Ika 14 ng Agosto 2008

As I was getting ready for work, I was baffled by this news on The Early Show of the Chinese girl who sang at the opening of the Beijing Olympics. It was reported that in a last-minute move demanded by one of China's highest officials, two girls were put together for the Olympic opening ceremony, with one lip-synching "Ode to the Motherland" over the other's singing. Organizers thought that the real singer, 7-year-old Yang Peiyi, with her chubby face and crooked baby teeth, wasn't good looking enough for the ceremony. So the pigtailed Lin Miaoke, a veteran of television ads, mouthed the words with a pixie smile for a stadium of 91,000 and a worldwide TV audience. What these Chinese would go to for a perfect opening ceremony...... a perfect example of discrimination. Are we so shallow to be fixated with what is only skin-deep and fleeting? No wonder the beauty industry is a multi-million empire.

Last night, my colleague and I were waiting for a ride when another colleague, an aged man who moonlights as a shuttle service driver, pulled over to give us a ride. This man also works as a driver in one of the offices in our Department. The man is a jolly guy who seems to have no cares in the world and loves to tell stories of his mischiefs. He has three kids whom he sent to college while working as a driver. Two of his children are abroad and he gets to visit them. He would proudly tell us that he used to moonlight as an airport taxi driver using an official vehicle with red plate. He would rationalize that he was earning only so much and he couldn't afford to send his kids to college. All his children would be able to finish their college education through his sheer determination and fraudulent ways. He is a funny man and I was laughing as he was relating it. But at the back of my mind, I wanted to slap him. The situation, however, does not provide a window to share my conscience. I hope to find that window soon. Fraud is happening with impunity that one cannot help but think if the world has indeed gone to the dogs. Pardon the cliche and the reference to my favorite companion.

I still have the headache as I went to the office today. I couldn't sleep in the van though as I was deep in thought on my task at the office. Suddenly, a woman at the back called the attention of the driver who was going out of the lane and would be hitting the reflectorized conical obstacles used to divert traffic. He immediately pulled the steering wheel to change course but hit one or two cones. Everyone was jarred. Fortunately, nothing disastrous happened and the driver went ahead like nothing happened. I would hear from the passenger that he fell asleep. I was seated in front and didn't notice the impending accident until he veered far enough from course. I would hear later from his radio from the other drivers that he hasn't slept yet which would explain his state. My gosh, why can't they be more cautious and gamble on people's life.

On this Thursday, I would come to work narrowly missing an accident with a headache that should go away as the day progresses.

PS: Patungo na naman ako sa opisyal namin para ituloy ang trabaho. Lagi akong kinakabahan pag ganito. Me klase pa naman ako mamaya at mag-eexam ang mga estudyante ko. Maganda na rin at wala masyadong paghahandang gagawin sa klase tuwing me exam. Wag lang sanang akong mautusan mag-overtime mamaya. Wag po........