I felt useful and a bit of fear today

Work was pretty good. Found myself in one of those situations where I was actually helping people out. Well, more than the usual at least. Found some solutions to some problems and contributed during meetings.It's a really good feeling.

Flip side to this is that I don't see or feel any results yet. The office is heading towards a place that rewards results and not effort, and as much as it sounds bad, I can't help but agree. For things to stop being "work in progress", things need to get done. It amazes me how much the company has changed since I left. Everyone's being driven to step up and make things happen. Good energy there.

Funny thing happened during the last meeting of the day, I was asked what my goals for the next 6 months were. I mentioned the reports I was doing and my plans of making them useful to managers and then...blank. CEO says, if that's all you're doing then why not just hire a part time? I felt total fear for my job for one second. Of all the things I know I did, nothing came up and out from my mouth. Was me doing this or that count as a goal? Was I actually getting things done? Was it confirmed I was playing too much ping pong? Crap!

But then things came back and I was able to come up with other stuff to do. Still don't know if those counted as actually useful goals to help the company progress but they passed for today. Next week's a powerpoint presentation of each department and I think that's when I should make up for it. Time to make a super presentation of my one man team and blow their minds away.  

 Work is fun.

Just like when I was a kid

I also celebrated my 28th birthday when I got home from the trip. Had a small grill out party and although it had a low turnout of people, it was still fun. I think as you go older, the parties become less about how big they are and wasted everyone gets and rather it becomes more of seeing people you don't really get to see that often and keeping in touch with the people that matter. Amazing what you realize when you get older.

Plus in line with getting older, my nephew celebrated his birthday right smack on my birthday January 9. He couldn't have his on December 24 since no one would come to that party. Anyway, another reminder that we're all growing up. There is actually a younger generation now in our family that would have those big outrageous parties. I feel bad but I can be cool with that.

Glad to know though that there's another generation up there that feels the same way I do. My dad took me out during my birthday morning to get me a gift. Any grown man would say "Dad, I'm 28 so stop doing this", but I just let it happen, most probably because it made me feel like a kid again and it sounded fun. I also know my dad likes getting me scale models because we share the hobby. He does the hardcore army/navy ones and I do the giant robots.

Anyway we hit Toy Kingdom and check out the Gundam model kits. For a while, I felt the shame: being 28, in a toy store and with my dad there to buy me something. But then I realize this is probably my dad's way of wanting things to stay the same. With us getting older and all, the old man probably wants to remember the times when he's pick us out toys when we were kids and that great feeling bringing home something awesome to play with. So the shame suddenly means nothing as i realize just how cool my dad and this situation is. We look around and pick out the most badass looking one and head home.

And just after a few minutes after getting into the car, I open up the plastic and take a peek inside...

Crazy badass Gundam kit.

So that officially ends my holiday season.
As things change around me, may the things that warm the heart stay the same.

How was Korea?

Korea was great. The country was beautiful and has some great tourist spots. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes a lively city with a real rich and fun culture.

It was my first time to see snow and it was actually also the first time Anj and I took a trip by ourselves. Usually it's us with some friends but this time it was us alone wandering the city of Seoul, in search of koreanovela sites and Korean scenery. I think this was also a milestone in our relationship because we've reached the stage where we fight and fight but still end up OK in the end. It's like we're already a couple that's annoying to others and it's awesome. I can't help but feel that our relationship is stronger than ever.

Yep, that's our Ultraman/Ultragirl lock over there.

When you're in a relationship, trips bring out the worst in each other. But from that comes and experience worth happening again and again. I'm already sure we're going back to Korea for another round.

New year, new season

The year's starting off great. It was our two year anniversary with Anj yesterday. Went out and had a good lunch and last minute shopping for our anniversary trip.

Fely J's. Try it.

Today, we're headed for Seoul, Korea for a vacation. I'm checking the weather and it says it's damn cold. Good luck to us.