or having a party celebrating a birthday party of an alalay. These sessions are prolonged so that hours go by unnoticed. The real work may actually begin after regular hours when overtime is alreading ticking and when the alalays start counting minutes and hours to calculate their OT pay. There are rules in claiming OT pay and the alalay have become experts in going around these rules with the Reyna's blessings. During overtime, alalays are well-provided with food anytime of the day. Over time, alalays have grown proportionately with the food bill masked as representation expense of the Reyna.


These are but a few examples but can provide ample learning for a novice. I am not sure I will ever get it......I hope I never do. Please note that these definitions are peculiar to this office. Any similarity to the terms usage in other offices is not intended and the author begs for your kind understanding for any undue realization that you are going through the same crap.

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Blogging and loving it

I never thought that my thoughts would find its way to countless people. The marvel of technology continues to amaze me and provide alternative medium to frustrated writers like me. I was hit by the writing bug at a young age and yet never found the chance to express my imagination. I am always bursting to the brim with ideas and yet I always lack the motivation to write because I like my writing to be published. I attempted a number of times. I was successful in only three or four attempts when my piece got published in a daily, school paper, and a souvenir program. Contemporary media have made it difficult for budding writers to get the break.........standards are way too high and writing is too constricted. This can proved limiting to the writer whose style might be cramped by too many restricrions imposed by traditional media.
It is high time that we break out of the norm and make creative expression a way of life. Probably, a lot of ills of society can be healed by free expression. Rage is the consequence of too much repressed anger, depression, frustration afflicting people today. If people are allowed full expression, their pent-up emotion can be released and may even be avenues for undiscovered creativity. Idle minds can go wayward.
Since I discovered blogging, I am a less stressed out, more open, and generally a much happier person. I have yet to become the great novelist, poet or writer of my time, but the freedom that blogging provides has given me the impetus to awaken the writing bug in me that has long been in inertia. While I have written for other people in my work but I have never been this happy in the pieces that I turn out.... in my struggles as a hesitant and uncompromising adult trying to fit in world bound by too many rules. There are still uncharted territories waiting to be discovered. But now that the gates have been opened, it would be easier to get there. When freedom is unbridled, creative expression has limitless possibilities and the potentials for great writing have suddenly become within reach. Flaws will always be there but blogging have made these the spices in an otherwise bland concoction . These can very well make your dish too salty or too spicy. Aside from allowing greater freedom of expression and personal style. blogging is more forgiving. One writes what he or she feels or believes with less inhibitions and freer-flowing train of thought. That is what makes blogging the preferred medium for wannabes like me.

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It’s All in the Attitude

You got problems....deal with it.  No use fretting, complaining, blaming, cursing.  Face it
when you can.  Sleep over it if you must stall.  But eventually you would have to take it
head on.........


One of life's best coping mechanisms is to know the difference between an inconvenience
and a problem. If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire –
then you've got a problem. Everything else is an inconvenience. Life is inconvenient. Life is
lumpy. A lump in the oatmeal, a lump in the throat and a lump in the breast are not the same
kind of lump. One needs to learn the difference.  -- Robert Fulghum,

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all art and
science.He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and
stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.  -- Albert Einstein

Some people think only intellect counts: knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to

get by,knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are

insufficientwithout courage, love, friendship, compassion, and empathy.

- Dean Koontz, Writer

It is not the person who has too little, but the person who always craves more, that is poor.
– Anonymous

You can be infantile or wise at almost any age.  It has much more to do with attitude than
birthdays.

A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities.  An optimist is one who
makes opportunities of his difficulties.

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.  --  John Wooden

Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goals.

When we do the best that we can we never know what miracles is wrought in our life,
or in the life of other.

Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.
--  John Wooden

IMPROVEMENT

We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount

of work is the same. -- Carlos Castenada

He that never changes his opinions, never corrects his mistakes, and will never

bewiser on the morrow than he is today.

-- Tryon Edwards (1809-1894), Editor and theologian

If we want everything to remain as it is, it will be necessary for everything to

change. -- Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, The Leopard, Pantheon Books

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to leave.

I think it's the end of progress if you stand still and think of what you've done in

the past. I keep on. - Leslie Caron, Actor

It is always disillusioning to weigh your fish and measure your golf drive. Smart men

estimate them. – Havilah Babcock (My Health is Better in Nov. 1947)

A mistake is an opportunity to begin again, but this time more intelligently.

There are always two choices, two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward

is that it’s easy.

Be not simply good, but good for something. – Henry David Thoreau

Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. – Henry Bergson

Instead of loving your enemies, treat your friends a little better.

- Edgar Watson Howe (1853-1937), Journalist

LEAVE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Nobody stands taller than those willing to stand corrected.

- William Safire, columnist

The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic, always

enterprising, and never satisfied. They always look forward to doing better than they

have ever done before. - Vita Sackville-West (1892-1962), Novelist and poet

CREATING A BETTER PLACE.
Stay actively involved in manifesting your dreams and the world created will be one

we all want to live in. - Jewel Kilcher, Musician

If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it.

- Lucy Larcom (1826-1893) Poet

If there is another world, he lives in bliss. If there is none, he made the best

of this. -- Robert Burns

The next best thing to a problem is finding some humor in it. – Frank Clark

The world is a rose; smell it and pass it to your friends. -- Persian Proverb

The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.

- Sophocles (c. 496-406 B.C.), Playwright

Every once in a while, take the scenic route.

-- H. Jackson Brown, Jr. ("Life's Little Instruction Book")

Don't put off till tomorrow what can be enjoyed today.

- Josh Billings (1818-1885) Humorist

GROWTH.
Growth begins when we start to accept our own weakness.

- Jean Vanier, Advocate for peoplewith developmental disabilities

Difficulties in life are intended to make us better, not bitter.

- Dan Reeves, Football coach and motivational speaker

The best advice is found on the pillow. -- Danish Proverb

Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it

sinks into, the mind. -- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.

-- Oscar Wilde

Laziness grows on people; it begins in cobwebs and ends in iron chains. The more one

has to do the more he is able to accomplish. - Thomas Buxton (1786-1845) Social activist

LIFE LESSONS.
You can't please everybody if you are going to make a difference in this world.

– Melvin Chapman, Educator

Ambition can creep as well as soar. -- Edmund Burke

Ten enemies cannot do a man the harm that he does to himself. -- Yiddish Proverb

GROWTH.
You will never be the person you can be if pressure, tension, and discipline are taken

out of your life. - James G. Bilkey

We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), Poet and dramatist

Be the first to the field and the last to the couch. -- Chinese Proverb

WISDOM

A smile is the lighting system of the face, the cooling system of the head and

the heatingsystem of the heart.

Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time. - -- Abraham Lincoln

TALENT.
Talent is always conscious of its own abundance, and does not object to sharing.

- Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Writer

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of

humor to console him for what he is. – Sir Francis Bacon

If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?

-- Penny Hines (Tempe, Arizona, USA)

DON'T SWEAT IT.
If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something

about your size? - Sydney J. Harris (1917-1986), Journalist

The grudge you hold on to is like a hot coal that you intend to throw at someone, but

you're the one who gets burned.

- Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563-c. 483 B.C.), Founder of Buddhism

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE.
The world is full of willing people; some willing to work, the others willing to let them.

- Robert Frost (1874-1963), Poet

It is always possible to be thankful for what is given, rather than to complain about

whatis not given. One or the other becomes a habit for life. -- Elisabeth Elliot

We will either find a way, or make one. -- Hannibal

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Living in This World

The world belongs to those who hope and dream and believe that we can all make
this world a better place.  Be relevant in someone else's life by being a better parent,
son or daughter, sister or brother, friend.  Believe once more in the innate goodness
of people.  Be living testimonies to the joy of living and serving each other.  In truly
living life can we say that I have fully lived…..

Technological society has succeeded in multiplying the opportunities for pleasure,
but it has great difficulty in generating joy. -- Pope Paul VI

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won.
There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they
always fall - think of it, ALWAYS." - Mohandas Gandhi


It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. – Krishnamurti

If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks

and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.
– Mother Teresa

Conscience is God's presence in man. -- Emanuel Swedenborg

The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit for doing them. -- Benjamin Jowett

A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on. - JFK

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost, that is where they should be! Now, put

the foundations under them. -- Henry David Thoreau

Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, they send forth a ripple of

hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, this ripples builds a

current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking

the earth like brothers. - Martin Luther King

Speech is civilization itself. The word preserves contact. It is silence which isolates.

-- Thomas Mann

We are not paid for the hour but rather for the value we put to the hour.

Know the true value of time -- snatch, seize and enjoy every moment of it.
-- Lord Chesterfield (1694-1733)

The work an unknown good person has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly

making the ground green. -- Thomas Carlyle

Blessed are those who have learned to admire but not to envy, to follow but not to imitate, to praise but not

to flatter, and to lead but not to manipulate. – Unknown

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

-- Theodore Roosevelt

Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something

for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don't live in a world all of

your own. -- Albert Schweitzer

Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. So autograph your work with quality.

- Robert Elliott

I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and

intellect has intended us to forgo their use. -- Galileo Galilei

The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?

-- Pablo Casals, cellist, conductor, and composer

Wherever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.
-- Peter Drucker

Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.
-- St. Augustine

There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go.
-- Tennessee Williams

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
-Martin Luther King Jr.

It makes far better sense to reshape ourselves to fit a finite planet than to attempt to reshape
the planet to fit our infinite wants.

All that rings true, all that commands reverence, and all that makes for right, all that is pure, all

that is lovely, all that is gracious in the telling; virtue and merit, wherever truth and merit are

found – let this be the argument of your thought. -- St. Paul in the letter to the Philippians

Peace is such a precious jewel that I would give anything for it but truth.  --  Matthew Henry

Freedom is not the freedom to do what we want, but to do as we ought.  - Lord Acton

If you meet the world with a smile, the world will always smile back. -- Stephen Douglas

Every sunrise is a message from God, and every sunset, God's signature.  -- William Ward

When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love won. There
have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end
they always fall. Think of it…always. – Mahatma Gandhi

Darkness cannot drive our darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness
multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction… The chain reaction of evil,
– hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars – must be broken, or we shall be plunged
into the dark abyss of annihilation. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

History teaches that wars begin when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.

--Ronald Reagan

LEADERSHIP
You don't lead by pointing a finger and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to

that place and making a case. - Ken Kesey (1935-2001), Writer

I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among my people the greatest asset I possess, and the

way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement.

- Charles Schwab (1862-1939), Steel magnate

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