[May, 2010] The Plan

Amazing how time flies and changes happen without us even knowing that they have already transpired. Looking back, I wish I could have paid more attention and became more aware of things. I grew up to become very stiff and predictable. Boring -- in short! I am the typical kind of person who lives by the tick of the clock and what people expect me to be. I am always the good guy. I don’t waste time. I am surrounded by values. I am afraid of taking chances, challenges, and committing failures. Maybe that's the reason why most of the time, I settle for mediocrity. I would say that I have talents, but honestly, I don't get to share them much because of fear -- fear about being stereotyped or bashed. Whatever! But when I got to this point in my life, I started wondering about possibilities.

Okay. Here I go again with my realizations. Haha! Mostly are frustrations actually that only make me sad. I don't know why but there always comes a point where all you would think of are the "what ifs" of life and the decisions that you have made. This month came and went so fast. I didn't even notice that all throughout, I was drifting -- physically functioning (yes) but mentally absent. LOL. Good thing I was still able to perform well with my job.

The not-so good thing about growing up is handling life. Life was so simple way back when I was a kid. "Eat and play" as I'll put it. But as I grow up, things get more and more complicated. I started discovering things about myself and about the world that challenged my beliefs. Life has become a daily question that the end of the day still remains unanswered. This may sound silly but sometimes, I just wish I didn't go to school and knew all the things I know now. Seeing how most of my relatives live a simple yet happy life with nothing to worry about but surviving the day, I think that's what's important.

However, I don't see myself like that. Haha! I can't just stay at home and do nothing for the rest of my life. I'm not thinking of retiring early also. That would be suicide. LOL. But this month, I came to realize that if I want to be happy and if I want to deliver good outputs, I must enjoy and love what I do. I really believe that I have a specific purpose in life that I need to find out. I believe that, that's the only way I can really find happiness and fulfillment.

From that thinking, a plan was developed. Not that concrete, though, but I should make it work. So what's the plan? Explore! I'm looking at things that interest me and areas where I can say I'm an "expert" and I'll start from there. If one thing doesn't work out, I'll go to another option until I finally find my niche. It'll be a long journey but that's the risk I have to take and I am pretty sure that it will yield good results. Duration? Lifetime! Hahaha! Only God knows when I'll figure out that purpose. But I'll know it from my heart, I'm sure.

So starting today, I will really try to be more and more and more optimistic! No more frustrations! Only positive thoughts and hopefully, these would contribute to a better me.

Cut the drama! Haha! Til next time. :P

[April, 2010] Personal Health Awareness Month

It was a wake up call!

The medical findings I've found out this month about my health totally woke me up from such a long sleep. Haha! I mean, doing things that I didn't know have already been affecting my health and then realizing that they're not good. I really thought I was super healthy and perfectly fit. Well, I guess not.

So how did I find that out?

It was this month when we held the 2nd Lopez Lifelong Wellness Fair at the Rockwell Tent where it featured a lot of diagnostics. And since they're for free, I tried everything. There was this company that promotes a machine that tells you your antioxidant level. Out of curiosity, I tried the service and the result was bad...really bad. My antioxidant level is very low and according to the medical person interpreting the result, I may have a serious disease that has to be found and cured. He even added that it could be the reason why I am having a hard time getting fit even if I go to the gym frequently. It seemed everything that he told me were true and therefore, it hit me. Adding up to that bad result was another bad result of my ECG, which indicated I have "Wolff Parkinson-White" (whatever that is!) and an abnormal ECG. Problem was, they can't interpret the results since they're only nurses and advised me instead to see a cardiologist.

Those results really got into my mind and then I started worrying. From then, I vowed to change my lifestyle. I started eating vegetables, fish, and fruits only for one week. No meat at all! Fortunately, I succeeded. I bought myself some multivitamins (One-A-Day) and I am now also drinking Vita Plus (a healthy fruit drink).

Eventually, I've noticed the effect. I used to be a "heavy breather", I mean I can't breath easily after eating a lot. Now, I'm better and my tummy isn't that bulgy anymore, which I totally like. Haha! My bowels are also regular and I'm not having a hard time anymore. I feel more energetic now than before.

But the one thing I can't change about my lifestyle is my sleeping habits. I was advised to sleep at 9:00 PM and I just can't. I just hope my efforts are enough to keep me alive in the next 100 years. LOL

Well the good thing about those medical findings was that I became aware that I am not healthy. Therefore, I started caring about myself. Now I am more particular about what I eat and what I do and it's becoming a hobby. Wellness is now becoming my lifestyle! Haha!

It's been a month since my lifestyle change and although changes are gradual, I know they're taking effect. Which reminds me, I still have to buy a bottle of "One-A-Day". I already ran out. Haha!

Til next ish!

xoxo,

Benjo :)

[March, 2010] When It Rains, It Pours

Such a loaded month it's been. From work-related activities to leisure, March surely drained my energy. Much of the spontaneity came from work. This month, we had a lot of activities and events that once again put me to test.

Starting off with our forum on Earthquake Risk Reduction and Disaster Preparedness where we had Director Renato Solidum of Phivolcs as our main speaker alongside Ramon Santiago, MMDA public safety consultant and Martin Aguda, ABS-CBN's safety officer. The forum focused on worst case scenarios that could strike Metro Manila and what could be done about them. It was a very informational forum. It even featured a discussion about a 72-hour emergency kit that we could use for our own preparedness measures.

Aside from the forum, we also had a two-day First Aid and Basic Life Support training under the supervision of the Philippine National Red Cross, Rizal Chapter. In this training, we were taught about CPR and first aid management that we could use in times of emergencies. During the training, it felt like we went back to our college days again, taking exams, listening to lectures and talking about how we did after every exam. Really a fun activity and bonding time as well for us.

We also joined a movement launching called "Gawin Ang Tama," a movement that advocates doing the right thing all the time. We participated in a walk held at the Bonifacio Global City.

Aside from these activities, this was also the month when I got to have a lot of freebies from the Internet. First up, I got a free tour at the Lopez Museum where I got to see a lot of nice art pieces and the huge library the Lopezes got just at the lobby of our building. I got that via a Twitter promo. Second, I won two free tickets to an advance screening of "Clash of the Titans" that I got from Fruit Magic's Summer Promo held via Facebook. Isn't fun winning freebies just by answering questions on the Internet? Haha! Lucky me! I really love social media. LOL

A surprise call from an employer also came my way this month. It was from Businessworld. It was an offer to take their exam for reporters. I was really determined to take that but when most people I've consulted said "no", I refused it. Besides, I really don't know what I want up to this moment. There are times I feel so happy about what I am doing at work and then there are times when I feel the opposite. Oh well, the complexity of being me. Haha! But I don't see myself doing nothing at all. It will definitely bore me to death! Kidding. For now, I just want to enjoy life and seize the day.

Anyway, so I guess that's about it for now. More to tell next time. It's already 1:52 AM and I just got home from Glorietta and tomorrow, we'll go to Sta. Cruz so I better be sleeping.

Spend the holy week right. Reflect. :)

[February, 2010] Alone and Happy

February is always the month for teasing. Why? Because it’s hearts’ month. But apparently this month, I was saved. Haha! Well, that’s because Valentine’s Day fell on a Sunday and we went through a couple of activities the past week that V-Day was totally ignored.

I honestly don’t know what people get from making issues about you when you’re single. Hmmm…. It’s not that I’m that affected but in one way or another, I get sad whenever people would talk behind my back about my personal life. I mean, I'd rather hear comments about my being a bad employee or whatever than hear something like "your gay" because I have no girlfriend. To me, that's pathetic! Good thing now, I am able to handle these things already. I've matured. Now, I know that I shouldn’t be affected by words of other people because once you get affected, it will only show that they're winning in making you feel bad -- or -- it will only confirm their doubts. LOL.

Anyway, why the hell did I get in that topic?!? Haha! Okay. So February. It was this month when we, at the office, started preparing ourselves for possible emergencies -- earthquakes specifically. Well, considering the current state of our environment today, it's not impossible that a destructive earthquake could occur. So our president thought of getting us all prepared for these possibilities. I like the idea, honestly. I mean, not all companies would think of something like a Disaster Preparedness Plan like ours. Most of them are just existing for the money. Haha! Okay. So we were able to come up with our survival kits, which is good for seven days (in case you'll get trapped after a disaster). We also had our emergency numbers pocket list and then our own Crisis Management Organization.

Apart from job-related happenings, nothing much happened during the month. My cousin celebrated birthday on the 2nd but it wasn't that extravagant. V-Day? What's that? Haha! It meant DVDs and sleeping to me. I was just at home. However, honestly, it also came to me that I'm kind of missing a lot during V-Day with no one to spend the day with, nothing to do or nowhere to go. What can I do? I don't know how to love other people more than myself yet. ROFL! I guess what's important is I am still happy with my status. And I really do hope I'd feel that. But right now, nah! I guess it will come [cliche] "in God's time". It's not a matter of searching but a matter of waiting. Waiting for the right person to spend your forever with [cheesy! LOL].

Oh! I was able to see "Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief" also this month. It was a nice movie. Very fast-paced and entertaining. I didn't know it was adapted from a book until I saw the credits. Some say that it was a Harry Potter copycat. I say NO! I think it's way too much better than Potter. Everyone who loves Greek mythology will surely love this film. Others could easily catch up. Darn! I can't wait for a sequel.

Oh well, I guess that's about it. I know this post is late again. Haha! Til next post. :)

[January, 2010] Discovering Optimism

First month of 2010 swiftly passed (and my post is delayed again! LOL). I barely felt it actually. And I really feel that nothing much has changed from last year. Well, I guess it's to early to say that. However, though, I promised myself that this year is going to be my year – a year of no regrets, no depressions, and no loneliness. This year will be good for me!

So this was how I welcomed New Year – an optimistic me. So far, I must say I am succeeding. To date, I can now easily throw away bad thoughts that usually weaken me. I wake up every morning with a smile on my face and a hopeful mind. I treat people with RESPECT to the best that I can bearing in mind that they will reciprocate the deed. Most especially, I can now handle negative vibes around me fairly, treating them as if they don’t exist at all.

There are times, though, that my temper is put to test – by circumstances or by people. When these things happen, I would just close my eyes and quietly utter my mantra (What other people think about you is none of your business) in my head. Voila! everything's back to normal. It really works! Haha! It’s actually the best mantra anyone should develop because once you do, you’ll never get affected by anyone or anything. Swear!

January was a month of adjusting and getting used to. "Adjusting" in the sense that I had to recondition my system for work and "getting used to" because me and my relatives who are staying in the city moved to another place. It was a nice place and definitely bigger than we had before. This month, I've also decided to finally do the one thing I should be doing since I started working -- SAVING! Yep. I am now saving a little amount from what I earn, which I think is the right thing to do. Not that I am preparing on something to spend the money with but I guess it makes me feel a bit secure. Haha!

Gradual maturity. That's what I will call the phenomenon that strike me. I think the fact that I am now able to align things properly makes me a matured individual. I am not saying, though, that I know everything about life now. Definitely no! I still have a lot to learn in as much that I still have a lot to prove to myself and to everyone. All I'm saying is that I've changed. and I chose to change and I am happy. Masaya pala yung pakiramdam na lahat ng bagay tinitingnan mo ng positibo. And I mean EVERYTHING! Now I can honestly say that life is beautiful and worth living. Not even the baddest criticism or greatest problem can ever sway me to going back to my old "lifeless, vulnerable" self. Haha! I am now stronger and always optimistic.

Life shouldn't be hard. It is actually what you make it! :)

[December, 2009] Startup!

Happy New Year!!!

It's 2010. Clean slate as I will put it. 2009 was a year of transformation on my part. It was this year that I became more comfortable about myself and became more positive about life. In fact my biggest lesson for the previous year was OPTIMISM. I am just so thankful that I was able to survive the year, stable.

But before I totally embrace 2010, let me just have a quick peek at my December. This month went so fast but every moment was so memorable. I really love December.


Celebrating Christmas At Work
It's my second Christmas in LGFI. My first was a blast.

This year, although there were some downs, was also a good one -- nonstop eating, exchanging of gifts and all that. Most of all this year, we were given incentives for a job well done on our facilitating of the Lopez Group's wellness programs. It was like the biggest recognition we've received this year.


Holidays With The Family
Nostalgia always strikes me whenever the holidays are coming. I mean I still look forward to spending these holidays the way we used to -- simple, crowded, happy. Well, not that we're not happy. It's just that since me and my siblings graduated and got our own jobs, things changed. We've been celebrating the holidays for two years now with my brothers abroad. Aside from that, other "key personalities" are also gone like my lolo and some other relatives who are also in other countries.

Okay! I'm being dramatic and I hate it. Haha! I just couldn't believe how time flew so fast. Good thing about celebrating now, though, is the fact that I am already contributing to the preparations and expenses. I feel such an adult. LOL. But seriously, it gives me that sense of fulfillment that I get to share me and my family's blessings. There's really truth in the saying that "giving is better than receiving".

We tried to celebrate Christmas and New Year as happy as we could. We were all out in terms of expenses. I took my mom and sister to the mall, we bought presents for our relatives, we prepared food and all that stuff. It was happy. My brothers abroad had their share of expenses and they even bought us presents. A brand new music player was the best gift I've received this year. Now, my old SonicStage player can now rest as I exhaust my EmoDio one. Haha!

Anyway, so much about it, I must say that our family has already gone a long way but remained intact. And if I'll have one wish that I'd like to happen, that would be for our family to stay this intact forever.

Bah! Nothing much to say now. Happy New Year! :)