This week, I decided to fail in one of my new year’s resolutions – lose weight by dieting.  I gave in to the temptation of eating rice during weekdays – again.  Oh well, at least I am consistent in failing to accomplish this much needed task to reach my ideal weight year on year!  Hahaha!

Hence, I would have to say that 18 to 24 January 2010’s theme is “pure indulgence”.  Two major reasons why the week is called that way: (1) my food intake – enough said, (2) I decided to end it by pampering myself some more.  Friday morning, I had a spontaneous thought of flying to Bali for the weekend, but decided to just stay in Jakarta and book myself a nice suite at The Ritz Carlton (also quite excited as it is my first time to stay in the hotel with such fancy name) for Saturday and Sunday.

]]> http://myepinoy.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/sorry-i-cant-help-it-u-lol-great-i-swear/ Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:12:57 +0000 myepinoy http://myepinoy.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/sorry-i-cant-help-it-u-lol-great-i-swear/

So, I was kind of enjoying my silence. Yes, my silence.

Happy Camel, You or Me? Oh, come on!

The kind of thing that I have been doing for the last couple of years, making money to be specific,  has somehow slowed down a bit. It is never frantic anymore like it used to be.

From hectic to frantic then frantically (tama ba ito? may suggestion ka?) waiting for the market to close and go home. This is the silence I am getting used to right now and for the past few months. Silence. Gets mo what I am talking about?

As it is, and contrary to what most of the DULING analysts out there who  predicted that everything will collapse and stop, it must stop and, was supposed to collapse and stop, but, well, quite amazingly, it did not, and fortunately, I still have my work that afforded me time to enjoy my silence as well. I am talking about the U.S. stock markets where my making money or WORK is.  Ha ha ha.

For that, I thank the American people for electing Obama.  As everyone knows,  Obama bailed out most of the big but dying (bankarote)  companies in the U.S.A and so the stock markets are still alive and now,  these companies are paying huge bonuses except my company. Perhaps,  silence is paid for instead of cash in my case.  ha ha ha

In addition, I’d say thank you also to the few people who still have the balls to do some trades even if they lost more than half of their money.

And why not thank everyone and the universe as well?  Thank Yo!

The slowdown that brought the silence for the last few months had me wondering about many things:

Life, how would I extract more from it knowing that I am growing old everyday. Time does not want to wait nor it is willing stop. It ticks silently and constantly, kahit walang battery… ha ha ha

Family, I feel that I have been away from them quite too long.  Although I am always in constant communication with them  (parang 24/7) but then, this does not allow me to hug and be hugged. The  short vacations from time to time seemed like they did not happen specially when you were at the airport waiting for that plane that will fly you back to where you are making money. Sometimes, I think it is ironic – the plane that brought you home is always the same plane that will fly you back. bakit kasi di pede maglakad o mag swimming na lang pabalik para maiba naman… ha ha ha.

Sex Life.  Who wouldn’t think about this if you were alone most of the time? The technologies available, the Web cam on Skype, Yahoo and what have you help but they do not give you the real thing. Manigas ka, sabi ni pareng kulas…  Ha ha ha

And of course,  Money. What money? Honestly, I have more than enough money to last in my lifetime only if that lifetime ends today or next week.  Beyond that defined lifetime, my goal of P50 million cash in my account is  still a dream.  Although I am still years away from reaching my goal, I heard that there is always that possibility  that is just waiting around the corner ready to pour (figuratively) or drop like manna from heaven (literally) any time of the day.

As recommended by those who believe in the  law of attraction, I have been visualizing about this for years, but then, it seems that the universe is not ready to conspire. Of course,  I have to presume it did and always does but as it is,  not in my favor yet. Somehow, I am very positive (though) that my P50 million will be part of  the universe’ to do list soon. You know, I am doing my part – tumataya po ako sa lotto pag bakasyon ako.  I believe in the saying, ‘Nasa tao ang taya, nasa bola ang tama.‘  ha ha ha.

However, being tao lang just like everyone else in this wide climate has changed whole world, there are times though that I ask the universe and myself, how many more years?  Well sometimes, the universe gives a clue and thus, it is always myself who answers all the time (ha ha ha). It could be today or could never be in my lifetime. Realistically, it would take me another 50 years if supposing I’ll be able to save P1 million every year. Do I still need that P50 million by that time? Ha ha ha

I just wish that I would not end up like Dorothy who was told to follow that yellow brick road,  the scarecrow on her side pointing this way, that way and everywhere. I wonder, it would have been very easy had the scarecrow is high tech loaded with google maps and GPS…

However, that was then and this is now.

Silence please… the universe is working right at this moment.  “Free your minds people!” This is what the universe is telling me now.  And oh yes,  “you are allowed to smile and laugh out loud (LOL) too.”

I promise, I won’t put  “U” to  your “LOL.”  But then, sorry, I can’t help it,  U LOL great, I swear.

One of the things that I promised myself in 2010 is to be more diligent in terms of documenting blog-worthy thoughts and events in my life.  Hence, I am now committed to summarizing my weekly adventures via words and photos.  So, here’s the first cut to a more active blog in 2010…

11 to 18 January 2010 I would say had been such a fun week – needless to say, work occupied much of it, but relatively speaking, there were also a lot of social activities that came by, making the seven days fully optimized with “more than just work”.

11 January, Monday – KTV night with Berna and Ayie at T-Rex, Grand Indonesia

12 January, Tuesday – Great dinner at Pand’or with Sari

14 January, Thursday – Gastronomic feast: grilled lamb lunch with Prita and JB at Andakar, Chinese dinner with J&J clients turned friends at No Signboard-Pacific Place

17 January, Sunday – Wore my tour guide hat: Pau’s visit in Jakarta for the first time.  Itinerary: Grand Indonesia, Social House, Pacific Place, Potato Head

]]> http://pininggapura.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/up-in-the-air-monologue/ Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:01:12 +0000 pininggapura http://pininggapura.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/up-in-the-air-monologue/ http://myepinoy.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/so-myepinoy-has-magic/ Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:36:15 +0000 myepinoy http://myepinoy.wordpress.com/2009/12/01/so-myepinoy-has-magic/

I received this e-mail today at 3:47 a.m., approximately 15 hours ago right now. And mind you, this e-mail made my day somehow even if this one appears to be a spam [and me, stupid]. ha ha ha ha

Hi,

How are you? I hope you are fine,  I am Miss Joyce. I came across your profile today browsing on this site (multiply.com ).  it seems like some thing touched me, I  started having some feeling in me which i have never experience in my life before,  so i decided to write you.  l will like to know  more about you,  as i will appreciate hearing from you soon so l can send you my pictures for you to know whom l am and more about me.

Age, Color and Distance i believe has got nothing to do with friendship. I believe we can move ahead from here!!

As i wait reading  your mail soon,do have a pleasant day.

Yours,

JOYCE

Another reminder that while we’re asleep, life happened. In this case, I touched something inside Miss Joyce’, whatever that maybe.

To Joyce, phish be with you.

ABC

Noong October 23, nagone-year old na ang anak ko, WAKANASUSHA, ang bilis ng panahon, kinakabahan baka bukas e naghihingi na ng pang-gimik sa akin ito, hahahaha! Umuwi kami ng PI para i-celebrate ang knayang birthday with family and friends. I’ll post the pictures soon.

I came across this prayer in one of the FB status update, and it was really touching. I will forever remember this prayer and I hope that my son will also live with it.

=============================

A Prayer For My Son

This is one of my favorite things ever written. Gen. Douglas MacArthur wrote this prayer for his son.

A Prayer For My Son

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.

Build me a son whose wishes will not take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee — and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.

Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him learn compassion for those who fail.

Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goals will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things are his, give him, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, and the meekness of true strength.

Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, “I have not lived in vain.”

(Thanks to Wikipedia for this photo) Si Kerr ay kasama ko sa trabaho for 5 years from late 1997 to 2002. Kapwa kami na assigned sa Finance Department ng aming pinapasukang kompanya. Siya’y isang Indian national. Siya ay mabait, palaibigan at magaling makipagkapwa tao.

Kahit magkaiba ang aming relihiyon, tradisyon at kultura ‘di ako nag alangan na kaibiganin ko siya hanggang sa naging best friend ko siya. Edad n’ya noon ay 26 at binata pa.

Ang taas n’ya ay nasa 5′11″. Matangos ang ilong, at kulay moreno. Malinis siyang tingnan. Macho at puwedeng pang artista ang dating n’ya. Kapag nakatitig sa iyo ang kanyang mga mata ay nangungusap. Buo ang boses kung magsalita.

Matulungin at maawain siyang tao. Kahit sa insekto naaawa siya, minsan isang langaw na dumapo sa kamay ko at napatay ko ako’y kanyang pinagsabihan na sana di ko pinatay, pinakawalan ko nalang daw. Isa siyang vegetarian, naaawa kasi siya sa mga pinapatay na hayop kaya ayaw niyang kumain ng karne.

Nang magkasakit ang asawa ko at kailangan ko ng malaking halaga para magamot siya, si Kerr ‘di nagdalawang isip na ako’y tulungan, sabi pa n’ya, “Ang mahalaga gumaling ang asawa mo. Kung kailan ka maluwag saka mo ayusin ang obligasyon mo sa akin.”

Unti-unti kong nakikita ang kanyang tunay na katauhan. Maaasahan sa oras ng kagipitan. Masaya siyang kausap. Mapagbiro at ‘di ka mababato kung kaharap mo siya.

That morning I was feeling confused. I had no idea why Kerr has invited me sa isang trip dahil noon ay holiday dito, at may apat kaming araw na bakasyon pagkatapos ng Ramadan in 2001. He has so many friends though he has chosen me! But I like his company. I know I’d enjoy being with him, I thought.

Next day, I kept myself busy: packing all the things that I would need for the trip: some underwear, toothbrush, t – shirts, jacket, pants and towel. I put them in a black backpack. Then took my shower, changed my clothes and waited Kerr for airport.

Exactly four-thirty PM we boarded the plane for Bahrain. It took the plane for about 55 minutes to reach Bahrain airport. There we took a limousine to Gulf Hotel. We checked in to a single room good for two, put our baggage in order and took some nap for hours.

At eight-thirty we woke up, refreshed with some cold waters, then walked down to the restaurant located at the ground floor of the hotel to eat dinner. I ordered beef stake with chilly and garlic sauces and for Kerr were soup, fried eggs and vegetable salad. While eating, Kerr suggested that after dinner, we would have to hang on to a beer house. He also explained to me that Bahrain was already an open country to enjoy drinking wine, beer and many more.

After dinner, we left hotel going to a beer house which was only a walking distance from the hotel we’ve checked in. There we found an empty table. We ordered beer and enjoyed drinking them. I noticed that the waiters were friendly. Chatting, giggling and laughing with them have flavored the night.

Exactly 12:30 AM we left the place and went back to the Hotel. I had rosy cheeks and was a little groggy. I decided to take a shower. I took off my clothes. The shower room was in the front of Kerr’s bed. I walked into the shower room with the towel around my waist, passing through at the left side of Kerr, whom that time was on bed half-asleep. I didn’t close the door fully. I started to bathe. I looked back and noticed Kerr was looking at me!

I opened the door a little more. Kerr inclined back and continued to look. I couldn’t understand what was in my mind during that time. Ang alam ko I wanted to fool Kerr and to know his reaction. I turned around and faced Kerr while I soaped my wet body.

Fooling off in front of someone else really added something to experience for me. I took it slow, watching Kerr reactions then I rinsed off, enwrapped the towel around myself, went back to my bed and put my clothes back on.

But unknown to me, Kerr had other thrill. I was about to lie down in my bed when Kerr touched my back. Kerr whispered, “Maybe… you want massage. I’ll do it for you.”

I just nodded. I removed my short, t-shirt leaving my underwear. Then I faced down on my bed and waited Kerr’s first stroke. Kerr took a lotion. He poured the lotion into his hands, and then started massaging my body. He started pressing my shoulders and back. Then he asked, “Is it strong enough?”

“The pressure is fine,” I replied.

Kerr’s hands were strong and firm. For me lying there felt nice. Kerr would re-apply the lotion and continue to press. He pressed at the top where my stub met the spinal column, then both his hands worked together.
When he was done with my upper back, Kerr suggested, “Turn over.”

I agreed without any question and hesitation. Kerr looked at me. My eyes met his. And then Kerr looked down at my unclad body.

At this time Kerr was working on my legs. I felt very nice, specially when Kerr would reach the top of my legs then on my arms and then my legs, then to my belly. Kaya lang may naramdaman akong kakaiba kay Kerr. Ang kanyang masahe at pagpisil sa katawan ko ay iba kay sa una, parang painit nang painit. Hanggang sa naramdaman ko na ang kanyang hininga ay mainit na dumadampi sa aking katawan parang may pagnanasa!

That time bigla akong bumalikwas at natulak ko siyang pababa sa sahig. Ako’y umupo sa tagiliran ng kama at sabay sabi, “We better sleep now, dude. It’s already morning!”

Bigla siyang tumayo at niyakap ako. I looked at Kerr amused. Ngunit pilit pa rin n’ya akong niyayapos closer to him. Sinikap kong kumawala sa kanya, nguni’t lalo niyang hinigpitan ang yakap at ang dating buo niyang boses ngayon ay parang garalgal, para bang may nakakalso sa kanyang lalamunan.

“Are you OK?” I asked him. “Tell me what’s wrong with you man?”

Then unti-unti niyang niluwagan ang pagkakayapos sa akin and he faced me, nakita ko na may luha ang kaniyang mga mata habang sinasambit niya, “I’m gay!”

Ang pagkalango ko ay biglang naglaho at gusto kong isuka ang ispirito ng alak, ‘di ako nakapagsalita dahil nabigla ako sa aking narinig!

Paul Pruel
OFW, Riyadh, KSA