Never drive alone

Why do I hate driving? The heavy traffic, undisciplined motorists, and roads-unworthy draw my ire. I must admit, I am not the most pleasant human being when I am behind the wheel. I would not even want to get into a road altercation with myself, if only to give you an idea of how obnoxious of a driver I could be.

The case has somewhat mellowed though, not that I have changed as a person nor did I give up driving altogether. Alone as I often am on the road, all of a sudden, I learned how to invite good company, something that I have carelessly forgotten for most of my life. Once again, I found serenity in the company of prayer.

I still do not enjoy taking the wheel, but I look forward to the quiet time alone. The once short commutes that felt like eternity are just about enough for me to say my prayer. If I felt alone before, not anymore. I only wish God enjoys my company as much as I enjoy His.

Southern family hideaway

For the last couple of years, my family would spend our December holidays with my in-laws. It was no different this year, except for some missing members of the entourage who had to fly out on business. How sad.

My in-laws' southern hideaway is a 30-minute drive on the freeway from our place, something I consider a long drive. Admittedly, I easily get bored behind the wheel. Moreover, speeding with my family onboard worries me. If not for the commute, every week could be a vacation.

The place is far for from regal, no mansion whatsoever. What makes it magnificent though is that it is home. It is where I feel like I am back to being a child again. I would not trade it for a million bucks. Oops, on second thought, let me reconsider. Seriously, there is no better place.

It will surely be the same next year: at home with family.

Unfit for employment

The security of a steady paycheck has never been my motivation. While I may have had a 16-month stint as an employee, I was self-employed all of my life. I did not have the luxury of a family business to dabble with; I just thought differently.

Being on the payroll helped me launch my career as a consultant and trying-to-be entrepreneur. Unlike some who would get the scare of their life on the idea of losing their jobs, I was fearless. Against the opinions of my mom and aunt, the two most important women in my life then, I took on self-employment and never turned back.

As an employee, I spoke my mind. Tact, diplomacy, or whatever you want to call it, was not my greatest virtue. I was the worst player to engage in corporate politics. Good thing I did not stay long; otherwise, I would have hurt more feelings.

Just a few years ago, in a consulting job, I was exposed again to the game that I did not want to play: office politics. If I was a total stranger to the client, I would have been branded as difficult. Fortunately, they knew me well as someone who stood firm on principles, and they bet on it successfully.

I am not an honorable man, but I want to keep whatever principles I have left intact. With such attitude known to me since the day I held a time card, I knew then that I was not fit to be an employee.

Marriage tripod

"Until death do us part" is a solemn vow; however, it is not good enough for me. As odd as I am, I included supplemental conditions that would lay the foundation of my marriage like a tripod. Long story short, my wife agreed; hence, the start of her agony. Just kidding.

Death will come like a thief in the night. While we can prepare for it by doing good, we do not have control over it. I just pray that God lets me go first; He knows very well that I will find it more painful than death to continue to exist without my wife.

I am not the greatest son in the world, but I promised to give up my marriage if my wife disrespects my parents. Fortunately, Shiela is a true daughter that my mom has gained. I can die tommorrow confident that my wife will look after my mom.

Lastly, cheating is something that I cannot tolerate, there will definitely be no second chances.

Looking back to school

I would describe my student life as irresponsible. My faculties were not limited; in fact, I was capable of excelling at will. Motivation was the missing link. I even remember logging 37.5 days of absence from class in my senior year, another half-day and I would have ended up missing my graduation rites.

As a kid often away from school, I missed a lot, from lectures to recitations to quizzes. Fortunately, when needed, I could rely on my untapped intellect to pull through. When my mind was into school, it was really there.

Looking back, I regret not having pushed the limits of my potential. Although education and success are not always synonymous, education certainly has its advantages.