Maktub by Paulo Coelho

Here is an excerpt that I enjoy reading and rereading. The book is in French, so I translated the excerpt, I hope it gets closer to the English version of Maktub. In his books, Paulo Coelho is full of truth. Maktub is not a story with a beginning and an end. It is a series of experiences and encounters that lead to reflection, meditation and the quest for self.

Zen monks, when they want to meditate, sit before a rock: “Now I’ll wait until it grows a little rock”, they think.

The master said:

“Everything around us is constantly changing. Every day, the Sun illuminates a new world. What we call routine is full of new opportunities, but we do not see that every day is different from before.

Today, somewhere, a treasure awaits.

It may be a little smile, it can be a great achievement, whatever. Life is full of large and small miracles. Nothing is boring, because everything is constantly changing.

The trouble is not in the world, but in how we view the world.”

- Maktub by Paulo Coelho

First Week of Work

Can't believe that my first week of work is done. So far, so good. Nothing really significant had happened except our trip in Glan. My second tour of duty. I used the term tour of duty for the fact that with the nature of our work, it's like touring the different municipalities but with the twist of visiting their respective public markets and monitor the different prices of certain products. Next week, we'll be in Malapatan and Malungon. I hope we won't have any problems especially when it comes to some apprehensive store owners who think we'll arrest them if we found out they violate something. Fortunately, we don't have that police power (yes! it's a term I learned on our Phil. Administration System's first meeting). We don't have the authority to arrest or apprehend bogus stalls. If ever we have that power, we would definitely have a hard time enforcing and I'm pretty sure we're gonna offend a lot of store owners and they will develop ill feelings towards us that might lead to something more dangerous and serious. I love it when we're on the field, monitoring prices because I got to visit places and learn more about the different neighboring municipalities. But I'm still adjusting when it comes to attending classes after work. As much as I want to rest after work, I can't afford too since I've got to attend my classes. Nevertheless, I'm optimistic that I'm gonna adapt quickly to the present schedule. 

Next week will be my second week. Hope it will be much better than the first week. =)

"If I Die Young"

If there's one song I want to play on my funeral, it would be this song. It may sounds a bit morbid for me to write this but one thing I learn is that life is unpredictable and only God knows what would happen to us later, tomorrow, in the future. So if one would ask about my funeral song, it would be "If I Die Young". If by chance you come to my funeral, please play this song. =)

Without these two gals..

...my life would definitely suck and be so boring. I'm so blessed I have these two beautiful, amazing, crazy, adventurous, funny, intelligent girls. 

Gipangkapoi after the ultimate laag =)

The Day I got HIRED!

Today, I just got hired. Yes, I got HIRED. I can't even believe it. I'm having this mindset of just applying for the sake of the valuable experience I would gain and just try my luck if I would be hired. I wasn't expecting that much since I thought that pressuring myself would only lead me to failure. I know it's just a six-week work but I would have that opportunity to travel around the Sarangani Province and to encounter face-to-face interaction with the people. I wasn't pressured that much this morning while I'm waiting for the interviewer but there's quite  a few times that I could also hear my heart pounding like a drum. Nevertheless, the interview turned out fine. I got to wait for a few hours if I did qualify or not. Luckily, I got it. When I received the text message from the DTI, I was like this is

:  
 but in the inside, I'm like this:  
 and this
:
and this:
 
and this:
 


YEAH! Thank you Lord for this amazing opportunity..I am nothing without you. I always believe your will be done. I have nothing to worry if I have you =)

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

-Max Ehrmann, Desiderata. 1927

A rainy Independence Day..

Glee: "It was the best times of our lives"

I was speechless when I watched this. I had goosebumps as I read the lines in the screen. WOW. Right now, I'm still gathering up my thoughts. I can't really express how amazing this video is. I still can't believe that three years had gone and most of the characters that I love so much were already graduated. I love their song versions, I even have so many LSS moments from it. Glee is really AMAZING. The last three years may be a roller coaster ride but it was the best time of their lives. I will be a certified Gleek forever..