A BROWN MAN'S JOURNEY

I guess not everyone is aware, this month of March is the Woman's Month, so I'm dedicating this entry to "the woman".

Let me start with the etymology of the term for some small bits of information. Most dictionaries will define "woman" as a female human being. Duh? Old english initially say wer and wif (wifman) as man and woman respectively. The wifman became woman and the wif became wife. Let's not bother about how wer was then translated to man. Wait, so that's why we call a half-man, half-wolf as a werwolf (or werewolf).

Anyway, there are only three most important roles that a woman plays in our lives. These roles are so important that they influence how a person grows-up and live. People who don't have any of these "roles" in their adult-life usually ends up miserable and unhappy. So now, let me tell you how these roles were played by women in my life.

THE MOTHER
I grew up without a mother, long story. I grew up with my lola (grandma) and my aunt, who was introduced to me as "mommy2". I didn't know why I was calling her that name until I understood that it's because my mommy1 or my real mom, was not actually with us. This didn't troubled my life as a small kid because I never knew what it's like to have one, or what could've been the difference. My lola taught me how to take care of myself at an early age, take a bath, put my clothes on, and go to school. Then reaching puberty and realized who was missing, I didn't blame any of my parents because I understood it's a grown-up "thing" and that they had their reasons. My mother never forgot about us at all. She visited us every once in a while because I knew she already had her own family. I even remember there was one time that she spent the night and cooked breakfast for us the following morning. The awkward actions and feeling of my father that morning was very memorable to me.

My mother was a beautiful woman, and eventhough we didn't had that much time together and I never really knew how she lived her life, I am very thankful for her. She carried and took very good care of me inside of her as a parasite for nine months, and brought me safely into this world. I now understand the hardship that she endured for being far from her children, and the awful sadness she felt when it's time for her to leave everytime she visited us. She died just before I went to college. Just in time when I was starting to understand my life. It was a sad day, we all attended the wake and carried her to her final destination. She was wearing a dress given by my father. That was the first time I saw tears fell from my father's eyes.

And that's about as much as I can say about my mother.

THE SISTER - not the gay term
Not everybody has a sister so I'm thankful to have one. She was the eldest among our siblings. Being the eldest, she assumed all the responsibilities every time my dad's not around. Without a mother in our new home, she took care of the most mundane everyday tasks for us. I knew it was hard, especially with my other two big bros. My father's job limited his time to go home. He only managed to drop by the house every Sunday, which always ended up being spent on replenishing our stocks and providing our allowances. My brothers eventually moved out of the house. There were some rough times living with my sister when she was starting to have her own family. It was not quite a good start for her. In fact, life was not so easy on her. But she was strong and managed to weather the big storms. I continued to live with them during my last year in college and early years as a professional. I witnessed how she took great care of her kids, her husband, and even me. Every morning when I woke-up, I will find my clothes including my tie and socks ready at the door of my room. During weekends, I will request her to cook for something special. At times, we sat together and talk about her problems, and my love life in some occasions. She did everything to support the studies of her children, especially her eldest son. Anything lesser than what she did would already be begging. If my nephew hasn't come to acknowledged that yet, let this blog be. Through her I saw what it takes to be a mother and caught a glimpse of what my mother would've done for me too if we were together. I'm glad that I am able to help her in my own little ways and I will continue to do so as much as I can.

THE WIFE - also known as THE ONE
Saving the best for last, there's nothing more that I can be thankful for than my wife. Of course I am also thankful with our children, but I can't be able to have them without my wife, duh? When we met, I didn't expect that she was the one. When you meet the one, you will just see your life changes right before your very eyes and there's nothing you can do about it. She's indeed the combination of the roles mentioned and a whole lot more: mother, sister, wife, bestfriend, buddy, critic, supporter, lover, and even sometimes my worst enemy. My wife is a beautiful woman both inside and out. Born an artistic wooden tiger, she's not so easy to understand by most people around her, even me in the beginning. I think she has the most advanced defense mechanism a person could possibly develop. Full of ideas and has very strong opinions on almost anything! One that you should not outright contradict, otherwise the more she will not listen. That's how stubborn she is, a typical Taurean trait. I know because I'm also one bull-headed guy, lol. Instinctively competitive, especially to me, which I find annoying at times, but endearing at the same time. She is full of life, loves to play computer games, and have lots of childish antics, which I completely adore in her. She brought out the best in me, but also the worst. What I lack, she complements, this is why I try real hard to complement and learned to accept whatever I find missing. Besides, imperfections are what makes us human and accepting these in a person is the very essence of your love. Perhaps one of the things I learned from her as well, because I know that I'm not easy to love too, I can be as cold as ice when I was still single. They say that somebody else's trash may be somebody else's treasure. Well, she was a diamond in the rough, and my treasure now.

She was a very gifted singer, a voice that you will not easily forget. This was her passion, which she gave up for our family because situation cannot permit anymore. She showed me the beauty behind the darkness of the night time, which was purely a time of entertainment for me at that time, that is if I don't have extra work. Life had become more colorful and meaningful, I'm so lucky I found my "the one".

This entire entry won't justify what she means in my life, so in order not to be too mushy, let me wrap this up.

The one I'm talking about

It may not be obvious but the order in which I discussed about the women roles also connote the time in which they have been or will still be part of my life. My mother for bringing me to this world, my sister who was always part of my growing years, and now my wife, who's the woman I will spend the rest of my years.

Friends, the world will certainly be dull and gray without them, we guys won't be able to live without these lovely creatures from Venus. Let's forget about the futile efforts to understand them, just love them with all your heart and you'll see what I mean. I usually play this song with my guitar to my wife, so I will leave this same song to all you women out there. A meaningful month to you...

I have always wanted to become an astronomer when I was a child. But growing up in a country where the only opportunity for astronomers is to be part of the weather bureau, I learned how to be realistic with my dreams early on. In the tropical Philippines, the weather is so unpredictable, especially during the months of May to June, when we cannot really tell whether the summer is over or not. It's very sunny in the morning and then rain will fall heavily during the later part of the day, often stranding people from the office and schools because of flooded streets. I remember everybody blaming the PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) for not foretelling the weather correctly. So now, the forecast almost always say "it's going to be sunny with scattered rains and thunderstorms", what the hell was that supposed to mean?! Yes, it's going to be sunny but it might rain with thunderstorms in some parts. Since we only have 2 possibilities, then it's a safe prediction.

I remember at an early age of 10, I frequently go to the different libraries of our school to read on big bang, worm holes, the works. Even though I don't really grasp the entire meaning behind the huge numbers, formula, and probabilities at that time, I understood the meaning of light-years, and thus was able to relate how vast the universe is. I got to know who Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking were. It was a roller coaster ride with science. Star Wars and Star Trek became more interesting to watch. Sadly, I could hardly relate to anybody about these marvelous things that I was learning. I don't have anybody to talk to about them. My aspirations changed when I started highschool and got introduced with a personal computer. I wrote my first BASIC program in 1987 and never stop since then. This is where I built my career into.

But even if this is the case now, I don't think my passion for astronomy has completely disappeared. A part of me still carries that great interest about our universe, only this time, I hope to share them with my boys. Although I really need to brushed up on the latest information. If you know how and where to look, the internet is a treasure trove of facts.

With this entry, I'd like to bring you back to that time when we look up to the sky in a clear night and wonder about the number of stars and how big the universe is. We all know that the universe is big. But knowing that something is big is very different from having an idea and visualizing how big it is. I know that people tend to lose interest and sense when astronomers start blabbering about eons, millions, billions, and gazillions when they talk about the size of the universe. It's not that we don't care about the universe, it's just that these numbers are friggin' hard to understand. So please bear with me and let me try to explain how I understand it:

Kung-fu lesson: The measurement. We need to travel about 40,000 Km to go around the world in a straight line along the equator. If the speed of light is 300,000 Km per second, this means that light can go around the world 7 1/2 times in 1 second, that's uber-fast! With our distance from the Sun, it takes approximately 8 minutes for the sunlight to reach the Earth.

Now at this speed, let's imagine how far light can travel in 1 year, and that is what we mean with a "light-year", the basic measurement of distance in space. It's beyond comprehension to try to express these distances in meters or feet which we are all very familiar with. Our known galaxy, the Milky Way is comprised of billions and billions of stars like the Sun. How huge our Milky Way galaxy is? With the speed of light mentioned above, it will take 100,000 years for light to travel across it.

Fascinating, isn't it? Wait, there's more...

The Hubble space telescope was launched into orbit in 1990, although it didn't performed well at first until it was fixed in 1993, it took some great sharp images of space. Then in 1995, it was focused on a certain patch in space for 10 days. It's called the Hubble's Ultra Deep Field image, this is what most astronomers believe to be the greatest image man has ever captured in our time. This is what they found:
In that one special patch of space alone that looks utterly empty, thousands and thousands of other galaxies appeared, not stars, but galaxies. Each with billions of stars like our Milky Way! This image is nothing less than awe-inspiring and profoundly humbling. Now let's pause a bit in awe and wonder how insignificant our planet is in this universal scale. Doesn't it seem to be more likely that there may be hundreds or even thousands of other life-harbouring planets like ours out there?
This is the Pinwheel galaxy, the most detailed image taken by the Hubble Telescope of a spiral galaxy similar with our Milky Way. It's just one of the thousands of galaxies that appeared in that small patch of space above. Each tiny white spot on this image that collectively forms what appears to be clouds is actually a star, like our Sun and each having the possibility of planets revolving around them like our very own solar system. Doesn't it sound almost absurd to believe that our Earth is the only planet that can harbour life?

Pushing it a little further, the universe is so big that some stars that we see blinking during a clear night might already be dead. Why? Because they are so far away that it took millions of years for the light to travel, in time for us to see them still blinking. Unbelievable? This is how time and space are complexly intertwined. And you know what's more interesting? All of them are getting farther and farther from each other since the universe is believe to be continuously and rapidly expanding. Expanding in where? Well, I don't wanna go that far. It is estimated now that the universe is currently 47 billion light-years across. And you know that black background that we see in space or when we look up in the sky at night? We always thought that it's nothingness, but actually astronomers now believe that some parts of it or if not all is something, it's currently called dark matter.

Let me then ask you this, as a person who believes in God and the creation, is it right to think that God created all of these for us alone? If you really think so, then my friend I tell you, "what a waste". It's because the same religious people who believe that we are indeed alone, since we're created according to God's image, also believe that the end is actually near. With what little knowledge we have learned about the universe now, then the entirety of it are just plain wasted when the end comes. This really puzzles me, where's the humility in believing that premise? Isn't it so selfish for us to think that we're actually alone in the vastness of the universe?

We're so preposterous to even be selecting the most beautiful woman for the title of Miss Universe apart from Miss World.

I believe we are not alone, somebody else out there might be wondering if they are not alone too. I don't think this idea should conflict in our beliefs with a creator. Ironically, for me understanding more about the universe actually reinforces that belief. Can't the big bang theory be somewhat "influenced" or the actual "process" in which God created the universe? Or can't the other lifeforms out there be similar with us in appearance? We need to have an open mind and a humble heart to maybe understand a little further of what's in store for us and our connection in the universe.

..continuation

Don't be too depressed that the world is in grave financial crisis right now, because being depressed is the only thing you can do about it. So why bother for something that is beyond your control? Before you think of ways on how to save the world from this crisis or how to solve the global warming, go out there and find yourself a job first. So you can get out of mama's house and be able to support yourself, or at least be able to contribute to your household and the society. And please stop asking coins from grandma to buy cigarettes!

Going back to my story, I got rejected even by the company that I was wishing to be part of. Never mind what was it because it's now closed. Anyway, I then found myself in a very tiny office wherein the only employees are the boss, the secretary, me, and 2 other contractual programmers. Five people crammed in a small office in Makati being shared with a lone travel agent. What was the catch? The catch was that, he will "body-shop" us to other companies as "well-experienced" consultants working on a per-hour basis. So we did an awful lot of trainings about the different financial systems being used in the target company, which by the way, was the same company who rejected me before. What an irony! They rejected to hire me with an X amount of pay, now they're going to pay for my services at 2X the amount, and on an hourly basis. Anything in excess of 8 hours will be automatically charged at 200% rate, and 300% on holidays. What's the kung-fu lesson for this?

Kung-fu lesson 6 - Things are not always as they seem to be, and great opportunities don't present themselves in grand packaging! The small company that trained and hired me, was paying me twice as much as what I was supposed to received if I was hired by one of the companies that I previously applied to. Yeah, they also earned over my rates and I don't have a good medical insurance but hey, that's beside the point at that time. What I needed was a good exposure and break. In short, that's exactly what I got. Thanks to that small company called Prospex! Remember, it's exposure, ok? not exploitation. There are also some crappy companies which are out there to exploit people who are desperate to find jobs, so be careful and don't be too damn obvious about being desperate.

Kung-fu lesson 7 - Once you're in, show them what you're made of and let anybody who works with you appreciate your true value. But be mindful though, learn before you suggest. Be sure to know, understand, and capable of what you're saying, so you won't be part of a known race called "blabbering idiots". There's a lot of these people in companies, so don't be one.

Then, when you're starting to gather experience, changing job every 3 months is not part of it. Job-hopping gives the impression of instability to your next prospect employer. It takes a year for an employee to be fully effective with his/her post. That is why first year performance appraisals rarely reached above par.

Now, I am most certainly contented with where I got so far as an employee. I have set new priorities and goals in life, so it's a whole new "journey" for me this time. Exactly why I started this blog.

I do hope to have impart some little tips for your exciting new adventure. Good luck to all the graduating students out there! Congratulations!

It's March once again and the time of the year when graduating students will be stepping into a new chapter in their lives. Gradeschools going to Highschool, Highschools entering College, and College students becoming unemployed, I mean professionals.

So here's something I would like to share with you:

Back in college, I remember being so darn excited about graduating and getting a job. Wondering how it feels like to receive my first paycheck, and finally shoot for my dreams! I've printed lots of copies of my Resume and mailed them to any ad relating to my course. Back then emails are not yet common to everybody. That's why I was always on the lookout when mails arrive. At first I was so excited to wear my new sets of clothes and attend those interviews. The race was on! Usually you'll meet some of your batchmates going for the same interviews because you are all looking for the same line of work. Being on the top of my batch, I was very confident. But after a few rounds of unsuccessful applications, some of the enthusiasm began to fade, and doubt started. I told myself, "I was better than that guy back in school and yet he's now an engineer in this company".

Kung-fu lesson no.1 - Never ever doubt your kung-fu. Instead of saying the latter, say "that's one lucky bast***", then move on. Evaluate yourself, and ask yourself a couple of questions:
1. Am I too cocky or confident?
2. Do I look professional? -> I looked like wolverine when I graduated, sporting a shoulder-length hair
3. Am I blabbering a lot during the interview? Or is my saliva frothing when I talk?

Since all fresh "bloods" have 0 work experience, part-time jobs in Jollibee or McDonald's while you're studying may help, but not always an auto-plus, your application will depend mostly on how impressive or "fictitious" your resume is. Which will bring us to...

Kung-fu lesson 2 - Put all your good accomplishments relating to academics or the job on the first page of your Resume. Examples can include:
1. Participation in Toastmasters, special citation awards, academic scholarships or grants
2. Making it to the dean's list of your department
3. Special acknowledgments about your thesis
4. Trainings and seminars you attended relating to the job
5. Specific technical skills relating to the job

Examples that we should forget about including:
1. Most polite award when you were in primary school
2. Best in music, PE, or recess
3. Most improved or valuable player during the intramurals
4. Loyalty award from your school
5. Chess, Scrabble, or Games of the Generals school champion
6. Inter-barangay singing champion

The reason why you need them in first page is that when screeners have tons of resumes to look at, they won't read through all the 5 pages back-to-back of your resume to see your qualifications or potential.

Kung-fu lesson 3 - Long resume doesn't mean you're good. Be concise and put only the most important and relevant details that can help you in getting the job. The ideal resume is 2 pages long and never use the one peso BIO-DATA sheet when applying for a professional job. Not unless you're applying for a construction peon job. Never use script type font in your resume and make sure to place your contact details in the most noticeable area, double and triple check if the email address and phone numbers are correct. If your current email address is sextoy69@yahoo.com or your_ass_is_mine@hotmail.com or baldo89283738@gmail.com, better create a new one.

Kung-fu lesson 4 - Make a quick research about the company and the job you're applying to. During the interview, it's good to ask informative questions as well as this will show enthusiasm and interest in joining the company. Don't just research on how much the company pays, although it's a very good information as well on the later part of the hiring process.

Kung-fu lesson 5 - When negotiating for your remuneration package, there's always the logic of the "cake". Only the employer knows how big is the "cake" that can be offered to you, but make sure not to just accept what has been presented to you if it's really below your expectations. It's always ok to ask questions and other benefits, and from there you can gauge how far you can ask. Learn that worth is not the same as value, emphasize that your worth is lower than your real value to the company.

It's going to be more than twice as tough to find a job these days because you won't just be competing with fellow fresh graduates, but also with experienced professionals and workers who recently got laid off or retrenched. Workforce supply is far higher than the available jobs, so we better make sure not to be so picky and ridiculously demanding when it comes to offers.

... to be continued