sometimes, not often enough

-- i take some powdered milk and mix it with sugar in a shallow bowl--
then with a spoon i eat it inside the tv room--
and i play an old favorite from our movie collection--

-- i feel bad when i go to bed without being kissed goodnight
by nika, gela or mike--
then i remember we can kiss on the morrow--

-- i amazingly get friendly with all my contacts in facebook who were randomly befriended because of the online games i play--
these funny smart witty people from all over the world i haven't met-- yet--

-- i dance in our bedroom in the only way i can--
knowing that no one is watching--

-- i wonder at the tapestry of love that connected everyone together and brought me here today--
nicolasa and hilario sr. who had hilario jr.--
lucio and irenea who had presentacion--
then hilario jr. and presentacion had me--
i was born because of that loving thread and i am happy to stretch it out some more--
joining mike's own and both of us weaving our new masterpiece--

-- we reflect upon the good things--
and those thoughts always center around those we love--
and i think about those people who mean so much to me--
and for so many years have made me so very happy--
and i count the times i have forgotten to say thank you--
and just how much i love them--

once upon this birthday

Photo of this photographer courtesy of Mike Mendoza

writing off the year

regrets of the past three hundred sixty-five days

make way to resolutions for the coming year

start the clock

put on the show

a few breakthroughs

captured in paper

Photo courtesy of Mike Mendoza

in no less degree

I've seen women handle themselves in various ways.

Some clutch on the trendiest bags and maintain a regular schedule with their dermatologist and hair stylist. Some look at the soft glowing advertisement on the glossy magazine - ready to buy that pack of cigarette which will bring any woman to that fancy place she deserves. Some leave the one they love and choose to be with the one who will take care of them. Some survive through the day with smiles and face their nightmares alone at dawn. Some knit.

I don't know what I'd do if I ran for Vice President, have the whole world pick on my family and wardrobe, and then actually not put me in that office at all.

I don't know what I'd do if all my nightmares came true.

I do not know how to knit.

Photo by This Girl

mutually exclusive at most

When I was still working for a government agency, I was going around the region and seeing all these wonderful places. I've been into these long drives. And since the journey is as important as the destination, I remember my favorite game on the road.

A simple question. Can be silly even. You choose one over the other. Simple as that. Or you can delve deeper into the answer, understand the reasons why that choice was made.

A good conversation starter. And the list can go on.

Run or fight?
Hot or cold?
Red Porsche or black stallion?
Up or down?

Baby pink or dark pink?
Half-full or half-empty?
Curse or praise?
Slow motion or fast forward?

Give or take?
Keep or discard?
Scream or whimper?
Chocolate or vanilla?

Love now or love forever?
Demand or enjoin?
Barbie or Bratz?
Wait or leave?

Photo by This Girl

a year-end message

I used to play a little badminton. How little is not on terms of how often, but rather on how improved I became after three years of being at it. But the fast pace of the game and the skill and concentration required has piqued my curiosity and I became a fan. Add to that the wonderful company and the funny bets we made to provoke each other to playing well. It was exciting and inspiring.

Just like on the floors of Shuttle Square, Oro Chamber is a court where every day is a new and different day. We would sit there in the office with sometimes a leak on the roof, but incessantly, we planned and drummed up activities and services and ideas to better serve you, the members, and the whole business community. You see, the demands and expectations have risen up two notches for the Oro Chamber. But no matter, we are excited and inspired.

I found out that Chamber work is a consuming job. It requires your full attention, creativity, etiquette, protocol, control, people skills, technical knowledge – just everything you got in your bag of tricks. My kind of court.

As a year ends, I check out my score card and I hope that whatever the tally is, I shall have given my best to the various phone calls, trainings, inquiries, meetings, handshakes, conventions, vouchers, introductions, position papers, text messages, resolutions, accounting entries and emails that came my way.

Some people close the year with trepidation, some with regrets for what might have been done and accomplished. The year 2006 smiled for the Oro Chamber. Together we have set each point in the score card and we have seen what things we can do as partners.

I wish I can have time for badminton again. I do not know why, maybe because I have started to see what I can do. So stay excited and stay inspired. This is as much a wish for you as it is for me – when we close the year, and open another.