My Naked Conversation (confession of a Filipino OFW)

An extensive medical examination is required for OFWs. So a few weeks before I left the Philippines I found myself in a crowded medical clinic going through the series of steps for physical, psychological, and drug testing. I was there patiently lining up in different stations and enjoying the conversations among OFWs who are mostly seamen, entertainers, and domestic workers. Here are the kinds of questions I got... "pare, saan byahe mo ngayon? pampasehero ka ba o sa cargo?," or "nakailang amo ka na?" or "ano ang mga kinakanta o sinasayaw mo?"

My arrogant mind would say..."do I look like a seaman? a DH? or hosto?" But of course I would just smile and say "pang walong Japan ko na nga eto e. Nakakapagod sumayaw sa gabi..."
When I finally got to the physical examination room, I was met by a 50ish lady doctor who looks like my old maid highschool music teacher! In a very cold and straight tone she said "sige maghubad ka na". I stood about a meter away from her and I slowly removed my shirt and my pants and then I stood there only in my briefs. (Buti na lang hindi "bacon" o loose thread o butas-butas ang brief ko, haha). While I was stripping down, she was going through my files. I was standing there uncomfortably for a while then she looked up and said "pati yung brief mo, tanggalin mo rin." I slowly dropped my briefs, stood up and waited for her next instructions. At that point, she came to the part of my files where she saw that I had a PhD in Psychology. She looked up and said "wooow psychologist ka pala! Alam mo, frustration ko talaga yan kasi nung college ako....kaya mo bang hulaan kung ano ang nasaisip ko?...." And she kept on talking and talking for what seemed to me like 5 very long minutes. She was making conversations as if I wasn't standing there naked in front of her! (aaaaa.... excuse me, haven't you noticed how awkward it is for me standing here naked in front of you?). I was tempted to interrupt her and say "pede kapkapan mo na ako para matapos na eto???"

After my ordeal, I didn't know if I should feel harrassed or amused -- oh well, so that's how it feels to have a "naked" conversation with my old-maid highschool music teacher!

What's With Age Anyway

In anticipation of my upcoming nth birthday this week ... I realized that when I'm asked about my age, it takes quite a while before I could accurately recall it... really, no kidding! And most of the time, the automatic response is "late 20's." I'm stuck! Am I refusing to move on? Or am I just too afraid to accept that I've "matured" (hehe, a more graceful term for OLD) and still haven't matched what society typically expects from someone my age.
It saddens me to realize that Christ left the world at age 33 and so did Jose Rizal. It's crazy but sometimes I even dare think how I pale in comparison to these guys. I haven't even done a 100,000th fraction of what they accomplished! But then again, who says we were born equal? Some guys were meant to matter to the whole world, others barely have enough talent and resources that they could only matter to themselves.
And then there's the classic excuse of "I don't have enough time..." There are so many things I want to accomplish. There are so many paths I want to try out, but alas... I got only one life to live. But even then, I refuse to say that "I don't have enough time!" And each time this excuse tries to creep up in my mind, I would think of something I read many years back...
"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein."

I want to be

At this point in my life, it's very clear to me what I was meant for in terms of vocation. I realized my innermost calling just around 3 years ago. How I wish it came upon me at an earlier age so I wouldn't have waisted time and effort pursuing dead-end alleys of life. But I guess, those wandering years have shaped my character substantially in order for me to appreciate my life passion. This entry however is not about my calling. This is about what I still wish for. And if only I could live parallel lives simultaneously,
I want to be...

...a secret agent. NBI perhaps. So this means that I have to take up 4 or 5 gruelling years of Law. Not bad though because that would mean I could become a practising lawyer when I'm not on assignments.
... a pilot. This is one of my frustrations. My parents refused to send me to pilot school back then because it was very expensive. I really enjoy seeing pilots in their very dignified uniforms. I'm still imagining how it is like walking around in airports wearing a pilot's uniform. Siguro ang gwapo gwapo ko, haha.
... a gymnast. I know it seem to be an effeminate sport but look at their body form! It's so perfectly chiseled and just imagine the power and strength behind the form.
... a serious scientist. I am a scientist by the way but not as serious as I want to be because of too many life distractions. I want to be world-renowned in my field because of books and articles that I have written (or would be writing).
... a photo journalist. I think this would match the part of me which is very reflective and introspective. I love travelling around and observe life and people. Photos and essays about these experiences would be really fun for me.
On the side, I want to...
... join a tri-athlon. I'm a relatively good swimmer, I could run, but I think I'm a weak cyclist. But just the same, I want to experience competing in a tri-athlon.
... try sky-diving. I have a penchant for thrill rides and experiences.I think sky-diving is the ultimate zoom. It's not a cheap thrill though.
... go around the Philippines for 6 months and take photos. I want to have a collection of churches, monuments, beaches, mountain views, and snapshots of Filipinos in their daily grind. I have gone around the Philippines quite a lot but there is so much more to see. I have been to very few places in Mindanao.
... live among the monks in Tibet for 3 months. This experience would probably recharge my soul for 10 years!
... travel in the provinces of Greece, Nepal, Egypt, India, Cambodia, and Russia. I have been to around 20 countries already but I think these places are musts. I'm targetting a total of 50 countries in the next 20 years.