Eighteen Months Later

How fast time flies.

Eighteen months ago, I complained that my life became boring and predictable. When family joined with me here in Saudi Arabia last Sep 2009, I was forced to change my daily routine. With heavy heart I dropped all my outdoor activities, taking photos halted almost to nada, and I literally stopped using my laptop computer. I didn't even have the chance to watch movies anymore - my kids owns my TV and use them all the time.

To fill up the void left by photography, I choose to get more active with Toastmasters. I have done a lot both in the club level and in the Area Level. Well, I help setup four new clubs under my sleeve, I recruited 15 new members, was appointed chairman of the Speaker's Bureau of Division A, and was appointed Assistant Governor both in Area 5 and in Area 1, and this is not to mention my personal achievements in my Leadership and Communication Awards.

On the first count, I was dead wrong that my life was boring and predictable. Certainly, my family added spice to my outside activities. My daughter Jasmine was famous among Indian Toastmasters and my adorable wife Pinky, gee... she became a sensation of her own as she became a sought after Masters of Ceremony and Guest Speaker.

On the second count I was wrong because even if stopped my photography, Comsofil gave me something else better. They allowed me to handle photography classes. And the sweet thing is... my students founded a group called "Shutters Guild" which is now the home of the rising photographers of the city.

On the third count I was wrong because when I dropped my outside activities - involving mostly of parties and booze - I found something else better. I found the CFC-FFL community which greatly help us improve our spiritual life and made us better person.

More than everything else, changing my priority set my life to good path and the right direction. I gained the trust and win back the love of my wife, my children are far more closer to me than anytime back then, and more importantly... we are all happy.

Eighteen months later, I reflect back and say to my self: "this was the best days of my life so far, and yes! I thank thee Lord"

Marriage Enrichment Retreat

Last year, when our church community announced that they will conduct a marriage enrichment retreat (MER), I readily volunteer to join. I had always adhere to the idea of rekindling that lost spark between husband and wife even if their marriage is A-OK. Way back when I was still single, I heard of these program when I was still with the Bread of Life church and was seriously interested about it. When I was with the Every Nation Church in Singapore, Donita Rose announced that there will be a MER on Sep 2006. Gee... I was excited to join but could not. Pinky, my wife, was in the Philippines at that time.

Today, I got the chance to fulfill my long awaited dream.

How was it?, you may ask. Well, it was okay. It was like a regular church seminar except that the topic was more about the responsibility of the couple as a christian husband and a christian wife, respectively. The book of Ephesians was extensively used - which for me was just a review. I stumbled upon this material years before when I was still active with the Living Water Church. Nevertheless, I am glad that this topic was presented to us. For mommy, it was the first time that she heard about it. And I believe, the message sank in well with her.

Overall, the one-night and one-day affair was fruitful. It was like a honeymoon for all the couple. Imagine, we all have individual tent to spend the night with each other.

Hah! That was simply romantic.

11th Wedding Anniversary

Time Flies, eh?

I thought it was just yesterday. I still vividly remember what happened on that eventful Dec 18 wedding: an hour late groom, 232 wedding guest, regla night, and the candle fiasco involving my boss' wife and my war-freak auntie Denday. That fiasco actually defined, or should I say, derailed my career. Joseph, my then boss, shelved my promotion! Grrr… I will never forget.

Back to reality! I was planning to gift my wife with the much hype iPhone4. I thought, not only she would surely like it she will look more gorgeous with an iPhone instead of an outdated Sony-Ericsson K330 in her hand. I know that price is restrictive at SR 4300 (over US1000) but what the heck. It's our anniversary date.

No Stock

Just when you decided to buy the most expensive smartphone, there is no stock in the market. Geez, what a bummer! The salesman at Jarir Bookstore offered me two options: an old model iPhone 3Gs at SR2399 or the Blackberry Curve 9300 at SR1399. My initial choice was the iPhone but thinking my wife doesn't need much of the functionality of the iPhone, I decided to choose the blackberry. Come to think, I originally preferred iPhone4 solely on branding & "in" factors – not the functionality.

I choose the red blackberry curve 9300.

Simbang Gabi & Dinner

Before going to our planned dinner date, we first attended the 8pm simbang gabi schedule at Tito Wilson house. We the ask Father Francis, who officiated the mass, to pray for us and gave us blessing. After that, we went to Steaky House for sumptuous meal.

Beautiful night

Actually, there was nothing fancy with our dinner. Simple, private and nothing more... but I like it. We have time for each other and we enjoy each other's company even after 11 years of married life.

As for the gift, she was of course, super surprised. She loved her new smartphone.

We are ashamed!

Few hours ago my friend Danila, who is working in Hong Kong as a flight stewardess, confided that they were verbally abused some rowdy Hong Kongers. Having just arrived from a long haul trip from the US, she was surprised and didn't have any idea what was going on, so she ignored the men. Only when she reached her apartment and started listening to the radio did she realized what the guys were talking about. And she felt ashamed about it. Who wouldn't be? I am ashamed too.

In the Internet, rounds and rounds of nasty expletive were being exchange among our fellow Pinoys on whom to blame on the other day's bloodbath in Quirino Grandstand where 7 Hong Kongers died in a hostage drama. I am sad that most of us don't have the proper perspective and didn't comprehend the impact of the situation. Some were outright off with they remarks such as blaming the former president Gloria Macapagal Aroyo as the reason for this mistake; they asserted if GMA was not corrupt, then the policemen may have better equipment and training. There were very few who were level headed, they kept their comment pending investigation of the case.

Before hanging the phone, I told my good friend to keep her calm and avoid areas where Pinoys commonly gather. Gee.. I hope she's fine.