Giving back to nature

This post is actually long overdue. I was soooo damn tired last weekend that I can't gather my brains to write about something which I'm so proud I've been part of.

We had our tree planting last Saturday. This is an annual event participated by the company I work with. It is one of the company's advocacy, to promote social responsibility and awareness. The said activity was pure voluntary, which means, we gave up the luxury of enjoying our free saturday. We don't get paid for going to the woods and for planting those seedlings. But the feeling and fulfillment of being able to help save the earth in your own, small way is fantastic! Not to mention enjoyable, in the truest sense of the word. Being around with your colleagues surely spells FUN! It was like mountain climbing, trekking and tree planting rolled into one.

The planting site is situated in hilly lands and requires you to walk a few miles from the main road. The funny thing was, since our group was so fond of taking pictures while trudging the steep, grassy path, we lost track of our companions. We took a different turn and got lost! It was a good 15 minutes of walking or so before we realized we're heading the opposite direction
hahaha! So we went back to the headquarters, asked another guide to walk us through to the site. When we got there, our colleagues were almost done.

We planted around 3000 seedlings in ________ hectares. I forgot how many hectares we should cover coz I wasn't listening during the orientation. You know, the typical ME! So all we have to do once we arrive at the area is to look for those seedlings and plant them. There's not much effort needed in digging holes since they are pre-dug. But you have to dig some more using

makeshift bolos to make sure the seedlings won't be washed away when rain starts to fall. It was like doing the treasure hunt and amazing race coz each one of us should be able to plant 50 seedlings. Imagine that!!!

                                                                           So this is me...

The activity lasted for about 3hours. We were so exhausted, sweating and hands dirty.

                                                                         my crazy colleagues...

 Hopefully, next year, I'd still enlist for another tree planting. Not just because it's fun. It's my way of giving back to mother nature. Of doing my share. And all the more reason is that, it is my responsibility to preserve our only home. Earth.

Booooo!!! What A Shame!

I've been trying to stay away from the computer since last night, trying to stop myself from blogging about a certain situation I'm  not very proud of. I don't wanna talk about that awful, shameful situation here in the blogosphere where people from all walks of life, race, culture are surely gonna read this post. But my disappointment about this condescending act got the better of me and I knew not to shut up and pretend like I have nothing to say.

I'm talking about the hostage crisis that rocked the entire nation yesterday morning. And oh, did I tell you we made it to the international news? Oh yeah! What a shame!!!

I was so disappointed at how the situation was handled, how the police force acted like fucking incompetent crap! No, I'm not gonna say sorry for disgracing my fellow countrymen but we're talking about the lives of 22 tourists, all Chinese Nationals from Hongkong, hijacked inside the tourist bus by a disgruntled ex-policeman! Damn. And to add that the standoff lasted for almost 12 hours is seriously pissing off and will make you ask what-the-fuck-are-those-police-and-swat-team-doing?! 

Answer :

They negotiated.

Waited.

Waited.

Waited.

Circled around the bus.

Waited.

Waited.

Waited for the hostage taker to fire at them before they decided to make assault.

Huh!! Very much like in filipino movies.

Here's the funny thing...

I like to read detective and crime books. So my friend and I were talking about how they can possibly solve it. We eventually talked about throwing gas inside the bus so they can get in, or let a sniper finish him off... you know stuff like that... And guess what?! That's what they finally did in the end. Soooo stupid! They actually waited for 11 hours and nine people to die before they could think of that???? I think that's serious blunder!

Anyway, my heart goes out to the families of these hostage victims, most especially to those who perished in these unthinkable act of just one disgruntled man who wants nothing but to be reinstated in service. I'm not gonna condone him for whatever reasons he had. There are other ways to air his sentiments and smarter ways to seek fairness and justice if that's what he's looking for. An act of one disgruntled man made a very huge impact to the nation and tarnished every citizen of this country. All I can say is F-U-C-K-Y-O-U!!! Congratulations for putting us ALL in shame. Now I'm pretty sure tourism will hit rock bottom starting today. And what's more disgusting? The Hongkong government issued a black travel order to the Philippines. It's like saying : "hey, don't go there. that place is freaking dangerous. Kidnappers, murderers are everywhere."

I hope this is not going to be another lesson UNLEARNED... and forgotten.

About Goodbyes and Dreading Tomorrow

If there's one thing I hate about the word "Goodbye", is that it brings an inconsolable feeling of loneliness. It shatters every hope, every piece of memory you keep holding on. It gives you emptiness and sadness when you begin to think of spending the coming days on your own again. Like it was before. Like when you hadn't known a certain kind of feeling exist.

Goodbyes always get me. It always breaks my heart when someone so close and important to me bids farewell, be it a colleague who decides to try his luck on other endeavors, or a friend who tries to seek greener pasture in foreign lands. I always hate the feeling of being left behind, of being abandoned. It's not that I'm going to miss them terribly, for I'm sure I will, it's the icky feeling that things will never be the same again. That everything you shared together will become nothing but memories which can only be replayed on your mind as time passes.

But they say nothing lasts forever. Even emotions fade over the course of time. Maybe I will learn to face this emptiness, this sadness, this loneliness I'm feeling. Maybe right now I don't wanna think about someone leaving, not just yet. Maybe I'll start thinking that tomorrow never comes so that I will stop dreading each and every day that comes after it.

I often hear a song that says, "Where is the good in goodbye?". Yeah. I already asked myself several times. And more often than not, I always find the same answer. The only good in goodbye is that it lets you face your fears and makes you stronger, which in turn molds you to become a better person.

I may not be able to comprehend the reason why such big decision has to be made, the logic of being apart, the essence of waiting for someone to come back, the value of trusting that promises will be kept, the faith that it's gonna be all worth it in the end - I know one day I'll understand. One day I'll get by. And one day I'm gonna be fine...

Hello there 29!

Yikes!!!! As of this writing, I'm officially and I'm announcing this to the whole world and to whoever reads this post that I've just turned 29! Today! Yes, it's my birthday, so H-a-p-p-y B-i-r-t-h-d-a-y to Meeeeeee!!!!

Plans for today?

We'll be having a small family gathering at lunch along with a few close relatives. I'm not big on house parties and I usually opt for an intimate dinner or lunch, with me of course doing the cooking. Oh I love to cook. Did I ever tell you that? It's one of the things I love doing. But on the "taste" part, I'm not sure if its delicious. Anyhoo, no one has ever dared complain so I guess it's tolerable hahaha!

Later tonight I'll be meeting up with my best buds since high school and maybe have a coffee or two. We're coffee addicts and whenever I'm around we usually chill on our favorite coffee shop 'til midnight and talk nonstop. I miss my girls and all the crazy stuff we do.

So anyway, this is one of the most amazing birthdays I've had. Aside from being able to go home and spend it with my family, I also received the most awesome gift I could ask for. My boss gave me a netbook! Waaaaaahhhh!!! Just so right in time! I was actually thinking about buying a laptop for myself. A few months ago I was so busy looking at laptop brands, models, and specs trying to figure what's best for me and luckily my boss finally got the hint hahaha! I'm just kidding.

Albeit the laptop and netbook are not really the same in terms of specs and performance, oh forgive my being an IT buff, but hell, what's important is I can now blog wherever I am. Anytime. Anywhere. Yayyy!!! And the best part is... IT COMES FOR FREE! This is what they call "The best things in life are FREE." Oh well... :)))

Also, I'm letting you know that I'm accepting gifts (in kind...or whatever! haha!) until midnight. Just e-mail me if you want my complete address and I'll be glad to give it to you (even if it means posing myself to stalkers). Just joking. But if you insist, well, who am I to refuse? *wink. I'm just waiting. And thank you in advance... I mean for the greetings. I'm pretty sure you'll write "happy birthday" on your comment hahahaha!

If it makes me happy, then why not?

There are times I'd ask myself what really matters. Your own happiness? Or what others perceive what is right for you?

More often than not I would choose what is right for me, not because I wanted to be morally upright, but because I have the tendency to please the people around me. Doing the right thing would sometimes suffice their expectations but somehow it doesn't guarantee you'll find the happiness that you want.

I made a firm resolve that I will be bolder and braver this time when it comes to pursuing the things that will make me happy. I will not be afraid of what others may think about my decisions, as long as I'm not stepping on someone else's toes and I'm not hurting any one in the process. I will start to live "today", as in right at this moment, forgetting the regret of yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. After all, life is what you make it. So better do the things that will bring smile to your face and glow in your heart.

The Wackiest Birthday Tribute Evah!!!

Yes I'm still alive!!! Life's a bitch these past few days. So damn busy with work, meetings left and right... I know, I know, you don't wanna hear about it. I can't keep my thoughts on focus and I'm struggling to write a single paragraph without rephrasing every sentence. Actually, right now, I'm not at my best writing mode but I just wanna share with you what happened today.

So you all know that my birthday is on Saturday. (homaygawd I'm turnnig 29, waaahhhhhh!!!) I already filed a leave for Friday and Monday coz I'm going home. I know that my officemates are planning to have a surprise birthday tribute for me. I  knew it coz they keep on doing that every year for 4 years, so it's no longer surprising to me. Ehem! But what surprised me is that I didn't know they're doing it TODAY! 

After I took my lunch, I headed back to the office, faced the computer, trying to finish the work at hand before the clock strikes 5PM. I was so engrossed with the task that I didn't notice they're leaving me alone in the office. Suddenly, I heard a loud music coming from my back and when I turned around I saw my officemates barging in the door, singing a Madonna song, wearing wigs, dangling earings and a BRA!!!! Hahahahaah! 

Just imagine my four guy officemates, including my boss, trying to impersonate Madonna, complete with singing and dancing. I wanted to roll on the floor. I can't contain the laughter. They look so disgustingly FUNNY!

Anyway, that's how they love me. They would take desperate measures even if it means putting themselves in shame just to make sure that my birthday will be special, memorable and... alright, hilarious. 

My other officemate caught the scandalous act on video. I wanted to show it to you but on second thoughts...... I still want this job. I don't wanna get fired for exposing them to the blogosphere hahahhahhahaha!

That's it for today folks. I'll be back soon with more stories.