Of Rules, Discipline, and Doing the Right Thing

Untitled, originally uploaded by B.Riordan..

I can't believe how much neglected this blog is.  I've been gone from here for so long that I almost forgot my sign-in details hahaha!  Anyway, I hope that I am back for good from my long hiatus.

What's up with Brewed Coffee these days?  Dealing with the real world, that's what I have been doing during the interim.  The real world of course is comprised mostly of work, work, and work.  I have learned through the years how to deal with mounds of work load.   Deadlines and truck full of tasks don't scare me out of my wits anymore.  But dealing with problematic people in the workplace is really taking a toll on my heart and emotional health.  

Discipline in the workplace is something I highly value.  It's not like I'm a drill sergeant, but I expect people to behave accordingly and follow simple company rules and guidelines.  But I can be very, very strict when it comes to safety protocols.  And so I have given a handful of people a taste of the dark, strong Brewed Coffee.  I felt like Bugs Bunny saying " I speak softly....but I carry a big stick!"  In my case, I'm more like carrying a big pot of boiling coffee.  Just humoring myself there. 

It's one thing to be disciplining people under you, but it's another thing when you find out, people from your own rank are breaking the rules.  That got me really frustrated for a time.  It got me thinking also if I am the only one trying to do the right thing.  I thought I was fighting a good battle, only to find out I had no good back-up.  That's like looking back, seeing people cheering you on but they're not making any moves.  That stopped me from my tracks.  It's definitely time to re-assess my situation.  

All in all, I have learned valuable lessons.  That's what I like about this whole experience.  It has taught me to be calm, yes to speak softly even if I am on the verge of whacking someone in the head.  Sometimes, I still wonder if that would have served the person better than my lengthy sermons.  Evil thoughts hahaha!  Scrap that out.  I've learned also, and still learning to control my emotions, being the jumpy type that I am, sometimes.  Oh alright then, most of the time I am jumpy.  But the best thing about this whole thing is, I know that I am somehow planting seeds, hopefully the good seeds of discipline.

I know myself better now, the things I am capable of doing, and recognizing that there are some things that are really out of my hands.  One thing is for sure...I will not stop doing what is right, even if no one's looking and I'm the only person left who would do the right thing.  

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So Where Is Matt Now?

This was shared during the church service yesterday.  How it came about in the preaching is a long story.  Hahaha!  So I'm not going to repeat the more than two hours preaching to explain how we got to this video.  I guess it has to do with doing what you love and being passionate about it.  I don't really get the whole idea of why Matt Harding is doing this, but traveling around the world is pretty cool, I think.  Just seeing all those places and interacting with different people is a very rich experience.  Suffice to say that he made me smile and I'm sure he made other people happy with his bad dancing.  Dancing is not his talent, definitely...it's something else.  I read he's making a 2011 video.  This one is his video last 2008.  I just realized that when you love what you do, it is very infectious....and happiness is a universal thing. 

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Sick As A Dog

Occasional sniffing.  Check. 
Runny nose (now when did it ever learn to jog?). Check.
Watery eyes that ironically feels hot.  Check. 
Coughing (barking is more like it) that hurts the throat like hell, at the same time inducing a mild headache or side stitch.  Check. 
Aaaachoooooo!  Check! 

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New Blogger Template...My Futile Attempts

Tell me that you'll open your eyes, originally uploaded by Katie Tegtmeyer.

I am finally done tearing down and reconstructing the templates of two of my blogs.  It would have been an easy thing if only I am satisfied with the default blogger templates.  Well, after a few months, I already got tired of those templates.  I love to redesign things, much like rearranging home furniture.   It's always a refreshing thing to see changes, have different perspectives.

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Monday Music : Take On Me

Some of you already know that I love guitar music.  So it's not surprising that I have subscribed to Sungha Jung's You Tube channel.  Every time he uploads a new video, I get an email notification.  This video is not his latest, but among the recent ones uploaded within the last couple of months.  I would say he started it out well with the tapping intro.  I'd say it's a difficult piece to execute on just one acoustic guitar.  You know the songs from the eighties, they use lots of those synthesizers that are hard to mimic on conventional instruments.  Listening to Sungha Jung's version of the song takes some getting used to, at least for me.  I've been so accustomed to the original version.  Anyway, here is the once cute little boy who's now all grown up.

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Hide and Seek

105, originally uploaded by Mitya Kuznetsov.

This quote was part of the sermon from the service I attended yesterday. It caught my attention. After all, I am a woman.

“A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.” --- Max Lucado

I like the idea here, but I'm sure not all women, or even men would agree. It will largely depend on a person's faith and convictions in life. Most often, people take matters into their own hands. But I feel that being in a romantic relationship is a crucial decision to ever leave it to chances. Sometimes, feelings alone is not a guarantee that we are making the right choice, not even with all the so-called right chemistry.

But imagine a relationship that's blessed by God. Now that is something to really look forward to.

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A Chicken Has Rights...Even a Dead One

Chicken, originally uploaded by Mark Gstohl.

I think PETA would be all too pleased about that title...except of course when they get to read the whole content of this post. I hope I don't get a bashing as I am only expressing my opinion...in my own blog.

I have just read the article : Is this chicken too sexy? PETA thinks so  from Shine, one of Yahoo's sites. Looking at the picture made me laugh and that was the intention of the New York Times. But PETA claims it's necrophilia.

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My Fave Song From Tyrone Wells

This is one of my favorites from Tyrone Wells.  Oh nothing...just chilling to some cool rock music....and yeah, maybe wondering where YOU are.  :-)

Cool huh? I like the simple sound of his electric guitar....would be nice on acoustic guitar as well.

Here are the lyrics, in case you want to sing along.  I suppose it's for anyone who's still wondering where his or her special someone is.

Will you like to watch the sunrise?
Will you have blue or brown eyes?
What are the dreams you long to share
I hope you like Stevey Wonder
Are you afraid of thunder?
I close my eyes and say a prayer you're out there somewhere

I've been waiting all of my life for you
I've been wishing on every shining star
I've been watching out of my window
Wondering where you are
Wondering where you are

My heart's my only treasure
Been saving it for your pleasure
Can't wait to give my heart to you
We'll walk this road together
That leads us to forever
I close my eyes and say a prayer you're out there somewhere

I've been waiting all of my life for you
I've been wishing on every shining star
I've been watching out of my window
Wondering where you are
Wondering where you are

Too many nights alone
And this house won't be a home
Until I'm with you

And I've been waiting all of my life for you
I've been wishing on every shining star

I've been waiting all of my life for you
I've been wishing on every shining star
I've been watching out of my window
Wondering where you are
Wondering where you are
Wondering where you are
Wondering where you are
I'm wondering where you are
Wondering where you are
I'm wondering where you are
Wondering where you are

Lyrics credit from LYRICS MANIA

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Hey There Stranger

Young Women Chat on the Street - Ouro Preto - Minas Gerais - Brazil, originally uploaded by Adam Jones, Ph.D..

Number 6087...as I looked on the screen, the last number called is 6076.  Still got about ten people before me.  Oh well, nothing to do but wait for my turn, so I sat on the long chair along with others.  I needed to have one of my mobile phone lines terminated.  I think I could do with just one mobile contact number now.  Call it part of simplifying my life and cutting away on expenses.

Twenty minutes of waiting, just a couple more transactions and I'm next.  Just then, someone tapped my shoulder and as I turned to look, the person mentioned my full name, in a tone that is kind of confirming if I was indeed the person she knew.  I said yes and she asked if I remember her.  I blinked just once and said her name.  Good Lord!  Thank You that you gave me an excellent memory for matching faces with names, otherwise, it would have been an embarrassing moment for me.

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Gali and His Heavenly Piano Music

Visitors of this blog couldn't fail to notice the music playing in the background.  The first one you'll hear is "Maybe" by Korean pianist, Yiruma.  If you have stayed long enough on this site, I am sure you must have heard of that piano version of the worship song "From the Inside Out."  It's one of my favorite songs.  And it seems, Gali is also a fan of Hillsongs' music. 

 

Who is Gali?  The best way to get a glimpse of this man is by reading his bio in his own site Gali - Heaven's Sounds ... Here on Earth.  Don't freak out if you do not understand Spanish.  There's a button somewhere in the site that says "in English."  I find his story inspiring simply because he discovered his calling at a very early age.  Okay so maybe he was unaware of it at 5 years old.  But it seems that from that time his father bought a keyboard, the first time he set his fingers on it must have been a defining moment in his life.

I suppose, another way of getting to know this great musician, is of course by his music.  Here's Gali doing his cover of another worship song by Hillsongs.  Some of you may be familiar with it, but before you hit that play button, please scroll down, all the way to the bottom of this blog and press the pause button of my Mixpod, so that you won't be hearing two different music at the same time.

You might be wondering why I said music is his calling.  Quoting from his site, here's why I thought of that :  

Within his entire musical success, GALÍ has never ceased to move away from the original purpose in music which is to positively affect the heart of the people through the talent God gave him as a child. 

I couldn't think of a better way to express gratitude for the talents God gave us than by using it to glorify Him and bless others.  How I wish I were like that with my guitar...very passionate, focused, and intense for the craft.  I suppose it's not yet too late for me hahaha! Oh by the way, at the home page of Gali's site, you'll find this box that says "Musica Gratis."  It simply means, free music, so go on and get free samplers of his original music.  I downloaded some of it already and quite enjoying the sounds of heavenly music. 

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Badminton and a Bit of Rain

badminton 3.1.2008, originally uploaded by Pazit Polak.

I suppose, badminton and some light drizzle wouldn't have conflicts with each other...that is if you're playing indoors. I was playing badminton with a colleague barely a half hour ago in the basketball court. It's not a covered court so you're exposed to the elements. It wasn't very windy so the shuttle cock don't have a problem with wind resistance. But just thirty minutes of playing, here comes a light drizzle. I would have continued to play as I'm not one who's prone to getting sick with a little rain. I actually like the feel of those tiny rain drops on my skin...But my companion called it quits already as she's afraid she might catch a cold or have fever.

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Repousse: Art Work on Metal

 

Last Saturday, I went on a plant visit to a couple of suppliers that provide raw materials for our company.  Our group was first ushered to the conference room while we were waiting for the technical manager who would present the company profile and products.  The room was actually newly constructed and quite bare except for the long conference table and chairs.....and a nice artwork on the wall.  I was staring at the metal artwork for quite a long time, taking in the details.  I was also looking for the artist's signature but I couldn't find one. 

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Hunger Management...

Human behaviour., originally uploaded by Zawezome.

I'm not really going to talk about how to end hunger in the world. Just telling here an amusing story that could have turned tragic, but I thank God that I was reminded of important lessons instead.

I've mentioned before that on weekdays, I have breakfast with my colleagues at around 9 am. It's the breakfast club, as I would call it. On ordinary days, one of us, whoever couldn't contain the pang of hunger, would call out and say the magic words: "Let's eat!" That is then followed by a frenzy of preparing the plates, spoons, forks and not to forget my cup of coffee. No breakfast is ever complete without that. This morning is a little bit different from the usual.

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On Prayer

If we've ever needed You..., originally uploaded by kelsey_lovefusionphoto.

I have just been to the company clinic early this morning at half past 6am to have my blood pressure checked. It's been going haywire for three weeks now and I suspect, it has been like that for even longer. It shoots up to as high as 160/100, going down to only as low as 120/80. If I am probably in my 50's, I wouldn't wonder and would probably accept it as age, lifestyle and genes finally catching up on me. But I am still a long way off from that! It's too soon, even if it runs in the family. What I find harder to accept is that I have always thought I am fit.  To be proven wrong by those two numbers is something that can be really frustrating.

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July 26 Earthquake

To be honest, I never knew about the 5.9 (or 6.2) magnitude earthquake that occurred at past 1 am today.  I had my usual morning trip to the clinic at past 6 am and it was only then that I learned from the nurse that there was an earthquake.  Wow, I thank God I lived to hear the news, considering that this was a stronger earthquake than that of the July 16, 1991 quake that was reported to have a more devastating effect.  Those working on night shift and the night owls who were still awake felt it.  So this one occurred while I was sleeping.  Whew!  Maybe it was better that way than being awakened by the shaking as I am on the 3rd floor.  Good Lord!  The 1991 quake at only a magnitude of 4.0 left me feeling a bit dizzy already, what more this one?

For more details, just read it on this news article: 

Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake Stikes Parts of NCR, Luzon

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Thumbs Up!

This year's first of July made quite a mark on me, literally.  It was a Friday morning, exactly two weeks ago when I was cutting papers to be used for labeling.  I was using a crude contraption of a cutter blade and a plastic ruler to make sure the cut is straight.  I cringe now as I thought of the force I was applying on the cutter to cut through the layers of paper.  The cutter went past the ruler and cut right to the thumb that was pressing down the ruler. 

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He's The One

103, originally uploaded by Mitya Kuznetsov.

I just had an interesting conversation this morning, over breakfast.  Meal time here in the office is like bonding time with my colleagues.  Anything goes over our talks, from the mundane things about life to the most profound thoughts we could conjure.  Well, most of the time we end up laughing though at times like this morning, each of us probably have some deep thoughts about the topic.

Normally, it would be four of us on the table but one was not there and there were only three of us ladies, all single through different circumstances.  I was actually the one who brought up the topic on courtship and relationships as I was telling about this guy who had the misfortune to take a fancy on me.  Hahahha!  Now why do I find that funny?  Beats me.  He's a nice guy and all, the typical tall, dark, and good-looking-in-a rugged-way kind of guy.  One of them asked me what's the status and I said it was not a good match, based on what I know so far about the guy.  I think he would be better off with someone else and well, we could just be good friends.  At least that's what I believe now, given all the circumstances.  I have been honest with him on that matter, well except telling him we're not a good match hahaha!

Now, what would have been a good match, by the way? We could actually come up with all the criteria we want in a prospective mate or partner.  No one's stopping you from making a check list.  I do have what you may call the non-negotiables but even if anyone would pass all of that, there is one final thing that would drive the nail through.  He has to be the ONE that God planned to be with me, assuming of course that there is someone in His plans.

You might probably ask, how do I know if he's already the one?  I suppose, when everything falls in the right place, and there is that peace knowing it is His will, I will know it's him.

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Just Some Sentimental Thoughts....

girl with coffee, originally uploaded by lotzmana.

I wish life were just as simple as having a nice cup of coffee on a lazy day.  And yet, even as my schedule is not that hectic and I do have time to enjoy my morning brew, it's not as calm and relaxing as it looks.  My head spins with lots of thoughts lately.  Family stuff, my own personal stuff, work and things in between.  Sometimes, I wonder if I think too much...but a better question is, am I thinking of worthy stuff?  I suppose, sometimes, I do...hehehe.  

I find my thoughts are mostly driven by my emotional responses.  Like lately, I am saddened about the prospects of losing some of my good staff.  Well, that's life.  You cannot hold them forever as they embark on a different career path, or simply a different working environment.  I have always told my staff to be honest with me, no surprises whatsoever as I don't like the kind of surprises that leave me fumbling at work. A proper turn over should be in order.  It's always my principle that you don't hold good people by the collar...you let them fly and become even better at what they choose to do. 

I probably just suck at goodbyes.  Sometimes, I hate goodbyes, because usually, I am the one left behind.  Tough luck. I've had a lot of colleagues who are good friends and who have already left the company for the proverbial "greener pastures."  I realize, it isn't so tough to see people go if you don't like those people.  But if you've grown attached to them, sometimes treating them already as second family, then somehow, it kind of rips you up somewhere inside.  Maybe it's just the sentimental person in me...but I do know how to let go whenever I have to.  


Meanwhile, sentimental as I am, I manage to stay collected and composed.  I am not the wailing kind hehehe.  I try to make the matter as light as possible.  I seldom cry in front of anyone.  I guess it's partly my pride and I have always reservations about pouring out my emotions.  There are probably only a handful of people in this whole wide world who have had the privilege or the misfortune of seeing me break down and cry on extremely rare occasions.  Outside, I am tough as nails. 

Life is indeed full of comings and goings, of hellos and goodbyes...I guess, we just have to appreciate the in-betweens while we have the chance. 

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Basking in the Morning Light

morning sunlight, originally uploaded by Ramona.Forcella.

It's probably not a good idea to stare directly into the sun. Still, that did not prevent me from doing so, as I saw sunlight streaming through my window. I just had to look, even for just a few seconds before I closed my eyes, smiling while savoring the warmth of it. It's one of those things I miss doing when I rush through the day. But today, I went to the office earlier than usual. So I got to see a part of nature that I miss most often to beat the clock.

It's still a bit of a cloudy day, and so it is a good thing to see the sun peeking through the clouds. It's like life...you know there will be dark and gloomy days but you also know that the sun is just there, going for a break in the clouds, to spread its light and warmth on all of us.

That kind of gets you the feeling and assurance that everything will be alright...because the sun always shines, no matter what the weather may be. You just need to find time to look for it and appreciate its beauty.

Nature always inspires me. And I just love quiet mornings...I think a cup of coffee would be a great idea now.

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Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane Tour

I am so exited!  Four days more to go and I'll be sitting around this time in Phil Sports Arena to watch Switchfoot!  Did I say I was excited?  Oh yeah I did.  I can't wait!  Got tickets already so, just counting the days to Saturday.  I'm going out with my colleagues, that's why there's three tickets here.  Switchfoot's going to have four shows in four countries in four straight days:  Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia from April 28 to May 01. Wow!  Busy busy people huh?  Hurricane Tour indeed!

Read more and listen to some songs here : Switchfoot: Hello Hurricane Tour

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