Sentimental Retirement Journey

Jeff got it.  Time to review what so far has been done.  Not that big deal though as I’ve been keeping on track the progress of writing almost all more than 1,000 words per entry.  This might have been natural result of being passionate writer.  That is by the way how I do things.  I just hate not giving my best shot to any project, be it music, writing or work.  Time is of the essence.   We only lived once. But that one chance for me is more than enough.  That if we make use the best there is in everything that comes  along as chance improving yourself putting  things in proper perspective.  I think this is just a normal talent of a writer.  You can’t just run out of words when you sit down and write.  I remember one columnist declaring that you could even write as long and as often as  you want  about a person that if you allow your creativity works.  The inverse holds true. You’re good as the last item you write about.

 

          Focus, this what every writer should do.  As such I think it is good idea to write as many entries you’d like to have in a day. Two pieces maybe enough depending how you squeeze your creative juice. This to cover- up your next entry you feel you’re physically and emotionally drained after hard day’s work.

 

          Here am I sharing to you this piece I earlier wrote re: my retirement from DAR after roughly 29 years in government service was officially approved last Oct. 1, 2013.  The Rationalization Plan like many others prompted me to avail this rare opportunity.  Among others, let's accept it, because of incentives. But personally I'm not counting that much monetary consideration as I'm not really that materialistic.  Besides what would you get out from the modest windfall after deducting all those demandable financial obligation from the government like housing and loan if not merely crumbs that could not even be enough to buy a luxury car which is very prohibitive. Never mind. Unsay ray ihatag nga savings ni Lord mao ray ako.  Ma multicab or trisikad, no probs there No airs too as He knows the best for us. Man chooses but God disposes, remember? Or maybe why not brand new Ford Ranger 4x4 pick up or Chevrolet Colarado as retirement gift. 

 

Personally, I don't have that usual fire attending that forum. But "Angay naa jud ka MARO kay retirees group picture unya ug singsingan ka pa," requested Dada Laure, my friend and personal budget officer! So there I went treating this travel as another regular trekking to neutralize reservation going there what given all those unpredictabilities - exhaustion, weather, danger among abusive drivers on the road - playing at the back of your mind as you travel Baguio-like Bukidnon road. Ug murag mahimo ta miembro ani ni Ecleo of Benevolent Movement cult, the nasty thought too playing in my mind as the traveled progressed my mind speaking out ranting: "Why not Rolex, cash or other stuff of great value the retirees of Africa are receiving from their gov't. instead of this ring.” I'm not sure the author of this compliment. Why in the world  he did not make any consultation on this to get the pulse of concerned retirees themselves! 

This might be it then as I forced myself traveling more than hundred kilometers to DARPO, Malaybalay, Bukidnon and back to CDO that day as usual with my ever reliable Yamaha SZ- 16. The trip started with a breakfast at my favorite Leo Mañus Restaurant in front of new established Condominium at Target Range, Macajalar. There I relished tinula and juicy Remembering Forever Me and other menus at very low prices as if there is no more tomorrow. Service as usual is super customized with matching all smiles from Leo, the humble owner, and all his pretty and accommodating assistants. I'm recommending this restaurant for those who have not that much but would like your stomach of course doubly filled with smorgasbord wide array of Filipino menus from electric eel, lauya, veggies sarisari, pinakbet to his certified juicy Remember Me. For those who don't have money, don't worry. Be happy, you can still have your fill without listing your obligation for as long as you go back and pay what you consumed! O di ba.

 

 Snack were organic sweet corn and exotic fruits as usual along the way at Maluko. Nearing Kalasungay, I parked my motorcycle and have selfies with organic bak-bak and electric eel with friends around turning really electric hearing me belting "Ang probinsayano - guapo buotan kaayo. Ang probinsyano guapo, maalagaron kaninyo . . . . " entertaining them. Capping the journey at DARPO, Malaybalay, was retirees' group picture taking for posterity's sake. Tet-a-tat did not escape the now One Bukidnon Retirees after reuniting an erstwhile divided South and North Bukidnon together as really one province. Hearing collective voices whispering sentimental hope "Where and what would you do next" How about your implied huge bala, what would you do about it?" Of course, the Lord takes care of everything this after listening unsolicited but timely advise on Financial Management from Life gurus around pronto." 

Thank you guys. Time indeed is as fleeting as the wind. And true enough, we can play with money and practically everything but not with time. As that instructive maxim I recalled from a mentor from Agrarian Reform and Rural Development at Taipei, Taiwan back then in 1991 - "Time is just like snowflakes. It melts away while we are even discussing it!"

 Immediacy of time, that's I think what we should be always conscious of as we are all pilgrim of this world. Hopefully as you reached your threshold and before our crossover, we have already delivered our best shot in life.  Paul Tillich, my favorite theologian says it all - " Time is our security, our destiny and the mirror in which we see eternity!" Bless you all. Wrote this reflection arriving home with Mayet creating beautiful colored crepe paper flowers for our Big Red Christmas tree. Hope we could have really hearty and beautiful life this Christmas and beyond. Salamuch! 

(15^th Installment My 500 Words Daily Challenge, January 16, 2014)