Our new website

Image c/o RMO

We now have our very own dedicated website wherein all our blog posts will now be found.  Of course we will try to transfer as much of our content here to the new site at www.owattalife.com.  Many thanks for your support.

Ginger Cat Appreciation Day

Photo c/o RMO

She didn't start with us but we eventually adopted her. Her name wasn't even Ginger, but when she officially became ours, we changed it to Ginger, and it has been a good ride.  In the Southern Hemisphere, today is also officially the start of spring.  Henceforth, September 1 will become more memorable for our family because of two things: Ginger and spring.  I am more of a dog person rather than cats but given the parameters of where we're staying, that's just not possible, hence Ginger. She's the 6th member in the family and when we go to the supermarket, she has her own set of food purchases.  And just like any member in the family, she also had meds and vet's visits to contend with.  As I always say, when you do have a pet, it's as if you have another child with you.

Daffodil Day

Photo c/o RMO

Friday, August 25, was Daffodil Day in Aotearoa New Zealand and I had the privilege of volunteering from 1-3 pm at the Mangere Shopping Complex.  I did it because my mom's sister, Auntie Pacita, passed away 20 years ago from breast cancer and I've had other relatives and friends who succumb from all types of cancer.  I was also part of the volunteers from our school who annually participate in this fundraising drive for the NZ Cancer Society. It was also a great time to bond with one of my more senior students who took time out from her free day. It was an eye-opener for me really because normally I just pass and ignore the volunteers from the different causes.  This time I was at the volunteering end and now I know how it feels.  Now this is not a scientific analysis just my personal observation: those who seem to have less in life are really the ones who give more.  And for now, I'll just leave it at that.

National Radio Day

Photo c/o nationaldaycalendar.com

I grew up right beside an AM radio station and I love listening to the radio.  From an early age I've always wanted to be on the radio, I mean working as a broadcaster.  I got the chance eventually, working on both AM and FM stations, first in Manila, Philippines and later on in Hamilton and Auckland, New Zealand.  I've worked in both commercial and non-profit radio stations.  There's no slot on radio that I haven't done: sign-on at 5:00 a.m., sign-off at 12:00 midnight, morning or afternoon drive, weekend slots, etc.  There's something about being on the radio that gives me a sense of purpose, whether I'm just playing music or interviewing people from all walks of life.  Radio is my 2nd natural high, after books!

National Mail Order Catalog Day

Photo c/o nationaldaycalendar.com

We're in the vortex!  What an appropriate day for the business model we're soon launching!  The buying and selling of goods and services by mail delivery has a colorful history dating back to 1498. The 1st modern mail order service is credited to Welsh entrepreneur Pryce Pryce-Jones, selling local Welsh flannel in 1861.  It then quickly spread across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States wherein entrepreneurs like Aaron Montgomery Ward (Montgomery Wards mail order catalog), Richard Warren Sears (Sears catalog), among many others, capitalized on this new method of selling products.

E-commerce eventually changed the way the catalogs were promoted and distributed.  Nowadays, we have the so called curated boxes, the subscription boxes, mystery boxes, wherein one gets to receive goods and products on a regular basis (monthly, bimonthly, quarterly).  They are still in existence, the printed catalogs but they are slowly being overtaken by the electronic or online catalogs.  We are soon moving to this business model, starting with t-shirts.  It is the newer and faster way of distributing goods and services.

Mid-2017 Review

Photo c/o therealtimereport.com

It's that time of the year when you have to stop, pause and think: What has happened?  What have I started, created, nurtured, developed, organised, done, finished, and accomplished?  Is my life much better now than it was six months ago, a year ago, today?  So many questions, but so little answers for now.  Take for instance my blogging, I've been so remiss in writing and updating.  Oh, it has been an exciting life so far, now that I'm back to teaching. My new job as a Tutor for people with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues is one of the best thing that has happened this year.  My family relocating to Auckland: my daughter getting a good job in the city, my eldest son starting at university, my youngest son doing remarkably well in his new school, and my wife enjoying the quality of life she's always been dreaming of, are more things that make this year truly awesome. May God be Praised for all these Blessings!

National Relaxation Day

Photo c/o shopparkroyal.com

This would be good if we have this as often as possible.  The best way really to enjoy this day is by doing absolutely nothing.  In our family we have a term for this---it's a do nothing day. Here's a good site to celebrate the day in 10 awesome ways. We all do need to relax, to recharge, to take stock, to energize, to comprehend, to understand.  Life is not easy, so we need times like this.  I have found a way to be at peace with myself within the day, to keep calm amidst all the challenges of the day.  I normally stop and pause and think and just let myself go, let my mind wander as far as possible. This will take only a couple of minutes and then I'm ready to face the music once more.  Have fun everyone!