Learning Experience

Everyone makes mistakes... But what if your first mistake left you with no opportunity to prove that you learned something?

This, could probably be one of the saddest reality one may have to face. We say that mistakes are part of life. It's ok to fall every once in a while. What matters most is not how many times you failed on different occassions but what matters most is how you carry yourself after every fall. We have to make it to ourself that we don't just get up but rather we get up with the realization and the lesson in our mind to make sure that next time we'd be on that roll again we'd know what road to take to ensure success.

Incident Report

April 5, 2006 (Wednesday) around 5:30pm along the busy streets near the ANgeles Public Market after buying some coconut for my baby we got caught up with a surprise - CHECK POINT!

My heart kept punding when I saw the policeman in uniform waving his hand telling us to park on the side. I had no choice but to comply, I had to pull over. Before doing so, I asked my baby if she had her Driver's license with her. Fortunately, she does. So, feeling a little confident I went down the scooter and asked the policeman politely what is the problem he said it's just their routinary check point. He immediately asked for my license and for the papers of the scooter. None of these documents I carry at that time.

Yes, indeed I don't have a driver's license. My student license have already expired back March 2006. I had to ask my baby to show hers instead. The policeman looked at it read back her name...and again asked for the papers. I said, "I don't ahve it here if you want I can go home and bring it back here." The policeman said, "if that's the case I have to pound your scooter."

Then the story begins, baby had to do her drastic move. She took off her jacket and said as sweet as she could, "Iiwan mo ko dito? O, sige." I guess this made the policeman think twice then he whispered, "Sige, alis na kayo bilis - mukha naman kayong decente."

For one, we got through it without spending a single cent. And what's far more better is, the charm of my baby worked. How and why? I really don't know all I know it WORKED.

Ups and Downs

Just woke up from a very wonderful dream. I dreamt of her - ain't that a perfect start for my first day as an official supervisor?

There are a lot of things going on these past months. I must admit that some are things that I wouldn't really wanna face but there are also a lot of things that came in my way and really made a diference.

October 2005 - I've finally had the guts to seek for the closure of a relationship I've kept for about 4 years with someone i thought would really be the last I'd be with. It was such a wonderful experience to love and be loved by her but I guess it's really not meant to be.

November 2005 - For more than 5 years of not seeing and not talking; one day for no reason at all Karen came into my mind and I thought of asking my niece,monnette who happens to be the bestfriend of Karen's sister, Julie to get Karen's number fo me. At the end of that same month I finally thought of a reason to ask her to see me - I asked her help to do some accounting books (which she didn't buy). Gosh! To my surprise...the girl I once was hiding and running from have grew to be one of the finest W - O - M - A - N I know.

December 2005 - We have been talking and going out a lot. I guess it's fate! I was so happy to find her back in my life even though I really felt the hesitancy in her. I can understand why she feels like that towards me. Nevertheless, things went on to be wonderful having her back. However, while things are going perfect for my love life I am having some problems that I know would in one way or the other affect me a lot. My bro got into a trouble that caused a domino effect - my financial and emotional state was in rumble with my heart.

January 2006 - This would be a very memorable month and year (Especially the 3rd) I formally let it all out. I found ways to tell her and make her feel how I really feel about her. And in return, she have also (like she always do)welcomed me in her heart. Nothing really formal is going on but I won't ask for more. Having her this way is far alot better than anything else in this world. However, on this same month I had received a very troubling news THE PET PANTRY Philippines have closed. Assets were turned over to Bambi Corporation. I haven't let the whole family know about this so I'd probably be facing more of this in the future.

February 2006 - The effect of the January news is very much felt now... but I know i'll get over it. I really am surprised myself because I 've never been this positive. I know myself - I am so pessimistic! But for some reason I know I'd get over this. Mid this month, I also received a call that I thought would be our end but thank God Karen was tough enough to give me strength to hang on. With the strength she showed, I know I can't just let go of such a wonderful woman.

March 2006 - Finances still low but getting over with things still. God has been so nice to be that When I get to see the dead end He turns the light on to the right path and W - A - L - A! Here I am again back on my feet. This month, we're having a couple of frequent arguements that turns to petty misunderstandings. Small things that gives way for us to know each other better. No second thoughts whatsoever, it'ss till her that I wanna be with.

April 2006 - This month is still young so can't speak much about it that much but I can say that the start is wonderful because I still have the most important woman in my life (aside from my mom and DIXIE..he he), KAREN.

Stress Level

33-48: Strain

You're probably feeling overwhelmed or drained, and may be
having some difficulties actually doing your work. Many people,
once they reach this level of stress, fall into denial, feel
helpless and begin to blame themselves. Try to stop believing
self-criticisms like, "I'm stuck here and I can't do anything
about it" or "If I did a better job, was smarter or more
competent, I wouldn't be so stressed." Do small things to take
control of your work life. Say "no" to a project you don't have
time for, or ask to do something that's more interesting to you.
Leave work on time every day for a week, or leave the office for
lunch for a whole hour. If you can't do those things, at least
take a brisk walk or turn off your phone for a while. Chart of stress symptoms:
Work-related stress has a way of creeping into our lives,
sometimes without our even realizing it. Some of the symptoms
are minor, while others are more serious and even hazardous to
your health.

You may be stressed out if you...

Have a hard time making decisions
Have trouble meeting important deadlines
Experience feelings of fatigue or sleepiness, even with enough
sleep
Have low self-esteem
Feel that there just aren't enough hours in the day to get the
job done
Tend to criticize and be argumentative
Experience moodiness or depression
Are forgetful
Get the constant feeling that something is wrong or missing
Have a change in appetite so that you eat more or less than
usual
Find yourself smoking, drinking or using drugs to cope with your
job
Experience rapid or irregular heartbeats or heart pounding
Experience rapid breathing or hyperventilation
Get muscle aches, headaches or migraines
Have high blood pressure
Break out in skin rashes

Ten easy ways to address stress...

Take deep breaths.
Take a walk, escape from your environment
Say no to what you don't have time for or what isn't interesting
Leave work early (or at least on time)
Relax your demands on yourself a bit ‚ most of us expect to much
Let yourself ask questions and communicate with co-workers
Do unpleasant tasks in the morning to get them over with.
Simplify things whenever possible. Look at large, overwhelming
projects as a series of steps you complete one at a time.
Let yourself laugh, especially when you feel grumpiest.
Live in the present--don't spend time worrying about how much
better things were in the past or what might happen in the
future. Most people who are able to manage stress have perfected
the art of living in the now.

Information for the Stress-o-meter was provided by Teri Winfield
Hicks, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner specializing in
biofeedback and stress counseling at Northwest Stress Management
in Seattle.

Take the test and know for yourself:

http://www.weblab.org/workingstiff/stressometer/index.html