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Just heard from our office secretary that we will be receiving our gift check incentive this week. Yahoo! Extra Php 1,500 to spend in the place that has it all—SM! Wahoo!

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Let us pray for the remaining hostages and victims of Nur Misuari’s followers.

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Nida Blanca: Killed by her own Husband?

Recent developments in the murder case of Nida Blanca tagged her husband, Rod Lauren Strunk, as the culprit. When the news first came out, I didn’t believe it. Philip Medel, the alleged hired killer, apparently confessed due to a guilty conscience. I was doubtful. What kind of professional hired killer will do the deed without a downpayment? However, with the recent information about Nida’s last will as well as her husband’s alleged extravagance and drug addiction, I am rendered confused. No doubt, a person with such a profile is capable of murder. When drugs and worldly things devour a person, he will be able to commit such a heartless crime.

Still, it is too early to make judgments.

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What a week!

It’s Friday and I’m tired. This week had been too hectic; I didn’t even have time to blog. It’s peak season at work. So, I had tons of statistical analysis to do. Last Wednesday, I attended a seminar on writing publishable research papers at the University of Santo Tomas. It’s quite interesting that the university is now called “Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas”. I’m not sure if this is a really new development. For all I know, those adjectives have been there years before.

I am very impressed with their commitment to research as evidenced by the completion of a new building, which houses the research offices of the university. This newly inaugurated building is named the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex. Located near Dapitan Street, this building is a beautiful site to behold. I encourage you all to visit it.

Yesterday, I delivered a talk to a group of CEAP Counselors. Hopefully, my sharing had been helpful to them. I also submitted my research paper to the Philippine Journal of Counseling Psychology. Hopefully, my paper will be accepted for publication.

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An Engaging Story

I’m engaged! Ganns proposed last Saturday (November 17, 8:40PM) and I accepted.

Under the guise of having an extra special date after numerous months of casual movie and fast food dates, Ganns and I had this really romantic dinner at Mi Piace, Manila Peninsula Hotel. He reserved the place and pre-ordered dinner so that I didn’t have to struggle ordering with my bad French or Italian (whatever applies). What an absolute darling!

After the delicious dinner, my baby presented me with a beautifully wrapped gift. He read me something he wrote while I opened the gift. I didn’t find this unusual because he wrote poetry for me several times before. He is so special that way. I was surprised to see a bottle of Flowers by Kenzo, a very expensive brand of perfume. I thought: “Wow, he really went all out this time.”

I didn’t open the box to see inside the perfume bottle. He insisted that I open it. I resisted opening the box (because I was concentrating on his poem), he grew impatient and took the box from me and opened it himself! He continued reading the poem and as he opened the box, I saw that tied to the neck of the perfume is a beautiful engagement ring. He stood up, kneeled down, and uttered four perfect words: “Will you marry me?”

Tears went down my face. Took me about 7 seconds to realize that I was supposed to answer the question. “Yes, yes, yes!” Was there any doubt? And then, I kissed him and kissed him and kissed him some more.

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On my way to visit Ganns’ father last Friday, I chanced upon a billboard outside a girlie bar saying: “Wanted: Waitress, GRO”. Mind you, this announcement is printed in permanent ink. Looking at it, I felt a mixture of sadness and anger. I felt sad because I know what these waitresses and GROs actually do. According to my brother, GRO theoretically meant Guest Relations Officer but in reality it meant Girls Rate Overnight. I felt angry realizing how people are able to subject their fellowmen to this kind of malicious treatment.

These signs are keen reminders of how much we need to bring people to God.

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About to leave for the prayer meeting. Won’t be posting during the weekend. Hopefully I will have a great post for Monday. Ciao.

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This morning while riding the LRT, I overhead a woman talking to friend about one of their long-time friends being “mayaman na mayaman na ngayon” (English translation: “has become very rich already”). She said that this friend became rich because she met a Japanese man while working in a bar in Makati. It struck me how she repeatedly emphasized the fact that this friend is now very rich. It is as if all her friends’ problems has been solved because of this newfound wealth.

I remember how materialistic I was before I met Christ. I used to mull over money like it’s the most important thing. As if having money will solve all my problems. I was so concerned about saving that my family described me as “kuripot” or stingy. It’s really a blessing that since I met Christ again, my priorities were set straight.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. – Psalms 23:1-2

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What makes a real teacher?

Tell me, what kind of teacher do you think this person is?

Together with my immediate superior, we assisted in a demonstration lecture on SPSS this afternoon. In the interest of accommodating all participants, I respectfully requested two faculty members to move one seat to the left so that a faculty member (who is lame) can occupy the computer unit most convenient for him.

Guess what the female faculty told me. She said: “If I go there, I will not be able to see the board.” She continued with: “Ikaw, kung gusto mo kausapin mo yung divider.” (English translation: “You, if you like, you talk to the divider.” I was so shocked by her response that all I can say was: “Sorry, po.” (in a mildly sarcastic tone). She could have informed me about the matter in a respectful tone of voice. I don’t think anyone deserves that kind of treatment.

If she is that brash towards a fellow faculty member, just think of how she acts towards her students!

I thank God for giving me the patience not to stoop down to her level.

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I got some good news and I got some bad news.

The good news is I talked with the style-reader of my thesis and she has agreed to meet me during the third week of December. She said that my paper has minor corrections, anyway. Hopefully, I complete this requirement before January’s end.

The bad news…Ganns’ dad had a stroke last night. He is still under observation but according to Ganns, he is doing better. His years of smoking lead to blood coagulation (i.e., his blood is thicker than normal), which caused a blood clot in his brain. Smoking is truly hazardous to one’s health. That’s why I don’t touch the stuff.

Let’s us pray for his full recovery.