Tall Ships and Chapters 4 to 10

Saturday was a blast! Enjoyed the Tall Ships 2009 festival. Too bad my sun dance did not have its effect for too long; it rained at around 430PM. Good thing we've visited at least three ships by then.

A lot of photographers in the area. I thank this one for volunteering to take our (Chad and I) only picture together.
That's me wondering if I would see traces of Johnny Depp in this ship. "Bounty" was used for the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and some other movies.
No trace of Jack Sparrow :( I enjoyed the walk anyway.

Sightseers stopped by the tents when it rained.

Chad and I decided to relax at the library where I continued reading the book I chose last week.










Of course, he's still with his newspaper until the library closed.
More updates about Sunday's events soon.

Meeting John

Thought yesterday (Saturday) would be the usual one. Get up lazily, prepare breakfast for Chad and myself, watch the morning news, kill time at home or go to town for some shopping (normally window shopping, that is!), go to church and walk back home. Well, yesterday was typical, until I get tired of walking along town, and Chad said we could use some "aircon" at the national library while resting our feet. So we did!

I grabbed a book, which I did not intend to finish anyway; it's 4:30PM and the library's almost closing. I looked back and there was Chad, comfortably sitting in an upholstered back chair, already starting to read the daily newspaper. I sat in a couch opposite him, and started reading... thinking, we should do this more often.

It was almost five when a few elders sitting at the readers' area started to pack, and an old folk suddenly talked to Chad, asking him a question and then more, about where he came from, what he's doing in the island, and did I say, more! They were chatting even when we were outside the library (and naturally, I was dragged into the conversation as well). There he was, John, proudly talking about his dancing talent, and how this made him travel to various parts of the world, including the Philippines, where he met one of his wives (yeah! one of two according to him). It was a fun talk that we had, from places and personalities in the Philippines to rental fees here in Bermuda. He could be forgetful once in a while, asking Chad if he is from Hong Kong or China, saying that the Chinese are the smartest people he ever knew. We separated agreeing that in case Chad and I drop by the library next time, we'll teach him with his laptop. He said he goes to the library everyday to learn to use the computer and the internet. And it's giving him headaches all the time. Hehehe... Mind you, I commend the man... he is 60++ years old and still very eager to learn! And I bet it's not easy to ride the bus from St. Georges to Hamilton, with a laptop in a bag at your back when you're that aged.

Yesterday was no ordinary day to me. I could use much and much inspiration. Who knows what more awaits me if I go to the library more often. Besides, I am only at page 15 of that book!

Loving my surroundings

Enjoying the textures...
from cement...


to soil....

to sand.
Enjoying the sounds...
of traffic...
of animals...

and of waves.

Enjoying the colors...

Monday was Clean-up Day!

Break from work? Vacation? Also mean general cleaning day for us!

Cleaning a studio means taking most things out first. And clean from one area to another.

The sad thing is we lost (and found) two friends. One near the flowers (maybe he thought those were real ones... poor lizard!) And the other from underneath the sofa.

Vacation in an Island

Finally, I get to do this again... feel how to be a tourist in an island... not far from where I reside... here... in Bermuda.

Believe it or not, I have been looking forward for this. I have been here in the island for a year but have not visited all of its attractions. I would not want to leave without having to enjoy most if not all of them. I was taking my time... I still am, but guess time may not be very long as I initially expected. So better enjoy while I am a paid "tourist" here.

Change is everywhere

1. Bermuda has changed.
Before leaving home this morning Chad said in a text message that I shall call a cab as the buses were not running still. Luckily for him, he was offered a ride to town by a local. I was hoping to get the same - a free ride - so I waited for awhile at the bus stop. A van stopped by and the good driver invited me in. Inside were two old ladies who appear to be "picked up" as well. So I got in and off we went.

The old ladies were talking about old Bermuda. How people in cars used to offer rides to those waiting at bus stops, if they are all going to the same area. They said, this rarely happens nowadays. And that they commend our good driver for showing that there are still people living up to the old Bermuda way.

And these ladies were right. Things changed here. Jorge, one of my officemates, was offered a ride by a local, too. Only, it cost him $6. All of them who were picked up were charged by their driver. And their trip was not continuous as the driver stopped by the hospital area to wait for more "hitchers".

2. Working hours have changed.
Since last week, my teammates leave the office no later than 7PM. With this week being our reporting week to the client, no later than 7PM is pretty early. Supervisor Scottie (who used to be the earliest comer and the latest goer) now arrives every morning almost exactly on time (10AM) and leaves right before we all do. When asked, he said, that's the new office culture. I'd love that if it's true!

3. The landlord has changed.
Summer is almost here. Last Sunday was a fine day for swimming and since Chad is not much into beach water, we could have enjoyed the pool here in our apartment. Only if it was clean for swimming. But the Landlord has not been cleaning it for sometime now. To add to the tall grasses, busted water pump and walkway lights. I have not seen him visit in a number of weeks; contrary to almost twice a week visits when he and his family first bought the apartments from our previous landlords.

3. I am changing.
I wish I could say I have changed. But I am still working on it.

Tonight, I turned the office lights off. Meaning, I was the last person to go out. Considering I was one of those who got there early, I am not doing very good in trying - trying to stop being very task-oriented. To the point of working like there's no tomorrow (or the next working day). I always want to get things done. To the point of forgetting what my real priorities are.

I realized a few months ago that my being very task-oriented does not always work for my benefit. And that's the reason I have to learn how and when to stop. To keep in mind my priorities... which are not necessarily my tasks.

I was asked by my manager if I am working tomorrow. I could not believe I heard me burst "it's Good Friday for God's sake!". I explained to her that it is my Lenten sacrifice - to not work while I want to. She thought I was being funny. Guess she does not know me enough.

See, I am changing.

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Good or bad, change is everywhere. How's it been there for you?

I rested... so should you!

The past week has been really tiring at work. Not that it justifies anything, including not writing at all since last week. I got home at night much later than the usual 'cause I had to do some overtime. My co-workers said this is usually the case until March since we're accounting for the year-end and it's the audit season. So they say, I better brace myself.

Truly, when I get to the office last Saturday, it was almost like a regular day; just missing a few people in their desks.

It was a good thing I was privileged to attend a party (a birthday and leaving party in one) . I had fun and I was able to rest (especially my hands) and forget those piles of folders I still left at my desk. Certainly, I could not discount the benefits of rest (and a good laugh).

Which brings me to my point --- did I take too long for my intro? Well, sorry, I guess I missed sharing hehehe --- Sometimes, we just need some rest.

I used to work with a company which highlights the importance of human energy. While I stayed there for a short six months, I certainly enjoyed working there and I realized how good it is for a company to really implement prioritization of human energy. Doing so includes providing employees with time to rest.

Our workstations back then were designed to fit each individual's needs. We used to have rest breaks and micro pause breaks, which is necessary for accountants to avoid repetitive strain injury. We had activities that would promote health and welfare of employees.

When I started working here in the island, I really missed my workstation from that company. Good thing there are organizations which could help us out. Google repetitive strain injury (RSI) to learn more. You might also want to download the software that would freeze your computer for you to have breaks at work. Try Workrave; works for me. You can customize it depending on your needs. Just remember, discipline is necessary if you want your hands to be healthy and well-rested for that matter.

So no matter what you do, make it a habit to find something which would keep you healthy. And "rest" should always be in the picture. My co-worker nailed it when he said earlier: No health, no wealth. How true!