A sneak peek of 2009

2009 is Year of the Yin Earth Ox. According to Chinese astrology it has more influence of the Yin which is a bad influence but Feng shui experts say that generally it would be a good year as all of the 5 elements of wood, metal, earth, fire and water are present. Based on the Chinese calendar, first day of the year of the ox is January 26, 2009.

If you want to know more about 2009 and its predictions using Feng Shui please visit: http://www.feng-shui.eu.com/advice/chineseanimalpredictions2009.htm.

The Feng Shui

I am not a devout Fengshui believer but it’s also cool to get a glimpse of what’s in store for me in the new year. Hence, I visited the above website just to check out how those who were born in the Year of the Tiger perform in the Year of the Ox. Well, this is what I discovered. “Overall, it will be very good year for you as compared to last year. There are poor stars shining in your constellation and basically these stars represent poor human relationships and that you have to lessen making decisions based on impulse and career wise, it will be a good year but still be careful as there are people who will try to pull you down”. Hmmmnn, sounds interesting. The most exciting part however, is that it says “that single tiger should not take risks in relationships this year and let your confidence shine through as "peach blossom" for romance is very strong this year”. Whew! Peach blossom? What can you say? I need this! I should take risk (LOL).

I still believe it’s about hard work, perseverance and diligence that will bring us to where we want to be. I am definitely excited for the year 2009. I am looking forward to a brighter year ahead. I am not good at making resolutions but I am a certified born dreamer in all situations possible I dream and when I dream, I dream big – tax free (LOL). I would give you a peek of how my year of the Ox would be like.

1. With regards to the affairs of my heart – As I’ve said I am moving on and look for new one – damn! There are many out there untouched and that’s not synonymous to virgin okay? (LOL). My feng shui says that romance will be very strong this year. I like it (harharhar) and I want to be more Sexually Pre-Occupied (SPO) this year - I promised myself (LOL). So the equation is Love + Sex = Romance – why not? harharhar
2. My placement with VSO is finishing soon by the end of February and I am keeping all my options open. I have been barking hardly to all international organizations for a paid job and hopefully will get one good reply. Another possibility is an extension with VSO in which we are currently negotiating for a new placement.
3. I am going home in March (Godwilling) for a dip in the sea and unwind to gain back my sanity.
4. I am going to apply for housing loan – definitely a substandard low-cost housing and will see if I can afford it (poor joel).
5. I shall start my personal photo-album project if time permits me to do it.
6. Will visit my dentist for my dental apparatus to feel good…
7. My feng shui says, my best protection to ward off negative vibes and cool down the effect of poor stars in my constellation – is a pig…yes a pig so a key holder or a key chain with a pig symbol would be helpful but I also reckon If I am not going to extend my contract here in China then I might as well start my meat business – why not? (LOL).


My Dreams

1. Join United Nations.
2. European Tour.
3. A 2-storey Balinese inspired house complete with amenities – a swimming pool, an entertainment room with home theater, a spacious living room, a butterfly tea garden and a small gym.
4. A BMW - any model will do (LOL)
5. Start a business – a backpackers’ hostel. The name would be “Oikos” or Casa do Mundo…

I told you I dream big and its these dreams that kept me moving and brings me back when I stumble. It feels good to have dreams and direction. Each year is a step closer to these dreams. Watch out (LOL).

Recap (Balik-tan-aw) 2008

Few hours from now and it’s goodbye 2008. Welcome 2009 – Year of the Yin Earth Ox.

As we bid farewell to the year of the rat I thought it would be nice to post some notes of the year that was.

First on the list – the sizzling rat

Nope. I am not talking about a menu offered in the restaurant. I am talking about my uninvited guests in my kitchen. I seldom cook at home but I made it sure I have ample supply of vegetables so that when I need to satiate my palate’s craving – it’s within reach. Am really really surprised to see that rats do eat chilli and veggies. What? Yes it’s weird. Rats now go hot and spicy (LOL). How can they munch on red chilli? Could it be part of global recession? Perhaps.

It’s purely work - nothing personal

It has been professionally and personally challenging year for me. Work-wise, there was an infinite roller-coaster ride of emotions but I thought that was the beauty of the ride in itself – the highs and lows – that which gives you adrenalin rush, that which prompts you to say hey wait…I need to pee. It’s very rich-learning and soul-searching experience I wouldn’t dare trade off with anything.

They say that “when you’re in Rome do what the Romans are doing”. Well I don’t totally agree with this. I don’t have against culture and traditions in fact I have acculturated myself to the point that my translator/National Volunteer asked me or to put it precisely ordered me to stop acting like Chinese. There’s definitely nothing wrong with aspiring for professional competence and excellence. The problem comes in when local work culture and ethics stand in the way to achieve that professional excellence and efficiency. And this year has been a constant struggle to the point of crossing boundaries in which I felt I have offended people in one or the other. It’s purely work and nothing personal “ika nga in pinoy lingo trabaho lang walang personalan”. I have sent my apologies already to people if indeed I have offended them by email, verbal or by my actions. We do have lapses humans as we are. No one is perfect. I want to welcome 2009 fresh and without baggage.

Thank You! Obrigado! Xiexie!

There are many reasons though to be thankful for. I have gotten the chance to travel a lot courtesy of my work – thank you to my sponsors (LOL). It is refreshing to see new places I have not imagined visiting and meeting and making new friends along the way.

I have created my blog this year and really really thankful to those who visited my page. It’s picking up am so glad. My blog is important to me because it relaxes me especially at my lowest ebb. It’s a therapy.

Celebrating Christmas the most meaningful way…

Celebrating Christmas away from home I thought has been very significant and meaningful because I was able to share my time to the People who are Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs) and played with the kids orphaned by AIDS.

I am truly grateful of the opportunity to work with PLWHAs. These are the very people who are facing real life-changing difficulty and are living in the community where stigma and discrimination against them is still high and comes in many forms. The first time I saw them in 2007 when I conducted a consultation and training to set up their support group - I saw souls who were lost, confused, alone and afraid to see the beauty of the imperfect world. People who thought that their future is bleak. People who do not know how to smile anymore.

I am very happy that I was able to bring these people together and set-up their own support group. I thought I would celebrate Christmas alone in the confine of my room. I was wrong. Through the eyes of my friends who are PLWHAs, I felt the real meaning of Christmas. On December 24, I was invited by Women and Children’s Hospital to give a short session on Stigma and Discrimination in the village. I was moved of the sincerity and warmth of their reception when they saw me. It was an indescribable feeling but deep in my heart was that longing of my company. They were all surprised to see me. They thought I was gone. There was an endless expression of joy that I am joining them in their activity until late in the evening. It was not a Christmas party. It was an HIV/AIDS activity but somehow I felt deep inside me that it was God’s way of telling me that this is the true essence of Christmas. The spirit of sharing and touching lives. I do believe in signs somehow and in a cold winter evening while watching the performance there was a brown, spotted butterfly that kept on clinging to my pants. I had Goosebumps that evening. I got the accolade from these people in return of my time, knowledge and friendship and that is priceless. I do not have the indicators to measure whether I made a difference in their lives or not but one thing is sure…they touched my life more than I touched theirs. I am overwhelmed to see a bunch of PLWHAs who knows now how to smile and face the people with dignity as evidenced in their public performances. They are the very reason why I kept my commitment moving in the campaign against HIV and AIDS.

I realized it’s really not the gifts, the decors, the food and the festivities that makes Christmas meaningful. Is it not that the essence of Christmas is celebrating Love that Jesus Christ was sent to earth to save us all and all in the name of love? Most of us are drifted away from the real essence of Christmas to the physical celebration. Mine was truly a different one but significant and meaningful

Affairs of the heart…

Personally, this year made my heart unstable. There was some kind of a surge in its power voltage (LOL). The famous author and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Khalil Gibran said that “Love will find you and dare not direct the course of love, for Love if finds you worthy will direct its course”. It was some kind of an unrequited love so it’s time to pick up the pieces and move on.

Thank you 2008.

My Celebrity Look-Alike

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Free genealogy - Family websites

Holiday Aftershocks?

I just realized that being ready to face death as I always say is easier said than done. If I could only negotiate then I would really do it. Prayer is the best weapon that we could do in this trying of times. Storm, flooding and earthquakes are the many natural calamities that the human race have faced and no "expert" can stop it. I thought this could be "signs of times" as mother nature is now calling the shots to put things in order, into balance.

As what I have blogged yesterday, we were hit with an earthquake not so strong but which no one would not want to be in. Although there were no reported injuries and damages I still kind of feeling uneasy that what if a big earthquake would strike again? God forbid but I really have to prepare. What is more stressful, I realized, are the aftershocks. It drove me nuts, half-dead and blank when it hit at around 2:30 early morning of 27th. I thought I was high on drugs, half awake awaiting for what's next. Three (3) more aftershocks followed until around 8:30 in the morning. What's worst, rain came not heavy but something that would make things worst if a big earthquake would strike again. At its first instance I jumped out of my bed by adrenalin rush and called my National Volunteer (translator) but the reply left me shock as well as he just replied in a very flat tone "yeah earthquake" (LOL)...wow was the only word that came out of my mouth. I went back to my bed but this time I had put on my 2 sweaters and 2 jackets. I was ready for any eventuality. Important documents like passport, expert permit and IDs are beside me so that if anything happens I can just grab them with ease. I slept so uncomfortably. I just wonder why does earthquake has to come at the holy hour when people are sleeping? Could this be saying something? Although I am aware that it can strike anytime it's just that everytime it hit here it's always at the time when people are in its deepest sleep.

Well, I realized we all have to deal with different holiday stresses. Mine is just so different.

Earthquake Protection - The Triangle of Life

I often say to a lot of my friends that I am not afraid of death but I always ask and pray to the Lord that if it comes my way, I hope the easiest and the most natural possible. But there's no telling. It's only HIM who is in control of everythng. China has been hit with earthquakes many times and many were destructive. This year alone, I had experienced several episodes too strong to just forget. It left me paranoid many times. Just after celebrating Christmas at around 4:30 in the morning, we were hit again with a 4.9 magnitude earthquake. I am 30-minute away from the epicenter. The last earthquake in September registered in the richter scale at 5.9 and I thought this time was stronger than the previous one. But whatever it is, the experience gave me jolts that it is so difficult to get a good and deep sleep - too stressful. Earthquakes are unpredictable and so I thought all of us need to know about how to deal with it when it comes. I came across with this article below about eartquake protection using the tringle of life. I hope you will share it to your friends and loved ones.

Earthquake Protection - Triangle of Life

Posted by: "Almond Monteagudo" ar_monteagudo@yahoo.com ar_monteagudo
Thu May 15, 2008 6:21 pm (PDT)

Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 12:53:55 -0400
Subject: Earthquake Protection - Triangle of Life
PLEASE READ THIS AND PASS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO SAVE LIVES.
EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE "TRIANGLE OF LIFE"

My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.

I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.

In 1996 we made a film which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul , University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did "duck and cover," and ten mannequins I used in my "triangle of life" survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse, we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions, relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover. There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the "triangle of life." This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe, and it was seen in the USA , Canada and
Latin America on the TV program Real TV.

The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Children were under their desk. Every child was crushed to
the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't, at the time, know that the children were told to hide under something.

Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the "triangle of life". The larger the object, the stronger, and the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured.

The next time you watch collapsed buildings on television, count the "triangles" you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building. They are everywhere.

TEN TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
1) Most everyone who simply "ducks and covers" when buildings collapse are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.

2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.

3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.

4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on the back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the foor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.

5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.

6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!

7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different "moment of frequency" (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs arenot collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.

8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked

9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them

10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.

Spread the word to everyone YOU care about and save someone's life!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

JibJab - 2008 Year in Review

A friend sent me this video and I find it funny and witty so I thought it's worth sharing it with you guys. I hope you enjoy the video as well. Wishing you the best of 2009.

Unexplored Territory

Basic HIV and AIDS online lesson

My Personal Greetings for this Yuletide Season

I miss my blog...I really do. Haven't had the time to sit down and scribble some thoughts but I've got plenty to write. In the meantine, I just wanna share with you my personal greetings this holiday season. I wish everyone the brightest in 2009.

I also want to share some of the personalized ecard I received this season. Thank you very much. Muito Obrigado! Khanimambo Ngufo! Xiexie Ni. Maraming Salamat. Daghang Salamat. Kaninyong tanan.

Let's talk About Love...

There's just so much mystery about love. It's like entangled in a mesh so difficult to disentangle. I recently came across this philosophy on Love written by Bob Ong. I had fun reading it while it hit me right in the deepest recesses of my being (naks) and felt compelled to share it with you. Check it out. I am particularly disturbed and affected by philosophy #'s 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 14 and 18 hehehehe but I might as well follow number 7 hehehehe...enjoy reading...

Bob Ong's Philosophy on Love..

1. "Kung hindi mo mahal ang isang tao, wag ka nang magpakita ng motibo para mahalin ka nya.." Reaction: Pano naman kung sya ang nagpakita ng motibo tapos di ka pala nya mahal?
2. "Huwag mong bitawan ang bagay na hindi mo kayang makitang hawak ng iba."
3. "Huwag mong hawakan kung alam mong bibitawan mo lang." Reaction: Pano naman kung sya ang humawak tapos biglang binitawan?
4. "Huwag na huwag ka hahawak kapag alam mong may hawak ka na." Reaction: Eh pano naman kung sya ang gustong magpahawak at kahit may hawak na sya?
5. "Parang elevator lang yan eh, bakit mo pagsisiksikan ung sarili mo kung walang pwesto para sayo. Eh meron naman hagdan, ayaw mo lang pansinin."
6. "Kung maghihintay ka nang lalandi sayo, walang mangyayari sa buhay mo.. Dapat lumandi ka din." Reaction: well masarap din lumandi, pano ba?
7. "Pag may mahal ka at ayaw sayo, hayaan mo. Malay mo sa mga susunod na araw ayaw mo na din sa kanya, naunahan ka lang." Reaction: pero ang tagal naman...
8. "Hiwalayan na kung di ka na masaya. Walang gamot sa tanga kundi pagkukusa."
9. "Pag hindi ka mahal ng mahal mo wag ka magreklamo. Kasi may mga tao rin na di mo mahal pero mahal ka.. Kaya quits lang."
10. "Kung dalawa ang mahal mo, piliin mo yung pangalawa. Kasi hindi ka naman magmamahal ng iba kung mahal mo talaga yung una."
11. "Hindi porke't madalas mong ka-chat, kausap sa telepono, kasama sa mga lakad o ka-text ng wantusawa eh may gusto sayo at magkakatuluyan kayo. Meron lang talagang mga taong sadyang friendly, sweet, flirt, malandi, pa-fall o paasa." Reaction: kaya nga mga hinayupak talaga
12. "Huwag magmadali sa babae o lalaki. Tatlo, lima, sampung taon, mag-iiba ang pamantayan mo at maiisip mong hindi pala tamang pumili ng kapareha dahil lang maganda o gwapo ito. Totong mas mahalaga ang kalooban ng tao higit sa anuman. Sa paglipas ng panahon, maging ang mga crush ng bayan nagmumukha ding pandesal, maniwala ka."
13. "Minsan kahit ikaw ang nakaschedule, kailangan mo pa rin maghintay, kasi hindi ikaw ang priority."
14. "Mahirap pumapel sa buhay ng tao. Lalo na kung hindi ikaw yung bida sa script na pinili nya." Reaction: Unfair naman, pano kung main stay sya sa script mo?
15. "Alam mo ba kung gaano kalayo ang pagitan ng dalawang tao pag nagtalikuran na sila? Kailangan mong libutin ang buong mundo para lang makaharap ulit ang taong tinalikuran mo."
16. “Mas mabuting mabigo sa paggawa ng isang bagay kesa magtagumpay sa paggawa ng wala”
17. “Hindi lahat ng kaya mong intindihin ay katotohan, at hindi lahat ng hindi mo kayang intindihin ay kasinungalingan”
18. "Kung nagmahal ka ng taong di dapat at nasaktan ka, wag mong sisihin ang puso mo. Tumitibok lng yan para mag-supply ng dugo sa katawan mo. Ngayon, kung magaling ka sa anatomy at ang sisisihin mo naman ay ang hypothalamus mo na kumokontrol ng emotions mo, mali ka pa rin! Bakit? Utang na loob! Wag mong isisi sa body organs mo ang mga sama ng loob mo sa buhay! Tandaan mo: magiging masaya ka lang kung matututo kang tanggapin na hindi ang puso, utak, atay o bituka mo ang may kasalanan sa lahat ng nangyari sayo, kundi IKAW mismo!"
19. "Ang pag-ibig parang imburnal...nakakatakot mahulog...at kapag nahulog ka, it's either by accident or talagang tanga ka..

Going Green!

I never imagined that at my age (forget the number), a gouty arthritis would attack me and not once but twice, darn! I remember how I hate the smell of “salonpas” (brand name of a mentholated plaster) which my father and sister chronically used for their aching muscles. Smells of “spirit of ammonia”, “efficascent oil” among others are the smells I thought associated with aging. Although, I am not afraid of getting old, we are all going that way; it is just that I don’t like those smells.

But with all that is happening to me, I just realized recently that my body is now paying for the abuses I have done into it. I have no discipline over my diet. I munch over junk foods. Cold colas quench my thirst. Fats energize me. Salty and oily foods keep me sane. Alcohol distresses me and shuts down my world for a while. What can I do? Veggies not even its colors and forms attracted my palate. It has always been meat (chicken, pork, fish, etc) that makes me salivate at its smell and sight (well this is exaggerated LOL).

With high levels of purines and uric acid in my body, there’s no way “a-sporty-active-me” can get back into the “usual thing I do” it’s just impossible with a swelling painful foot.

I realized that indeed “health is wealth”. You reap what you sow. I am slowing down my activities to enjoy life more. To witness each moment as it unfold right before my very eyes. Life is good if you go green (LOL). I’m enjoying now the fresh veggies and fruits without colas, low-protein diet and high in fiber. I am surviving without the alcohol and meat. And mind you, I now have stacks of mentholated plaster and other ointment for muscle pains. Sighed…

OMG help me survive I’m craving for “pork adobo/humba”, “lechon” (Filipino dishes), sea foods and a case of an icy “sunmig light” (beer)…toink!

The Lady Driver

Lady drivers abound in China. This is not quite a gender issue. You will find them everywhere driving a motorcycle, tricycle, taxi, truck and even bus. I was traveling outside my placement for official business. My colleague and I were seated comfortably in the bus waiting to start its journey. One lady came up and in a stern voice ordered people to put the luggage in their proper places and that includes the luggage of my colleague. Who could this lady be? We wonder. The lady was hot I should tell you. Tugged with her is a black and shiny lady’s bag. She wore high-heeled white shoes with some glittery in it. Sexy in her baggy trouser and black blouse that showed a liitle bit of her cleavage and her necklace. She wore a little make up and a shade of fuchsia pink lipstick. With her long hair waving along, I guess she had her hair rebonded and few highlights in it. Few minutes later, this lady climbed up the drivers seat. Yes, she was our driver. Our bus driver who is in command who shouts once in a while to the passengers. Beside her at the driver’s seat was her transparent make-up kit. At one of the stops, as the water tank was being filled with water, she changed her blouse. Now sporting a body-fit tops with a shade of avocado and with glittery in it. She’s even sexier now and I should say she’s the first driver in public transport I have seen with real fashion sense (LOL).

What goes around comes around, what goes up, must come down…

Body massage is one of the routines I can’t live without. I always pamper myself whenever I get the chance to do so. I love massage because it relaxes my body. The soothing sensation I get when the warmth of those fingers and hands touches my skin lifts me up. The friction when it is pressed against my naked body is refreshing and yes very relaxing. My placement is situated at the border of Burma and thus, Burmese massage abounds everywhere. Knowing this made me happy. One of the instances is a night to remember. Typical room is always well lighted. You can never find a dim one. Massage room is open and usually consist of at least 3-4 bedding capacity. At this view, I wonder how in the world I can be naked in an open room and with the lights on. At least back home you can always have a choice in an open room but at least with curtains if not dim lighted. Tea, coffee or milk was offered as a welcome drink. I was directed to lie down to the only bed left when I entered the room. Lie down? Ah ok…so I don’t have to take off my clothes or so I thought. The room was as noisy as the wet market as the masseurs and customers happily conversed with each other in the language I do not completely understand. The other room was also competing with the noise in the room I was in. I almost shouted – can you please shut the f..k up! I wanted to relax. OMG! It seems to be a never-ending “huntahan” while the others were busy on the phone. My masseur was tall, slender and beautiful but trust me she is very strong as she started to work on my lower extremities. Pressing, pushing, pulling, stretching hard I felt like it was some sort of gymnastics. She then started to grab my limbs, twisted, flipped and curled my body to the left and to the right. She then asked me to face down. Now she started her routines likes she’s working on the vault. She walked atop my body from slow to fast mode and on her final routine, she jump atop my rib cage before finally dismounting from my body. Tik…tak..tok…I heard my body sounded like there was a cracked in my rib cage. At that moment I was frightened at the thought that my bones were fractured and dislocated at this type of massage. The masseur still has routine to complete. Now, my 70 kgs body was atop her slender body. She pushed it in high heavens which looked like I was levitating shaking it to the right and to the left. She pushed it up and down. At the end of the massage, I felt like I was raped and tortured but I was intact and complete. My body was in pain. But the next day I felt so relaxed and light. The first time was followed by second, third and so on and so forth. I was getting used to it. I love definitely the gymnastics of being thrown out up and down, to the left and to the right.

The Next Big Thing!

Volunteering never bores me. I can truly feel now the term “Chronic Volunteer” category (LOL). I was in hiatus for quite sometime after my Nigeria experience and here comes China my third placement. From a distance, I saw myself, morphed into a being tested by time, ripened by experience. I felt I was ready to embark on a new challenge in my volunteering journey.

The Next Big Thing!

My first dose of being an instant celebrity made me high and drove me nuts. I realized “showbiz” is and would never be my thing – “naks ang kapal! (LOL). My work with Youth League entails monitoring the implementation of Youth League Leaders’ re-entry plans developed after the advocacy training I have conducted. My first monitoring visit was in a school. We are to witness the closing ceremony of the Peer Education training conducted by a Youth League Leader. Students at the gate welcomed us warmly. They played loud ethnic music and banged their drums. They wore ethnic attire and offered sweet wine placed in bamboo – the traditional practice. As we arrived, we were directed towards the room where the performance will be held. The newly trained peer educators were waiting and soon we arrived they gave a wonderful performance. Effort was there as they introduced themselves in English with others having difficulty in it. Of course, you have to give allowances, English is not the mother tongue. The performance ended in a candlelight ceremony forming a red ribbon. I was shocked after the performance ended as they were all screaming and running towards me asking for autograph. What about that? Yes, you heard it right an autograph signing ensued. It was too tiring and I was sweating in the cold evening. I felt ashamed at the same time because my colleagues, deputy directors, head master, and other officials were waiting for me outside. After the autograph signing I thought I was done. Photo shooting followed not only with students but with teachers as well. But I indeed gave my sincerest smile for the appreciation of the warm welcome they gave me. It was the evening of all evenings, it did not give me a good night sleep.

Never in my entire life had I imagined to be given such fame as that evening. I am very definite my destiny in not showbiz (LOL). But I have to comeback to the same school which gave me my first taste of fame for another monitoring. This time the school is conducting an “info-tainment” (Information plus entertainment show) participated in by students and teachers. This was again the initiative of the Youth League leader whom I am training to be a facilitator. We arrived along with the big leaders and we’re directed to seat along with the school officials. I was told by my translator that after the school headmasters opening speech I am next in line. I was a bit panicky as I have not prepared any speech having not known this in advance. But as boy scout I composed my thoughts and readied myself. My time came as they introduced me. I didn’t know I would experience that thunderous applaud like the SONA of President Macapagal Arroyo (LOL). I was really shocked as every sentence I utter, the crowd applauded wildly before my translator could translate it for them. Whether they understood my speech or not as the reason of the applause, that evening is a real history in my overseas volunteering (LOL). I just wonder what scenario I would be in, in my next shot at fame? Whew! (LOL).

Chronic Volunteer

Despite of what I went through in Mozambique, I decided to re-volunteer with VSO. I felt triumphant in my volunteering stint in Mozambique. I felt I conquered the world. In the deepest recesses of my being, there is a craving to be overseas again and telling me that there is more to volunteering. I need to discover this. I didn’t realize this would be the start of my “chronic” volunteering – a term coined by volunteers for those who are making volunteering as a career (LOL).

Nigeria is situated in West Africa. It is bounded in the West by Republic of Benin, Chad and Cameroon on the East, Niger Republic on the North and Gulf of Guinea in the South. In all honesty, I was not fascinated with Nigeria. But I was attracted and excited to live and work in a predominantly Muslim turf. I thought it would greatly enrich my HIV experience and I would be able to confront my biases and prejudices towards Muslims who are widely misunderstood. From experience of fellow volunteers, they described Nigeria as a “litmus test” for volunteers. Meaning, the conditions are harsh and will require resiliency and stamina to survive. Despite, the reservations I had, I accepted the placement in the Northern part of Nigeria, which is close to Sahara desert. I am sweating now while I’m writing this article, promise (LOL).

On my way to Nigeria, I was with other five (5) “pinoy” volunteers. Omens (bad) were persistent which at one point gave me a fearful feeling. Our travel was delayed for almost 2 weeks as visa could not come out on time. The other “pinoy” volunteers I am going with were also interesting as they display different personalities and attitude. It was an exciting mix. All six of us with only one rose look like a teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Bionic Men or X-men when we departed from the Philippines as each one us was tugged along with our “helmets”. Helmet was a serious matter and policy for VSO Nigeria as the country has the highest motorcycle road accidents in the world. Mind you, if you are found riding a motorcycle without a helmet, you can have your volunteer status reviewed or worst you can be deported. Imagine us in the NAIA with our hand carried luggage and the helmet (LOL). The bad signs won’t leave us as we have difficulty going through the immigration. We were pounced with questions one after the other. We almost missed our flight. We have to run to catch our plane. The journey from Manila – Bangkok – Frankfurt – Lagos – Abuja was a real fun. There was a drunkard who siphoned all alcoholic beverage of the plane like plain water. Arriving in Abuja was a real shock, we were greeted with “heat” I said oh my god, the airport doesn’t have an air conditioning system. I was sweating on my way out of the airport. The outside temperature is the same as inside the airport. With this scenario, I started to ask myself, “Will I survive Nigeria with this kind of environment?” A question I myself could not answer at that very moment.
After the short and quickie In-Country Training with brief pidgin language lessons, it’s time to get to work. The first night in Kano was the real test. After around 6-hours drive from the Capital City, I was directly sent to the office and got the chance to meet the “who’s who” and see how the office looks like. After an abbreviated chit chat – time to rest as it was already five (5) in the afternoon. Darkness started its shift. The driver left after I was thrown out in a place unfamiliar to me. I was starving to death I don’t know what to do. I was given a single room with few basic furnishings. Inside the room is a bed and beside it is the fridge, then a monolithic table, and a chair. A gas stove on the other side. The room was dusty which looks like it was not inhabited for quite sometime but there was a trace of human invasion (LOL). The toilet was common and it is not water-sealed, all you have to do when the nature calls is squat – no water needed. It was getting darker and darker and I just realize – “black-out”. Gosh! I started to cry in all honesty and started to ask what am I doing here? This accommodation is definitely way below VSO standard. I started to compare my accommodation in Mozambique which is considered posh by volunteer standard. I have hot and cold water, a bathtub, a spacious bathroom, a 3 bed-room flat, a living room and well furnished kitchen. I was told that electricity and water is erratic in the city. Let me re-phrase it you can expect electricity running once in a while – the most normal thing. I survived the night in a candlelit dinner with bread and I was sweating hard. It was an excruciating long evening. Oh I forgot to mention the running water is not running (LOL). It’s a “now you see and now you don’t” thing. The water is a bit brownish due to dust. It was a real survival of the fittest and elimination of the unfit. You have to learn to sway your move according to local beat. I have to survive I told myself. I learned some technique. The water comes around in the morning just in time to go to the office, goes out, comes back in the afternoon, goes out, and comes back around 12 midnight. The electricity comes back at around 8:30 in the evening and then gets some rest and then goes back to work at around 12 midnight sometimes a bit tardy and then gets off and gets back in the morning sometime takes AWOL (LOL). Also you can imagine this – you can wash your clothes at around 9 in the evening and by around 11 or 12 midnight you can iron it in time when the electricity comes – fabulous, isn’t it? (LOL). Although I really did not survive Nigeria for medical and environmental reason, It’s fun to look back how I survive each day. The evening is usually hot. I am basically naked all night long. I have to sleep using wet towel just to ease the heat. And one of the techniques I developed and proud to say a truly Filipino ingenuity for survival – I slept on the floor in front of the refrigerator and leave the fridge open and ON so that when electricity comes – I have a cool and fresh air from the fridge (LOL). How about that? After 3 months in placement, finally the rain came heavy. It was a big celebration on my part. Each drop of the rain that touches my body was a real celebration of joy and thanksgiving. I soaked myself wet, danced, sung, shouted for joy, lay on earth to embrace the gift of life. Never mind the brownish color of the rain due to dust (LOL).

Although my placement in Nigeria was cut short, I Indeed realized many things. I feel completely safe working in a predominantly Muslim area and organization. I was able to develop real good friends and meaningful relationship with local people who showed concerns of my being a foreigner. Despite of what I went through I am proud to say, I was able to deliver what I was supposed to share which was appreciated and they showed it to me when it was time to pack my things up and bid goodbye. My Nigeria account is the real experience in volunteering that makes life so unpredictable that will truly test your resiliency and creativity all in the name of development.

Don't cry for me Mozambique

With the kind of placement I went through, I thought it would be easier to leave but I was wrong until the day I left Mozambique. I think everyone will agree with me that saying goodbye is always difficult and hard especially if we know deep in our hearts that we are able to develop significant and meaningful relationships in placement. The time has come for me to pack my things up and bid goodbye to all the people who have painted my life in placement with myriad of colors. It was a sad moment to see important people in “send-off parties”. But the young people who are members of the organization I worked with gave me a surprise and unrivaled send-off I had to date. Seeing people cry when I leave is a big NO-NO because I easily get affected. On the day I left Maputo, a local best friend together with three closest Filipino friends sent me off. We were early so I was able to check in without hassle. The waiting time was long and so we killed the time by chatting and discussing what is next after Mozambique, keeping in touch, plans for reunion, etc. People started to crowd the International Airport and busy going from one direction to another mending their personal matters. My gaze directed me to a group of young people that I was not able to recognize from the distance. It was my youth group. What could this people be doing here was the question running in my mind as we had a simple send-off celebration in my house for 2 days. I had no idea what were there plans but suddenly the group blocked the entrance of the departure lounge and started to stage a little drama or stage play depicting my life story in Mozambique. I was a bit ashamed at first, as I am not used to short-lived fame (LOL). People started to convene watching the performance. In the end they tossed me up and hugged me for the last time. It was a real heavy drama as they cried buckets. I was teary-eyed as well, touched by the gesture and E for effort. I realized that indeed I was successful in touching lives of people I have met in Mozambique. And looking back, I thought my life was touched more than I making a difference in theirs.

Lost and Found in Placement

I always have difficulty in following the line “Destiny is not a matter of chance, but a matter of choice”. Maybe, maybe not…arrgggh whatever! On my first stint, I was offered 7 placements to choose from. Pakistan, Vanuato, Namibia and four (4) in Mozambique were part of the list. Going through the placement documentations, Mozambique was my best choice and priority. I was prepared to face head on the challenges that awaits me in the country once colonized by Portugal.

My placement was based in the capital city of Maputo. It is in the middle of a sub-urban community badly needing a running and functioning health post to cater to its basic needs. We arrived in Maputo as the biggest contingent that the Programme Office received. There were around 17 of us and we definitely represent the “United Nations” as volunteers came from Kenya, Uganda, United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, and the Philippines. The In-Country Training (ICT) lasted 6 weeks which include intensive language lessons on Portuguese. While in ICT, I was persistent in asking VSO as to when I’m gonna visit my office but to no avail. I was getting some hints and I started to become panicky over the thought that there’s something going on and I was kept in the dark. Torres Vermelhas or Red Tower where we were billeted for the ICT deserted with just a wink of an eye when the ICT ended. I was now on my own until I learned that “I lost my placement” even before I landed in Maputo. Aaagh! Did I hear it right? Yes, it was right. I almost collapsed. I gathered enough energy and collected myself. So what’s next? Coming from the land of “Lapu-Lapu” – quitting never occurred to me (LOL). I stayed in the capital city for three (3) months under house arrest short for doing nothing literally and figuratively. Consumed with my “vacation” in foreign land, I renegotiated my status and came up with a proposal. On the 4th month, I was thrown out in the northern province not as an exile but to do a cross-learning visit all-expenses paid trip by VSO. The supposed-to-be 4 weeks visit was cut short into 3 weeks because I was bored and tired with no news on the future of my placement. I have to do something. At the start of my fifth (5th) month, I finally have an office but without a clear job description. I was a nomad in the office having no fix workstation. I basically move especially if the office is flooded with visitors coming from wherever and that even on the last days in my placement, I have to share my table with the office radio…sighed. Despite all these, I can still paint a sincere smile on my face. It did not deter me to face the challenges because I know deep in my heart I was on a mission. Resiliency and patience are virtues I discovered while in placement.

Lost and confused by mere absence of clear placement description, I went out, met people and advertised what I can do and share. My initiative came to fruition - I found my placement. Three (3) Community-based youth and women organizations expressed their sincere need to capacitate them in HIV/AIDS Programming. I then developed my own placement and job description and submitted this to my boss at the City AIDS Council in which he agreed as part of its technical support to Community Based Organizations. I now became a roving volunteer of the three organizations. I was happy and doing well with the current job that I myself developed but “destiny was never through with me”. Somebody is planning to snatch my post (may nagtangkang agawin ang aking trono). Over my dead body (LOL)! “Pinaghirapan ko ang placement na ito, utang na loob, tantanan nyo ako!” (I’ve worked hard for this placement, for Christ sake leave me alone!”). One of the locals based overseas was quite interested in working with one of the organizations I am assisting with. For no apparent reason, this is the organization closest to my heart. The irony of all irony is that this “being” will work through VSO. I was kept in the dark. I had no idea at all that the “evils” were brewing up some wicked plans towards my placement. I was shocked when I received the news that this “being” (a.k.a VSO Volunteer) has completed all the pre-departure trainings and clearances from VSO Netherlands . In fact, the air ticket is ready as I was told. What do you think? Was the question asked by my Programme Officer on the other line. I was gasping for breath. You be in my shoes, and you will declare war! Again, I am from the land of Lapu-lapu and this is not the best time to surrender. I was in a fighting mood. In fact, I was ready to knock out any one who comes my way. To cut the story short, I won in this particular event. Gold Medal and a record holder (LOL). I fought all through out that led the Programme Office to reject this “being” (a.k.a. VSO Volunteer).

The Voluntour's Account

It has never occurred to me how privileged I am to have traveled from Africa to Asia until I landed in China. How wonderful it is to have a placement in a country touted as the next superpower. My journey in volunteering doesn’t and will not end after I finished my placement in China. It goes beyond placement. I’m like riding a bicycle where the wheels continue to move at my discretion. I consider volunteering as a tour in an unexplored territory. My tour has been tumultuous and still is but in all points of the journey like the wheel has its ups and downs and with that, I have the greatest adventure of my life.

From “Doutor to Laoshi” - Only in Volunteering!

My overseas volunteering experience has given me an endless account of professional and personal gains. But what struck me most is the display of reverence given to me by my colleagues, staff and especially the beneficiaries of the programs I handled. It is interesting and amusing that they can “label you as someone you are not”. Confused? Will tell you, why?

Labeling Me

The people I have worked and met in Mozambique consistently call and introduce me as a Doctor. Not that I do not like it. In fact, it was an unfulfilled dream of becoming one. Here in the Philippines (I guess, anywhere too), we have such a high regard of that profession - that made me a little bit awkward in accepting the title. This was the common introduction for me “Bom dia! (Good Morning) Como esta? (How are you?) This is Doutor Joel from the Philippines”. Doutor is the Portuguese term. And my standard reply was “NO I AM NOT A DOCTOR” And would insist another one “NO I AM NOT A DOCTOR”. In due time, I got tired refusing the title so when someone introduces me...this is Dr. Joel…My standard reply would now be “Aha…Muito frazer” (Nice meeting you!), sigh… But I did wonder why they call me a Doctor so I asked around. I learned that my course (B.S. Biology) is a 5-year course in Mozambique which needs a license to practice the profession. So that explains why.

Now I am in China. I design, develop and deliver HIV/AIDS related trainings to students (out-of-school-youth), People Living with HIV and AIDS, professionals and teachers. “Laoshi” is the Mandarin term for a Teacher. From “doutor” in Mozambique I now become “Laoshi” in China (Laughing Out Loud - LOL). Whenever training participants sees me, they greet me with “Laoshi ni hao (Hello teacher!)”… “Ei (pronounced as long a) ni hao” would be my reply with a big smile! Sounds like I am getting used to being labeled a different profession I am not.

On Being Me Sans Labeling

At one point, I felt like I’m losing my professional identity. But on the other hand, I also asked myself “Do I really have a professional identity”? (LOL). These are just mere professional labels and what is important is the significant contribution that volunteers bring to advance the causes of poverty and global disadvantage. The bottom line is the compassion and dedication of the service than the title of a profession one is carrying. One can have 10 titles after a name but is he ready for the challenges of an overseas volunteer? The rewards coming from a volunteer comes from the accolade of people in the grassroots, no salary, non-profit in everything – except the profit you get for getting fulfilled for serving the needy not only economically but psychologically and emotionally.

It is at this point that I come to realize that labels (in any form) are just labels. It could mean something great to many people but it can also be irrelevant due to the differences in language and culture. The local people tend to associate the value and the role volunteers’ play in a different working environment and culture to these professions.

You can indeed be a Doctor and heal people in many different ways or a Teacher and teach people with life skills – labels doesn’t matter anymore. Doctor or Teacher, the most important thing is the knowledge being imparted and the skills being transferred to local people in the hope of making a significant and meaningful development in the lives of those who are disadvantage. I think that matters the most!

Now I can be comfortable being a “Doutor” and/or “Laoshi” and God knows what next time I get my new assignment! Engineer would be nice, why not? (LOL)

First time mo?

I still remember the euphoria I felt when I was considered at VSO. It was a roller coaster of emotions. I was thrilled at the same time afraid for some reservations and fear of the unknown.

Going down memory lane…

Mozambique was my first placement overseas with VSO. Africa is a dream place for me and for no apparent reason, I imagined it as mysterious but beautiful. The thought of landing in Africa gave me an indescribable feeling of excitement. But more to that was the thrill of flying aboard Cathay Pacific. “Sa isip ko class eto, sosyal”. It will be my first time to travel overseas aboard Cathay Pacific Boeing 747. Yes, I can’t be wrong, It’s Cathay Pacific Boeing 747 bound for Johannesburg. How can I forget that? Ok, ok let me tell you. Back in high school, I delivered the class prophecy. In that piece of document, I was prophesized to fly aboard Cathay Pacific Boeing 747 from the Big Apple going home. I don’t know if it’s a mere coincidence or the prophecy was coming to realize…nah…forget it. The reality is I am going to Mozambique a place I haven’t even heard nor encountered in my geography class.

No Amount of Preparation…

No amount of preparation had kept me relax. February 12, 2002 was the big day. My emotions were mixed at that time. There were many things going on in my mind. It was in limbo. I was afraid at the same time excited because it will be my first time, you know. The pre-departure orientation was quite helpful somehow, with tips and advices but there was information overload. What settled in my mind was the 25 kgs of luggage allowance and that was it. I felt secured because I am going with a friend and fellow volunteer in my batch who will be posted as well in Mozambique. She is by the way a petite woman who exudes beauty, charm and brain combined. It was not her first time to travel overseas having had the opportunity to travel out of the country in her previous job. Having internalized all the tips in the pre-departure orientation, we agreed to weigh and re-weigh everything to avoid check-in hassles and thought where to get a weighing scale. We were at the clinic of Dr. Millette Baleva getting our last shots of boosters and saw the weighing scale. Using our charm, we were successful in taking the weighing scale out of St. Luke’s to a Pension in Ermita where I was staying and then to Pasig City where my fellow volunteer stays.

NAIA here I come…

I was definitely ready. Everything seemed to be in order. I was pretty sure, I’ll have fun on my first time. I reckoned it must be heaven to fly up above the Indian Ocean for 13 long hours. NAIA here I come! We were on time as agreed 3 hours before ETD (Expected Time of Departure. Our ETD was 8:15 in the evening bound for Hongkong and so we were there at around 5:00 in the afternoon, pretty cool. I should say my friend and fellow volunteer was elegant that afternoon in her dress with a shade of red and a black blazer. First tip from her – when you travel overseas you need to wear a formal dress that is respectable in other words “kagalang-galang”. I gave my nod and said I’ll do that next time. That time I was just sporting a casual wear and following the experience of others I wore 3 layers that day, a t-shirt, a sweat shirt and a thick jacket, whew too heavy and very hot I should say I was sweating. We checked in as a group to maximize our luggage weight. Everything at the NAIA that early evening was chaos. Everyone was busy with their own thing moving from one direction to another which seems to go nowhere but move. There was a long queue that we have to follow but I was a bit worried looking at our luggages. She has two (2) check in suitcases plus hand carried bag and some other things while I had one (1) big luggage weighing at around 28 kgs and a back pack as my hand carried luggage plus some other things contained in paper and plastic bags.

Culprit – Likas Papaya Beauty Soap…

Good Afternoon, Kumusta? – was our greetings at the check in counter with a big smile. We checked in our luggage through to Maputo City with a little explanation that we will be doing voluntary work in Africa for 2 years. To my surprise, our checked-in luggage tared at 80 kgs in total. Oh my God, I was shocked! How come? I was throwing many questions than she could answer at that moment. Fresh from WRV (Wider Role of the Volunteer Training) course, she tried her negotiation skills combined with charm, all the angles that she could muster were exhausted. “We are volunteers and we are bringing books with us” please allow us. We don’t have extra penny to pay for excess baggage. Can I speak to your Manager, she pleaded. It was a long discussions and negotiations we almost miss the flight.

The scene at the counter changes into a feast and charity of some sort (LOL). The airline spared us a total of 60 kgs as our checked in which I thought was not bad at all. Still, this means that we have to unload and leave behind 20 kgs from our luggage. Oh my god, how can we do this? First, we unpacked her luggage. The culprit - 48 pieces of Likas Papaya Beauty Soap. I can’t believe this. How can this be? The first thing that she had to give up was the big pack of Jelly ace. I can’t remember how many pieces I ate without really enjoying the jelly ace I used to enjoy. The mood was festive as I offered kids with Jelly ace. It was a difficult decision to make but she has to decide the fate of the 48 pieces of “Likas Papaya Soap” (LOL). Desperate and exhausted, She gave up at least 24 pieces of the soap. We have no choice, we have to leave behind one of her luggage containing things of lesser importance.

The clock was ticking. We have not passed through the immigration counter yet. It was 7:30 and the queue was eternally long. I was sweating hard I can’t contain my heartbeat. Imagine my three (3) layers attire that early evening. I am going to explode. I felt I need a toilet. I started to become panicky and antsy. We have to leave the luggage behind but the security guard won’t accept it fearing it might be a security threat. SOS, I called Lyn (a fellow volunteer) who sent us off at the airport for rescue.

Location please?...

Joel: “Hi Lyn, this is Joel. I need your help. Grabe ang nangyayari ditto I can’t explain it right now. We are now proceeding to the immigration. I need to leave one luggage. Where are you?
Lyn: We are here at the chapel, she replied…at the second level.
Joel: Ok, I am going out right now. Which chapel is that? Where is it located?
Lyn: At the second level
So I went up to the second level, looked for the Chapel and found it without difficulty.
Joel: I am here at the chapel now but I can’t see you. Oh my God Lyn, I am running out of time. I need to go now. I’m gonna leave the luggage at the Security counter. Just ask for it. I’ll leave instructions. Bye. Sorry and thank you.

We passed the immigration with few questions. We ran as if it was life and death. We were the only passenger everyone was waiting for. Everyone was seated comfortably, when we boarded the plane and everyone was looking at us like they wanted to eat us. We definitely looked haggard, torn out, gang raped (sorry for lack of word to describe it) – that was how I thought and felt at myself that evening. Everyone of course had the opportunity to stare at us as we are seated at the tail end part of the aircraft - how about that?

When the plane finally took off, we were just silent. I was recalling what had happened. Everything went quick and fast. Finally, we had started to settle down. Suddenly she apologized and cried for spoiling my “first time”. I can’t help but replied. Nah…it’s okay.

“Wow Mali”…

Few days after, we communicated with VSO Bahaginan and our sigla group (our batch name) that we arrived safe, sound and complete and shared our unforgettable experience. Indeed, everything was “wow mali” that day as we learned that lyn and company were actually at the NAIA terminal 2 while we were at the terminal 1 – how about that? (LOL).

As they say, there is always “first time”. And whether good or bad, will always leave an indelible mark in our mind. They make our experiences in life richer.