Mel's First Day

There was this pic when we met on the eve of Rommel's secondment to New York which Arlyn labeled "Mel's Last Day." It's a bit scary and funny at the same time that it seemed as if it would be Rommel's last day in the world... so move forward a few years now... Rommel has decided to come back for good after working another year in New York... so this blog shall be titled, "Mel's First Day."

Of course, when it comes to get together among FAA Group Members, it always starts a few days ahead with me setting time, place and the invites... I miss Jay Anne and She cause they're such a big help on events like this... Quite a handful confirmed this time... Anna, Sharon, Cathy, Joth, Me and Mel... Ruth is still on her mountain climbing adventures... Macoy is on his usual gimmicks...

Call time was 630 pm... for Cathy that is... I came at 7 pm with Joth... then Mel... then Anna... and lastly Sharon... Venue was Crocodile Grill in GB3... Anyway, despite the time gaps still a lot of catching up to do... so came the long chit chats... and the jokes and the laughter... just like old times... Of course, minus all the overtime... overnights... and the never ending SGV workload...

Food was tipped more on fatty foods... but was still great... Crocodile Grill was a bit full but at least, Cathy's early arrival allowed us to have a nice seat... That's what happens on Gimmick Day Friday... so time came so fast...

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At about 945 pm.... we called it a night... and it'll be another weekend to enjoy... and recharge... but for sure there be more of this and more of the adventures to go... Anna would be celebrating her next birthday within the next few weeks... Mike will be coming back in a few months... and FAA's resort will be completed soon... and of course, there can also come surprises from time to time... so it's wait and see from this point... but for now... it's more of wait and sleep... hehe...

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Midnight Thoughts

It's almost 2 am now and somehow, I can't will myself to sleep... Suddenly, I'm in a thinking frenzy... and to think the whole day I was low on inkblogs...

Not much to talk about really... and it's been a pretty nice week... funny how a fine weekend rest changes your outlook and moods... and for the past few days it's been a homey version of Franc... despite being in gimmick mode as of late... there's always a part of me that will always be a home body...

Watched the season premier of Heroes and the anticipation of he waiting for start of the new season has now been changed to anticipation on how to piece what happened four months ago in Heroes as the show started four months after the exploding man episodes... It's great that Heroes is back in a new season... Smallville and Grey's Anatomy will be premiering soon...

Created the FAA/MCM/CPA group in friendster for former FAA babies around the world... It was a suggestion from She and Jay Anne... Quite surprising for Jay Anne to bug me when she's not complaining about something with her work... I'm kind of her stress ball when it comes to work... Anyway, another idea that came from them a reunion... and not a simple reunion... the venue is in the US (parang ayaw ako pasamahin... hehe)... ok time for me to save... though still reminded them to come home and let's invade FAA's resort...

And speaking of FAA Group, we'll be meeting Rommel this Friday for his welcome home treat as he now decided to come back here from New York... Anna, Sharon and Joth are confirmed and still in the Grey Area are Cathy and Macoy... and Ruth, as usual is climbing mountains again...

So many cluttered thoughts really... suddenly miss my AGSB friends... Hopefully, they'll think of something exciting to do this weekend... if not, there's still movie time with Grace early next week... By the way, Happy Birthday Bogz and Congrats and Happy Birthday to Steve!!!

On a serious note, it's quite a pity that the only thing certain in the Philippines is uncertainty... with all the tumult over the NBN Broadband deal... just can't imagine the head of a supposedly neutral body allegedly benefiting from a government contract... so this goes past all the "hello" controversy before... so much for credible elections... I just hope this doesn't rock the economy much... it's been a vicious cycle that after gaining headway, the country goes on destabilization mode... probably a better way to raise fiscal revenues is to reduce leakages on transactions like this... Of course, it's always easy being a critic... but then again, it's also important to be vigilant...

I hope that I've been able to blog myself to sleep as you all know... lack of sleep is not good way to start a day... hope that I've unloaded some cluttered midnight thoughts and will myself to sleep... and that tomorrow (I mean later) may still be a nice day =>

Bitten by the Cleaning Bug Again

What happens on a weekend off then add a nice afternoon nap and less the saturday night gimmicks??? Well, it's a Franc who's been bitten by the cleaning bug again...

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Decided to shake my room a bit... still a bit similar layout except that my couch is tilted towards the TV... and the extra stool surrounding my bed... I think I do need those stools around me as I like everything within arms reach... cellphone... remote... laptop... etc... The ref, washing machine, the TV maintain their respective locations as they are already strategically located where they are...

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How would I change my room layout next time??? I guess, I'll just have to wait for another bite from the cleaning bug to find out... =>

A Child's Eye

Franc with proud parents Mon and Joanne and Baby Jarren

Nothing warms the heart more than a smile from such a little angel... In a child's eye everything so simple and in a way, seeing things at their perspective would make so many things light and easy...

So now, it's first time I saw Edmond and Joanne's Baby Jarren Elysander at Jarren's Baptism... such a nice ang healthy four month old baby boy... The parish was St. Paul the Apostle in Timog, QC... and the baptism was set at 1130 am... The priest was so cordial that somehow it didn't look like a traditional baptism... Anyway, the important thing is that Jarren is now part of the Christian world...

Reception was at Bethany Place, near Quezon Ave, QC... Food was great... too great to make me forget that I shouldn't eat much... a bit sleepy after eating due to the damp weather... but still fun to meet former SGVeans and bowling buddies, Mon, Joanne, Leo, Sharon, Flor, Neville and Joie (represented by her Mom)... Christian missed the affair since his flight was scheduled at 2 pm today...

After all the eating, chit chats and the pictorial... it was then time to call off the affair... but at the very least... Got to meet old friends... and I'm now officially one of Jarren's Ninong... and makes me look forward to future AGMs in Singapore since I can visit Jarren during this times... and for the mean time, it's back to home for me and I'll be taking a weekend break this time... so now starts my weekend off time... or at least I am hope so...
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Random Thoughts

It's gonna be back to back birthday for She (Sept. 22) and Arlyn (Sept. 23) this weekend... I purposely excluded the year for fear of my own safety... hehe... Anyway, I can't be in your parties physically, so let me greet you two virtually... anlayo kaya ng Cayman and New York...

Happy Birthday She!!! You're such a great pal!!!

Happy Birthday Arlyn!!! More success for my most successful partner in crime way back in SGV!!!

- o - o - o -

It's gonna be Jarren Elysander (AKA Mon and Joanne's baby boy) Christening tomorrow... it'll be great seeing Singapore based friends again... Mon, Joan, Christian... and the rest of my SGV bowling buddies here... Welcome to the world Jarren!!! See you tomorrow... I'm gonna be a ninong again... My second inaanak this year...

- o - o - o -

In a few days, I can now have my own PSP, personally hand carried by SGV friend Rommel from the US... too bad, he's trip back home came a few days short of the availability of apple ITouch... but I'll have my ITouch soon... Now, I'll have a new gadget to waste my time... that is if I can find time... hehe...

- o - o - o -

Though I've been in deep thought lately... and the deeper I think the more I realize that there are so many things going well in my life... probably woke up in the wrong side of the bed today but I forgot that it's not the side of the bed I wake up in but rather how I choose to live my day... Happiness is always a choice...

- o - o - o -

I decided to add a chapter before I doze off to sleep... today ended differently with the way it started... after an afternoon escape from the office with Jing (my second afternoon escape in two days... yesterday with AGSB friend Grace at TOSH)... things seem lighter... bought Jarren's gift for his Christening at Landmark... and of course, some good news as I got back my Guyito stuff toy ... Next week, class picture for Guyito, Sanfo and Blue Bear... hehe...

As I was on my way to sleep... my sister reminded me that oil prices will be up at midnight so I rushed in to the nearest gas station to have my tank full...and now I'm back home...and it'll be sleep soon as I still have to attend Jarren's baptism tomorrow...

What's Bothering Me Lately?

I don't know what's bothering me as of late... it's been chore waking up... in fact I woke up 7 am this morning with my 730 am office hour... not much of a big deal but I just feel it's odd since I haven't really been late for work much since my annoying former boss left the company... Is there something I'm not happy about??? I don't know... all I know or at least publicly admit is that things are fine...

Am I running on a low tank??? I don't know... I probably need a long vacation more than I admit I do... It's been an annual tradition of me having a week off but due to certain delays in my visa applications... I still haven't left going to the peak of my workload...

It's just that I've been too much of a selfless nice guy that somehow I need time on my own... to reassess things... on what I want... on what moves to make... Life has been more of a party after grad school... and I'm still gasping straws on what more to aspire for... I've done too much too soon already... Life has been too fast that I need to hit the break hard and decide which direction to go... am I on a crossroad but then again... it's probably just Friday and my mind would rather race off on some random thoughts rather than work... =>

Is This a Sign???

Medtecs Team arrived at Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant at around 1120am for a planning meeting that would start at 1130 am... and such a big surprise that no auditors were in sight... they arrived before noon... I hope that this would not be a sign of things to come as I'm more of an early bird when it comes to work... After everyone has arrived, the planning meeting started... and it went on smoothly and was quick and painless... Funny how much difference it makes when you take out one annoying person out of the equation... =>

We then proceeded to Mall of Asia for a few rounds of bowling... and nothing beats heartbeat stopping moments in bowling in fact the first game was won by our team by just a hairline... Thanks to Peps for missing his last two pins... => and second was redemption for the other team but was close until the last frame until H hit two straight strikes on his 10th frame... Well, you can't win them all... Dinner was next at La Mesa Grill... and speaking of grill, the new staff from SGV was definitely grilled... that's what happen when you get the worst seat in the dinner table =>

Last was our trek back home... Had a nice long journey to bring Jing home to Fairview (Memory note... accomplished one challenging task... hehe...) and after a while in Jing's house... We're on our way back... dropped Joth in Boni and I'm now off to my Makati pad... reached home before midnight... Isn't it obvious how my journal blogs usually end? If you haven't guess it right... it's sleep... hehehe... but one last sigh... I really hope the late start of the planning isn't a sign of things to come... Nope... I know they'll be able to meet their deadlines... I've been involved with SGV for too long to know that no matter how difficult, deadlines are beatable... =>
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FAA's Get Together at Pizza Hut Bistro

This was a long overdue dinner with FAA as we were not able to celebrate his birthday this year due to conflicts in schedule... attendance was low with me, FAA, Sharon and Jo-C but at least, it's the quality of conversation that counts... so much to talk about...

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Was really excited with this meeting to get some info on FAA's new resort... well, it's still under construction and can't wait to visit his resort... hopefully, we can go visit his resort in Taal, Batangas by December...

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Sharon was fresh from a few months stay in New Zealand for her business trip... Jo-C was somehow a new addition since we (Sharon and Me) regularly have this dinner with FAA... Ruth, Cathy, Macoy and Anna had to beg off due to various commitments... Anyway, all is well and the dinner was fine... probably to fine for me and Sharon as we had so much to eat... hehe... Be in the Gym soon... hehe...

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A real nice dinner with FAA this time... it's probably nice that we're all coming of better times... and really looking forward to seeing FAA's little bridge in Batangas... Anyway, there should be more dinner like this soon... but still need to lose the calories I gobbled up this night.... hehe...

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Mascy's Shooters Night

This was a much awaited event for the AGSB Gang… Mascy’s grand birthday party… A shoot all you can party exclusively for AGSB Gang and Mascy’s closest friends…

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Party started at 830 pm… we (Grace and I) arrived before 10 pm after being stuck in traffic in the Valenzuela/Balintawak Area… Still among the early birds though… So many AGSB friends in here (Mascy, Bogs, Blue, Jan, Cig, Owen, Rocky, Nice, Gryf, Zed and whole lot more)… Too bad some were not around due to some fortuitous events…

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Despite the long day, it was still a great night… and of course, the traffic light shot got the most attention… cool, one shot with red, yellow (orange) and blue (green)… of course, there’s also a variety of other shots for the night… again, lost count on the number of shots I had…

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There was also a game wherein, Mike, Bong and Mark had to gobble up a series of shots and whoever finishes everything first win… People had fun, Nice even got a chance to bartend and mix some shots…

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Party moved onward and lasted at around 3 am and it was my drive back to Makati afterwards… and it’s time for a long rest after a long day and a long night… and look forward to the next stop… Lighthouse Subic c/o Zed… but then again knowing how much outgoing AGSB people are, there may be lot more in store before that…

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Bahay ni Lola =>

Alpha’s definitely gonna kill me with the title I chose… anyway, the term “Lola” was somehow coined due to a more mature preference of Alpha for movies compared to the light hearted movies Grace and I prefer… So now, the “Bahay” part – Alpha had her newly constructed house blessed last Saturday in Tabang, Bulacan…My journey began at a trip back the office as I left the map going to their area at the office… then a straight drive from Makati to Bulacan… traffic was bad at Munoz area and even worst in Valenzuela area in NLEX… though I still had a chance to run at fast pace after the Valenzuela Area…

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Arrived at Alpha’s place at around 3 pm… then I remembered to call Ronald, who was suppose to come with me but was MIA all day… He just woke up when I called him, so much for seeing Ronald after 2006 Graduation… Grace came over an hour later… After meals, we got a tour of Alpha’s mansion… It’s a big structure and a nice house… Grace and I hope to be back here, when Alpha and her heli-hubby would finally have their kids of their own… I am so happy for Alpha to have her own house to call her own…

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Left before 6 pm to go to Grace’s house in Malolos, Bulacan… to hangout and wait a while for Mascy’s party at Kamuning, QC… Good thing, I did bring some chips for us to churn while waiting… The place was so homey that while watching several shows, we were so relaxed that we forgot that we were suppose to leave at 8 pm… Anyway, we left half an hour later… It’s gonna be a race at NLEX…

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Protection Bubble

I tend to create this so called "protection bubble" for people I'm close to... Somehow, I get the ability of an empath and share in their troubles and emotions... It just so happen that I was raised with such a positive disposition that I'd like it to radiate within me... within the next block and a long way after... but of course, reality of it is that you can't protect everybody and that you can't always be around... people are meant to feel pain, pressure, stress and problems for a reason... to build character!!!

No matter the desire to alleviate people's dispositions... I guess I can only be of help to certain extent that I can... and to a certain extent that people allow themselves to be helped... One thing I've learned is that everybody takes pride in a little bit of independence... Our character is not created by how much we depend on others but on the other things we are able to surpass on our own... and I guess as years passed, I've come to realized this...

Quite profound but somehow, I'd probably develop a deep sense of responsibility for others rather than myself... and it's not a coincidence that I'd picture my self as Super Franc... and really I don't regret sharing a thought or two but then again, being too helpful is not always good... but still I won't burst my protection bubble cause we all have a set of people we place in this bubble... people called family and friends...

Talk About Bad Service

Had Lunch with Jing at Kitaro in Valero today... and the service was so bad that I didn't even notice if the food taste fine or not...

It was suppose to be early lunch at 1145.. but as things are, it took until about 1230 (or probably even later) to meet our orders... We entered with just few patrons in the place... and it turned out that the other people who came later even got their orders earlier... and every time, we followed up our orders, the waiters would just go back to the counter and somehow, do something different again... It wouldn't help to say that they'd check on it... and really just do it... after all, we should have been served ages ago...

After a long wait, I already got my order and Jing still wasn't served her meal... and still the long follow ups with no result... it was only when Jing personally went to the counter that they'd serve her order... Apparently, our order got mixed up but still through out the frequent follow ups they should have done something already...

Anyway, after finishing our meals... I was suppose to have my bottomless ice tea refilled but the service was not even slow but definitely non-existence so never mind the refill and just had to bill out... and settle the bill and somehow, promised ourselves that this would be the last time we'd eat here... =<

Running with Banggigay and her Happy Feet

When things don't go your way, it's probably a nice thing to change your routine... so instead of a work out at fitness first... I had a run around Velasquez Park with AGSB friend Banggigay and her Happy Feet buddies (they are a group who share a common passion in running)... They actually run in marathons and I just jog (or at times walk... hehe) in the threadmill...

It took sometime for me to find Banggigay since she was with running around the whole Velasquez Park while I was running inside the park... how convenient of me to take the easier path... hehe... Finally, found them at around 8:30 pm and there I was running with them... a challenging act considering they are really long distance runners... and as it is, I got to unload a whole lot of sweat and weight, I hope...

So after a run with the Happy Feets, now it's time to deal with my sore feet... hehe... but really, it was a nice run to cap a rough and tumble day... maybe I ought to make a habit out of this... hehe... I mean running and not the rough and tumble part...

Seems Like A Bad Day!!!

My day started the wrong way... as there was a miscommunication between my company and the management of the Somerset building with regards to the payment of my parking slot... Apparently, there was a delay in the payment of the carpark rental...

Upon entering the carpark, the guard refused to let me in because of the payment log... On my part, I felt that it shouldn't be a problem since it should be Company business (though it should be my business since it's my department who should handle this... hehe)... then I just told them that I would settle it with my Company to pay... and to add salt to wound, I was warned that they won't allow me to park, if the bill remain unpaid... I really didn't like the threatening tone... but still I just let it go... though it completely ruined my day... after all, he was just doing his job... in such a discourteous manner as I may say...

Fast forward, a few hours... I was now able to produce the check for payment... I really want to hand deliver the check and shove it to the guard who ruined my day... but I don't have that mean streak in me to do such a thing... so I guess, I'll just have to shrug it off... and sometimes what seems like a bad day, may turn out to be a wonderful one... at least, I was able to blog that rage out of my system.

Awaiting Mascy's Bday @ Cig's

It has been a light Sunday yesterday... then received an SMS from Jan on waiting for Mascy's birthday at Cig's... so after being able to successfully detach myself from my bed... I was on my way to Cig's in Kamuning... on the way to QC, the rain started falling hard (it's been a trend lately, whenever I'm in EDSA, there's a heavy downpour)... Anyway, was able to arrive at Cig's at past 9 pm... and there they (Mascy (Birthday Girl), Jan, Cig, Blue, Anton and Gryf) were awaiting for Mascy's Birthday which would be in three hours... Owen, Bogs and Paulo came a bit later...

A good thing that Blue brought some printouts of the grad party pics... and of course, a lot of catching up for some since it's been a while seeing the rest, though most are always around, as they say... After a while, it's now 12 midnight... officially Mascy's Bday... so had our respective turn greeting her... and we'll still have our chance to party again on Saturday for Mascy's official celebration...

Around 1230 midnight, it was time to call it a night... and as I drove home... I knew that sleep won't be much for tonight for I'd be coding on Monday... so better make the best of what sleep I have left... hehe...

Happy Birthday Mascy!!!

Then Came the Night

It's now the night portion of my blog... Left the Makati at around 930 pm and at met up at Tiendesitas with Mascy, Raquel and Cig at around 10 pm... Dinner was at Red Kimono in the area... then came Eunice, Stephen and Ben... and finally MJ and Blue... Being low on energy, I just had coffee... in hopes in reviving the vibrant me...

Then came to Alchemy before midnight... we got free entrance c/o contacts of Cig and Raquel... My first time in Alchemy... Despite being exhausted the whole day, I still had a great time owing to the Company of good friends... and of course, the high energy of people around just rubs on...

Had to leave before 130 am as it would cost me overnight parking rate if I didn't... so was able to leave the carpark before 130 am (real similar to how the day started... just in time)... On my way home, the rain poured so hard and that a lot streets are a bit flooded... thankfully, I was able to reach home and with no damage to my car... hehe... Well, from now, I'm switching from Low Battery to Battery Empty.... Nyt!!!

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After a Long Day

Was up early today for a plant tour in Subic and Bataan... though as mentioned earlier, just came on time... Left Makati Office past 7 am for the 3+ hours trip to Bataan... Was really on low on energy and was able to catch some sleep along the way... but as things are... it only made things worse... as a few short naps is not as good as a long decent one...

Anyway, past 10 am, we're already in Bataan for the routine plant tour... Nothing new here as we've been doing this for several of our bankers already... Lunch at 12 and meeting... about 1:30pm, we're on our way to Subic...

It would be the first time in our Subic facility and arrived there at past 3 pm... the facility was really big... and too bad, it's been such a waste of resources... a good thing though that after rezoning, the area was included as a commercial area... meaning, it can now accomodate other clients aside from manufacturing...

Drop by Duty Free shop in Subic for a little round of shopping... then we headed for Razon's in Pampanga for Halo Halo and Palabok... and I've got a new favorite Razon's delicacy, their french fries... At 630 pm... We're on our way to Manila... which was smooth until traffic at Valenzuela... finally arrived in Makati Office at around 830 pm... and it was an end of a long day...

Or so I thought, I just remembered to meet some AGSB friends in Tiendesitas and Alchemy... then comes the long night...

It's gonna be a long day...

It's just 7 am and I should have been in the office earlier for a Bataan and Subic plant tour with the Bankers but my bed had the strong pull that keeps me asleep despite all the alarms I set... Maybe they should invent one that pushes me of the bed... hehe... Good thing that the driver is light and I escaped to being tagged as Cause of Delay.. Yehey!!!

Anyway, it's the routine plant tour for the day except that it will include our Subic facility and it'll be the first time I'll be going there... It's gonna be a long day.... Just sneaked this blogged in... Got to go...

Run Franckee Run!!!

I was still in the office past 7 so decided that it would be too late to have a work out at fitness first considering the mad rush for locker space at this time... so my mind thought of the next best thing to do... why not job around outdoors... the nearby Velasquez Park... tried jogging here already so why not try it at night...

So changed to my Gym attire then dumped my things in my car and of to the park... started at quarter before 8... walking, running, jogging... and had some sit ups along the way... the weather was fine and as you run along the park, you get the feel of a light breeze on collision course with your cheeks... suddenly, I remember it's already September... the 'ber' months that ushers in the cold weather... and yes... even Christmas (but too early to blog about that)... It's a nice workout...

A lot of sweat after... and it's nearly 9 pm so I guess it's time... Stop Franckee Stop!!!

Postscript: Upon reaching the car... my SMS reads... don't eat dinner, there's pizza here... so i guess it's back to square one... so much for the calories lost... hehe =>

Shooters Night at Cig's

It was shooters night at Cig's bar in Kamuning last night... I was there with AGSB buddies Mascy, Gryf, Eunice, Bogs and Cig with some friends Mike, Joanne, Stephen... My first time at Cig's though it has been a frequent hangout among AGSB friends...

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Drove to Kamuning from Makati at 10 pm... It was unlimited shot for a very low damage of P150... so was well worth it... tried the one with flames before you swallow (the flame probably cured my cough...hehe...) ... and the reverse tequila shot... and I really lost count of the number of shots I had... hehe...

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It's a real fun night... and looking forward to more parties at Cig's - Grace next week and Mascy, the week after... It's been a long night and drove myself back home at past 3 am... and it was then time to recharge with Sleep... ZZZZ

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For One More Day

I just finished reading For One More Day by Mitch Albom… and thin as it was it took me weeks to finish… I think given his style, you just have to just absorb his works from chapter to chapter… There are some parallelisms with his previous books, Tuesday with Morrie and Five People You Meet in Heaven in the sense that it involved someone on the verge on dying or has an encounter with Death…

Chick Benetto, the centerpiece of the story, was way different from Morrie in the lives they lived… Morrie lived an exemplary life but Chick Benetto had lived a turbulent life… playing in a World Series game… and being lost for a time until he decided to take his life… but failed… and somehow got another day with his mom… which gave him an opportunity to find the right track again…

It would be such a nice experience having one more day with someone you value, especially if they are gone now… but every time I think of it if there was a time I’d want to change or relive… I can’t pick a moment to change or to spend an extra day reliving… somehow, with the value of hindsight… I get to learn that everything that happens good or bad has its purpose… It builds who we are and what we are made of…

Though if there would be a day, I’d want to experience… it would have to be a day of pleasant surprises…