writing...again

Indeed it has been a while but this year will not pass without writing an entry in this almost-forgotten blog. So while time is permitting me to write I would like to focus on certain realizations and observations from an experiential perspective, the way I see them, you may or may not agree but this is the very purpose of writing and reading, to stir up a bit our thoughts.

Let me begin with August, known as the leanest month in the Philippines (I do not know with other countries but the Chinese calls this as Ghost month, they believe it's not good to open a business during this time),  it's the time of year when people experience temporary slowdown brought about by budget exhaustion. People complain that they lack money during this period and as a response they tighten their belts and shift to economic thrift. This has been the case since I started working in 2005 and I am not sure if they have done something about this recurring matter, at least save some amount before this lean month comes? We have to learn from the things we already know and has been happening since time immemorial. When we know how to set aside some amount, we will never worry about August anymore.

For the last five months I have been busy giving lectures to farmers in the different municipalities here in Bicol, it's a very good experience meeting them and getting a glimpse of where they are considering their level of living. I have observed that if you really want to reach out to them and if you want to catch their attention, you have to do away with technical jargon and that you should have the ability to inject humor in your lectures without sacrificing the learning experience. I also got the opportunity to visit places in Camarines Sur I have never been to, cultural diversity even within the province can be clearly seen and it's one learning experience for me. Another realization would be that no matter how effective you are it all boils down to their attitude, how they will respond will mainly depend on the very desire to help themselves. I strongly agree with the farmers who believe that it's not just the government's job to improve their lives. I hope they can apply what they have learned from the lectures.

Since November last year I started teaching part-time at a new university here in Naga without having to leave the other university where I have worked also as a part-time instructor since November 2009, add to this my day job as an Agricultural Technician at the City Agriculture Office of Naga. I got the three jobs I have long planned to get since 2008 when I returned to Naga City. I am very thankful for having been given these opportunities, I do not intend to boast but in the three jobs I experience sense of self worth, people value what I am doing. One limitation of having three jobs is the fact that conflicting schedules often occur and the quality of work is clearly affected, after reflecting a bit, I may need to gradually let go of the part-time jobs and focus more on my job with LGU Naga City before I reach that point where I am doing a lot of things and yet accomplish so little. It is true that in making our lives busy, the most essential things may be overlooked or even ignored along the way.

So much for the updates, life seems to give balance in everything I do. It makes a lot of sense if we know how to manage our time. We cannot really do everything we want to do, we can only choose what needs more of our time. For now I have to focus on what really matters and what is here and now.