Sunday, August 31, 2008

Motivating the Graduates of 2008

For this year’s graduation, an Alma Mater invited me to be their guest speaker. The first time it was announced to me by a former mentor who now works as Admissions Officer in the institution, I felt more apprehensive than excited because as a young civil servant who’s still pursuing a college degree, I don’t think I deserve the merit as compared to what most would expect of commencement speakers – those who have impressive academic and professional achievements. Even so, they said they wanted an alumnus to be the guest speaker and since the school is more of a technical learning center than a formal college, a stable job in the industry I guess gauges the success of their graduates.

The big day came and I did my job as speaker. I delivered the message which I prepared for a couple of days making sure that it doesn’t sound too scholarly and wouldn’t exceed 15 minutes; something I myself as an audience could relate to and endure. I just provided some personal pointers about knowing one’s passion and strengths, going the extra mile, the importance of listening and never taking things for granted. To make my young audience at ease, I shared my personal experience how I was nobody in high school belonging to the bottom of the class before I became the better student that the institution knew. I also injected sufficient humor (isn’t it evident in the photos?) and refreshed their attention by asking questions that would make them raise hands. It was a choice to include just a little something of the theme about how business and IT provides boundless opportunities because I don’t want to elaborate on something everybody have an idea about. Thankfully, I still achieved my goal on substance and the time frame.

This experience was truly a privilege: to be warmly welcomed, be given a proud entrance by passing through crossed swords (my sibling was one of the cadets and she had a share of the limelight answering queries from her curious colleagues), see my name on a tarp, be seated next to distinguished officials, receive a standing ovation, shake hands with all the graduates and have the lion’s share of a sumptuous dinner. Above all these is the opportunity to be reunited with people who I know believe in me.


Monday, August 11, 2008

BD's Birthday

BD is my boss’ son; he turned five today. I do have fond moments with this lad so even though at his age all he can do with the computer is watch kiddy videos and play games, I’m dedicating this post for him.

Here are among my best memories with BD:

  • For quite some time, he would often stop by my area upon arrival (as if a courtesy visit) before proceeding to his mom’s to show me one or two toy cars from his collection that he brought that day or those very good star stamps he earned at school. Now, he knows he ought to say hi to his mom first.
  • Once, he was at our office early morning and I was on the phone when he climbed on my chair, found the chocolate drink I bought for breakfast and sipped until the box is empty. That happened in a minute.
  • He used to always borrow the Transformer toys I got free with some meal from a fastfood store until he broke it but during when he still loved playing with it, he would open my drawers to search for Optimus Prime and Barricade when he didn’t see them where he expected to. He does that even if he comes in late and I’m already out of the office. Next day, my boss would tell me that she had to arrange the mess of my desk because of BD’s scavenging.
  • The little décor tree on my desk that he borrows to provide shade for his toy cars’ parking, he once placed in the pot of a real plant by our door. I only noticed when I poured old water from my drinking bottle. On a separate instance by the way, he borrowed my staple remover and pretended that it’s an herbivorous monster that gnawed the real plant.

He would always rush to see the photo even before the camera captures us. For this reason, I wasn’t able to focus my phone well to fit us both and I wasn’t able to retake either because he’s just too excited. Anyway, he’s the star today.

Oh well BD boy, happy birthday still.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Trees for a Birthday Gift

For the second consecutive year, a tree-planting activity was organized through the efforts of our Ecology Center as part of the celebration of the birthday of our incumbent Chairman.

Despite the grilling heat and blinding glare of the sun, this one had been more fun. Last year, our department was assigned in a shady part and had planted a few seedlings hence the only challenge was maintaining balance while working on the slope. Recently, we were assigned in a longer stretch and had planted more than 10 Fire tree seedlings. A double-decked bus brought us and other employees to and fro our respective areas.

Ok, it may seem in the pictures that I was not very cooperative but I swear I planted 3 seedlings myself.

I hope to see those trees sturdy and full of red-orange flowers in years