My New Year’s Forecast

2011 is Year of the Rabbit. I could be honest I am a fan of Chinese Astrology but that doesn’t mean I follow the predictions for that certain year. I don’t know why I am following it, it adds excitement to my imagination as to what’s gonna happen for the year to come. I still have to read yet about what’s in store for me in the year of the rabbit as I am born in the year of the Tiger – I guess that’s my first post in 2011!

To be candidly honest to all of you, I can’t wait to bid goodbye to 2010. I am antsy! Can’t wait to shake it off! You might be asking why? Oh well, I am not saying that 2010 hasn’t been good to me. In fact there were many good memories, “first times” (LOL) that had happened to me and lessons I have realized that I would say 2010 has been the most challenging and tumultuous year I have ever had. I could say it from both the professional and personal level, financial and romance. The most exciting was the romance of course (LOL) and the most heart-breaking was being financially BROKE!

My Biggest lessons in 2010:
1. Self Assurance. I have learned to depend from NO ONE but myself.
2. Savings and financial management is imperative for the rainy season.
3. Nurturing Relationships. True friends shine at your darkest moment to comfort you.
4. Friendship can sometimes be bruised by irresponsible actions but am sure it’s forgivable as long as the other party is apologetic.
5. PRIDE can have both a positive or negative influence on the decisions we make. If used in a positive way, it can make us stronger, move forward gracefully and rise up above from all our adversaries.
6. Health is wealth. Watch carefully what you put in your mouth because anything in excess in BAD.
7. Decision-making. Always calculate when you move.
8. Embracing Reality. Acceptance of the things that comes in your life even if they don’t seem to fit into the puzzle.
9. Make do of what is available.
10. Appreciate your imperfections and the imperfections of your family and friends.

There you go, my lessons that I am gonna bring to 2011. I am now ready to face fearlessly the New Year. In fact I am ready to break the “Law of Jante”. What is it? Well, I am an avid follower of Paolo Coelho (PC) and the Law of Jante was reflected in his book “Like the Flowing River”. According to PC, this law is very popular in Scandinavian Countries and in the words of PC “you are worthless; no one is interested in what you think, therefore you had better opt for mediocrity and anonymity. Do this and you will never face any major problems in life”. This law puts into context the feelings of jealousy and envy.

The Anti Jante Law then is that “You are worth much more than you think. Your work and your presence on this earth are important, even though you may not believe it. Of course such ideas could land you in a lot of trouble for breaking the law of Jante but don’t be intimidated. Continue to live without fear and you will triumph in the end”.

So with the coming New Year and banking on the challenges that came my way and the lessons I have realized – I am ready to break the Law of Jante, AJA! Have a joyful New Year everyone!

PS. Thanks Gaga for lending me your precious book.

9 Mornings of “Simbang Gabi”

December 16, 2010, I was so excited to welcome the first morning of Simbang Gabi, a 9-day ritual celebrated early morning culminating to a Misa de Gallo. A Spanish phrase, they say, coined to mean a midnight mass or more literally translated as “Rooster’s Mass” because it was believed that the rooster would have been the first to witness the birth of Jesus Christ and thus be the one to announce it (Wikipedia). The “Simbang Gabi signals the preparation for the birthday of our savior Jesus Christ. Beliefs exist that once you complete the 9 mornings culminating in a Misa de Gallo means a wish come true. My absence of three (3) years from celebrating this significant event at home perhaps is the very reason why I was so excited to attend the Simbang Gabi. I did actually promise to complete the 9 mornings because I have a personal wish. What is it? I’ll keep it for myself (LOL).
Things indeed have changed overtime just like the feast of the Immaculate Conception. As I turned my gaze to the parishioners, I have not seen any familiar faces. Everyone seemed to be foreign to my sight. The local place I used to grow up with has been densely populated with people whom I think also fell in love with the place now coined as the “little Tokyo” of the pre-war era. Barangay Mintal owes this title to the Japanese occupation during the “pre-war” era.

Over and above this belief, I still have strong convictions that it’s your faith and sincerity to the Lord Almighty that makes your wish granted whether you complete the 9 mornings or not.

So I am wishing everyone, a festive but peaceful and meaningful Christmas and a very prosperous New Year filled with new hopes and bright potentials.

All the best!

Reflections on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8, 2010)

Philippines is home to a numerous religious feast being that it is the largest Christian Nation in Asia. As a Filipino and a Roman Catholic, I grew up celebrating the feast of the Immaculate Conception every December 8 in my hometown. It is a celebration of significance to many devout Catholics as a way of thanking and respecting our parish patron saint. This is a celebration I always eagerly look forward to every year when I was younger. In my innocent mind, this means new clothes, tidy and clean house and plenty of food to die for. But as time goes by, things changes, people get older I mean I am getting older and my excitement fades away. In addition, the global recession is hitting us hard so we became more practical (that means less food preparation) as life becomes more difficult.
I was overseas since 2002 and since then I have not witness nor celebrated this important local event. My excitement somehow built up overtime. I am home so I was keen at celebrating the feast at least to give thanks to the good lord for the blessings and even the challenges. However, my uncle died and so I have to deal with grieving. We laid him to rest on the 7th of December. We did not prepare food for the feast for one I was low with funds.

I was moving around to keenly observe the festive mood of everyone on the street. I was pretty excited. Drunkards kept the streets alive. Loud music and people singing in karaoke’s even way out of tune lifted my spirit. Young people dressed in their own "out of this world" fashion flooded the street. I was trying to assess my feelings and sadly, I can not find that feeling I had when I was younger. People I saw and met were new. The local neighborhoods I used to mingle with were not there anymore. I can not find familiar faces. Indeed, in the last 10 years, the place I call home has changed in terms of its economic development. The population has grown tremendously over the past years.

In retrospect, everything has changed. I am a changed. The feast is no longer the celebration I was looking for. I was maybe looking for some old good ways, yet simple, fun but meaningful. In my heart I know it’s a time for thanksgiving on the Virgin Mother Mary – Mother of Jesus Christ and If I am given the chance next time to celebrate the feast with a bang then I will do it.

Autumn in Beijing

Truly a work of love - A floral arrangement and display during autumn in Tian'an men square (fronting Forbidden City), Beijing, China. An excellent show of talent, skills and creativity. Kudos!

Forbidden City

The Magnificent structure at Forbidden City in Beijing called "The Place of Heavenly Purity" - Amazing sight that dates back to thousand years and is filled with historical significance.

The Hotel inside the Sun City

The Amazing Palace Hotel in Sun City South Africa