For Sale: Something Siksik & Sulit

Are you paying for something siksik and at he same time sulit? I am. No, I'm not talking about Kris' commercial. I'm talking about my life insurance policy. Hapit na man sad gud ang due date. But unlike other bills, I'm looking forward to paying this one because I believe both in the product and in the company (http://www.insularlife.com.ph/).

For over five (5) years of working as a call center agent with mid to closing shifts, I can recall at least three (3) instances that my safety was almost compromised. The product I am paying for assures that my family will not encounter financial problems whenever I am untimely taken out of the picture. When I was offered the product a couple of years ago, I could not say no — saying no to it is like saying no to my family. Of course I could not say no to them. Much more leave them clueless as to when and where the next meal would come from. Of course there are relatives who can help. But it would be so much better if I can leave something for my kids to live and study modestly. On top of that, the product also assures the availability of cash that I can use in times of need.

You can ask me if you would like to experience the same protection. See you around.

Taste as spiritual

For more than three (3) weeks, I'd been unable to taste anything: one of the symptoms of so-called flu. Everything I ate was dull and taseteless. Thus, the daily rendezvouz with lechon kawali and monggos at "jolliback" became a dry routine. And during our Offline Support GA last June 18, 2011 at Convergys-Banawa where there was abundant supply of pancit, lechon manok and super crispy pork lechon, I enjoyed more the company of my coworkers than the food.

I'm proud that I haven't been absent from work during this entire experience. But in my haste to get well, I resorted to materia medica to find immediate healing. But healing did not come although the prescriptions were religiously followed.

A learning was slowly evolving during this experience. Without this experience, I wouldn't have been able to realize that we don't need super tasty food to survive or at least to enjoy life. During this time I've been able to eat anything. I ate vegetable and lutong-bahay in abundance. Simple food satisfied my hunger. And the super cold carbonated soft drinks did not provide the refreshment it promised. Although there were times that the symptoms bothered a bit, I've been able to work normally most of the times.

I'm ok now after two-days of vacation leave and lots of spiritual reading. A portion of this week's Christian Science Bible Lesson on "Life" summarized the lesson I learned during this experience: "Science inevitably lifts one’s being higher in the scale of harmony and happiness . . . Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man. We cannot circumscribe happiness within the limits of personal sense. The senses confer no real enjoyment." (Page 60: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy).

Further further reading:
- Spirituality.com
- Christianscience.com

Christmas 2010

My Dad singing, my Mom playing the ukulele, me and my brother dancing around our Christmas tree — the happiest moment back when I was a kid. Now, it is equally fulfilling to see my kids enjoying the celebration. The experience may change but the meaning of Christmas still remain. This Christmas, I hope we can spend even a couple of minutes to think about the reason why we celebrate it. Merry Christmas to all!

Happiness for Ado

Here's what happiness is for Ado as it appears in this week's (December 19-25, 2010) Feature page of Ignite, the official newsletter of the Sacred Heart Parish - Jesuit. You can find previous issues of Ignite in the parish's website at: http://sacredheartparishsj.multiply.com/

Change Inevitable

'Just finished part 1 of a series of trainings for financial advisers. I'm excited about this new career. If others hate change, I say, "bring it on!"

Vacation & Paternity Leave At Last!

Almost three weeks of vacation and paternity leave. Not bad. It's short though but I will surely find time to fit everything in: silent time for myself and quality time for my family. 'Will also find time to rearrange things in the house to welcome our new baby. Tonight Ameli and I will leave for Cagayan de Oro but I will still be back to get the kids.

Finding ways to bond with Ado

'Bought Ado out of the idea of getting a tutor. Ameli thought about getting Ado a tutor since she'll be giving birth soon. I haven't been able to help Ado since June due to my midnight shift. Fortunately, I'll be on closing shift starting August 11. Ado was excited about tutoring class so I need to buy him out of that idea. The deal: We'll get a cable subscription. 'Might need to negotiate on this one too, hehe.