too tired and sleepy

Arrived at Manila from Boracay late in the afternoon and got stalled on a heavy traffic at Moriones. I got asleep and woke up with huge taxi bill. Upon reaching my apartment I immediately search for food and liquid to fill my hungry stomach and to quench my thirst. I almost took 2 containers of H2O... My bed was so hypnotic that the sudden touch of my body on it was like an eternity.

IMCS Workshop @ Bora

Another opportunity to visit Boracay Island within 4 hours...

It's my third time to visit the island and definitely not the last one.

How I wish my family is with me. Haay...

'been busy lately

Spent the nights after work playing billiards to improve my craft but sad to say things have never been better.

Had to stop attending the IELTS review due to this useless desire of improving.

There were times that colleagues at the billiards hall had to challenge me on playing chess to which they never succeeded in beating me.

Had to stay late evenings watching online games of Wesley So at Aeroloft Tournament (one of the hardest tournaments in the world).

Star Paper 10-Ball Billiards Tournament

Maybe you will be surprised that I joined the 2010 10-Ball Billiards Tournament sponsored by Star Paper. Yes, other than chess, playing billiards is one of my hobbies. I am really not an expert on this game but to tell you the truth I can make a shot.

I still remember that during my abrupt training at Okinawa I am the only who could beat the Malaysian friend on the 8-ball game.

My first tournament game here at Star Paper was a mixture of excitement and fear. Excitement in the sense that the opportunity is once and a lifetime, and fear because I really don't know what is at stake for me on this tournament - err... I mean I really don't know whom I will face on the elimination round.

Came the tournament proper, I faced a certain A. Recto from Silang, Cavite. I brought my cue stick and had my silent prayer before the game. Luckily, I was given a plus 1 score (that was the prize I was given for being a novice) by the tournament director. I was just enjoying the game and was taking time to savor the moment.

The games were so thrilling as I led 6-5 on a raise to 7 game. On the 12th rack it was my turn to shoot the 5-ball and it was kinda difficult shot and I was having a hesitation. But I took and shoot it (rather than making a placing) the way I wanted it and I missed until the 5-ball went in front of the left side pocket. I sweated profusely as I visualize the imminent danger of losing since all the next balls were beside all the pockets. He made the shot and all the other shots thereafter to reach the final game. On the final rack, he made a strong break thereby shooting the 7-ball. I prayed a lot and the more I prayed the more shots he made and came the last 3 balls 8, 9, and 10 and I prayed again..."Lord give me this one," but it was not given to me. Maybe my opponent's prayer was more forceful and effective. After the game I learned that it was his fourth-try to join on the same tournament.

Well, guys that was my experience and this time I didn't feel the pain of losing.

Corus Chess 2010

I got addicted to watching online chess games of superb players at Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. I learned a lot and my knowledge of the game has been substantially improved. Couldn't wait to watch Wesley So's vast opening repertoire against equally talented opponents. I hope that he wins in the Group B Tournament.

By the way, it is very annoying to know that http://coruschess.com is not working well so I had to look at other websites which are not full as to details.

Reunion - PLM MGM

After 5 long years I got a chance to see my former classmates, and friends (whom are all successful) in one of our reunions at Rod and Mar's place. What can I say? I had a very great time!

Unang Kabiguan

Joselito Asi (c) January 2010

‘Di sinasadyang ikaw’y masilayan
Ako ay nabigla’t muni ay napukaw
Natuwa’t nagalak ng ngiti mo’y sumilay
Haay… naku para akong lumulutang.

Agad kang sinundan
Upang sana’y lalo kang mamasdan
Ngunit nanlumo nang makita kang
May kadaupang palad magkahawak kamay.

Dali-daling lumayo upang ‘wag damdamin
Ang kapaitang ayaw ko sanang danasin
Ngunit heto’t bigo kawangis ay inutil
Walang halaga wag namang hamakin.

Kinabukasa’y naglakas loob
Pinuntahan ka’t agad ay naghandog
Pag-ibig na sadya’y nais na idulog
Subalit pait ang hatid mong dulot.

Luha’y di sinasadyang dumaloy
Sa pisngi ko’ y tumatak sumapol
Kabiguang nadama sa puso koy kumirot
Unang pag-ibig sakit lang ang dulot.

Family Bonding at Luneta Park

I have been very busy lately. My schedules were very tight. What special place do I have to go to treat my wife and kids? Luneta Park is a perfect choice!

Waiting

Wanting,
lusting,
to be held,
to be loved,
to feel warmth,
to feel your beating heart.
Wanting to be sheltered from the cold,
heartless winds.
Falling into invisible arms;
into an abyss of love.
Wishing,
hoping,
that my desires will be filled;
my desires of loving warmth.
Wanting to be held,
comforted,
loved.
Dreaming of passionate embraces,
of tender kisses,
loving words,
romantic nights.
Waiting for undying love.

-Dawn D.

Watch!

Watch your thoughts, they become words
Watch your words, they become actions
Watch your actions, they become habits
Watch your habits, they become character
Watch your character, they become your destiny.

- author unknown

Melancholy

I've never seen a night so long
When time goes crawling by
The moon just went behind a cloud
To hide its face and cry

The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I'm so lonesome I could cry

-from the song of Hank Williams

OMG its 2010! The Year I Learned Growth Is a Moving Target

Last year, I crowned 2008 as my biggest year ever—and honestly, how could I not? I had spent five unforgettable months in Okinawa, Japan, learning, growing, and seeing life from a whole new lens. At that time, I thought, “This is it. This is the peak.”

But life has this funny way of outdoing itself. The years that followed only got bigger and bolder, and that made 2010 just as thrilling, if not more.

Before I tell you about 2010, let me take a quick rewind to 2009, a year packed with milestones, adventures, and quiet victories:

I attended an International Conference for SOLD in Baybay, Leyte, from March 27-30.

I became part of the Information, Communication, and Documentation Committee for the 2009 Palarong Pambansa in Tacloban, Leyte, April 22-May 1.

I traveled to different parts of the Philippines to attend IMCS workshops, which expanded my network and sharpened my skills.

I took on leadership roles—Officer-in-Charge of the ETD unit in August and Public Desk Officer for the OSEC in October and December.

On November 11, I evaluated USAID-donated TXs/SMs—a unique experience that added to my professional portfolio.

On a personal note, I moved out from my in-law’s house and officially began living independently.

Chess remained a huge part of my life—I competed in tournaments all over the country.

I focused on my health, got comfortably fit, started biking, and exercised regularly (still keeping up with it!).

I learned one of life’s underrated superpowers—how to cook.

Looking back, 2009 was a turning point year, full of growth and change, not just professionally, but personally.

Now, as I step into 2010, I don’t have a crystal ball. I don’t know exactly what’s in store for me, but I’m walking into it with hope, energy, and excitement. Life’s proven that every year has its own surprises, and I’m here for it all.

Happy New Year, everyone! Here’s to embracing whatever comes next.

Efficiency vs. Effectiveness

Efficiency or effectiveness is thing my two friends have been arguing for these past years. "Come on, do it efficiently" yelled one of my friend. "What is the point of doing it efficiently if you are not doing it effectively?" is a common echoing back from one of my other friend.

The Concise English Dictionary defines the word "Efficiently" as having achieved results without waste of time or effort. It gives the word for "Effectively" as having accomplished a specified right result.


Well, which is more important in term of working and accomplishing a task? Should we do it efficiently as my first friend (A) suggests or do it effectively as my other friend (B) insists?

Let us presume that (A) has an assignment to organize a company year end tour to the Great Rock. He did it very efficiently. It took him only one week to prepare all necessary work from booking the tour coach, snacks for the trip, entertainments, songs, accommodation, etc. This could actually take other person a full month work to accomplish the same task. When the big day came, everyone was so excited and got up early for the tour. After a few hours ride, they eventually arrived at the Grand Rock. Every one was quite exhausted now but there were no accommodation. They came to a wrong place.

Now, let us look at my other friend. It took him more than a month to prepare for the same year end company tour. During the process, he made so many mistakes that the tour was almost at the verge of being called off. Anyhow, here came the same big day, and less than half of the employees turned up for the trip. All arrived safely at the Great Rock after a few hours ride.

Efficiently vs. effectively, which is more important in term of accomplishing a job? May be we have started with a wrong question. We should not compare efficiently and invectively in term of importance. Their relationship is more of a priority than quality. Effectiveness is more of a goal setting and efficiency is more of a process of attaining the goal.

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/402982/efficiency_vs_effectiveness_.html