The 41st Floor!

Yesterday was my second first day here in the Head Office. I just got off from a  month-long field work in southern Negros island. I got dark and have gotten used to not taking a bath for like, four to five days, (and my tolerance to not taking a bath has grown particularly longer than when I was still in college.)

Since Kuya Farell and Madeline were not around, (they haven't gotten off from their base-off yet) I had to figure out my way to the head office all by myself. From where I am renting a room right now, that is Krus Na Ligas, I would take a tricycle to PHILCOA. Then take a jeepney to TRINOMA/SM North Edsa. Then take a free ride from the company shuttle service that drives you to the office here at Ortigas Center.

I am using the issued laptop and the internet, of which I am sure being monitored by some IT personnel against anyone who use the internet for personal amusement (like me!), here in my cubicle. Crossing my fingers I don't get caught! Hahaha!

By the way, I'm at the 41st floor of that building!

Geologist at Work!

People in the city go to mountains to get in touch with NATURE. Us, who are working most of the time in the mountains, forests, and rivers, go to the city to get in touch with CIVILIZATION.

Now, what are we doing here? We select samples from rocks that are exposed to the surface. Then we send them out for petrological/chemical/mineralogical analysis to better understand their composition, texture, and origin. Some samples are analyzed for dating (radiometric dating).

We also map structures such as faults/fractures, and other lineaments. Some of my teammates do the geophysics and geochemistry thingy; seismic and magnetic surveys to better understand the subsurface characteristics of a particular area, and chemical sampling, both liquid and gas, for further analysis of the mechanisms that took place in a geothermal system.

If all is well, we drill, more or less, 3,000 meters sub-vertically into the earth to produce geothermal steam which is converted to electricity so that you guys can watch your favorite TV shows at home! See? Us geologists make your lives easier without you knowing! 

Things Will Be Fine

It came to me as a surprise too, that bad news. I thought what was in that film was nothing, but it was something. It is something that I never thought would occur in my body. I for one know that the human flesh is vulnerable to diseases and sickness but, at my young age, I just couldn't think it was possible.

For a moment, I realized how fragile our bodies are, how easy it is for bacteria to pass through our immune system and start populating themselves in our vital organs. I thought I was healthy, exempt the gastrointestinal problem which has been a real pain in the ass ever since.

I'm glad that the company I'm applying for is willing to wait for me until the 3rd of March. To work for them as a Geologist is a dream, to be a part of them is already an achievement.

If this is really for me, then HE will give this to me. I'm gonna undergo a treatment. And if all things get well enough, the doctor is gonna give me a clearance for work. HE will give this to me. HE will. I know. HE loves me that much.

But the question is, am I doing anything that pleases HIM? Maybe I did, and eventually forget about it when everything goes smooth. But life is rough right now. I'm just being human.

How's that for a human?

I hunt a Sign of you

I have a lot of things to say right now. But I think I need to keep these thoughts for a while (I mean the things that concern this irregular shape vital organ located inside the left portion of my chest). I've got so much thoughts in my head, so many things to write. I for one cannot decide which one of these rumbling thoughts should I put into writing. I've been keeping this "thing" for a while now and have written several posts regarding this one in the past. But no one knows who. I'm such a hopeless romantic. Gaaass. Here's a poem from Pablo Neruda, the greatest poet of the 20th Century.

I hunt for a sign of you in all the others,

In the rapid undulant river of women,

Braids, shyly sinking eyes,

Light step that slices, sailing through the foam.

Suddenly I think I can make out your nails,

Oblong, quick, nieces of a cherry:

Then it's your hair that passes by, and I think

I see your image, a bonfire, burning in the water.

I searched, but no one else had your rhythms,

Your light, the shady day you brought from the forest;

Nobody had your tiny ears.

You are whole, exact, and everything you are is one,

And so I go along, with you I float along, loving

A wide Mississippi toward a feminine sea.

Christmas 2013!

I've got plenty of cousins residing on the different parts of the archipelago. Since I am in Cebu this time, I've got three sets of close relatives that I can go to this Christmas Eve. I've spent a part of the evening attending a church that the company owner goes to with his family. They are nice and they treat their employees very well. Feeling at home, as what they say.

It was quite a long time since the last time I visited my cousins in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu. Five years, maybe. But despite the long time that we haven't seen each other, it felt that the passing of time has not taken place. We did so much together at very little time. Happy to have spent the Christmas with them. I went to Papa's house, too. Kewl.

'Time Flies Fast'

My last blog entry was on first week October. Time, as what all people say, flies so fast. You never see it coming. You never see all the opportunities coming unless you take risks, unless you try, unless you have the will to grab the undiscovered good things coming your way.

I for one did not know what I was doing with my life. But HE did it all for me. He puts me in the right places, at the right time, with the right people. And for the nth time in my entire life. I asked myself...

What have I done good to deserve such blessings? His kindness?

I was never good nor did anything good to please him. I never did something worth praising or did something adorable to his eyes. I was a plain old junkie who spent most of my college years in things that I thought were 'okay'.

But He always look at the best of us. Despite the best of me is hard to find, he stayed, and dwelt within me. So now, with the subtle change brought upon by time, I'll try to be good.

The King's Speech

"I'm a good officer. But I'm not a King! I'm not a King!"

He is the Duke of York, the son of King George V, King and Royal Highness of Great Britain. His name is too long I can no longer recall. But the word in between his very long name is Albert. And his Speech Doctor calls him Berty but he doesn't like that. He is a Duke and Prince after all. And by the way, he stammers, a lot.

Since he is a Duke and the son of a King, he has to attend numerous gatherings and events that greatly require his verbal charisma - an ability, that's sadly, he is not blessed with.

This is a movie. And this one is inspired by the real-life drama of King George VI during the 1930's upon the declaration of war by Germany against its non-ally countries. During those hard times, the speech-defective King tried his best to lift-up the spirits of his people. He gave them hope through delivering speeches on nationwide broadcast.

He can hardly speak, can hardly utter a single word from his mouth. And during his younger years, people made fun of him. His brother teases him. His nanny pinches him a lot because she doesn't like him. And until he grew old, around his 40's perhaps, have gone married and begotten a couple of children, his inability to speak caused topsy-turvy to his prominence.

But he tried anyway, he tried to get the best experts in Great Britain and sought the possibility of being cured. All of them failed, except one. They did tongue exercises and other ridiculous stuff that sounded funny to me. He succeeded and became King, a remarkable one. As a matter of fact, he is one of the most recognized Kings in monarch history.

I love the story because I can relate to his circumstance. I stammer a lot when I was a kid, and I think it occurred psychologically, something happened in my childhood years that led me to acquire such defect. I struggled at first, yes. But I tried my best to overcome that weakness by formulating techniques while talking.

Now, I still stammer though, sometimes. But I'm not that obvious anymore. But watching the movie made me realize that I can still develop my speaking. I will look for exercises that will help improve the way I speak. And I'm very excited about it. Yey! :)

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

(This poem was referred to me by my instructor after I told her about the things I do every time I am bored or temporarily insane. She said that life is too short. That sometimes we need to do crazy and random things to appreciate life.)

Board Exam!

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata.

Pagka't pagod na sa kakabasa.

Nahirapan sa Chrystallography.

Napaisip ng kunti kay Stratigraphy.

Nakaligtaan si Geomorphology.

Babalikan mamaya si Paleontology.

Ako ay kinakabahan para sa Agosto.

May pang-huling exam sa pagkokolehiyo.

Isang pagsubok na dapat ay lampasan.

Isang mithiin na dapat ay makamtan.

Panginoon! Ako ay lumuluhod, nagsusumamo.

Mga pangarap ko't hiling ay dinggin mo.

Katalinuhan at lakas ng loob aking hanap.

Sa pag-uwi ay maging GEOLOGIST na ganap.

HE Works Mysteriously

The world is crazy. Things have gone crazy. And along the insanity of the world and its unpredictable shortcomings, I remained super for I was built to be super, to withstand trials and face problems one on one.

Really, Ryan? Is that why you have become a sissy? And had almost let go of your dreams and faith and courage and all the things that you want to prove to yourself and to everybody?

Yes, almost, almost, almost. But HE works in wonderful ways. HE listens to me even though I am crazy. HE answers my prayers even though I am crazy. HE has been always good to me despite being crazy. HE is a wonderful and kind creator.

During this circumstance, I have learned a few lessons. HE will help you boost your confidence and make you feel proud and super. But when you have crossed the line, and the blessings have gone over your head, he will take some of it.

Then you will remember your mistakes and because of those mistakes you are being tested. I am now reminded of where I stand.

I am crossing my fingers, hoping my documents will be fixed. I have received a good news early this afternoon. Thank you, Lord. :) For I shall become what YOU want me to be. Your will be done.