Fortune favors the brave. Or so some people say.
I came face to face with fear last night.
You see, Bloggie, I haven't rented a car since I arrived. The closest I got to driving was when I spent one weekend with my Aunt where she let me drive her mean SUV inside the village at 40mph tops. Out on the freeway, you should go no lower than 65mph. Out on the freeway, a greenhorn like me will look like an irredeemable sissy being relentlessly bullied by overeager juvenile delinquents with road rage.
Last night. Last night, I decided to take up the challenge. Jean didn't want to go with me. I venture he is kinda having this idea - and kinda correctly, I confess - that I am not as brave as I appear. Gosh. I needed someone...in the passenger seat, at least? Virgie's husband, Tan, agreed to take me to Hertz to pick up the car, then I'd drive the rented wheels alone back to my flat. I guess I had no choice.
I was pleasantly surprised when Hertz upgraded my car at no extra cost to me. (I winked, perhaps?) I got a sleek 2006 Toyota Avalon with just 8 miles of usage. Great! At this point, I think I was still fine.
It was totally different once I got inside the car. Without warning, I got paralyzed with the thought of driving on the freeway. I unraveled, to say the least. I literally froze in my seat. After half an hour of total inertia, Tan decided he'd go fetch Virgie. I waited for another forty-five minutes before Virgie eased herself into the passenger seat.
After an eternity and another prayer, I started the engine. Blackie, my new friend-car, has a built-in GPS. Bless him! I must've called on all the saints as I drove off and onto 101, THE freeway.
Surprisingly, and quite unexpectedly, I got comfortable. So comfortable in fact that Virgie and I reached home earlier than Tan. Strangely hilarious, if you ask me.
Today, Blackie took me to and from my very first client engagement. I couldn't suppress a laugh as I remember when I did not connect and got out of synch with the directions. I didn't mind. I was having fun.
Fear is good. Fun, even. There's just a catch, though. You gotta face up to it until it backs away. Where it ends, fun begins.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Cheers, Pacman!
I just have to mark this glorious event.
Manny "The Pacman" Pacquiao TKO'ed Erik Morales!
Before the highly anticipated faceoff, Cel and I made fun of the two preceding boxing matches. With intense scrutiny, we 'analyzed' the pugilists based on their...well...appearance. Maybe it's a complex science known only to our kind but it somehow worked for us with unerring precision. Our bets won, with their black-and-blue opponents pathetically running for cover.
Then came Erik and Manny. I thought they were a study in contrast. Whereas Manny projected a gung-ho attitude, Erik had a quiet and brooding air about him. Cel and I couldn't decide who would win based on our 'matrices'. We concluded that they were equal.
I couldn't stand the first few rounds because Manny was being assaulted by Erik's more precise jabs, uppercuts and hooks. Whatever. Manny was being hit from everywhere and it looked as though his footwork was fumbling. But he managed not to get nasty cuts in the face, which was some consolation.
Then Round 6 came and the tables turned. Suddenly, Manny, still bouncy and seemingly unfazed by all the bulls-eye hits, delivered. And deliver he did, just what his gazillion Filipino fans would fall on all fours to see - hard-hitting blows, pun intended to Erik of course. One commentator's cutting observation: desperation comes in the form of rubbing the leg. I saw Erik's legs being massaged and I literally understood. He also looked so beat and tired.
Thanks to Manny's deadly left hand and I daresay his kababayans' unflagging support, Erik saw the stars before the tenth round ended.
I bet everyone in the Philippines is rejoicing.
Cheers to you, Pacman. May you always be hungry. :)
Manny "The Pacman" Pacquiao TKO'ed Erik Morales!
Before the highly anticipated faceoff, Cel and I made fun of the two preceding boxing matches. With intense scrutiny, we 'analyzed' the pugilists based on their...well...appearance. Maybe it's a complex science known only to our kind but it somehow worked for us with unerring precision. Our bets won, with their black-and-blue opponents pathetically running for cover.
Then came Erik and Manny. I thought they were a study in contrast. Whereas Manny projected a gung-ho attitude, Erik had a quiet and brooding air about him. Cel and I couldn't decide who would win based on our 'matrices'. We concluded that they were equal.
I couldn't stand the first few rounds because Manny was being assaulted by Erik's more precise jabs, uppercuts and hooks. Whatever. Manny was being hit from everywhere and it looked as though his footwork was fumbling. But he managed not to get nasty cuts in the face, which was some consolation.
Then Round 6 came and the tables turned. Suddenly, Manny, still bouncy and seemingly unfazed by all the bulls-eye hits, delivered. And deliver he did, just what his gazillion Filipino fans would fall on all fours to see - hard-hitting blows, pun intended to Erik of course. One commentator's cutting observation: desperation comes in the form of rubbing the leg. I saw Erik's legs being massaged and I literally understood. He also looked so beat and tired.
Thanks to Manny's deadly left hand and I daresay his kababayans' unflagging support, Erik saw the stars before the tenth round ended.
I bet everyone in the Philippines is rejoicing.
Cheers to you, Pacman. May you always be hungry. :)
Monday, January 16, 2006
First post from the Valley
A lot of things have happened since my last post.
Other than my digicam's busted lens, the most significant in the lot would have to be seeing and trying to get along with Uncle Sam.
FYI Bloggie, I have been in the States since 28 December. From that point on, everything has been a blur of activities.
(I am not really in the Valley right now. I am in Chicago. Finding the pre-course materials utterly unappealing I am in danger of keeling over, I suddenly remember I have you, Bloggie, for company. So bear with my thoughtless chatter, will you?)
29 December
Terrible jetlag. Slept all day in my warm and cozy apartment. I didn't even care that I was alone or what.
30 December - 1 January
Fetched by cousins to spend New Year in Stockton. Met up with a very dear Aunt who didn't give a thought in giving me the key to Volvo SUV to test drive around the village. Nice wine. Warm company. I miss my digicam.
2 - 6 January
Got a headstart on getting an SS number. Visited the office. Jean toured me around the area. Actually asked myself if I could live here. Bought lotsa food. So happy to see Cel again! Scouted for a permanent flat. Rode the tram alone. Saw some sights alone. Met new friends. I'D HAVE TO HAVE A DIGICAM!
8 - 11 January
Orientation. Great program. Greatest desserts! Great Disneyland tour. Did only one ride - Soar - as there was no time.
12 - 13 January
First two days in office. Surprised to find that Pinoys dominate the Supplies Section. Very warm HR people. Got my SS number. Broke a sweat when informed I'd be part of a SOX client; fieldwork immediately starts after the upcoming training. Reality is checking in...
14 January
Scouted for an apartment with Jean until we finally found a nice one. Really nice! Bought a couple of boots. Bought a couple of size one coats (gosh, heavy!). Bought mittens. Forgot the beanies. At one point, wondered aloud how these people layered their winter clothing. WHEN AM I GONNA HAVE IT?
15 January
Flew out of San Jose. Flew in to Chicago for a one-week training. Brrrr! Very surprised to find that the 'hotel' resembled a big dormitory. Spartan accommodations. No nonsense, built-for-lecture ambiance. No fun. Not surprised that the Accenture peeps thought the same, too. Happy that there are lots of interesting people. I'D BUY A NEW DIGICAM. TOMORROW?
There, Bloggie. I have finally checked in, eh? :)
Other than my digicam's busted lens, the most significant in the lot would have to be seeing and trying to get along with Uncle Sam.
FYI Bloggie, I have been in the States since 28 December. From that point on, everything has been a blur of activities.
(I am not really in the Valley right now. I am in Chicago. Finding the pre-course materials utterly unappealing I am in danger of keeling over, I suddenly remember I have you, Bloggie, for company. So bear with my thoughtless chatter, will you?)
29 December
Terrible jetlag. Slept all day in my warm and cozy apartment. I didn't even care that I was alone or what.
30 December - 1 January
Fetched by cousins to spend New Year in Stockton. Met up with a very dear Aunt who didn't give a thought in giving me the key to Volvo SUV to test drive around the village. Nice wine. Warm company. I miss my digicam.
2 - 6 January
Got a headstart on getting an SS number. Visited the office. Jean toured me around the area. Actually asked myself if I could live here. Bought lotsa food. So happy to see Cel again! Scouted for a permanent flat. Rode the tram alone. Saw some sights alone. Met new friends. I'D HAVE TO HAVE A DIGICAM!
8 - 11 January
Orientation. Great program. Greatest desserts! Great Disneyland tour. Did only one ride - Soar - as there was no time.
12 - 13 January
First two days in office. Surprised to find that Pinoys dominate the Supplies Section. Very warm HR people. Got my SS number. Broke a sweat when informed I'd be part of a SOX client; fieldwork immediately starts after the upcoming training. Reality is checking in...
14 January
Scouted for an apartment with Jean until we finally found a nice one. Really nice! Bought a couple of boots. Bought a couple of size one coats (gosh, heavy!). Bought mittens. Forgot the beanies. At one point, wondered aloud how these people layered their winter clothing. WHEN AM I GONNA HAVE IT?
15 January
Flew out of San Jose. Flew in to Chicago for a one-week training. Brrrr! Very surprised to find that the 'hotel' resembled a big dormitory. Spartan accommodations. No nonsense, built-for-lecture ambiance. No fun. Not surprised that the Accenture peeps thought the same, too. Happy that there are lots of interesting people. I'D BUY A NEW DIGICAM. TOMORROW?
There, Bloggie. I have finally checked in, eh? :)
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