Sunday, February 27, 2011

true nourishment (Part I)

When missionaries knock to evangelize their faith, I open my doors to them. This is because I respect other people’s beliefs, but more so, because I admire them for making the effort to reach out to as many people and persuade them to convert to their religion, notwithstanding, not being paid for doing so. My usual greeting would include a statement that mine is a Catholic household but they are welcome and if they leave me reading materials, they can be assured I would read it. Yes, I do read publications from different religions, I find those informative and enlightening, some writings even inspired me.

Keeping an open mind about worship and other religions though, makes me more attached and inspired to stick to mine. I love being Catholic, despite the intrigues, some true, most were not, other people throw on the church, I would still be faithful to the practice of the faith.

I was baptized and confirmed a Catholic, got my bachelor’s degree from a Catholic College, and moved on further to a Catholic University for graduate studies. When I was younger, I joined the Block Rosary group in my community and for a short time had served in the mass as lector. I did well in my theology classes, made sure I attended mass every Sunday and days of obligations, tried to be good the best I can, but that was it. I never really understood my faith deeply, nor had the desire to nourish or defend it until recent challenges had me searching for more than just complying with the routines.

When I gave up Facebook I had more time to build up knowledge of my faith and what matters most in life. The fruitful readings, the quiet moments, and the EWTN broadcast aided the realization.

Sunday, February 06, 2011

back to work

In between my on and off allergies which I don’t know where I got from, I survived my first week back to work. I must say the adjustment is not easy after being away from the corporate world for a long time. I am no longer used to waking up, taking a shower, and fixing myself early for work. I even felt a slight separation anxiety leaving home and not being able to pick up my boys from school. I think the brothers adjusted faster to taking a bus ride home than me driving and hustling with the traffic in 10 freeways, which is my daily route from Los Angeles to Santa Monica.

These difficulties though are not the highlight of my back to work experience because deep in my heart and mind, what I wanted to write is my appreciation for having a job. I twitted last week, “who needs recruiters when you have friends?” It is so hard to find a job this time, in fact competition is so stiff, getting an interview is even harder than auditioning for American Idol. As for me, thanks to my friend, Linda, she hooked me up.

In the midst of learning new skills, I have access to the awesome view of Santa Monica from our 20th floor office. At lunch, I even get the chance to enjoy the soothing cold breeze of air coming from the ocean. I am back walking the famous 3rd Street Promenade and if I’m luckier, I could even get a glance of movie stars, those dropping-off their kids at this posh daycare opposite our parking structure.

Once I acquired complete knowledge of the job, I’ll be relocated to Los Angeles’ Financial District which means my drive to work will only be 3 miles as compared to the current’s 18 miles plus traffic each way. How cool is that? I always loved working in Downtown LA; this is where I had most of my corporate experience. How fortunate am I given the chance to work in a place I wanted to be? Or rather, how blessed am I that the good Lord had always been arranging where I should be?

To the lady standing at the corner of our office building holding a carton sign that said “I’d rather work,” I pray that you will find something for you soon.

To everybody else, refrain from FaceBooking while at work and start loving your job more.