9:21 AM I've watched the Disney movie, Coco earlier today. I really enjoyed it. I loved how the characters were developed, the animation so crisps and also the mix of colors and environment design. One day, I will create my own full film of such quality in story and visuals.

I've purchased two books too: You're Weird by Bo Sanchez and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I've got the latter one recommended one too many times. The former, "spoke to me" as I saw it in the selves. Maybe because I kept on calling myself weird that I got to relate to it! Anyways, I'm excited to read both.

I love how little breaks such as today is peppered in between work. It serves as a breather to the otherwise monotonous days that we're living out.

On a side note, I even got to chat with a former student and even a colleague. This was the perfect way to end the workweek.

Lord, thank you for showing me how to balance work and life. 

9:08 PM It was just today that I was able to join a colleague visit someone from the hospital. Hospitals are those places where I would go there if I need to but would most often than not opt not to.

The rooms and hallways were white giving it that dull but sterilized look. Can't the wall have much more color? I think those in there would be much happier. Do you think so? Maybe if there were kids there, they'd know what I'd be talking about.

Lord, grant me good health so that I'd be able to live a long, happy and colorful life. 

9:15 PM Today, we were sent new schedules. I read the updated listing during a class that I will no longer handle in the semester. There were just a few kids present. There were only eight to be exact.

9:17 PM This is the first week that I'd get to conduct formal classes and lectures. So far, so good. I am enjoying my schedule this semester and hope that the kids will enjoy it too.

I've prepared and identified a breakdown of what topics we will be covering throughout the semester and I hope we'd be able to follow through on them all.

Lord, may you grant a mixture of fun with all the learning we'll be having in all the classes for this semester.

10:20 PM I received an assortment of gifts a while back. Maybe things are finally looking up. I guess my days aren't so bad after all. I enjoyed flipping through the character reference book.

I was a bit down lately but then things got a bit better. Maybe... just maybe... tomorrow will be a sunny day too.

Lord, thank you for all the blessings. 

11:53 PM I've just remembered, I've wanted to post here today. Yet, I was caught up in podcasts, online games, creating art and updating online social media accounts.

I like how productive that day had indeed ended.

Lord, I pray for more days such as this. May there be happier ones in the future too. 

9:55 PM Just finished a game. At the end of it, one would either see a blue crystal emblazoned with the word victory or a red one with the word defeat. If you've played so many games as I have, you would know the familiar voice that announces the conclusion of each game.

After each game, what do you usually do? Do you assess what you've done right or what you need to improve on or you just hastily click play again?

Playing games is definitely fun and allows me to take some stress off my system. I like to believe I learn a bit from it every time it concludes.

Lord, may I learn lessons from the tasks and activities of everyday.

8:10 PM I took a nap a little while back and now I'm in front of my laptop typing away as I take a bites from my chocolate bar and often take swigs from my water bottle. It was a long day.

My day started relatively early as I was required to report to work by 7:30 am. The challenge of getting started means having to restart standard procedures and work routines. The schedules were not yet distributed and personnel and facilities were not yet ready yet one needs to work with the facilities that was available. The day went on and classes were through with assignments successfully given out.

Lunch was a welcome break. I am thankful for it for over the meal, we have shared stories of old. I miss this kind of relaxed conversations, the ones where you reminisce yesteryear for it has its own charm amidst being part of the past.

Traveling to the province capital on a hot day was not what I was looking forward to in the later part of my day. The 45-minute commute felt longer than it normally did for I was sleepy and part of the way I was under direct sunlight! Luckily, the moving bus provided enough air to keep me from sweating so much. As I got off the bus, I made my way to a government office, where I was instructed to go from one person to another, from one place to another just to acquire a single piece of paper. The transactions as I have observed could have been made more efficient if only the personnel had little empathy towards their clients.

In the end, I had acquired the paper and the knowledge that fortifies my perception of such a government office--bureaucracy is deeply rooted in our society. As I commute home, retirees were loudly chatting away as if they own the public transport.

I sighed. I was tired. It was a long day.

Lord, grant me patience to work through the many challenges of everyday work and living. 

8:40 PM How many times do you need to talk to someone before they're no longer a stranger? Once? Twice? Maybe a bit more than that I guess. But then, when will you eventually call them an acquaintance, a peer, a colleague or even a friend?

First impressions allows us to form initial perceptions of an individual. As of today, I was not impressed with what I witnessed.

Lord, allow me to have a discerning spirit in all areas of my work and everyday living. 

8:08 PM ...and so a new term starts. It does not have the usual hype of being around for the first day. Maybe everyone has gotten used to new beginnings by now or maybe because the delay caused the hype to run out. Whatever the case, what is apparent is those that I've met today seemed all too drained.

We strive for outputs... for perfection.. for productivity. However, have we forgotten that we are but humans and not machines? Have we forgotten that we get tired and may even need rest?

My question is... how do we even begin when we're low on fuel and do not even know or haven't even felt that the previous term had ended.

Dear God, please grant me rest for my soul and body is tired and weary.

11:54 AM I woke up late today. The next door neighbors were playing music a bit too loud last night. Apparently, the number of people residing next door is increasing and with that came the increase in decibel level. I want to understand them, their situation and their way of living for their arrival has recently meant an increase in the stress and anxiety levels in this household.

I know there are only certain things that I can control in this life. The one variable that I have most control of is myself and how I perceive things.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.

9:13 AM In my head, I can hear music playing. It goes...

Slow down you crazy child you're so ambitious for a juvenile... but then if you're smart tell me why are still so afraid? 

In my head, sometimes I can't hear myself think. I'd like to do a lot of things--to make great accomplishment from plans and dreams all pending. Sometimes, the clamor is so loud that not realizing it, I go through the motions of everyday living and later on simply notice that the day is done.

I cry sometimes. I am human still.

Lord, direct me. 

9:58 AM The week's been a hectic one. There's no regular work just yet but the tasks would make you stick to your seat for hours on end. So I am thankful for this weekend lull--a time or even a day to just simply slow down before the work weeks starts again.

I love the quiet neighborhood that I am in. There is enough background noise that is bearable and allows a break from being so stiff silent. At this point, I'll be off to some other website trying to find music or liven up the mood.

8:27 PM It was generally good day for relaxing. I didn't engage in much work but then maybe I need to find a good book to get me inspired once again. As of now, the neighbors are currently listening to music on their phone a little too loud. I hope they'd soon decide to use headphones.

Lord, let me be more tolerant of these little everyday distractions. Also, make the neighbors be aware of their actions and how it affects others within their surroundings. 

10:47 PM Today was that subdued cool and rainy weather. I like it. This type of weather makes me think and gives me that relaxed vibe.

In the afternoon, we were able to go to this new food joint and tasted lots of items from their menu. I loved the Market Salad and the Chicken Parmigiano. I love them and will definitely go back to that place!

My ride home felt like life was slowly tuning down the noise of the busy work day. Clearing my mind, I wanted to read again to keep soul and spirit fed.

Lord, thank you for letting me start reading your word again. Also, thank you for the rain and the lovely weather. 

11:18 PM Since I have decided to resume writing and blogging, I was scouring the web for good designs for my posts and pages. I have to look, upload and test several of such designs whether there's a good fit to what I envision as the look and feel of my project.

After several nights of searching, just a while back, I have found it! They are good designs that fit well with what I have in mind. There's still a long way to go as per customization but then at least I know and believe I am going in the right direction.

"You can do it!"

More often than not, I say this more to myself than to anyone else.

Lord, thank you for helping me find the resources for starting this project. Grant me grit as I see it though to its success. 

9:08 PM There's this familiar app most of you probably already know that was shown to me today. It was installed on a smartphone. Swiping right means you like the person in the picture and swiping left means you're not interested. If by chance both of you swiped right, you'd be able to talk to each other. Interesting concept. I also found it superficial.

I believe connections should me more than just that. I mean... It's rare to have people upload images without filters nowadays so I guess the app is just used for passing time and talking to random strangers. Their stories may be interesting or unique but one can never truly say its a hundred percent real. Maybe, there are those who made lasting connections there but I prefer talking to someone in person. That's just me.

Lord, in this world where communication is done with ease, help me make real, lasting and positive connections with the people around me. 

10:30 PM It has been a long day. There's the usual line, lunch break, and then the routine movements of having to write things down on paper as one matches the records from the computer screen. Maybe the line will be a lot less shorter by tomorrow. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better.

Tired. Not the tiredness that one gets out of lack of sleep but just from being drained. The lack of a real break or holiday is starting to take its toll.

When one starts to feel like one need to drag oneself out of bed, maybe there's something in the routine or in life or living in general that needs to be reviewed.

Stop. Breathe.

Lord, I am tired. Help me keep up with the demands of everyday living. 

9:33 PM ‘Twas a busy day indeed! There were a lot of people everywhere and they were just there waiting. The line had meandered through the fourth floor with no one able to tell where it ends. None can determine whether the loitering crowd was just there to marvel or disdain at the length of the line.

And so the day progressed… one number called… and then the next… and then the next… until no one answered to the last number called. One looks up. The sun has already set and there are just empty seats.

Lord, thank you for the patience and the cheery nature that you have showered us with today. May tomorrow be even more productive and cheerful as today.

7:44 PM I am at my desk typing away at my keyboard. These last couple of days, I’ve noticed that the evening comes earlier than usual. Maybe because we are in the latter part of the year or maybe because the time can barely wait till Christmas comes.

Anyways, the second semester starts before Christmas. Actually, the first day of class is tomorrow! Yep! There’s no stopping it. Hopefully, it would be a lot less stressful and hectic than I anticipate it to be.

As of today, I got teach kids about the basics of a spreadsheet software and later in the day I got to restring my guitar. I love the sound now. It is freshly tuned and there is no rust in the strings.

Note to self: practice more music.

Lord, thank you for today. Amidst the rainy weather, I am grateful for the opportunity to be productive.

10:23 AM Okay. So this is the second entry for today. Actually I am rewriting the draft I made an hour back. Too bad I wasn’t able to save it. Anyways, I updated the program and since no prompts were made, I thought that the draft was save. But then lo and behold! It’s a clean page!

Well, this is nice though, I get to write a new entry for today. It’s a little sunnier than when I woke up. The cool morning was the result of the drizzle mixed with sunshine, which is a good thing. I welcome Saturdays such as this. It allows for one to pause, contemplate and at least get a breather from the busy work week.

I love that there is just that random background sounds testifying to the usual quiet rural living: vehicles passing by mixed with chirping birds and domestic chores.
There’s the inviting laid back vibe. It beckons me to just sit in a corner drink warm coffee and read a book. Hmmm~~ Maybe, I’ll do just that. 

5:28 PM So far, I haven’t had much reading. My mind is filled with the thought for having to be somewhere later. I ask myself why am so bothered by it. I take a deep breath and then tell myself, “It’s okay. You can rest.”

Lord, please allow my weekends to be free of fret and worry. Allow me to face the tasks I have to accomplish with grace, empathy and wisdom. Remind me of the things that I can do as well as the things that I have to entrust to you.

9:09 PM The day's almost done. From morning until sundown, today's activities followed one single theme: waiting.

Waiting for the time to get ready to go to school... Waiting for the drawing test to finish... waiting for the next one in line for the verifying items on a checklist... Waiting... Just waiting...

By the time Monday comes, I would still be sitting in that familiar corner... waiting... still waiting...

Lord, grant me patience especially in the days to come. Also, thank you for making this day a cheery one amidst all the waiting. 

7:43 AM I woke up earlier than I had expected. Maybe because I've spent the bulk of the 2-day holiday sleeping in and just being around not really getting into a major project or any of that sort. It's chilly today. Rain is in the weather forecast.

I whisper to myself, "It's okay."

I got out of bed and made my way downstairs to have breakfast of biscuits and coffee.

8:57 PM I got my laptop setup in its usual spot in my bedroom. The day as a whole seemed a little dreary for my taste. The weather just couldn't make up its mind.  It didn't rain but the sun hid itself behind the clouds. It was cold.

It feels like I am reaching for something that's just a little bit out of my range. I do hope tomorrow will be better.

Lord, I feel like today is just one of those days that seems to force one to take it easy. Thank you for transactions made easy. Also, may the days ahead be cheery.  

10:30 AM I've pretty much lived within a routine. I get up, dress up, go to work, go home, sleep and then repeat the cycle the following day. Yep! It gets a little too old very quickly and I do need to allow for things and activities that try to shift them around. It doesn't necessarily have to be major activities or even going out. It's just simple things that break the cycle like painting, writing poetry, reading non-work related books, or even just walking along the city sidewalks. Just something to get me out of the stupor of being in a routine will definitely help. Don't get me wrong. I like the regularity and predictability of a routine but it also leads one to the life of a typical human robot or zombie.

sigh~~ I think now I need a cup of coffee.

6:44 PM With all that time, I wasn't able to get a cup of coffee. Well, I'll try again tonight. Anyways, work resumes tomorrow. I have things to prepare now so I guess I have to leave things here. I am not one to shy away from responsibilities but then even machines get down times too, right?

Note to self: Rest is equally important as work.

7:50 PM I'm trying to resume writing online as much as I can and I can't help but go back here. I think some way to sift through my thoughts somehow. There's a lot on my mind and yet there is nothing that I feel can take much of the pressure off. Why? Is the burden just too heavy or am I just too tired and drained from having to watch the days come and go?

We'll, I feel like I have not been productive in the past week. Maybe tomorrow will be different. Maybe, things will start getting better today.

Dear God, grant me sufficient rest and motivation before the bulk of work sets in. Help me with my burdens for you are more than enough in every way to make my days meaningful and productive.