As a working mom, I always look forward to the weekends.
Between Saturday and Sunday, it is Saturday (since Sunday is for church and bonding time) when I wouldn't want to budge. I just want to just laze around, think of nothing, just listen to music, read a good book (I so wanted to finish The Wind-up Bird Chronicle already so I can start with the Kite Runner!!!), play with my gremlins, eat, watch TV, play some sports, and just do stuff that doesn't require too much brain activity.
But I think I'll have to say goodbye to my lazy Saturdays. It has become as toxic as a working day! In fact, more toxic! I always find meetings very toxic, especially when they don't follow an agenda and thus resolutions are hard to come by and long drawn out.
How, I miss my lazy Saturdays!
The first half of the SONA, which I got to listen before the power outage in my place, I know. The other half, which I got to read, I didn't know.
Lesson learned:
(If I want to be positive about it)
I need to be more vigilant so that I can appreciate more what this government is doing for my family and for my children, and find ways to help out.
(If I want to be nega about it)
I need to be more vigilant, still, and find out if that SONA is all true or pure lies, and if there'll be more lying, who knows and who cares?
Read the full text of the SONA.
In an hour or so, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will have delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA). As expected militant groups gathered in the Batasan area to do their job. Some of those in the opposition chose not to listen, others claimed to listen by obligation. Those for the government, of course can't wait, to hear it and show support by clapping (even if it would sound cued).
Depending on which side you are in, the SONA is something any concerned Filipino should be interested in. The speech itself may be full of lies and padded information, or it may also reflect the true state of the nation.
For me a SONA, the speech, should start by telling me what and where the Philippines is right now, at the time of speaking, or at least at the present. After establishing that fact, then it's time to think of solutions, offer suggestions or deliverables for the next year. The President being the leader of the country is of course expected to give us a glimpse of what she plans to do under the present state of the nation.
So, I think, those who are boycotting the SONA don't want to be part of the solution. Rather they want to continue to be part of the problem.
What's interesting though about the SONA event itself is that it is a reflection of the real state our leaders are in. Some are walking out, others are out on the streets sympathizing the militant groups, and some others perhaps overseas and shopping. MLQ3 earlier even challenged us to a game of "find your congressman" during the SONA.
One thing is clear, our leaders are still lost as to how to propel this country forward. If PGMA owes us the SONA, I think our leaders (those in Congress, in the Senate, or in the LGUs), owe us their annual report. Like in the corporate world, their performances should be evaluated, and be rewarded or penalized accordingly.
Would you want to see or listen to a report of all of our leaders?
Agent Zero Came to Town (a rather late post)
Posted by Meikah Labels: adidas, Agent Zero, NBA, Power Plant Mall... and this is what my camera saw: a blurred Agent Zero.
We just went, even commuted, to Power Plant Mall to catch Agent Zero or Gilbert Arenas.
Wizheart insisted that we go even when he was out of town on a business because he said Gabo and Rago would be thrilled. Thus, it was unplanned. Had I known the mechanics I would have found ways to get that guest pass.
We were at Adidas shop in Power Plant Mall at 1pm and waited for an hour and a half to catch Agent Zero. I so wanted to leave but I remembered I was not there for myself. I was there for my kids (sometimes I forget, you see). ;)
Other parents were there too, waiting, for someone some of us didn't really know or perhaps care about.
At 2:30pm, some activity or energy was already felt. The DJs reminded everyone that there were children so the adults should be careful not to trample on them should they forget because of excitement. Then everyone started chanting Agent Zero! I had to raise my arms, click that photo above, and then pick up Gabo and carried him so he could see Agent Zero.
True enough, the adults forgot that there were children. They let their own chid-like excitement got the better of them. I had to carry Gabo and Ate Fely, Rago, the whole time so that they would see Agent Zero.
It was my first time to be carrying a heavy Gabo and be pushed and shove. But surprisingly, I didn't mind.
I was happy seeing that Gabo was happy and thrilled, and excitedly shouting the answers to the questions the DJs were asking about Agent Zero.
What Gabo Learned from the Leadership Workshop
Posted by Meikah Labels: children, education, leadershipJust to check, I asked Gabo to write down what he learned from their leadership workshop. And this is what he wrote:
1. Leaders are not giving up and should be pushing forward.
2. and see and dream
3. you should listen well
4. we should work together and
5. always find ways.
I didn't edit this. He wrote these down himself. I'm a proud mama! :-D
Here are photos during their registration.
Plurk is a new microblogging network that's keeping netizens busy. When Liz Strauss invited me, I promptly joined.
Plurk's slogan is "your life on the line." It's very apt as you will be interacting with your friends, called plurkers on a timeline. It is also like being in a bar, where everyone seems to be talking all the at the same time and you can eavesdrop or join in any conversation.
With that setting, it's no wonder why I plurk. Here are more reasons why I plurk:
1. the Friendship - you build a community with friends and you get to know them in their most candid. It's also an effective way of sharing links or interesting websites.
2. the Communication - you can ask questions, post a question, answer questions and get quick responses. Through this, also, you get more ideas for future projects.
3. the Challenge - you are encouraged to plurk every day or every hour because there's a reward by doing so. The rewards can be in the form of more choices in icons, among the famous ones is the banana dance; customize the look of your plurk; have a plurk display name.
4. the Karma - when you're up for that challenge, you get more karma. The rewards are computed through karma points. My idea of karma before bordered on the negative, but with plurk's karma, the term is put on the positive light.
5. the Plurk - It's fun, it's hilarious, it's simply plurk! See let's catch up at Plurk :)
So, why do you plurk?
Are leaders born or made?
According to a Chinese friend, Gabo's astrology reads that he'll be a leader. He was born in 2000 the year of the dragon and in March 1 at that, which at the head or early part of the year. Well, on that day, Mayon Volcano erupted. That must account for something. :)
When Gabo was in Grade 1, he got the Leadership Award. Is this an early proof? He does act like a leader sometimes, but in the amateurish way. He transferred school in Grade 2, and so he said he wanted to have a low profile. I guess he was too proud to say that he didn't have many friends yet when their class election was done. We didn't push it. We never do.
But throughout that year, he would share stories about officers' meeting and level elections. I think he wanted to be part of that. We would just tell him that there was always next year, and he would just nod.
This year---he's now in Grade 3---he got elected as Sergeant-at-Arms. He came home one day and proudly announced that. When we asked him what a sergeant-at-arms does, he mumbled, "keeps order in the classroom." Hmmm... at least he has an idea of what to do.
A couple of months after that class election, he excitedly handed us a letter informing us of a leadership training. If we wanted our son to participate, we would have to pay some fees, the letter went. Gabo then asked, Is it expensive for you Mama? No, just right. You'll go to this one, I was quick to reply. His grin lighted the darkest night. I knew he was waiting for this!
For days now, he has been anticipating the training, which is happening tomorrow. For the past 3 nights, he has been asking what to bring, what food to pack for that day. He is REALLY excited!
I remember in high school, for our leadership training, we would always have it in La Salle Bacolod. And it was always an exciting, fun-filled, training workshop. It was one cool way to learn!
Now, I pray that Gabo won't be disappointed, and that he would come out of his first leadership training inspired and ready to blaze. :-D
This year, I planned not to be active or be an officer anymore in my son's school. But last Saturday, when the GA was set, Gabo just woke up early to tell me, "Mama you have a meeting in school today, right?" After hearing me mumble, "yes!" he went back to sleep.
How could I not drag myself out of bed and go? So I went. As expected, I was requested to get the Chair's post. Their argument was that I was an officer last year, and it was a good year for them. They were so persistent that I gave in eventually. I then went on to be Vice Chair of the Sports Committee, the same committee I worked on last year.
Today, we had our induction and workshop. We mapped out our activities for the whole year. I can already see that it's going to be another busy, but fun year. I just hope there will be less intrigues this time. :-D
When I think about it though, being active in school is not really for parents. It's for the kids. Our kids feel proud when they see their parents active in school. Last year, when I had to speak in Gabo's class, I saw how proudly his eyes twinkled, and that scene tugged at my heart.
I had spoken in front of various audiences before, but that moment was really different. I felt at that time that I couldn't afford to mess up because that would embarrass my son, too. Another life, reputation depended on me. I had to set a good example, because that day will form part of his days.
If you were to ask me, if I had seen inspiration in the flesh? My answer would be yes. It was right there in front of me. Gabo was staring at me as if anything I said was life changing.
I think he was right. Both our lives were changed that day. (._.)
Bill Gates is Probably Showing Us the Real Meaning of Life
Posted by Meikah Labels: Bill Gates, Microsoft, philanthropyZDNet reports that Bill Gates bids a teary farewell to Microsoft. From being a geek, Gates will now live the life of a philanthropist. Through his foundation, he will be finding new vaccines or to microfinance projects in the developing world.
Is he trying to show us the real meaning of life? That after working hard to get where he is now, he’d retire and get down to more humane work.
I’ve seen many successful people do it. After retirement they build foundations and go out and help people.
Can't we work to build a fortune and help people at the same time? Is this what they mean when they say, you can't serve two masters at the same time?Hmmm…
Check out Bill Gates's photos through the years.
The first time I heard the song Betamax by Sandwich, I thought it was a Parokya ni Edgar song. The lyrics, the melody, the beat, the sound is so Parkya-ish for me. I hope I don't offend Sandwich and their fans as well as Parokya ni Edgar and their fans.
Nevertheless, I like the song. I may be giving away my age, but I can so relate. Yeah those days were fun! I smiled when I heard these lines:
Sa jingle magazine Natutong mag gitara...
Yeah, I learned to play the guitar that way. My mentor was Cathy, the sister of Uncle Steve. The instrument, owned by their father Lolo Stanley (God bless his soul) was heavy and with metal strings. My first piece was How Deep is Your Love followed by Too Much Heaven both by the Bee Gees. After an afternoon jamming, my left wrist would be hurting, I could hardly move my left-hand fingers whose tips were all blue! But it was super fun!
Makes me think that life may be simpler then yet it was never less fun. I miss the jamming sessions with my parents and brother, and other times with friends. Now, I jam with my husband and kids. Every time, it's a happy happy activity.
Music has always been my anti-depressant and my medicine. Whenever I feel happy or sad, I'd listen to music or play some music, and I'd feel good. About a month ago, I was having frequent dizzy spells, I would strum the guitar and sing, and I'd feel much better.
For me, if love makes the world go 'round, music makes the going 'round really worthwhile.
Models:
1. Rago with the old Jingle Mag
2. Gabo learning the guitar (he's holding an RJ Guitar)
