Other than reading “One Hundred Years of Solitude” (a required one at that in Eng 1 when I was in college), watching the movie “Love in the Time of Cholera”, and knowing the fact that he is a Nobel Prize winner, I don’t know much about Gabriel García Márquez.

I was, however, reminded of my mantra, “Simple pleasures are the essence of life” by Epicurus and was profoundly touched when I read his farewell letter… and would like to share it with you:

“You will be called upon to account for all the permitted pleasures in life you did not enjoy while on earth.” — the Koran

Nobel-prize winning Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez retired from public life last November due to worsening cancer of the lymph nodes. He has sent this farewell letter to his friends, which has been translated, posted on the Internet, and sent by Jeff Hutner:

~*~*~*~

If for an instant God were to forget that I am rag doll and gifted me with a piece of life, possibly I wouldn’t say all that I think, but rather I would think of all that I say. I would value things, not for their worth but for what they mean. I would sleep little, dream more, understanding that for each minute we close our eyes we lose sixty seconds of light.

I would walk when others hold back, I would wake when others sleep. I would listen when others talk, and how I would enjoy a good chocolate ice cream! If God were to give me a piece of life, I would dress simply, throw myself face first into the sun, baring not only my body but also my soul. My God, if I had a heart, I would write my hate on ice, and wait for the sun to show. Over the stars I would paint with a Van Gogh dream a Benedetti poem, and a Serrat song would be the serenade I’d offer to the moon. With my tears I would water roses, to feel the pain of their thorns, and the red kiss of their petals…

My god, if I had a piece of life… I wouldn’t let a single day pass without telling the people I love that I love them. I would convince each woman and each man that they are my favorites, and I would live in love with love. I would show men how very wrong they are to think that they cease to be in love when they grow old, not knowing that they grow old when they cease to be in love! To a child I shall give wings, but I shall let him learn to fly on his own. I would teach the old that death does not come with old age, but with forgetting. So much have I learned from you, oh men…

I have learned that everyone wants to live on the peak of the mountain, without knowing that real happiness is in how it is scaled. I have learned that when a newborn child squeezes for the first time with his tiny fist his father’s finger, he has him trapped forever. I have learned that a man has the right to look down on another only when he has to help the other get to his feet. From you I have learned so many things, but in truth they won’t be of much use, for when I keep them within this suitcase, unhappily shall I be dying.

~*~*~*~

“Life can’t give me joy and peace; it’s up to me to will it. Life just gives me time and space; it’s up to me to fill it.” — William James, psychologist

I do not wish to die unhappily like him though. I don’t like regrets. I intend to seize the day and be happy as much as I can.

Choose to be happy. Life is really too short after all.

To Jehan:

Calvin: I wish I had more friends, but people are such jerks. If you can just get most people to leave you alone, you’re doing good. If you can find even one person you really like, you’re lucky. And if that person can also stand you, you’re really lucky.
Hobbes: What if you find someone you can talk to while you eat apples on a bright fall morning?
Calvin: Well, yeah… I suppose there’s no point in getting greedy, is there?

What if you find someone you can talk to while you eat apples on a bright fall morning?

<– This is possible. ^_^ And when you do find this person or these type of people, you’ll feel sooooo lucky you wouldn’t care if you just have a few or even just one friend like this. I should know. You belong to this category on my list. ^^;

Ang kulit ng Urban Dictionary - the dictionary you wrote.

fe - definitions - short for ‘fair enough’

1. fe
    short for ‘fair enough’

X: Are we all contributing a fiver?
y: yeah, fe.

3. fe
    short for ‘fair enough’. Used to express indifference to a statement. Similar to ‘whatever’ etc.

X: You’re stuck with the third party controller
Y: fe

4. Fe
    Chemical Symbol for Iron

Fe + O2 = Fe02
Iron + Oxygen = Iron Oxide

7. fe
    a) Short for female.
    b) A really attractive female.

    Contrary to popular belief, this word does not stem from the French word fi (female) but is instead derived from a local San Fernando Valley slang.

Oh dude, check out these fes!

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.

~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I hope our entire 2009 Book of Opportunity will be filled with wonderful memories!

Happy 2009! ^_^

I decided to browse other people’s blogs just now (my favorite pastime when I’m utterly bored). Lo and behold… UPCAT The Movie (para sa mga di nakakaalam: UPCAT = University of the Philippines College Admission Test).

The film is basically about two teenage boys from the province who believed that passing the UPCAT is the passport to their dreams. Sabi nga sa trailer… UP or nothing. You can visit their site for the complete synopsis of UPCAT The Movie.

I encountered this at Thea’s blog posted last October 14. ^_^ I really should surf the net more often. I almost missed out on this very nostalgic film. Not only is it about UP, the setting is in UPLB! Sobrang timing… I’m missing UPLB badly right now. Baka nga makitulog ako sa dorm ng kapatid ko next week para naman ma-experience kong mag-”Work from UPLB”. Hehehe.

I have to agree with Thea, “I can say my stay in UPLB is among the best years of my life so far.” and that the trailer alone brings so much memories already.

I’m counting the days ‘til December 3… Ipapalabas daw yun sa Robinson’s Galleria Indiesine on Dec. 3-9, one of my favorite malls when I was in high school. Nice, high school and college memories in one night. ^_^ I’m definitely not going to miss this movie. I hope to see you guys there! Let me know if you’re watching ha? Sabay-sabay nating alalahanin ang ating pinagdaanan bago tayo naging Iskolar ng Bayan!!!

Early September, after my y4it talk on Day 1, Aiza, one of the participants of y4it placed a comment on my Friendster:

# Posted 09/19/2008 9:50 am
# hello ms Fe..

Im a senior I.T student of Bulacan State University
just wanna ask if u interested to answer an email interview..its one of our final requirement, to have an interview with a project manager..

tnx..

i’m waiting for your response ^_^

Since I used to be a student, I know how grueling the senior year is, and I hate it when “grown ups” say no to student interviews… I vowed not to become one of them. So, even though I still have a lot to learn in the world of project management, I told Aiza I was willing to participate. When I checked the questionnaire, it was pretty logical but interesting. It was actually quite interesting that I decided to post my answers here:

—start—

The main purpose of this interview is for students to gain more insight into what project managers really do, what challenges they face, what lessons they’ve learned, what concepts/tools they are using, and what suggestions they have for future project managers.

1) How did you get into project management?

<– I was promoted as Project Manager from Marketing Manager when we had our company restructured last year.

2) If you had to rate the job of project manager on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, how would you rate it?

<– I would rate it with an 8.

3) Briefly explain the reason for your rating. What do you enjoy most and what do you like least about being a project manager?

<– I gave it an 8 because the position gives you enough leeway in handling the project or goal of the company/team. Your creativity and strategic thinking are greatly tapped with this job. That is, you can pretty much do anything so long as you meet the goal.

However, there are times when you, of course do not have the last say – it is a company after all, and the owner has this privilege, at any time. So even though you do not agree to the final decision, all you can do is gracefully accept it. It’s his company, after all.

4) Did you have any training or special talents or experiences that qualified you to be a project manager?

<– It’s a combination of all three actually. I was a pioneer in my company and I started from scratch - literally from the lowest position at that time in our company – a Creative Writer. During the development stage of our websites, our CEO discovered that I have a good background in computer. He decided to train me to do technical and website work and promoted me to a Technical Content Manager.

Then there was a need for SEO Director to get our website’s rankings maintained if not increased in the SERPs. Since this position requires technical skills and I was the one in line for that, our CEO gave me an orientation about it and the rest of my knowledge came from thorough research and my colleagues. Soon, I was promoted to Marketing Manager.

Sometime 2007, our CEO decided to put up another company. Since he was too occupied with this new company, decided to restructure my company, and I was the only one who knows the entire network of our sites in every angle (almost as much as he does), he decided to have me manage the 20 websites, making me the project manager.

5) What do you feel is the most important thing you do as project manager? On what task do you spend the most time each day?

<– I consider two tasks to be very important - task distribution/delegation and monitoring. For any project, it is important that tasks are distributed properly and to the appropriate people to ensure smooth sailing. Once this is done, the project should be well-monitored so you will know if you are going towards the direction to achieving your goal and for you to be ready for any setbacks. After all, you are accountable for the outcome of the project.

6) What are some of the positive and negative risks you’ve encountered on projects? Please describe any notable successes and failures and what you’ve learned from them.

<– One of the positive risks I took was when I stood my ground on implementing social marketing as a strategy for our websites to gain more traffic. Social marketing at that time was a very new concept and our CEO was very doubtful about it. In the end, he gave me a go signal but told me that if he did not see any significant result, he will cancel that marketing effort.

In a few weeks time, we were able to give him a report with increased statistics of our sites due to social marketing. He acquiesced and we continued our social marketing efforts.

When you are confident about something, and are prepared to take any consequences (should there be any), keep your ground. Fight for it. After all, the worst that could happen is just to have your CEO say no.

As for the negative risk, there was a time when I became too confident in the leeway/authority our CEO gave me that I did not consult him about one area in our website template change since one of the owners also do not agree with his idea. In the end, since the other owner was out of reach, the CEO had the last say and our programmer ended up losing two weeks’ worth of work.

So never, ever, make a major decision without consulting/informing your superior. It will save you a lot of hassle and time.

7) What are some of the tools, software or otherwise, that you use, and what is your opinion of those tools?

<– Since we are an internet company, we have freelancers, we outsource, and we have advertising clients (both local and international), we make use of Skype and email. Those tools are very helpful in monitoring and coordinating with people especially with the time difference when dealing with international clients.

8 ) What are some steps a project manager can take to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of a team? How does a project manager gain the respect and loyalty of team members?

<– Some steps would be more team building and more one-on-one interaction with your colleagues/subordinates. That way, you will be able to understand each other well and there will be less miscommunication – generally the main cause of any conflict.

9) What suggestions do you have for working with sponsors and senior managers?

<– Senior managers are most of the time under the category of “old dogs”. It’s quite hard to teach them new tricks. Seriously. However, for a company to grow, it is important that it adapts to change. Thus, you need to be able to appeal change to your superiors in a way that they will happily agree to it.

To be able to do that, you need to talk their language – profit. It’s all about profit. If you can make them see how profitable-related your suggested efforts are, they are sure to give you a go signal in no time.

10) Do you have any suggestions for future project managers, such as any specific preparations they should make, skills they should learn, etc?

<– Although experience is a good teacher, other’s experience is the best. It would be great if you can attend a project management course and get a certificate to add to your credential. However, do keep in mind that that piece of paper (certificate) is useless unless you practice what you have learned.

In any case, as with any position, you should be flexible and be very open-minded. When given two options, always choose the third. Think out of the box. ^_^

—end—

Wow, Elvis and Sp, Zettai Kareshi is definitely worth my entire Saturday. ^_^ Doumo!

Here are some quotable quotes from Zettai Kareshi characters (Yep, I paused in between watching just so I could note down these ^^; ):

Natsumi: If you lie to yourself, you’ll lose what you truly value.

~*~*~*~

Mr. Namikiri: Is it abnormal for a robot to have emotions? I’m the one who made the program. He was made by my hands, and is running on my ideas. To rob him of emotions, isn’t that the same as taking away life?

~*~*~*~

Natsumi: Timing is important in glazing. To get the polish on the chocolate, the peak temperature has to be right. It won’t work if it’s too hot or too cold. Love is the same. I missed the peak temparature… that day three years ago. Soshi, you shouldn’t miss it either.

~*~*~*~

Fujiko: You finally have the dreams you were longing for within your grasp. Don’t let go of what’s important to you now that it’s in sight.

~*~*~*~

Mr. Namikiri: I believe the love inside him brought forth a miracle… Before you told me not to play with the feelings of people. But right now, there is a strong bond between those two. No one has the right to take that away.

~*~*~*~

Fujiko: Is it really alright if you don’t go?
Rikko: I’ve made my decision.
Fujiko: From now on, the two of you will face countless troubles. You are not going to find the normal life you talked about. You may regret it.
Rikko: I am going to live my life with Night. No matter what happens in the future, I’m not going to regret it.
Fujiko: Love takes many forms in this world, but this is a first. However, I will support you. What makes the future is the present. If you feel in your heart that you are happy now, that thought will surely create a happy future for you.
Rikko: Hai.

Okaeri - Ayaka

While preparing for my new pet project (not really “new” but my first real try…) which will require a great deal of positive thinking, time, and effort, I went over my collection of quotable quotes to look for something that will inspire me should I encounter some stops and pull overs during the creation process (Yep, I’ll definitely be checking this entry every now and then for encouragement). And the winner is:

What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it;
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

The quote is supposed to be from Goethe, but there have been some debates on its origin. Anyhow, I like this part:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back — Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

Yosh! Carpe Diem! God help me. *bow*

For more inspiration, I suggest you read “The Secret“. I encountered this sometime 2006-2007 from my friend Jehan (movie siya, pinapapanood niya online, I never had the time…), was recommended by our GM early this year during one of our meetings, and I just found out my sister Anne has a copy of it sometime June 20s this year. I immediately started reading the book as soon as I got hold of it. I still haven’t finished reading it up to now, but I do carry it around in the hopes that I’ll have time to continue going through the pages. Nevertheless, the first few pages are already enough to keep you “Bold”. Aja!

Now I can just listen to this song whenever I want to reminisce Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (花ざかりの君たちへ Lit. “For You in Full Blossom”).

Memorable quotes from Hana Kimi:

Hard work will definitely be rewarded. The rest is to believe in yourself.

The one with talent should work even harder.

If you give up the most important thing in your life, you’ll gradually lose your true self.