Lessons Learned

One of the many lessons learned from Ondoy is the way I view material things. You see during the floods these rich people were not able to save their cars, their mansions, their expensive bags and designer shoes.

This made me think. I may not be rich but I make life complicated by having 2 sets of make up kits, different variants of shampoo, different brands of cologne and the list just goes on and on. The Ondoy tragedy made me realize the need to simplify my life – literally.

It made me realize that I am blessed and that I should do something good about it. It made me realize that buying a new compact is shelling out money that can feed a whole family for the whole week or even more. Or buying a new shade of lipstick can already be a day’s wage of a lowly employee.

Ondoy has really opened my eyes. I don’t need a lot. I just need to have enough so that others may have some. Few days after Ondoy’s wrath I opened my closet and took out all the clothes that I no longer wear. Clothes that I kept for some sentimental reasons and with the hopes that I will be a size 7 again. I gave it all. Now, my closet can breathe. What remained are the clothes that I wear regularly.

The activity was liberating. I felt good after. I felt few pounds lighter. I don’t know, it must be the happiness of sharing or it must be the feeling of freedom, the feeling of letting go.

As they say, you have to give to be able to receive. Let us be thankful for our blessings and the best way to show gratitude is to share. And don’t forget to keep it simple.

Rain

After Ondoy I get nervous when it rains. We were not flooded during Ondoy's wrath, flood was no where near our house but I feel for those who are in Ultra because they have no more place to stay. I feel for those people whose houses are still flooded, waist-deep. What would happen to them if it would rain again?

L's ex-yaya sent me a text message that their house is still flooded until now and is worrying that it will stay there until Christmas. I asked her to stay at home but she refused since no one is going to look after their house and thieves are taking advantage of the situation. Heartless.

Ondoy taught me to be more prepared. I don't wanna speak about how prepared we are right now because according to my Hubby I'm already near the borderline of prepared and praning. Can't blame me.

I guess other than just being prepared which has short term effects I am now looking into long term preparedness. The rains and the sudden climate change are effects of global warming. Maybe it is best that we do something about global warming - in our own little way.

Let me start with my 5 ways:

1. No more buying of bottled water every time we go out. We can bring our own water canisters filled with water.

2. No more plastic bags for groceries. Use SM's Green Bag.

3. Limit air con time. Although its difficult since both Hubby and L are asthmatic and cant stand super hot conditions.

4. Bring utensils specially for L. We have a habit of asking for disposable spoon and fork whenever we are dinning outside for L's use.

5. Use tissue paper wisely. Paper comes from trees and trees are cut down for these papers. We need trees so less use of paper = lesser trees to cut.

I am not Superwoman so I can never save the world but at least I can try.

Memories of Ondoy

Stories have been told about how he came and left his mark into the lives of the Filipinos. He came like a thief in mid day taking away properties and lives. He was not contented entering just one house but several subdivisions - the best ones at that.

Ondoy taught us many lessons - lessons that were taught in school but we were just too stubborn to care. I hope this time we have learned our lesson. We should.

Done Hybernating

I know I have not made any posts for 40+ years. Sometimes I have to be an irresponsible blogger and be a responsible __________ (please fill in the blanks). I guess I have to manage to be responsible in all aspects in my life. Sad to say I can't seem to do that right now.

Its mid September and I am busy preparing for L's 3rd birthday. Whew! 3 years? Gosh time is so fast and I am having a hard time catching up. Having celebrated my 30th birthday 2 weeks ago I never realized I was growing old until I was doing the preps for L's birthday. He's 3 and I'm old. ha ha ha ha ha

I can't cease the days. All I can do is to seize the days and keep memories in my heart.

This Has To Stop

I have to admit that when I'm into something I am into it heart and soul. I get addicted.

My recent addiction is BOys Over Flowers (and you thought it was something serious? ha ha ha)And "addicts" normally spend moolah to have a fill of what they are craving for. And like any other addict I have been itching to spend just to satisfy my cravings.

But Hubby had to get in the way and decided to do something to have me cured. And after much thinking I agreed. Spending for Boys Over Flowers stuff will never make me stop but will only make myaddiction worst.

I've had similar addictions before. But before it was different. I was single and my earnings are for my own consumption.

I surrender. It can't go on. So I have to detach myself and move on. I just need to have a last hurrah. =)

Believe In Prayers

My job in an IT software company requires me to do product presentation. I happen to have one today. As I have a had enough of the bad days this week I was wishing that today would be better but the signs were not as good as I expected when I woke up this morning. . I woke up 7:15 AM and the rain has been pouring down so heavily since 6AM according to our househelp. Call time for the team to be at client site is 8:30. Well no worries I live just 15 minutes away anyways. So I took all the time taking my bath and preparing to go. I was on my way 8:15 only to encounter flooded streets and heavier rain. But the schedule is set and I have been praying for this schedule for 3 weeks already.

When I got to the client site everyone was there but the server like the weather was not cooperating. I panicked! "Oh no! This isn't happening." Thoughts about my boss getting haywire, thoughts on embarassment, thoughts on eventually finding a new job if my boss fires me were all over my mind while I waited for the sign from our technical guy that the server is up and ready.

In the midst of the on-going presentation and thinking about all those thoughts I realized I should not think about all the nega things I am thinking. I stopped and willed myself to pray. And the prayer was simple. "Lord, please make the server cooperate. Make it start up the application."

Ten minutes was all it took for my prayers to be answered. The server was up and ready and I was able to smile my sweetest smile. In my thoughts I silently said my thanks. "Thank you, Lord. You saved my day. You saved us."

Prayers are heard even if the pouring of the rain is deafening.

Honor Code

...a cadet does not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. This is the West Point's Cadet's Honor Code. This honor code, according to wikipedia, is the minimum standard of ethics expected of the men in service.

But here in the Philippines we have a far "better" version.

A cadet does not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. But the GENERALS lie, cheat, steal and tolerate those who do.

Agree or disagree?