The number 32

Some prominent # 32 sports figure

Los Angeles Lakers' Magic Johnson
Utah Jazz's Karl Malone
Portland Trail Blazers' Bill Walton,
Boston Celtics' Kevin McHale,
New Jersey Nets' Julius Erving,
Philadelphia 76ers' Billy Cunningham
San Anonio Spurs' Sean Elliott,
Seattle Supersonics' Fred Brown,
Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamiliton
Phoenix Suns' Amare Stoudemire (now #1)
Phoenix Suns' Shaquille O'Neal
baseball pitchers Sandy Koufax and Steve Carlton,
Cleveland Browns' running back Jim Brown,
Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers' O.J Simpson
Los Angeles Raiders' Marcus Allen
West Ham United football player Carlos Tevez.
Chai Chee, Singapore's Rommel

The Space Between Us...

Kenix, one of my local friends here in SG was sharing to me how she felt when her "special" someone went back to the US yesterday. She forwarded me a poem she received by email from the guy showing how "hollow" he was with them far apart. She was asking me if long-distance relationships work and how can she be sure that nothing "else" would happen if they're far apart. She knew that I'm married and my wife was back home in the Philippines that is why she was asking for my take on long-distance relationships. I did tell her proximity plays a big part in a relationship. But I also told her my situation was totally different with hers as I made a vow in front of God and our family to stay together through thick and thin. And I also mentioned that at this time and age, someone living from another country seems nearer with the introduction of YM and Skype.

After that discussion, I felt sad. Realizing again that my wife is far from me. It felt miserable knowing that when I got home, its only the half-empty bed that will greet me with the rest of the night and the other “lonely” nights to come.

Every second without you at my side feels like an eternity.

Slowly echoing the sorrow I feel.

The hollowness that embraces me

Lingers in me and in everything I see.

Every footstep I hear

Every wind that whispers in my ear.

Every morning that I open my eyes

Wishing that you are at my side.

To my partner-for-life, My bestfriend, My everything. My wife...I miss you soo much...

Can I buy an hour of your time?

A small touching story mainly for professionals and Dads...

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: 'Daddy, may I ask you a question?'

DAD: 'Yeah sure, what is it?' replied the man.

SON: 'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD: 'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?'
the man said angrily.

SON: 'I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD: 'If you must know, I make $100 an hour.'

SON: 'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: 'Daddy, may I please borrow $50?'

The father was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that is so you
can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense,
then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed.
Think about why you are being so selfish.
I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior.'

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions.
How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think:
Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that
$50 and he really didn't ask for money very often.
The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

'Are you asleep, son?' He asked.

'No daddy, I'm awake,' replied the boy.

'I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier' said the man.

'It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you.
Here's the $50 you asked for.'

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. 'Oh, thank you daddy!' He yelled.

Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.
The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again.
The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.
'Why do you want more money if you already have some?' the father grumbled.

'Because I didn't have enough, but now I do,' the little boy replied.

'Daddy, I have $100 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?

Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.'

The father was crushed.
He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.


...I miss Zia...

Uncertainty

Uncertainty

Life was a bit easy back home. I had a stable job with responsibilities of great importance…Amusing moments with friends lie in wait at every corner…And of course an adoring family that’s always thrilled and eager for you to arrive home.

But in life, you always have choices.

There will be a time wherein you’ll turn up at a crossroad, assessing where to go next. Will it be continuing the path you’ve chosen as you have grown accustomed to it? Or try to take another route where you have never traveled before. Most people might continue to take the familiar course. While the adventurous others will take the road less traveled.

For me, I came across my crossroad last year when this opportunity to work overseas came without any warning or notice. And at that time, I had to make a BIG decision, and I had to settle on it immediately.

It was also at that moment when I was finally about to achieve my goal at work but I had to come to a decision of whether to stay and accept the substantially weighty responsibilities and sufficient compensation clearly waiting for me. Or choose an entirely different and uncertain trail which can provide you immense rewards

if you are successful or carry you back to where you started if you disappointingly fall short. The worse that can happen is you’ll never be able to travel the old and familiar path again.

I choose the road less traveled.

There were 2 reasons why I selected this direction. May and Zia.

As of this time, my motives have been increased with the future addition to my family. That is why working hard is not enough. There is no turning back for me. Everything should be done right without any mistakes or setbacks.

Recently, I’ve been feeling a lot of pressure at work. How people work here are far different back home. I understand because I’m in a different country. There are some things that I need to learn and unlearn. I guess, I’m still doing fine because I’m still here after almost 9 months. Heck, some of my peers have already left long time ago. At least there’s still something positive happening here.

Back home, I miss my 2 reasons for everything. Terribly…We’ll see each other soon..November?

Uncertainty is slightly winning this round of my life. I’ve received a few jarring shots the last few weeks that made me a bit unsure of why I’m here.

But I’m still positive. I’m still standing. I don’t hear any bell ringing to end the round yet. To be extraordinary…THAT is my main thing…

“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics

are always so certain of themselves,

but wiser people so full of doubts.”

- Bertrand Russell