2008 has been a memorable year for me. I am already 1 year with my employer, and work has been challenging and at the same time rewarding for me. In terms of domestic life, I still am learning a whole lot of new things as far as being a husband and father is concerned. I am hoping I can sustain these things if not surpass it for 2009. As they say there is always 2 sides of the coin, there are also disappointments and frustrations we encounter along the way I hope that I can manage it in a better way. I know my negative traits and habits and I feel that the time is now to "start" curbing these habits. With prayer and focus I know I can achieve my goal. Here's to 2009 wishing everybody all the best! Happy New Year.
We have to have a positive outlook in life always. I had a chat with somebody a couple of days ago and he asked me what was the purpose of my work? I politely answered his question " I am with collections, I remind and convince clients to pay the correct amount and at the correct time." Then I continued " my work sometimes gets interesting, sometimes I get aggressive with clients and occasionally it erupts to an argument". "This is actually my first time in this kind of work environment. Ever since I started working I was with customer service this time around I'm at the opposite side of the fence." Then his rebuttal to my answer "You have to always be of service to the client no matter what line of work you are in, you also have to be thankful that you are employed." What he just said to me was correct.
At that point I silently said to myself "life is good."
In my opinion, we have to live a balanced life. We have to have time for family,work and even fun, this helps lessen the chances of burning out or living a sedimentary life. The same person also told me that we have to step back and enjoy the things that life has to offer. On a personal note, I maximize my weekends by spending quality time with my family the one-on-one talks with my wife and father and son moments I spend with Joaqui. Though it may sound shallow or stereo-type it still fortifies my personal relationship with my loved ones and puts a smile on my face. These are the real "priceless moments."
This is our first night here in Morato, we had to temporarily relocate here to avoid contracting the virus. My mom was diagnosed last Thursday with a virus which attacks the nerves and its manifestation are painful rashes concentrated on a specific area, in mom's case it was the right arm. For safety measures my mom suggested that we spend a week here in Morato to avoid Joaqui catching the virus. We are all hoping for mom's quick recovery so that things can go back to normal and in order for us to move back to the condo. One thing I hate about relocating temporarily is the adjustment and the effort that goes along with it. I almost forgot the one thing - the train ride to work, riding the train in the morning is one thing but riding the train during the rush hour is suicide. On top of the long lines and the long wait for the train is the struggle to get in and out of the train. I have to be honest, I am no longer used to riding the MRT just like before I would prefer the leisure walk from the office to Shaw boulevard and the trike ride to the condo. The Morato stay is not struggle and adjustment, there are also good things about it. The space - Joaqui can wander and explore the house without the risk of breaking a furniture. Net access I can go online every night thanks to the broadband connection that mama has.
In my opinion the recently concluded UAAP season 71 basketball title had already an owner even before the championship series started. The Ateneo Blue Eagles bagged the title at the expense of their arch rival De La Salle Archers 2-0. This was evident after the first round ended, with the Eagles sporting a solitary lost they were picked as favorites in the finals. The Eagles were destined to win the championship this year. The Archers on the otherhand, had a mediocre season, they had to slug it out with UE and FEU just to get the No. 2 position and the twice to beat advantage.
The Eagles time has come. The last championship it held was when Enrico Villanueva wore the blue and white jersey and this was in the early part of the millenium. With Norman Black heading the coaching staff of Ateneo he turned things around for the Eagles. The players also has to take credit for their success this season, Chris Tiu the co-captain for the squad had an above average output for the season. The other Eagles that deserves recognition are Rabeh Al-Hassaini, the 6'6 Tim Duncan-type center was the main reason why Ateneo was a cut above the rest of the field. With his presence inside the paint be it offensesively or defensively he was just doing marvels and doing things right for the team. For the feat he was voted the MVP for the season. Who can miss Nonoy Baclao, the Western Negros University recruit, without him Ateneo would have given more points to the opposing team. He was a force to reckon with defensively, with the way he plays he kind of remind me of Dennis Rodman. Lastly, Rookie of the year Ryan Buenafe, this former San Sebastian alumni will be a valuable player for the Eagles in the future. With his brilliant performance this season he might be even one of the future draft picks in the professional leagues. I am sure that with these players returning for Ateneo, the possibility of a return trip to the championship series is a reality.
Now we shift our attention to the runners-up - the De La Salle Green Archers. I am a La Sallian, and I am proud of being one. But in my opinion the team that fought against the Eagles during the finals really couldn't win against the Eagles. On the day that game one was schedule there was a newspaper section dedicated to the Eagles-Archers game and the column that really caught my attention was the comment of former Archer Mike Cortez. He said "Coach Franz knows how to motivate his players."With that insight I started hoping for an upset, the Archers in the past Archers won games and titles because of poise and team play this year those ingredients were absent. The veterans on the team - JV Casio and Rico Maierhoffer was not as effective as in the past and for the young Archers they are still raw experience-wise. I still commend and the coach and the players from De La Salle, they might not be as experienced they were still able to reach the finals and have the right to defend their title. Too bad, we weren't able to prove to them that we can win back-to-back. I am sure this lesson and this particular season will be a good experience for them.
It was the dream face off between the Eagles and Archers, I hope a sequel will follow soon.
I never was the "couch potato" type but I guess the habit can just grow on anybody. During the weekdays I rarely get to watch the tube due to my busy schedule so I just save it for the weekends. I started collecting dvds a few months back, and it's now a habit that I visit the neighborhood grocery to check what classic titles I can add to my collection. With our dvd player at the condo busted, my only other option is in Morato. Mama has a simple home entertainment system -- the type wherein you can watch a couple of titles on a lazy Saturday without noticing the time tick away.
Having my own entertainment system is a personal goal, once I have my own place I would designate an area or a room for it. I still play occasional basketball games with the ex-ps ballers, the only drawback with the games is the schedule, it's early - 8am to 10am. The games are a good source of exercise, I just wished I was more disciplined as far as waking up is concern.
One will be damned, while the other destined for greatness. This is how the NBA finals ends. There can't be co-champions in the league, there can only be one. After game 4 of the NBA finals in Los Angeles, the Boston Celtics are just a game away in claiming their 17th championship since joining the league. It is also fitting that they claim their championship at the expense of their arch-rival the Los Angeles Lakers.
Status: The Celtics is up three games to one and with the way the Celtics are playing they can close out the series in game five at the Staples center in Los Angeles. I'm sure that the Lakers will not give up the fight they would still try to extend the series to their favor or even sweep the remaining three games for a possible 15th championship for the franchise.
The protagonists
Los Angeles Lakers - We all know that this team lives and dies with Kobe Bryant. The addition of Pau Gasol in the picture is just to help Bryant by easing off the scoring pressure on the MVP and to be a defensive stop for the Lakers. Lamar Odom and Derick Fisher -- the veterans on the roster only produce average stats for L.A.they just play "predictable games" in the series. The only edge they have is experience and familiarity with Phil Jackson's play. Vladimir Radmanovic and "The machine" Vujacic they also give steady and consistent numbers for the team but that's it. The rest of the bench are used sparingly no special mentions given. The only department where the Lakers have the edge in the series is youth, unfortunately for LA the players that they have now does not have the experience to go all the way.
Boston Celtics - It has been a 360 degree turn for the Celts, thanks to the addition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Before this season the Celtics have been a disappointment barely reaching the playoffs or on bad days ending up at the bottom of the standings. "The Big Three" is indeed in the house, they have been awesome in the finals and they are the main reason why the Celtics have come this far. We seldom see superstars being relegated to the number 2 or 3 option, this was the case of the Celtics. The Celtics already has the maturity on their side, this is evident with the transfer of Garnett and Allen. Not only was there added scoring options for Boston but also they helped build the foundations of a great team. With upcoming guard Rajon Rondo doing wonders at the no. 1 position the Celtics have develop into a potent scoring team. James Posey also an off-season transferee from Miami also delivered in the series when they needed it by hitting those long-range shots. Hats off to veterans PJ Brown and Sam Cassell for giving quality minutes in the series.
Before the finals started a lot of critics and analyst predicted a Laker win primarily because of the MVP season Kobe has given the Lakers. The Celtics being the "underdog" proved them wrong by winning the first two games at Boston as if this was not enough they stole one from the Lakers homecourt. With the lost the Lakers conceded their first lost to the Celtics missing just a win to match an NBA record. It's now safe to say that DEFENSE will win the series. The largest margin for win with either team is just 10 points, this was a far cry from the previous rounds wherein these two teams would win by large margins. Nobody can prevent Kobe Bryant from scoring that's a fact but with the Celtics consistent defense showing up every game not even a Kobe rampage is enough to secure them the win and ultimately the series.
No, it's not Red Auerbach's ghost out to haunt the Lakers it's just a great example of teamwork and unselfishness. For Kobe and the Lakers it not yet your time, not just yet.
After a couple of back-to-back, three-peats and dynasties the most popular rival in the NBA again takes the center stage for the 2008 NBA finals. The new look Boston Celtics will feature the league's hottest trio in Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett going up against the Kobe Bryant led Los Angeles Lakers. Majority of people predicts a Lakers route of the Celtics but, the men in green were able to hold their own in game one against a balance Laker attack. As expected Kobe led the way for the lakers getting ample support from Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom but the Laker game was not enough to douse the Celtic dominance of the game.
At the start of the season I did not expect personally, a showdown between the two teams because of contrasting atmosphere in their respective divisions. For Boston - everybody knew even before the regular season started that they are a title contender for the eastern conference due to the off-season acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Garnett was shipped to Boston from Minnesota after several years of playoff disappointment, Allen on the other hand is hoping that Boston would be his last stop as a pro after sporting the jerseys of Milwaukee and Seattle. Although they already got the ingredients of having a championship-caliber team league insiders still look at them as the underdogs.
Shifting our attention 3,000 miles across the continent, we now see a Los Angeles squad who is equally deserving of taking home the championship this year. The 2008 season was the turning point of Kobe's basketball career, because after publicly criticizing his team and vocally demanding a trade he was able to make a 360 degree turn and led the Lakers atop the western conference division. The sudden change of fortune of the Lakers is also because of key addition of Pau Gasol the the lineup, with Gasol on hand the Lakers now has a reliable big man and a good defender. And to sum up the supporting cast from Bryant, the Lakers can also depend on Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher for support and direction.
I've always been a fan of these two ball clubs, and I am confident that whoever takes home the bacon really deserves it. This is going to be a spectacular series and it will be down the wire, I've been monitoring the NBA as early as start of the season hoping that a Laker-Celtic showdown materializes, somehow my prayers have been answered.
Personal Impact
I play pick up games every Saturday morning with my ex-colleagues from PS and guys from other call centers. I'm proud to say that I'm getting my old game back and I'm getting back in shape,maybe it's because of the frequent nba talk wherever I go. I just hope that I can still have my last hurrah in playing ball, taking the games seriously has also helped me avoiding drinking weekly.
This is all I can say after checking the balance on my atm account earlier. As expected, the company already issued the mid-year bonus today. I guess I am not used to getting a big sum of income this time of year, but in any case it still brought a smile on my face. I've already decided that majority of the bonus will be kept and a small portion of it will be set aside as cash for spending.
I have already marked my calendar and even before December officially comes, we'll still be enjoying a couple of bonuses this year. I love my work!!!
This June it will also be my ninth month with BDO and I can say that I have already adjusted to the environment and to my colleagues. My unit is a colorful mix of personalities --- a group of guys who's into auto-detailing, a click who are "war game" fanatics, bottomline the unit is really diverse. The good thing about it is somehow, everybody gets along with each other. Yeah there are still some rumors and gossips going around the office but it's just minimal and it's not harmful to anybody. Me, I just prefer to stay in the middle and keep a good professional and personal relationship with my superiors and peers. Nowadays I just wait for somebody to invite me, and not initiate any activities. Yup, I have indeed mellowed down and yes -- this is for real.
