• Work Life

    Evolving Workplace in Japan

    Glad, relieved, and very thankful to see an evolving Japanese work environment. Major shock of my life was when Japanese colleagues and bosses started asking how my house search was going. (omg nangungumusta sila! XD) Then we chatted about my options, they gave their opinion as well as tips. And this was during work hours, mind you, not during nomikai. Then during work hours colleagues and I would chat, other colleagues would also pitch in and join the conversation. And conversations would be happening throughout the workplace, work and non-work discussions. Really good “ba” smile emoticon Then last night I…

  • Personal Life

    Writing Revival: The Search for the Reason that Commands Me to Write Continues

    Another day, another blog. Makes me even more confused as to what I really want to do with my blog. Again, contemplating on what I ought to write here. What is my vision? What is my goal in writing again? Is it to seek an audience to which I will share my thoughts with, have a discussion with? At a later time perhaps that will happen, so I want to have a more personal goal than that, the ‘reason that commands me to write’, as Rilke said. My previous blogging experience has taught me well that writing in order to…

  • Personal Development

    Walking the Talk: On How Good Habits Develop Character

    How does one walk the talk? How to make our actions consistent? Consistent with our words, and consistently done on a longer period of time–good habits. If someone goes off-track, how to go back on-track and maintain a consistent ‘flow’? Actions. Act more than think. Do not just think, act! So I’ve been realizing how important consistency is, both at work and in our personal lives. It’s not just about reputation and branding (but of course that’s also part of it), but on a personal level this means you are cultivating good habits that are really part of who you…

  • Personal Life

    Musings on ‘Diskarte’, Initiative, and Trust

    Diskarte and Initiative thrives in an environment where there is enough leeway to make decisions, an environment where initiatives are welcomed and even encouraged. More than freedom, it also means that trust exists in the relationship. I believe most parents would want their children to have ‘diskarte’, but the irony is that some of them don’t exactly provide the environment conducive to this decision-making. When every move you make is corrected every so often, with no reassurance or positive words to counter this, children will be left crippled and unable to decide, to move. Parents ought to raise children with…

  • Faith Walk

    Am I Grateful?

    “The psalmist wrote, ‘The heavens proclaim the glory of God; The skies display his craftmanship’ (Ps. 19:1) God’s handiwork is a spectacle that, rightly understood, should not only take our breath away but inspire us to worship and praise our God as it did the psalmist David. […] encountering the wonders of God’s creation should inspire, at the least, a heart of gratitude. Are we grateful?”