Monday, August 19, 2013

Habagat

It's that time of year when monsoons abound and flooding is now becoming a norm in the Metro.

It all started in 2009 when Typhoon Ondoy happened and I shared about my experience here. From then on, flood after flood hit our country with the recent one just last year--also during the same month as this one.

In 2009, Marikina was badly hit. In 2012, Habagat caused a landslide at Commonwealth and flooded Roxas Blvd most especially that swanky hotel in the CCP Complex. This time around, it's Cavite, Laguna, Las Pinas and Paranaque that took the brunt of the habagat brought about by typhoon Maring.

It has become a running joke (although some people are beginning to take it seriously) that everyone should buy rubber boats and keep it for emergency purposes. Even for areas that are not usually susceptible to flooding are no longer spared. I dread the time that even our area, which is quite high, would also be submerged. If that happens, all of Manila should already be underwater.

This morning, I woke up at 3AM with rains literally pounding our roof. My staff began to text me one by one that they will be unable to report to work due to floods. I still got ready for work and began to monitor the flood situation through @SkywaySOMCO (and witnessed Lady Gaga's and Perez Hilton's twitter war at the same time). I usually take the "At Grade Level" of SLEX but after reading conflicting reports about flooding, I took the Skyway and arrived in the office within 30 minutes. My colleagues started to arrive in trickles and we began to hear of other offices and banks that called off work. By 8AM, our president suspended operations but most of us stayed letting the floods subside. I went home a couple of hours later after doing a bit of work. I freaked out when I saw in my FB and Twitter feeds about the flooding at the Sta. Rosa area of SLEX and hoped that the tail end won't reach Alabang. Fortunately, I made it home in decent time.

I've made it a habit of keeping an extra change of clothes, slippers, water and crackers in the car whenever typhoon season starts. I do not want to be caught unprepared again although I hope to have an amphibious car someday if  global warming should continue.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Midterms

I'm stuck here in school waiting for my class to finish two midterm tests. Yes, I'm proctoring for the other teacher as she's still on bed rest. I'm feeling a wee tad guilty (just a little bit) as my bonus question is harder than the actual exam. But well, I guess that's the reason why it's a bonus question. I guess it's my way of making my class listen in the future as they always tend to become talkative whenever there's an ongoing recitation. My bonus question is based on their recitations and if they are listening to me instead of discussing some side issues with their seatmates, that question will be very easy.

As an update, my department chair requested me to take on the class previous to my time slot. It seems the professor is experiencing a delicate pregnancy and would not be able to make it to class the rest of the term. I don't mind the additional income although I'll be learning the subject from scratch. Good thing I have some sort of background knowledge on the subject as it's mostly about my job but on a different perspective.

Reading through my post yesterday, I'm glad I made the conscious decision to be happy today. I remember walking in the mall yesterday telling myself that I will be happy and I'm glad I did. I do not like feeling depressed or wallowing in self pity. I finally took to heart the pep talks that I've been giving myself yesterday and it finally did the trick.

Prayers are still welcome. :)

Friday, August 09, 2013

Happiness is...

Whenever I hear the word "happiness", a song from Charlie Brown (which was also sung locally by Lea Salonga and her brother Gerard in one of their concerts) comes to mind:

Happiness is finding a pencil.
Pizza with sausage.
Telling the time.
Happiness is learning to whistle.
Tying your shoe for the very first time.

Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band.
And happiness is walking hand in hand.
Happiness is two kinds of ice cream.
Knowing a secret.
Climbing a tree.
Happiness is five different crayons.
Catching a firefly.
Setting him free.

Happiness is being alone every now and then.
And happiness is coming home again.
Happiness is morning and evening,
Daytime and night time too.
For happiness is anyone and anything at all
That’s loved by you.

Happiness is having a sister.
Sharing a sandwich.
Getting along.
Happiness is singing together when day is through,
And happiness is those who sing with you.
Happiness is morning and evening,
Daytime and nighttime too.
For happiness is anyone and anything at all
That’s loved by you.

And if you want to sing along, here's the song:



I've been in the doldrums lately and I've been repeating the mantra "happiness is a decision and not a feeling". I want to decide to be happy but extenuating circumstances are forcing me to rethink that decision. It could be the reason why I'm keeping myself busy to keep myself from facing it.

There's also "God has a plan for me" and "God's timing is always perfect" which I posted in my timeline. I know these things but it's so hard to keep them to heart when you're being battered by negativity. I cannot afford to break and I know that I'll be back to my old jolly self in a few days time.

In the meantime, please pray for those who would need more prayers than me. I know my concerns are insignificant compared to those who are struggling with life-threatening illnesses or those who are struggling with their lives and relationships. However, if you can still say a small prayer for me, it would be a big help.