Tiger's not out of the Woods

There's a certain appeal to anything that we can't easily get. Like, even people who does not care about golf or how many times Tiger Woods has hit a birdie, now wants to know why Tiger hit the fire hydrant.

I'm a firm believer that politicians are the only public figure whose life should be dissected by the public, if for no other reason than it's our tax dollars paying them. Movies and sports celebrities are entitled to a private life, period. I don't care that there are parents out there who thinks that they are role models for their kids. Excuse me, but let me say it again, they are not role models for your kids - you are.

Anyway, back to Tiger and his wife Elin. Why did Elin claw his face and smash his car window with his golf club? She clawed his face because that's what a woman should do to stop her husband from leaving the house at 220 a.m. And why the golf club? Because her nails were already broken from clawing him, she can't use her bare hands to smash the glass. And why was Tiger leaving the house at 220 a.m.? Because he could not sleep thinking about the black Friday sale at the mall so he can get Rachel that jewelry she wanted. Who's Rachel?

What else did I miss

I had so much to do yesterday; reading contracts, coaching the team in Cebu and constantly on the phone, I almost miss this sight right behind me. Just as I swiveled my chair, I saw this squirrel in my patio busy nibbling on this potted plant, then he saw me get up from my chair so he started to run away.

Another reminder that while we're busy planning, life happened.

I miss my old bank

I have been a Bank of America customer for over 20 years and I can only count one bad experience with them. It was one of those occasions when I had to get cash that is abnormally high than my regular withdrawals because I was going out of the country. The Vietnamese teller at (the Plano/75) location, asked me questions; it was not the question itself, in fact I was glad of the prodding for the security and protection of my account, but rather, it was the tone of her voice that irked me. More disturbing was not only that she raised her voice, her eyes were spitting fire at me, the customer.

I still remember that incident, but over all, Bank of America has been a good bank for me. Until the bailout. The other day, I received a wire transfer from overseas and the bank charged me 12 dollars. I called to see if they would waive the fee, because I don't think that I should be penalized because someone put money in my account. I asked the rep what is the difference between a direct deposit and a wire transfer - she didn't answer my question. Instead, she talked down to me with that razor sharp tone of voice: "Ma'am, did you receive the money?" I said yes. "Well, If you received the money, then the charge is justified."

The bank bailout was a band-aid. I've always felt that those who needs to fail should fail, because if the consumer was spared from the front end, the consumer will have to pay in the end. And so here we are, normally, Bank of America would have readily waived that fee but not anymore. The 12 dollar charge was bad enough without the customer service rep acting like I'm an idiot under her mercy. So I replied to her politely, "Well, that's ok, this is the reason why my company is working hard to outsource Bank of America's customer service to the Philippines and even India for that matter, so when you lose your job, it is justified." Click.

(Now I pray that she didn't empty my bank account, charging me for talking back at her.)

Until Then

You can not consistently perform in a manner that is inconsistent with the way you see yourself - Dr Joyce Brothers

I was watching Andre Agassi last night talk about how he didn't want to play tennis, that it was not his choice as a kid to play tennis, but it was his dad who made the decision for him. And because of that, he was very conflicted and unhappy because it was not consistent of who he is.
My parents never encouraged me to do anything except to plow the field, and for the longest time, I never knew what I wanted to do, or what I was called to do.

Until about 4 years ago. I started to narrow things down in my head and realized there is nothing more I want to do than write. I have taken writing classes at a local college, but I dream of going to Columbia School of Journalism. The problem is, my dream is not synching with my determination. Of course, I don't have the money to go to Columbia, but in this country, that would not be a problem if my determination to go is bigger than the hurdle. In this country, if you can dream it - you can have it.

Andre Agassi made the decision to love tennis at the age of 27. At 52, I have made the decision to love what is placed before me, right here and now. Even though this job I have right now is temporary, (because nothing is permanent) and I'm really not writing the kind of writing I want, it is consistent with myself to do the right thing and do my best until God moves me along because I have always believed in the biblical principle that it is God who promotes, and it is God who demotes. So until you see my name on the LA Times or the Time magazine, you can find me here in my cube, right next to my kitchen.

Bear with Me

When I started blogging 3 years ago, I disciplined myself to write something at least 2 times a week pretending that I worked for a newspaper writing a weekly column. I did that as a responsibility to myself, and when I found out that people I don't know have started reading my blog, I felt more obligated to make sure that I have something written every week but more so that it is of value and quality to the reader. (Even though "quality" is a relative term).

This is my second week of working from home and I find myself overwhelmed learning my new job. So as much as I miss the leisure time for myself; blogging and or just staring out into the horizon, (and or the abyss) I am hopeful that one day I will be able to enjoy those days again. I just need to persevere in learning and doing the right thing for what I am hired to do.

To give you an idea of what my job is, I manage remotely a call center in the Philippines; with that, I write protocols and scripts and make sure it is implemented by the team 10 thousand miles away. On top of that, I have to deal with our clients here in the US.

Having said all that, this blog is about asking my readers to bear with me until the next time I have something more (goofy) to write about. You, my readers, are the ones that kept me going, you are the reason why I would wake up in the middle of the night because I can't wait to share with you whatever plops in my brain.My dining table I now call my lobby and board room and break room.

New Trick, Old dog

My favorite time of the day is early morning, right when the dawn is breaking and the sun is slowly lifting up from wherever it came from. The bursting out of the sun rays makes me feel alive, almost the same way how my energy and moods dip as the sun goes down.

I normally wake up around 5 a.m, and I stagger straight to the kitchen and make coffee because I love the ritual of making coffee. Then I would take 2-3 sips because I really don't drink a whole cup, (I never have) and try to put in a 2o minute brisk walk, then sit down to read my bible for 20 minutes, meditate on it and hurriedly drive to work. This week, things have changed.

I now have a new job working from home, but because this is my first week, I have not gotten my routine down yet. It seems like I work all day and night but has not accomplished anything.
(Like how stay at home moms feel) There was a time when I thrived on deadlines, doing 99 things all at the same time, but now, I hardly could concentrate on one simple task. I feel unhinged when I have to answer a call while another one is holding , much like the saying- I can't chew bubble gum and walk at the same time.

So after working at my previous job for 20 years, doing the same thing and using the same software application, I am overwhelmed with this new technology process and new business lingo. (But at least I love my boss.) They gave me a Predictive Index test, to see who I am in order to maximize my potential and not waste my God given skills and talents. The test was very simple, yet almost pinpoint specific. Bob, the guy who administered the test whom I have met 3 times already was surprised of one of the results: "If people would ask me, is Ritchie outgoing? I would immediately say, of course, she is. She is very engaging and outgoing. But your test shows that you are introverted and private. Is that true?" He asked me in that tone like he was hoping to be right with his earlier assumption. I burst out laughing because from the beginning, as he was telling me the result, I could not believe that the test can actually pinpoint me to the T.

That's correct. I am introverted. This is why I've always said that my perfect job would be sitting alone, hiding behind my computer, writing tacky articles for a tacky magazine using a tacky pseudonym. Well, maybe not the tacky part, but you know what I mean?

Staying Young

From George Carlin:

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3.Keep learning. ! Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's family name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

God Knows Best

I asked God for strenght, that I might achieve
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men...
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for - But everything that I hoped for.