Reflections: The day this was

I've really nothing much to say. Birthday was fun in a very understated way. I guess it has something to do with getting old, I turned 28 in case you wondered (yeah, just crossed the threshold of my midlife). It was fun and boring at the same time. I worried about the same things--food and money to pay for the food--all for nothing really as God has always provided for me. Hey, don't get the wrong idea, I don't worry about my daily bread, I meant food for birthday celebrations hehe... yeah yeah, I guess my problems are problems some people would love to have.

A lot of friends greeted me. I didn't realize they did thought until I logged on to , YM, Facebook and Friendster (oh, and also a couple here). I still prefer the old way of receiving calls, birthday cards (and gifts? :p) or even the text. Those I can respond to in kind right away. Still, I appreciate each and every one of those greetings. I suppose not all of them carry the same warmth I'd like to think they do, but I don't care. In my mind, a greeting is taking the time to make somebody else feel good for the day--that right there is plenty warm enough for me.

So why do we celebrate birthdays anyway? All we did was not die for a year. I'd like to think it's because we are given another year to hope and to love. Celebrate not merely to revel, but to reflect. Establish new game plans and redraw old strategies. Mark a day in our life each year to check under the hood and see if we're alright. And maybe, just maybe, to celebrate and give thanks to Him to whom our lives we owe.

Lord, I thank you for all your love and blessings... for the last year and my entire life. I may not yet be the son you want me to be, but I pray that in time you will mold me to be the Christian worthy of bearing that name. Thank you for the gift of seeing another year, grant me the strenght and wisdom to make full use of the time you give me. Thank you for the gift of friends and loved ones, and thank you for the gift of opportunities and experiences. Forgive my selfishness and pride, my actions and inactions, and may I somehow, in my own feeble way, give glory to your name. Amen.

How are you celebrating Lent?

I had to go to work today and the place sure looked like a ghost town. Maybe a third of the people were missing and half of the people who actually did go to work were just floating around dazed--like ghosts--seemingly unsure why they went to work in the first place. And everywhere I went I almost always found someone who'd ask me if I thought we'd get the afternoon off. I sympathized with them yet it irritated me to no end because I took the morning off! The question was moot! And yet up to the very last hour, like a prisoner about to be hanged, they kept hoping for that call from Malacanang. I kept telling them not to expect the call, that Malacanang probably took the afternoon off already and no one's left to make the phone call even if by some twist of fate, GMA decides even a twelfth of day off might figure well in her so-called holiday economics.

It does feel disconcerting being at work when a lot of people aren't. I made the most of it by sleeping in late, which is the only purpose of a holiday for me since I really don't have anything better to do anyway. I compressed most of my work for the afternoon. It was good work, much was accomplished, and I didn't even have to wake up early or rush to work. Yet I still ended the day feeling sluggish and a wee bit annoyed.

I can't say why exactly, but I imagine its because I've nothing planned for such a prime holiday as this one. 4 straight days, heck it could easily have been 9 if I took a couple of days leave and I've neither the cash nor the circumstance to be in something remotely interesting or fun! I wonder how many of those "who chose to stay in Manila for the holidays" actually chose to stay? Are you really trying to avoid those vacationers or nobody invited you to go with them? Are you really choosing to reflect on this most holy of weeks or just found yourself stuck and nowhere to go? Really, I'd like to know.

I guess I'm entering this holy week with the wrong perspective. Hopefully, I'll be able to put myself in a more reflective mood and prayerful attitude by tomorrow. No, I'm not bashing those who went on a vacation. Make no mistake about it, it is my belief that this is a time for joyous celebration. Easter maybe the culmination of the celebration, but Jesus rose again some 2000 years ago, and He remains risen. It's all good to remember His suffering, but lets put the emphasis back to His resurrection. I just think that it wouldn't hurt if I celebrated alone once in a while.