Going abroad is not going to be just an opportunity to work. It’s also going to be a chance for me and andrea to continue studying. She plans to take up some teaching units there while I plan to take up an MS degree in Biology.

I figured Brunei is a good place to study terrestrial biology because the  whole country is densely forested. It may be a rich country but it was surprisingly successful in preserving a lot of its natural resources.

No I don’t plan to search for some herbal blackhead treatment or the natural cure for cancer in the wild forest of Brunei. I just want to learn as much as I can and perhaps figure out a way how to help the Philippines manage the remaining sources that it has. I may not be able to teach the next future president of the country (since I’ll be leaving) but at least I’ll get as much information as I can to bring back some help later.

Looking back at high school, I can’t help but remember some of the good and bad things that happened. Here are just five of the things I learned from those experiences.

Never rely on emotions during HS. Your hormones play the most elaborate and the most sadistic tricks on you during these times.

The more stupid things you do in HS, the more topics you can talk about during reunions and get togethers.

The friends you make in HS will most likely be your friends for life, so make as many as you can so you won’t be alone in college.

You can try several creams on your face, but the easiest and most practical way to remove pimples is frequent washing (even with just water).

Explore! Be adventurous, but never lose your manners, otherwise you’ll regret those times of carelessness.

It’s very frustrating when you don’t get what you want. However, it’s even more frustrating when you can’t get what you want. So why expect in the first place?

I have absolutely no idea… Is it optimism? Is it foolishness? Or perhaps it’s only because of human nature? Who knows?

No matter how much I try to persuade myself not to want or to expect, I can’t help myself. Perhaps it’s a good thing… because wanting something bad is a reflection of desire and liking. But I still wonder? Would it better if I succeed in not wanting? Would it really make things easier?

Recently I’ve been having trouble sleeping. No it’s not just because of the tons of writing obligations, but more so because of anticipation. The closer December gets, the more bothered I become. I can’t help but think about how things are going to be when I leave.

I worry about the work conditions there, but at the same time, I also worry about my family staying here (even if it’s just for a month and a half).

Just like today. Everyone’s already asleep but I’m wide awake and with a heavy heart. If I don’t find a way to calm down and sleep early for the next few days, I’ll probably be needing a wrinkle eye cream before I get to Brunei. Ooohhh, another thing to worry about! Not good!

This is a letter to my wife.

On your special day, no one else is more thankful to God than I am. Every year on your birthday I wake up thanking Him for bringing you into my life. Every year I thank Him for giving us a chance to share this world with you, because life is so much more beautiful and meaningful with you. Now, I thank Him because you make not just my life, but mateo’s and anika’s too complete.

I know last year was probably one of the saddest birthdays you’ve ever had, the unexpected meeting with our unborn child. But, despite all of that, God has been so kind to give us. This year, He’s given you anika to hold and kiss on your special day, our little girl who’s sparkle and smile reminds me so much of you.

I also know that life has been a bit difficult for the past few months. You have been bearing the brunt of everything, what with the delivery and all… and now with taking care of anika mostly on your own. Despite my efforts to support you and share in taking care of the kids, I still lack the finesse and the patience that you so generously show. I couldn’t even make things a little easier financially. I am very sorry for all of these shortcomings.

And yet every time I see you, you still continue to give me your sweetest and most refreshing smiles, no matter how silly they may seem to be sometimes. Despite all the difficulties, you never stop providing warmth and light to our family. Your laugh assures me that everything will be alright. Your hugs and kisses keep me, mateo and anika peacefully asleep every night.

Everything about you makes me want to become a better man. For that I thank you. I am still the luckiest man to have you as my best friend, my confidante, my wife. For the love you gave me, I give you my life.

Happy birthday Honey. May this special day be full of blessings, happiness and love for you! You deserve everything! I love you.

Your very grateful husband,

Ramil

As December draws closer, worries arise. The mixed emotions I have for going are making a mess of my health. I’ve been having headaches (although andrea thinks they have more to do with the sudden caffeine withdrawal than anything else), hyperacidity, and lots of late sleeps because of those staring-into-empty-space moments.

I’ve also been eating less (I think), because I have been preoccupied with writing and daydreaming. I haven’t been taking snacks lately because I usually forget. At least the good thing about what’s been happening is that I won’t be needing any diet pills soon.

I just wish though that December would come a lot quicker. Because the sooner I go, the sooner we’ll be returning to a life of our own. Although this particular life that we’ll be having is going to be filled with so many challenges, at least we still  get to live the way we want to.

Before actually considering going abroad, friends of mine have already tried to persuade me into investing money on several products and items. I never gave in to any of them. Why would I?

First and foremost, I don’t have money to invest on anything. If I had money, I probably would have used it first on paying debts, or on health cards, or on securing a house and a car of our own.

Second, even if I did get enough money for investing I would probably buy silver bullions instead of investing on other products. Bullions are not only considered equally valuable as money, but they are also more inclined to increase in value.  They are far more secured investments than stocks.

So if any of my friends out there are still entertaining thoughts of convincing me to invest, better think twice.

One thing we’ve noticed ever since we got married was the cold climate in Antipolo during the -ber months. You see, when we were still in Taytay and Antipolo, we’d start shivering as soon as September nights arrive. And we’d be shivering all the way till February because of the cold season.

Here in Novaliches, however, I guess there’s no need for thermogenesis anymore because we haven’t felt the cold yet. It’s already the middle of October and there are still no signs of chilly nights. In fact, there are even nights when we’d have to use two electric fans just to keep us from drenching the bed with sweat. It’s another thing we badly miss from our Antipolo days (nights).

Now that we’re here in Novaliches, one of the things that we really miss about Antipolo is the Ynares bazaar. You see, when we were still in Antipolo, we’ve always looked forward to the -ber months because during these months, the Ynares center comes alive with lots of bazaars.

You can find anything from simple accessories like key chains to ceramics in Antipolo during these times. And they also come in prices that are extremely hard to resist.

That’s why we made a short detour to the place when we fetched andrea’s sister in Antipolo last week. Although we would have wanted to spend a few more hours there, we only spent about an hour in a half looking at the various stalls because we were on borrowed time. After buying a few things, andrea and I vowed we’d go back there before December was over.

With all the different banks, currencies, and cards available, sometimes it makes me wonder what the best way to save is.

No matter how much I think about it, your money is most accessible in the bank especially if you access to credit cards and other electronic cards.  And even if you save it in other currencies to make it less accessible, your money is still not very secured. In fact, it becomes more vulnerable to currency fluctuations and depreciation. However, if you invest in gold bullions, not only does your money become less accessible, but it also gains the potential to increase in value.

The only problem is where do I get the money to invest in one. Any ideas? hehe!