Moments

At the start of the year, I made a silent vow to be more involved with my family. So in almost all occasions this year, may it be big or small, I made a sincere effort to be around and make my presence felt. I must say that I am quite pleased with the results of this decision. Not only did I rescue myself from the eternal guilt of being an absentee family member (father, sibling, son and all), I also succeeded in including myself with some of the moments and experiences my family will forever remember and treasure.

I must admit, at first, I thought I am doing my family a favor by being their driver, host, sponsor, supporter, additional help or headcount and what have you in all those occasions. Little did I know that it will be me who will enjoy each and every moment the most. Little did I realize that there is still as much growth and learning to find within my family as there is with my work and the life outside it.

Jeio's 3rd birthday

An afternoon at Fun Ranch

Jianna's Christening

Jianna at the hospital

UN Day at Jeio's School

In an inflatable playpen at SM Baguio

At Strawberry Farm

At Club Manila East

Team "Love More"

Team "Love More"

At Ans' Wedding

To Bora Peak

At Bora Peak


At Macau Tower

At HK Ngong Ping

At HK Kowloon Bay

Thanks to my entire family:) I am looking forward to spend more moments with you this coming year!

Update

I realized the first 6 months of my so-called new life is about to close. The ride was so surreal and so exciting I barely noticed the time pass by.

Here are some of the things I learned so far, in no order of importance:

1. Cebu Pac Go-lite is right. It's better to go w/o baggages.
2. You can still build new friendships even in your late 20s.
3. Work-life balance is for real, not just a concept.
4. Joining the rat race is a choice..
5. Don't be negligent in trusting. See those big companies crumble?
6. A house is not an investment.
7. Choose Mutual funds on the basis of risk you can take.
8. Happy wife. Happy me.
9. Let go of the not-so-good stuff in life to give space for better things.
10. Help comes in many form. Discern on what others/you really need.
11. Do not forget your mistakes in the past.
12. Routine ain't bad. Coffee on Sundays w/ wife & bud ain't bad at all.
13. You will not lose anything if you give compliments everyday.
14. Use simple words as much as possible.
15. Don't sell your credentials. Let your work do the talking.
16. Friends are friends forever until you decide otherwise.
17. Invest now. "It's not about timing but a matter of time."
18. Write down as many dreams as you can. See how it feels.
19. Keep track of your successes in life. Celebrate it.
20. If beer is bitter to your taste, it means you don't need to drink.
21. "One for the road" means 3 beers, at least.
22. There is joy in going to an out-of-the-country trip without itinerary.
23. Keep a picture of your kid/wife. It can keep you sane.
24. Love life and it will love you back.
25. Learn to be comfortable with your own skin as you age.
26. A fancy dinner date never goes unnoticed.
27. Give back.
28. Share and donate.
29. Learn. Share some learnings, if you must, but do not preach.
30. Remember your roles (father, brother) & be reminded of your worth.

I must admit I am enjoying my life now. I am looking forward to the next 6 months.

II

Chapter 2 of my so-called 2nd life officially begins!

Today

The WAIT is almost over. I just received two great options last week - an offer from the Telecom Industry and another from Financial Security. Coming from FMCG, I would naturally lean towards Telecom which behaves and acts like FMCG in many ways than one. It is also a familiar territory with many of my peers from previous companies crossing fence to this industry and thriving. Several marketing people from my industry have also proven their worth in taking top management posts in this one.

However, after eight years of marketing experience in FMCG, the other option is getting to be more attractive to me. Maybe it is because I feel I already "graduated" from my current industry, earning a great share of bruises and badges from it. Maybe it is also because I am looking for a life-changing course at this point in my life. And truth be told, after my sabbatical, it has become clear to me where I want spend my next 5-10 years of professional life; in a company where people stay, grow and flourish together with my family, and it is in this one where I think I will find it.

Today I will sign the contract.

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"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference"

Waiting

It is clear to me now where I want to go. I have already cleared my head to know what I really want. I also have a good idea on how to get there. But as to when I should go there, I guess I just have to be contented in waiting for now.

Then again, waiting is not exactly my closest friend. So while waiting for the right time to come, I will keep myself busy doing other little things I want to do. And hopefully, at the chosen time, I will feel glad I have waited.

Pat. Pat. You will have your time, mister.

Surrender

I am determined to adopt a newly understood virtue in my life --- the often feared and misconstrued surrender. For an old dog like me, and a control freak at that, I must admit the process is quite slow and agonizing. Thanks to my wife and a recent experience, I was pushed against the wall to appreciate this virtue and the goodness it can bring to my life.

Letting go of the things I have been holding on for so long has been the biggest challenge for me so far. However, I come to realize that before I get to hold on to new and better things, I have to open my hands and let go of everything. It may be true I have been holding on to many a treasure but I must admit I have also been holding a lot of worms. These worms have been making me live the kind of life a lot lesser than me and my family deserve.

I do pray that once I have cleared my hands of everything and cleansed it, I will be able to pick up the things I truly treasure and still have room to pick new and better things. To bene vita.

Name

I just stumbled into this link. The meaning of my name may be a mouthful but I tend agree with what is mostly written...
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What JOUB Means

You are fair, honest, and logical.
You are a natural leader, and people respect you.
You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries.
You are rational enough to see every part of a problem.
You are great at giving other people advice.

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.
You are solid and dependable.
You are loyal, and people can count on you.
At times, you can be a bit too serious.
You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

You are a very lucky person.
Things just always seem to go your way.
And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries.
You just hope for the best in life.
You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy.
Spread your luck around a little to people who need it.

You are full of energy.
You are spirited and boisterous.
You are bold and daring.
You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things.
Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble.
You can have a pretty bad temper at times.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/outcome.php