Signs of Good Things to Come

"Receiving roses from someone is a sign of good things to happen" My boss told our group after an interview with a good nature lady.

The lady just handed out to each of us a bunch of roses.

"Roses are one of St. Therese of Lisieux's symbolisms." My boss went on telling.

Later in the day, as we were in transit to another location, we saw a rainbow arch.

It definitely were signs of good things to come.

Today, while flipping channels I chanced upon the ending of the flick "500 Days of Summer". A particular conversation struck me:

Girl at Interview: Have I seen you before?

Tom: Me? I don't think so.

Girl at Interview: Do you ever go to Angela's Plaza?

Tom: Yes... That's like my favorite spot in the city.

Girl at Interview: Yeah, except for the parking lots.

Tom: Yeah, yeah I agree.

Girl at Interview: Yeah, yeah I think I've seen you there.

Tom: Really?

Girl at Interview: Yeah...

Tom: I haven't seen you?

Girl at Interview: You must not have been looking...

###

The Universe is telling me something

Stand Your Ground

A former officemate in a call center company I used to work for gave me a piece of advice: "stand your ground."
I can still vividly remember that day.
It happened on a usual day in the office when we were taking calls, and I asked him to help me out (we call it a sup. -- short for supervisory call). I was already feeling helpless with it. I was running out of words, worthy reasons to persuade the person at the other end of the line. Add to the fact that it was an "irate" call.
He told me those words, casually, while picking up the phone to answer it.

That was a simple advice. But it was something that still sticks to my mind to this day -- a major career shift, and three job transfers later.

You see, I'm not really a "pushy" assertive person. I admit, I'm weak, meek, and yes, passive.
Although I have tried and tried may times to toughen up...I'm just not really made of that material.

I am not conceding, though. I know I need to learn. I have to. No buts, no ifs.
Because I don't want to become a big mess, and end up like (or continue being) a walking disaster.
In tagalog, let me say: "ayokong magpalamon ng buhay."###

What Grandma Taught Me

My last conversation with grandma happened over a year ago.
It was my sister's college graduation, then.
Over the phone, after congratulating her, she talked to me...asked me about how I was.
When she asked me about it, I was already sensing where the conversation was heading at. It ends up to her -- asking me about when I was going to finally have a boyfriend, or be in a relationship, for that matter!
Mind you, though, that wasn't the first of our conversations about it. When that happens, I always laugh and give her a ready answer: "Grandma, nage-enjoy pa ako e!"

Months later, angels took grandma from us. And every time I think about her, I would also remember some of our conversations.

Let me admit that I'm at that stage in life where I can say that my grandma was right in saying:
it is important for anyone to have that someone in his or her life to take care of, or for someone to take care of you.
Enjoying life does not only mean living to build your own career or developing your own character, ON YOUR OWN.

Thinking about it now, grandma us probably watching me from heaven...shaking her head and saying, "I told you so!"

And what have I realized?
It is true, one does not live by his or her own strength and independence.
Building relationships are equally important.
To be holistic, and to truly understand people around you, one has to love -- and that means going through all the joys and pains of it.

The Box

It took me two years to finally finish this poem.

This is the nearest piece (almost decent) I made
about love.

Now there’s this box

We dare not open.

One night we filled it up with treasures

That both satisfied our fancies

You asked me if kisses

Can cap the night off.

You went on and on with this question

While I answered you with gulps and gulps

Of beer.

I ended up with a surrender.

And we indeed parted --

With you getting what you want

And me with memories

Of your gentleness,

Your warmth,

Your scent.

But questions filled my head

The next day…the coming months

No answer but a certain casualness

That smelled of guilt.

But amid all these

Is an unopened box

Wanting to be revealed.

And until then, we will know

If treasures have transformed

To fearful monsters.

-- Niña Elyca  Rabadam

April 2013