You’ll find out soon.

• My officemate Ria and I compiled together the progressive file of documents detailing the tedious editing work we’ve done for the upcoming institutional research journal that our Department is tasked to produce. What we’ve realized from the number of notations and post-it notes I would attach on every document (read: a work in progress) is the fact that this is how editing should be done:  meticulous, rigorous, and patient. Thus, the compilation would now be a sampler for future editors whom we will task to do similar editing of journal publications. How did we do the process (color-coded at that to represent a particular stage of the editing craft!) will be an interesting subject of a future blog entry.
• This afternoon, a group in my research class (graduate school) did an advance presentation of their research proposal. I asked two of our research staff in the Department to sit as panelist-observers during the course of the proposal defense. The study was too interesting it made us ask among ourselves: Have we considered ergonomics (meaning how our fixtures in the office are arranged, positioned, or cleaned up) as a factor in our productivity as employees? Because true enough, the more cluttered we are, as literatures pointed us, the less productive we tend to be. Basically, this, too, is the principle of feng shui. That is, we must de-clutter so we could let energy freely and positively flow. Interesting realization!
• On the way to work this morning, I was lucky enough to catch an airconditioned bus. But that wasn’t only the lucky thing. On the bus, I was able to watch an Indian version of “Super Man.” The movie’s premise is anchored on man and technology. Because there’s this gifted man who can read and project the future. He is being harnessed to work on a technology that can see the future and change its course, all in the name of being and becoming not like God, but that of becoming the God himself. I wasn’t lucky though to finish the movie since I must alight a few minutes later down my destination.

It’s too hot in my study. Can’t go to the Colegio’s library because it was a local holiday. So off to UPLB, only to find out that the Main Lib was, too, closed on a Saturday afternoon.

There I found myself lying on the pavement fronting buildings and trees, swayed by somewhat cool-hot lunchtime air. Watched time flew undisturbed, silently. It was just me and my things and that unharassed moment. When was the last time I sat down here? Memories flashed back like images of which I had no control.

I found this perfect moment again. Sure, I’ll come back.

The election fever is still up in the air. Two days after the Day, we’re very impressed of the quick automatic count. Even the broadcast industry boasts of hi-tech gadgets, like the hologram technology that one TV network launched as part of its coverage.

Anyway, it is very clear, too, who are leading (or have won) in the government race for various positions.  Noynoy Aquino is apparently the next President. But I didn’t vote for him, not for anything but for reasons I didn’t find in him. Yet, now that he gets the support of majority of the voting populace, we cannot help but recognize him and give our trust to his administration.

What remains to be seen is the peaceful and smooth transition from incumbent President GMA to new Chief of the Land Noynoy Aquino. Along with it, the changes he promised to bring and the concept of a clean government he passionately pushed during his electoral campaign.

That could mean keeping all my other blog sites intact but inactive. Or, transferring contents to my new home. But I’d also like to start anew and find my own niche in the blogosphere. As it is, I’m only blogging to do mental therapy or as a personal, creative exercise. With a track to follow, I could specifically write about food, travel, places, events, people, family, arts, or about writing itself.

The possibilities make me excited.

It was like a wake-up call when my blood pressure slightly went up two weeks ago. I felt the symptom painfully: a kind of headache that seemed to burst out of my head.

Thus, right after that, I attempted to do some healthy shift into (1) eating more veggies and fruits, (2) not staying too late at night, and (3) doing my weekly share of physical exercise in the form of jogging and walking around the UPLB campus.

Now, I feel a little lighter and slimmer. I feel like my entire body system is getting stronger: my lungs, heart, and lower torso. I feel stress-free. Although, I want to believe that it’s simply a state of the mind. Better that way, because everything starts with that.

Let arts define your sadness. Express your silence. Let an old chair you love care for you this sad, sad day.

You get to meet new people; and you are caught by surprise: they come when you least expect it.

Sooner you’ll realize the path leads to a common direction.

Maybe same interests. Same needs. Same art.

But you least expect it; and from there, you expect less and less.

You promise yourself you won’t commit the same mistakes again. Yet you wait and hope and expect.

When things get to be inspiring, you restrain the extent of your happiness: it’s enough that you’re happy for now–let tomorrow worry for itself.

Yet you harbor the thought that things can move on and do more. Will make you happier.

Because you can never tell.

Zooming in on my personal world, 2009 was a year of small things but bigger impacts. I looked out of my lens and see a year ruled by nearby travels and great works.

Baguio remains my favorite place. Been there that year twice. Institutional retreat last January and qualitative-research seminar on May. Both were moments that emerged as opportunities to discover self, friends, and the social world. Baguio is like a refuge that lets you get lost then find “it” again.

Research work brought me to Roxas City mid of this year. It was an entirely new place for us. People were warm, foods were exotic. It was like visiting an episode of our history too. The biggest church bell in Asia could be found in Sta. Monica church which we visited as local tourists. It was nothing but astounding.

My Diliman course this academic year also expanded what could have been a limited view of communication research. I braved weekly night-time travels to finish the course but surfaced from it enriched. I involved my own workplace as a case in research management. This gave me an idea for a bigger research project.

This year marked too my second term as R&DD head of my host agency. I am always overwhelmed by works and responsibilities, getting sick and stressed in the process, but this post makes me feel better beyond the turf. It’s the laboratory for my teaching role.

2010 sees me wrapping up my course work for my second graduate degree. I look forward to reaping personal triumphs, staying happy despite sad realities, and growing better with friends, family, and colleagues (read: coworkers, students, superiors, graduate classmates and mentors).

During our New Year’s eve party, our young folks in the family presented a video clip of what we were and hope to become. I love the term: “survivors.” We all should be.

The air turns from cold to chilly to wintry on the road home from work. I don’t bring any jacket or sweater to feel better the December air.

Even early in the morning, the fog descends from above. In the mountainous part of LB, the air is cooler–like an open aircon–and the fog more visible. When it’s cold, everything seems to be so clean and fresh. That’s why I love Baguio!

Inside my room I savor too the cool clime. With blanket too helpful to feel the cool season better, I smell the season and pray before I sleep that may it  always be Christmas season in the country when I’ll worry less of dust, dirt, and sweat. Where everything–from my head to environ–is cool, sane, and in control.

I want the virtual snow flakes to perpetually hover over my page here and over a cool spot in my dream life.

Please.