Thanksgiving Thursday. Although the holiday is not as big in the Philippines as it is in the US, Filipinos celebrate any non-working day like there's no tomorrow! I don't blame us, what with the stressful jobs we keep! (Oops, I have no right to say "we"...Weee!)
In keeping with the holiday, I went to my all-time favorite boss and crashed her beautifully-decorated house. It's my way of thanking her! Haha. Seriously, I was at her house for breakfast and spent 5 whole hours chatting and catching up on anything and everything we can talk about. I absolutely enjoyed it. I will always be grateful for her influence in my career and in my life. I never would've loved my specialization (tax) if not for her.
Contemplating on how my career has changed in the span of 10 years, I was reminded of the value of being thankful and maintaining an attitude of gratitude. Being grateful is the antidote for pride. It keeps us grounded, makes us humble. It reminds us that we still need people around us, to help us grow and to guide us through our circumstances.
Sadly, I seldom meet people who have a ready "thank you" in their lips. Complaints seem to be more rampant than thanks these days, probably because people have a general attitude of entitlement. When we feel we're entitled to everything, gratitude fades away. We get caught up in ourselves and see everything that's not right. We start to act like the whole world owes us everything.
I am no exception. So yeah, in this Bum Day # 11, I am thankful that I have been reminded to always be thankful.
-Lei-
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Day 8, 9, 10 - Redefining B.U.M
Sorry, it's been a while since my last entry. I redefined the word BUM this past week. I did absolutely nothing, and now I have to write about it! Tough huh?
Oh wait, there was one exciting thing that happened! I went to another job interview (blech!), but this time it was interesting because the interview was at 9:30 PM!!! First time I had to be on my toes at this ghastly hour. I had fun though, talking to new people and learning new things. Okay, enough talking about something that closely resembles work. It defeats this blog's purpose!
My past three days was spent mostly at home. I cooked a mean sinigang, baked some cookies (yes, again!) and slept to my heart's content. I took pictures of the dishes I cooked but due to my laziness, I have chosen not to upload. I also started listening to my 32GUSB-full Hillsong Conference 2010 and 2011 teachings! I could recognize my beloved Joel Houston's voice even in my sleep. :) I'm sure that all the teachings I'm listening to is preparing my heart for all the good things that are coming my way. I hope one of those good things is a trip back to my third home, Sydney! (For those of you wondering where my second home is, talk to my 1120 gurls!)
Speaking of Sydney, I called my bestfriend from down under, Aurita, and had a refreshing hour-long conversation with her. Reconnecting with friends is definitely a priority in my BUM agenda. Glad I had a headstart already. What else? Can't think of anything at this time, unless you want to know how many hours I spend sleeping a day, or how many hours I spend internet surfing?!
I started this entry with an apology, and it looks like I'll end it the same way. Big apologies for blabbing, coherent thoughts don't seem to be available as of this writing. I hope my next one will live up to expectations. :)
Oh wait, there was one exciting thing that happened! I went to another job interview (blech!), but this time it was interesting because the interview was at 9:30 PM!!! First time I had to be on my toes at this ghastly hour. I had fun though, talking to new people and learning new things. Okay, enough talking about something that closely resembles work. It defeats this blog's purpose!
My past three days was spent mostly at home. I cooked a mean sinigang, baked some cookies (yes, again!) and slept to my heart's content. I took pictures of the dishes I cooked but due to my laziness, I have chosen not to upload. I also started listening to my 32GUSB-full Hillsong Conference 2010 and 2011 teachings! I could recognize my beloved Joel Houston's voice even in my sleep. :) I'm sure that all the teachings I'm listening to is preparing my heart for all the good things that are coming my way. I hope one of those good things is a trip back to my third home, Sydney! (For those of you wondering where my second home is, talk to my 1120 gurls!)
Speaking of Sydney, I called my bestfriend from down under, Aurita, and had a refreshing hour-long conversation with her. Reconnecting with friends is definitely a priority in my BUM agenda. Glad I had a headstart already. What else? Can't think of anything at this time, unless you want to know how many hours I spend sleeping a day, or how many hours I spend internet surfing?!
I started this entry with an apology, and it looks like I'll end it the same way. Big apologies for blabbing, coherent thoughts don't seem to be available as of this writing. I hope my next one will live up to expectations. :)
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Day Seven - The Birthday Entry
I was busy celebrating my birthday, I forgot I had a daily blog! :)
Today is an important day, not just because it's my birthday, but also because it's one of my good friend's most-awaited wedding day. Sad though that I couldn't make it to her event. We'll just have to catch up soon! Best wishes Cheng!
Okay, onto my own event. I had a very simple yet meaningful birthday. I went to my beloved church, New Life Christian Center, and then celebrated at ATC with my besties. As usual, we went to our happy place --- Cafe Mediterranean! We guffawed in laughter over garlic sauce and Bonifacio's revenge, free panna cotta and margherita pizza! We had lively exchanges about people, places and things. We talked about our dreams and our plans. We delighted in the blessings we have, large or small. We talked about life and everything that comes with it!
Amidst the laughter and talk, I realized how blessed I am beyond measure, because I have people around me who care for and love me. I have people I can share my thoughts with, without being judged. I have friends and family who look beyond what I can do for them and what I can give. My relationships make up who I am. Not my career, not my money, not what I know. For so long, I have neglected some of the relationships I had, and went on in my pursuit of power and riches, only to realize that when you're on top, it's sad when you don't have people to celebrate with and to celebrate you. We can earn all the money in the world and have the grandest of titles, but if we don't have relationships that bring meaning to our purpose, it's all for naught.
Of course, other than their company, friends and family are even more lovable when they give you gifts on your birthday! :-) Big thanks to Ira for giving me my birthday gift request --- the Paulo Coelho Moments 2012 Planner! Thanks to everyone else also for the gifts and the greetings!
Much love,
-Lei-
Today is an important day, not just because it's my birthday, but also because it's one of my good friend's most-awaited wedding day. Sad though that I couldn't make it to her event. We'll just have to catch up soon! Best wishes Cheng!
Okay, onto my own event. I had a very simple yet meaningful birthday. I went to my beloved church, New Life Christian Center, and then celebrated at ATC with my besties. As usual, we went to our happy place --- Cafe Mediterranean! We guffawed in laughter over garlic sauce and Bonifacio's revenge, free panna cotta and margherita pizza! We had lively exchanges about people, places and things. We talked about our dreams and our plans. We delighted in the blessings we have, large or small. We talked about life and everything that comes with it!
Amidst the laughter and talk, I realized how blessed I am beyond measure, because I have people around me who care for and love me. I have people I can share my thoughts with, without being judged. I have friends and family who look beyond what I can do for them and what I can give. My relationships make up who I am. Not my career, not my money, not what I know. For so long, I have neglected some of the relationships I had, and went on in my pursuit of power and riches, only to realize that when you're on top, it's sad when you don't have people to celebrate with and to celebrate you. We can earn all the money in the world and have the grandest of titles, but if we don't have relationships that bring meaning to our purpose, it's all for naught.
Of course, other than their company, friends and family are even more lovable when they give you gifts on your birthday! :-) Big thanks to Ira for giving me my birthday gift request --- the Paulo Coelho Moments 2012 Planner! Thanks to everyone else also for the gifts and the greetings!
Much love,
-Lei-
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