Here We Go Again

I posted a very positive statement in my status bar at FB last Monday morning. Reason for this was another big opportunity for me as I embark on a new business venture, the fruit of a spur of the moment conversation with a friend I needed to catch up with.

Based on the meetings we had....so far so good and things are looking bright for this new project, my fourth for the year.

I have a good feeling about this as there has been no negative vibe since the day we started. As I posted the next day "This is it! Point of no return!". I was full of excitement and enthusiasm. Everything felt right from the place, to the decor, to the land lord.

Like all the business ventures I have gotten into, I really don't have an idea of what is in store for all of us who put in our money for a better future. I just wish everyone all the best as we start a journey into the unknown.

Keep 'em coming

Since my trip to the City of Pines almost 4 months ago, a lot of things have happened. I seemed to have disappeared from the face of the earth in the eyes of "normal" people as I have been immersed in training since then.

A lot of obstacles have been hurdled as far as personal and business matters are concerned. And my goal to finish another IM 70.3 was fulfilled 19 minutes better than last years time.

My wife and I were able to sneak a mini honeymoon at the beautiful Caramoan Islands and everything good has been happening since despite the pot holes that I normally encounter in life's never ending road.

Yesterday was a time for long lost friends. I had a blast after a long vacation from partying. Based on my calendar of events, there are more meet ups and mini reunions to come which is nice as I will be seeing my classmates once again.

It has been an uphill climb for me as usual. But the funny thing is, the opportunities keep coming and keep getting better. A good sign that I am constantly moving forward which is my mentality in any race.

Today I hit a big pot hole but the options are still there. So keep em coming as I keep moving forward to deal with every obstacle the lies ahead.

The City of Pines

It has been awhile since my last visit to the Philippines' "Summer Capital". The last time I think was like 5 years ago with my scooter club.

Last weekend was different as we went there as a family. Family meaning, almost the entire clan, my mom, wife and kids, and close family friends.

It turned out to be a reunion of sorts as we met and lived with family friends we had not seen for decades. Aside from this, it was a first time for my youngest son to see the place, a promise I was able to fulfill after years of wishing and planning.

To cut a long story short, we had a blast doing all the touristy stuff any regular Baguio visitor would try to stay away from. Sad to say, I saw how the place had deteriorated and how it had changed from a quiet little city, green all around to a congested polluted, and traffic filled city.

We used to buy native souvenirs when we were young as well as snacks and anything ethnic Baguio had to offer. Now its second hand clothes, military surplus, and an array of junk.

The man made lake at Burnham park was colored dark green. An incentive to all boat passengers never to fall in the lake. Not to drown but to die of all the bacteria the lake water had to offer.

I enjoyed the run I did with my wife though. It gave me a glimpse of what Baguio used to be and the smell of pine filled the air in the area where we ran.

I look forward to our return trip this December. I hope the entire family can be there so we can enjoy it more.

Loss

In the past years, I have experienced tremendous losses : financial loss in the field of business, loss of pride and ego due to money matters. Well to sum it all up, it is always losing money or money is always not enough. This is almost normal to me, routine to say the least.

All the years that I have lived and supported my family as a sole bread winner has made me tough in facing these challenges which I should say are part of the game.

Last month I suffered one of the biggest losses in my life when my father died unexpectedly. Many decades were peaks and valleys for him. The same goes for my relationship with him which was quite a roller coaster ride.

For some strange reason, things started to fall into place a little over a year before he passed. He was happier, relaxed, fulfilled. Our conversations were longer, happier, meaningful.

I was even able to record one where we went on for almost 2 hours.

It was painful to see him go that way. He was in good health and could have lived a longer life. But life is like that and we are not in control of what can happen as we live this difficult life.

I have many could haves : I could have bought him new shoes, could have taken him out to lunch, could have played golf with him. But obligations and work usually get in the way and before I knew it he was gone.

Many changes in the family have transpired since his passing. Changes that have made the family better and stronger in terms of relationships.

These are the signs of the times : we are vulnerable and we are getting older.

We can say life goes on and we have to move on. Board that cart wheel and continue the rat race that we started since the day we were born.

But I miss him and I hope to see him again.

Excited

I took a leave today after a very tense filled week. Not to rest but to work on a project that came from an idea from an overseas trip last year.

It seems to be moving as planned and tonight, we get to present it to the man who will either give it a thumbs up or its back to the drawing board.

Whatever it is, I do hope it works out as I dreamed it to be : an idea I came up with turning into a business venture that brings me back as an entrepreneur, a chance to work with my wife, a chance to help those who need a break like me.

I have very high hopes and expectations for this and I am very excited about it.

I'll tell you more about it soon.

Hope

Former Singapore PM Lee Kwan Yew once said that religion gives hope to those who believe which is a good thing.

In my case, hope is when you keep trying and thinking of ways to make your life better. You need patience and tenacity to be able to pull this off otherwise you become hopeless.

Just the other day, an idea entered my mind and I did not stop at it so I sent a proposal to a friend. An mere idea now gives hope to my family in these tough times.

I just "hope" it works. But by the way things are going, there is light at the end of the tunnel. A brainstorming weekend and a research and development session also turned out into bonding time with my family which is a wonderful thing.

It is tiring sometimes to get over each hurdle day by day. But when something like this comes up, it seems so easy to overcome each hurdle.

We have exactly 3 weeks before we go through the final test. Funds are dwindling, resources are limited, but hopes are high......very high.

I keep telling myself that if I will be able to pull this off, I will help those who are in need in my family.

Good luck to us all....

Of Door Stoppers, Friends to the End and Starting the Year with an Anxiety Attack

The year ended quietly and simply ( for my family that is), issues between families were settled and problems were forgotten while the holiday vacation lasted.

New years should always be started right, so the entire year runs well. On the contrary, mine started with a "BANG" initiated by our problem star of the show "Mr. Anxiety Attack". His problems need to be the whole family's problem, his sleepless nights are our sleepless nights as well. Now he needs to see a psychiatrist at PHP 3,500 a pop?

For someone who barely does anything in life, he is too expensive to maintain, financially, emotionally, psychologically. Come to think of it, I should be the one to see a shrink? No way, not the type to give up as I see these are all flavors my life has to offer me and all I can say is it could have been worse.

Another flavor is the so called "friend to the end type", the one who seems to care but waits for the benefits you can bring him whatever it may be. Sometimes to the point of being his clown. But in the end, I am the one laughing the most.

At the time I needed help most, was the time this character of a person trades me for an expensive door stopper. You know what door stoppers are used for....stopping doors from closing or opening. For him that is, but this one could have tied me over a couple of months without having to "down grade". Well I guess spreading the sunshine doesn't exist after all. Even if you have no use for the damn thing.

Honestly this year seems like a tough one for me. But in the end, I will come out of this smiling again. Just like the past years. At least now I know who I should be with.

Bring it on!