The Right Hand Rule

                 It was another day at the site. As a designer of buildings, I am tasked to talk to clients regarding their taste for a certain design. This has something to do with their culture. Today I meet with a client, a Saudi national who is also a friend of my boss. After a long walk of discussions regarding the changes within his house, we have gathered for some coffee break in a small space within the unfinished building.Two mats were laid while dates fruit and Arabic coffee is served. I've heard our client saying "tfadel" inviting me to dig in. So like them, I also crossed my legs as I sat on the carpet. I was in front of him and beside me is my boss who is also a Saudi national. After I sat, the client looked at me and was surprised I was able to sit with legs crossed. I told him it's normal. Then he told me that it was not ordinary for non Arabs to sit that way. But I've known for a long time that the Oriental culture were used to this. While drinking coffee, they had a few conversation with my boss to which I do not belong because they were conversing in Arabic. This is a typical situation for me to watch them talk without understanding. It's like watching a non-English movie without subtitles. After I finished my cup, the client noticed it and offer me another. So he asked me to hand me my cup and so I did. Although he was in front of me, he was slightly on the far left so I decided to give him my cup using my left hand. Then my boss beside me somewhat reacted that I should have used my right hand instead. Then I offered my apologies. I really don't know it was a part of their culture to use the right hand as a sign of respect. I thought it won't matter if i use my left hand. My right hand was holding seeds of dates and I thought it's more practical to use my left hand to hand him the cup since it can reach his hand conveniently. I learned something today about their gesture and culture and from now on I will always keep that in mind.

A Genie in Maroon

Today is the Feast of the Black Nazarene. It is a special event for most Filipinos especially for devotees to participate in a procession of the statue of Jesus Christ in Quiapo,Manila every 9th of January. Devotees are walking barefoot, wearing maroon shirt and aiming to hold the rope that pulls the carriage of the statue. Most of them are doing this as part of their "Panata" or a sworn tradition of doing something in exchange of a wish granted or something good to happen. Example is good health,surviving an accident or cancer and the like. For others do it to show their strong religious belief. The said event has been a great part of the Filipino tradition and culture. But as of me, I don't have anything against that. I can't question the logic of faith and religion. But my suggestion is this, why not take hard work, pray to God with all your heart, and accept all things as it happens and be a good man everyday of the year instead of following a black statue in a procession in order for a wish to be granted. I bet most people will disagree because the former takes a lot of time,work and effort and the latter will take only one day. One day that a genie can make a wish come true.

Welcome 2013!

2012 has been a great year for me and I am so thankful for all the good things that happened. After all the hard times that I've been through I eventually survived them all. I finally get to go back home after two years of working abroad, I passed my architect licensure exam with flying colors (I ranked top 8), I celebrated Christmas and New Year with my family again. I feel so blessed. Last year I learned that good things happen if you really work hard and pray. You have to take risks, believe, and patiently wait for the right time. I also learned the playful dimension of destiny. That thing that you can not control, you can not ask and you can not expect, but if it is for you it will eventually come to your life whether you like it or not. Faith is its prerequisite.

For this year, I could not expect much. The least I could do it to be hopeful and thankful that I keep on surviving. To the One above "thank you for another year!". Another set of blank pages to fill up. Another Goodspeed to continue.

Digital Camera With A Phone

Yesterday I finally got myself a Nokia N8. Though I had some arguments with the salesman who gave me the wrong N8 to convince me to buy the unit. I really thought I already did a comprehensive review about the Nokia N8 but I was really surprised that there are 8 GB units sold in the market nowadays that are also dual band only (meaning you can't use it outside the country). That's the reason I was caught in the middle when I already agreed on the discounted price, thinking it was the 16 GB unit Then after the unit is already in my hands, he told me that it was dual band. I was really surprised and clueless to hear that, then i returned the unit to him and ask him to give me the original Nokia n8 i was looking for. Maybe that's why they are selling it for cheaper.

Anyways after reading a lot of reviews, I finally got a new phone. I love Nokia. The original mobile phone before the Android and iPhone era. It maybe outdated compared to a lot of smartphones nowadays but there are reason why i chose this amazing phone.

First of all, I already have a Samsung Galaxy SL and the reason why i got myself a nokia n8 is because of the camera. I need a decent camera that I can also use for phone calls. Yes, I already had the Samsung and it has a camera but not quite as good as the N8. And the Samsung Galaxy doesn't have a dedicated camera button for stable picture taking and no flash. I am using it for internet browsing on 3g. The data sim available here unfortunately can;t make phone calls making it necessary for me to get another phone that's why i decided to get another. I have read a lot of reviews about smartphones and camera phones. So far the Nokia N8 still stand out as the best camera phone. I am really impressed with the quality of the pictures it takes. I can say it can replace a really good point and shoot camera.

The good points of Nokia N8

-Superior Camera even in low lights.

-Good battery life.

-Simple and elegant and solid design

-Simple and easy to use.

-Music player is excellent

-Expandable memory

-HDMI availability

-moutability of external usb drives

The not so good

-Poor internet browser

-No syncing. There is but not like the android and iphone which automatically syncs photos,videos and other files to a cloud.

-No viable applications

Gestures and Greetings of the Arabs

In the arab culture, gestures and greetings are important part of social life. It is a norm for every man to acknowledge the presence of every person within your space. Unlike in the Philippines or most western culture that i know where a simple nod is enough as a greeting, it is necessary to say "Assalamalaikum" or give a hand shake even in informal situations. They never runout of standard phrases to sayeverytime they meet a person even let say they have met the person a while ago.

Here are some of the important phrases and gestures that they say and do:

Assalamalaikum- the english translation of this is "peace e upon you". Although this is a Muslim greeting, this phrase is embedded in the Arab culture. It is commonly said to a person you just see or an introduction in every phone call.

Kef halek- this means how are you. A standard phrase after assalamalaikum. But i've noticed that they just don't consider the person they're talking with but also they ask how's everyone in the family,friends etc.

Jazak allah kheir- translated as "may God reward you" in english. A phrase commonly say after a thank you or "shukran". This may also mean thank you but saying after thank you emphasizes the meaning.

Yatik al affiyah- "may God give you strength". I often hear this during as a closing remark like saying goodbye or even just seeing a person.

Putting a hand in the chest- this is a commond gesture which means that it is a pleasure meeting a person after a greeting.

Kissing in the cheek- i find it very awkward the first time i saw a man kissing another man in the cheek. It is one of the few things i've noticed when i arrived in Saudi Arabia the first time. It is common norm throughout the arab world to kiss a friend or a family in thr cheek. However this is only true for the same sex. A man kissing a woman who is not a close relative is hardly acceptable. I also noticed that there is a standard way of performing this (i've secretly studied the technique everyitme a situation.

Pilipino Ako! Pero.

Masarap maging Pinoy. Maabilidad, matalino, masigasig, matiyaga at masipag. Pero sa kabila nito. May mga bagay na dapat siguro na isantabi na natin. Mga bagay na humahadlang sa atin para marating talaga ang tunay na ibig sabihin ng Galing ng Pilipino.

Sadya kong isinulat ang post na ito sa salitang tanging Pinoy lang ang makakaintindi. Para lubos nating maunawaan ang ating mga kakulangan. Kumbaga "Usapang Pamilya lang." Ang layunin ko ay para harapin ang katotohanan na meron talaga tayong problema sa ating kinagisnan at marahil sa ating kultura na dapat na natin iwanan o di kaya kalimutan na lang. Katulad ng mga sumusunod.

Pakikisama. Sa papaanong paraan nga ba ang tamang pakikisama? Pakikisama para saan? Sama sama sa pag unlad? Sama sama din ba tayong maghihirap? Ang Pinoy likas na matulungin. Pero minsan sa ang pagtulong natin sa kapwa, may hinahanap na kapalit. Kahit sa maling paraan. Halimbawa may humingi ng pabor sa isang tao, madalas may inaasahan tayong kapalit sa pagtulong na kahit sa maling paraan o panahon ay hihingin natin ito sa taong tinulungan dahil sa konsepto ng "Utang na loob" na kapag tumanggi ka na tumulong, sasabihin sa'yo wala kang pakisama. Kahit na ang hinihingi sayong pabor kapalit ng tulong ay ang paggawa ng maling bagay. Madalas ito sa pulitika. Kaya nga marami tayong nahahalal na pinuno kahit hindi naman sapat ang abilidad para mamuno. Kasi nahalal lang dahil sa pakikisama.

Malapit sa Pamilya. Hindi ko naman sinasabing masama ito. Pero may ilang mga bagay na naglalagay sa atin sa kapahamakan dahil na rin sa Pamilya. Mga taong ikinukubli o di kaya'y kinukunsinti ang maling gawain ng kapamilya kasi pamilya nga eh. Dapat ipagtanggol. Pero ipagtanggol sa maling paraan. Kaya nga sa Pilipinas maraming political dynasty. Kasi kinunsinti din natin na magkaroon ng mga ganito. Hinayaan natin na may maluklok sa posisyon kahit hindi naman para sa bayan ang interes.

Talangka. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sa atin pa napunta ang ganitong kaisipan. Maiuugnay din natin ito sa pakikisama. Sa isang banda naisip ko kaya siguro natin hinahatak ang isang taong umaangat kasi gusto natin pantay pantay tayo. Walang lamangan. Kung saan yung isa, doon dapat lahat. Inggit. Maling pakikisama.

Regionalism. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang tamang salita sa Tagalog dito. Pero naitatanong ko rin to palagi sa isip ko. Bakit sa Pinas magawi ka lang sa norte iba na ang salita. Bakit ang tao kapag tinawag na bisaya (aminin natin ang realidad) baduy o di kaya katulong. Si Inday o si Dodong. Siguro dala na rin ng pagkakalayo layo ng mga isla sa Pinas kung bakit hindi tayo magkasundu-sundo. Kung bakit iba iba tayo ng paniniwala. Dito rin lumalabas ang pagiging racist natin. Ang Pinoy kapag nakakarinig ng biro galing sa ibang bansa umaangal agad. Pero bakit tayo may mga tawag din tayo sa ibang lahi. Halimbawa na lang sa mga Indians ang tawag natin bumbay na nagpa 5-6 at nagbebenta ng payong at kumot.

"Bakit kapag nagsalita ka ng ingles sasabihin sayo sosyal o trying hard o di kaya call center agent?" Samantalang natural naman sa Pinoy ang magsalita ng English. Tayo nga lang yata ang may ganitong salita sa asya. Dito tayo angat kaya hindi dapat iniisip ang mali sa pagsasalita ng ingles.

Sa bandang huli Pilipino pa rin tayo. Palagi nating sinasabi "Proud to be Pinoy". Ayaw nating na mababa ang tingin sa atin ng ibang tao. Pero naitanong ba natin sa mga sarili natin kung nararapat ba talaga tayong ipagmalaki ang sarili natin? Masayang maging Pinoy pero masmainam kung maitatakwil na natin yung mga ganitong kaisipan na humahatak sa atin pababa. Parang talangka...

What a life?

Days really fly so fast. I will be celebrating my birthdays after two weeks and I'm not getting any younger at twenty five. So what's in an age? It has been always a mind boggling topic for me to come and think about how people age and how it materializes into steps in life where you find your fate unpredictable. I always look up to something whenever i get older. I start to realize the things that I have, the things I've made, and my plans for the future. Suddenly, I am a bit scared with a feeling of being challenged on how I grasp life.

I am young. And this has been a fact for so many years that I try so hard to avoid thinking about how my life would be ten or twenty years from now. However, it is really an obsession of my mind to analyze the life of other people and reflect myself through it. Whenever I meet or hear a story about a person, I begin to seek interesting details about life. The bachelor years, career, marriage, family, children, etc. And all of these things I delineate in my mind a timeframe of a person's life. In order for me to analyze in a more tangible way.

Most of the people I look after to are the professionals or I'd rather say career-oriented people. Because it seems to be a realistic manifestation of a good life (in my opinion). However I also see life of common people. Based on what I saw, most people who chose to concentrate on their career had much chances of getting a stable life. Since most of them tend not to get married right away. A life being single. Where most of the chances are visible without any hesitation. A life with no strings attached where you have enough time and freedom to take the best opportunities. More time being you and building yourself for the better until you finally giving up all these for the family. This is one way of how I visualize life into a perspective. But nevertheless, you can't really perfect life nor predict what will happen afterwards.

The Down Syndrome

I really don't know what I am feeling right now. I'm always attacked by the feeling of insecurity and there's no way i can find to cure it. It's more like a cardiac arrest and maybe writing this may help to outburst the pain I am experiencing.

It was a good start today at work. Just got a fairly good cheer from my co-workers. But end up really unwell because of unpredicted situation i wasn't able to handle. I am the project manager of a construction site and I find it really challenging for my career to have an opportunity like this. Considering I am still in the inception of the industry. It is a small project though I am in charge of everything from planning and design up to the supervision and quality inspection. Beside me handling this project is Kudur, a Syrian sidekick working for my Arab boss for almost twelve years and Shaheen, a Pakistani working as a freelance electrician for almost ten years. It was a "Good Group" as my boss said and indeed it was. And to come and think about it, I am really proud that though being a newbie, I was given a good break for the start seeing the importance of my position regardless of the few experience I've had.

We had a good deal and a smooth sailing workflow. However, I am quite reluctant and skeptical about the stability and my situation being the head of the Project team. Maybe because of the inferiority complex that suddenly kills me. It starts when my boss seeks for the report of Kudur regarding the project situation. Since Kudur has worked for my boss for a long time, he has already gained the trust of my boss to all the business transactions including some personal errands of my boss, Kudur is always there. Most of the time I felt like i was "left behind". Perhaps because I am young, or maybe I don't know arabic which is practically the language used since most of the people here don't speak and understand English.

Can't really do anything to stop this anxiety at the moment. I hope it will just be frozen in oblivion.

Homesick

Unti-unti ko nang nami miss ang Pilipinas. Bakit ba ang hirap mong makalimutan. Bakit ba palagi kitang naiisip. Namimiss ko na ang patagaktak ng pawis ko sa init ng trapik sa EDSA. Ang fishball at kikyam kaya 50 cents pa rin? Gusto ko nang makipag inuman sa kanto kasama ang mga sunog bagang mga tambay.
Ang taho, balot, penoy, betamax, isaw at tokneneng. Ang magulong palengke. Ang ulan at baha. Ang makukulit kong kapatid na madalas kong kabangayan. Ang mga kakulitan kong mga pinsan. Mga kamag anak namin na hindi ko naman masyado kilala pero oras na makita ako magtatanong ng "Kanino ka bang anak?" Ang maingay na jeep at ang matagtag na tricycle. Ang simbahan sa bayan na madalas tagpuan. Ang barkada na akala mo noon lang nagkita kita kapag magkakasama. Ang aso ko. Ang maliit kong kwarto na tanaw ang sikat ng araw tuwing umaga. Ang mga magulang ko na paborito akong sawayin. Malamang malungkot sila ngayon. Wala kasing nang aasar sa kanila. Minsan prang gustong tumulo ng luha ko. Pero h'wag. Maslalo lang akong malulungkot. Ang hirap pala mag-isa. Napapaisip tuloy ako minsan. Mga ganitong oras nagluluto na siguro si Nanay ng agahan. Siguro naglalaro nanaman ng basketball sa labas ang mga pinsan kong makukulit. Nagsimba siguro sila nung linggo. Madalas siguro kong hinahanap ng tropa. Hindi ko na alam kung pano itutuloy. Kasi masmalulungkot lang ako kapag inalala ko pa ang lahat ng masasaya. Lalo na ang Pasko, bagong taon, birthday at lahat ng okasyon na alam mong ikatutuwa mo kapag nandoon ka. Pero pass muna. Bakante ang upuan ko ngayon sa Pinas. Pag-uwi ko magkikita kita ulit tayo.

The Joy from Happiness

Jim Carrey once said "I wish everyone could experience being rich and famous, so they'd see it wasn't the answer to anything".... I think he was right. There are lot of things here on earth that we take for granted. Thinking that there is something missing in our lives. We keep on finding what we don't have. And finding that "missing thing" doesn't really suffice our needs. Doesn't really make us happy...or joyful i must say.

Joy is different. It is something beyond what happiness is. A lasting feeling of satisfaction. More sincere and unconditional. Doesn't require much to get. Perhaps you have to do is to appreciate more than criticism. As the saying goes "All of the best things in life are free." The air, sunshine, rain...everything that is already there but we often take for granted. The morning sky, a greeting from a friend, an empty parking slot, a message of sweet nothings, a "thank you". We didn't buy them, yet somehow it makes us feel better. We feel blessed for we are appreciated.

Thank you Lord.

Unsolicited Suggestions of The World

The world has evolved completely from the ancient civilization to the modern day era brought about most of the technology. The sudden innovation of technology really is the prime suspect of all the advancement in the lifestyle of a man. As time goes by, man embraces a new trend of living and this situation is always the starting point of change of human "needs" towards the "wants".

Food, shelter, clothing and others are our basic needs to sustain everyday life. What comes beyond these are the wants. The wants that leads to craving that the world suggests you want them. To start with, the internet. We have lived so many years ago without the internet, without the facebook, without even knowing what has happened to our friends seconds ago. We still breathe air without giving a single tweet or even writing an article on a blog like this. But why do we patronize such unsolicited suggestions? Because we are already a part of a vast change. And living without it means inexistence. The reasonable part of it is that it is profitable. With these constant communication, we try to sell something new that is marketable. Like mobile phones with cameras that suggest you to take pictures of anything and everything you want wherever you are. Phones we used for talking that are now we called android because we can do almost everything on it. Write a blog, watch movies, video chat, play games and so on and so forth.

Come and think about it. Do you really have to watch an HD movie while riding on a train? Do you really have to tell everyone what you are doing right now? what will be your dinner or who's with you at the moment? Is it really important that you assume you have an audience for this blog? Will i die if i didn't watch the latest post on youtube? Let's think again.

According to Maslow, the top of all human needs is self actualization. A stage in which what a man can be, he must be. A life fulfilled without the inferiority. Satisfaction without being what the world suggest you should be.

Basically in the sophistication of life nowadays, it is really hard to obtain self-actualization. For there are lots of things that we think we need. And that part of the culture that tells you what you lack and what you should do. But the real question that we forgot to ask ourselves is "what do we already have?"

NAIA

Who can tell? That i will become an OFW someday. It was two years then since I started writing this blog and most of my posts deal about the life of Filipinos working and living abroad. It was more of a drawing. A question of how would it be like to be an OFW. But what the real thing is for me to reveal now that I am one of them.

It was August 15 of this year when I left the country for the opporunity that called me. An opportunity that I cannot resist. Because chances don't come everyday.

It was my first time to work, live and travel out of the country and this maybe one of the most life changing experiences I have encountered. Mixed emotions, Significant places and important persons that i have been redefined to me as i brace myself for an adventure I am yet to discover.

NAIA. I already knew the meaning of this airport before but it was more of an International airport. I realized that it was a hub of dreams. A terminal filled with scenes that tell you more of a story by just staring people from afar. Some are bread winners, good fathers, loving mothers, expatriates, a happy family, a good son and daughter and many more.

Bottomline is that I am now one of those thousands and thousands of Filipino leaving the life in the Philippines for better opportunities abroad. For family, for self, for career, for the country. Perhaps I can already prove how it feels like to be an OFW. The people who we call "Mga Bagong Bayani."

Owepdabalyu

Dear Ma,

Kumusta na kayo diyan sa America? Malamig na daw ngayon diyan. Ang bilis ng panahon noh,parang kailan lang nung umalis kayo dahil wala akong pang tuition sa kolehiyo. Siya nga pala natanggap ko na yung pinadala niyo. Ang gaganda ng mga damit, yung para kay tatay ibibigay ko na lang sa kanya pag nagpunta siya rito sa bahay. Bihira na kasi siya umuwi simula nung tuluyan na silang magsama nung gerlpren niya. Yung pera na pinadala niyo,si lola ang naghahawak. Baka daw kasi ipang inom na naman ng mga barkada ni ate. Mag eenrol pa naman si jun jun sa susunod na sem. Ako nay, next year na lang siguro ko mag-aaral. Malapit na kasi manganak si jane. Magiging tatay na ko at lola na kayo. Saka ko na lang iisipin yung plano natin na maging nurse ako.Marami pa naman sigurong panahon. Sana dito na lang kayo. Namimiss na siguro kayo nina ate at jun jun. Hanggang dito na lang nay at baka umiyak pa kayo. Ingat po kayo diyan

love,

Andrew

Wake Me Up When September Ends

Yesterday September 30...It was payday and I want a new pair of shoes. On my way going to mall I was stock into traffic. Staring at the window of the bus, a young guy caught my attention. He was looking at the tall buildings of the city from the sidewalk. I knew that I saw him before. Then I remembered. He was a cashier in a nearby convenience store where we use to buy food when I was assigned on a jobsite before. He reminds me of my younger brother. A poor boy with small built similar to a high school student who’s bullied by anyone in the class. My brother works as a kitchen crew on a hotel. His job wasn’t that easy for what I see, he’s waking very early to go to work because his workplace is far away from home and comes home very late that we can’t even talk because when I come home, he’s either asleep, leaving or on at work. The worst is that his earnings merely suffice his transportation expense. He often had empty pockets. I wish I can find a better job for him.
In the mall, I checked my salary on the ATM. On the screen, I was reluctant of the amount deposited on my account. I think I wasn’t paid enough but then I still withdrawn cash, the mall will be closing soon. I’ve seen all the shoes from different boutiques for me to have a good comparison, and then I picked the best for me. On a shoe stall, a group of saleslady was talking about their earnings for the week. One Saleslady was so glad she had earned that much. Then I remembered the money I withdrawn. It was bigger than her salary. I was humiliated by her happiness. I keep on asking for something else while others treasure with a little.
I was ashamed of my attitude. I forgot simple things that I need to understand. I kept on looking for something new just to fulfill my happiness not realizing that the only thing I need is just a simple appreciation of the things that I already have. I’m lucky enough. My salary wasn’t that big but I can afford the things that I want. I have a job. I have a home. We’re not affected by the calamity caused by the storm. There are so many reasons to be thankful for. I don’t really need a new pair of shoes. I still have more than enough on my rack. Funny how buying a new pair of shoes awakened me somehow.

How to Save a Life?

If someone is falling down the unsteady road, would you try to save a life? Perhaps it will depend if he’s willing to be helped. But if you try to reach out in a way or another, his response shall answer if he needs your help. It’s a matter of choice—to help, be helped, get help. Somebody told me we should help each other for we are one. My delight is also yours, so as my failure. If I see you lose your way and do nothing, the fault will also be mine. For most of the time, I will be your shepherd. For as long as you are willing to be my sheep. I only give instructions to save a life but still it is a choice to get the chance to be saved. This is brotherhood. Life’s a game.

Gold to Dig

What’s the work for? To earn money for living? To buy things you want? To sustain a lifestyle you ever dreamed of? I didn’t get what’s the point of earning money. I feel that there’s a reason beyond the money from the hours spent at the workplace. Perhaps material things you bought are mere rewards for hardships but more than that is the appreciation of little things money just couldn’t provide. Like a good cheer from your boss, an applause from a crowd, the laughter during office hours, a greeting from an old friend you just met. How about a compliment from people who thought you were a loser. For wherever workplace, in cities, roads, office or shop, I know how earning means. Living for others and living for a living.

Taking Back Sunday 2

Here I am again over the desk busy working on stuffs that I should work on a beautiful Sunday where everyone rest. I guess this is my life. No Weekends, no Sundays and definitely no playtime. But I still do enjoy being busy right now. I guess this is how life goes on with me. I still thank Him that he provided such opportunities for me. An architect wouldn’t move without projects that’s why I’m lucky to be here. Sacrifices are to be made if you really want to succeed. It’hard but the price worth it. In life, sometimes you have to leave some to gain some. In the end you’ll find out what you’re really looking for and that’s what I’m glad to find out. At this point, I’m clueless about life. It’s a cycle of what’s going on and what will go on. Tomorrow is a new day. Just be thankful.

Alay Sa Nagkamalay Noong Dekada Nobenta

"Book Launch at Fully Booked - The Fort"

One of my influences in writing is Sir Jay. AKA Batjay. Ang batang kaning-lamig. We've met sometime at the Konyo Bookstore in Taguig. It's been an honor to meet such kind of person. A symbol of a Filipino in Blog history. A creative non-fiction writer that illustrate the strugles and success of most OFW in all corners of the world, from different walks of life. Rendering every word with essences you commonly disregard. Futile facts yet affecting the personality and culture of Filipinos. His unique use of slang words describes his sensitivity. Sarcastic and insulting for most but true and realistic. His style in writing did very well in communicating to the public that made his books taken by storm. As a matter of fact, my copy wasn't still in my hand. Borrowed by a friend cause out of stock in Powerbooks. This is to commemorate a good inspiration. Sir Batjay.

"Bwakanginangyan!!I hate this camera!

Dear Uncle Sam

Masaya bang tumira sa inyo? Balita ko maraming mga kamag-anak naming ang patay na patay makatapak sa lugar niyo. Ginawa ang lahat para lang makakuha ng VISA. Maraming akong kakilala na nagpunta sa inyo na yumaman. May mga properyunal, skilled workers at kung sinu-sino pa. Iniwan nila ang pamilya nila sa bahay para puntahan ka at para na rin sa pamilyang iniwan nila. Kahit na mahusay at bihasa pa sila, ikaw pa rin ang nilapitan. Di nagtatagal, isasama rin nila ang buong pamilya nila sa iyo. Masaya nga bang tumira sa iyo? Sino ka ba talaga sa palagay mo? Ikaw ba ang sagot sa problema ng pangangailangan ko? Matutulungan mo nga ba talaga ako? Parang ang simple lang ng tanong ko pero ang hirap intindihin. Siguro kapag sinulatan mo ako may linaw na ang gumugulo sa isipan ko.

Nagmamahal,
Anak ng OFW

Taking Back Sunday

I’ve been so busy with my work since the day I was employed. This is exhilarating at first and quite annoying in the long run. But the bottom line is you get the money, you pay taxes and you become a productive member of the society. I’ve been counting the days until weekend comes, day after day, the office become more of a home to me that it suddenly become my life. Everyday is a working day. No weekends. No time for other necessities of man. Does this life really becoming productive? I can’t even remember the last time I attended a mass or say a prayer at night. Seriously there’s something wrong. I hope I could take back Sundays. A lunch with the family, watch movie with friends, play basketball with younger cousins. How about reading a good book, play with my dog or sit and watch TV all day. I miss weekend.