Busy week, finished tasks and "Mohawks"

I've been busy with work and I'm thankful that I have accomplished many things this week. Went to the library, grocery, post office, dentist, optometrist (I can't believe I needed bifocals now LOL) and registered my 2 boys in two separate schools in our new place. Miggy needs to go to another school for his French Program. Today I had a day off, meeting Wendy's boss who is in Toronto for a visit. We had a lovely time and the short tour to the Scarborough Town Centre was worthwhile. But Shopaholic is not in a mood today, good thing!

While the cat is away, the mice will play and so is the daddy mouse. Here are what my boys were doing while I was out. I'm sure they had a good time:

Happy Father's Day

I copied this from Facebook and I think it needs to be put in here. My son Miggy made a very creative pop-up greeting card as his gift to his dad. I just hope my sons continue to listen and heed to our advice and instruction, but most importantly, to the Father of all - God.

Fathers are the biggest source of strength for a child. The innocent eyes of a child perceive father as the all-powerful, most knowledge, truly affectionate and the most important person in the family. For daughters, fathers are the first men they adore and fall in love with. While for sons their fathers are the strongest person they know and someone they aspire to emulate. Even for the grownups fathers are someone whom they look up to for the most experienced and honest advice that is always in the best of our interest. For this great figure in our life that we know as father - it becomes our utmost duty to pay our humblest tribute on the occasion of Father's Day.

Children blessed with a loving father should consider themselves fortunate. For, they have someone to take care of their needs and interests. Someone to stop them when they are diverting to a wrong path and guide them on a road to success and virtue. For many of us fathers have always been there to solve our innumerous mathematics and science problems and explain the same formula hundredth time or better still until it is understood by us. Fathers would never ever give a smallest of hint to let us know how hard they work to take care of our needs and fulfill even the most whimsical of demands... For all their adorable scolding and affectionate punishments we all owe a big thanks to our Dads.

Father's Day also brings with it the wonderful opportunity to apologize for all our rude and insensitive behavior. We as children often take the love and affection of our parents for granted and treat them with outright contempt. We need to apologize. We must feel great to have the presence of loving father in our lives and do not disrespect the blessing of God on us. On Father's Day we must says “Sorry” to our Dad and seek their forgiveness for our wrong behavior.

Happy Father's Day to Lito, Daddylo, Roty, Carter, Gabby, Tatay and all the fathers out there.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (NIV)

FIFA World Cup - the heat is on!

A few weeks before summer, the heat is on because of the FIFA world cup games. I am not really a fan, in fact I have just started to watch the games. I felt left out in the conversations on the welcome lunch treat by my new boss. I just said soccer is not that big in the Philippines. We just became aware of that game when it was held in South Korea. The flags of participating teams are all over Toronto and car owners attached these flags to let the world know who they are cheering on. It's a welcome treat to me and the kids because we are learning who these countries are. For the team I am cheering on? - Brazil, Argentina and US for Beckham.

Happy Independence Day Philippines!

It's more meaningful when you celebrate the Philippine's Independence Day overseas. You can feel that patriotism. My only prayer is that God makes a miracle on the new government and that Filipinos unite and continuosly pray for the healing that our country needs. We have our own celebration here and the kids performed a folk dance called carinosa. My Aloysius has 3 partners, he can't decide which one to turn to LOL.

Back to the Corporate World

I can't believe that my first week at work has passed. Because I signed a confidentiality agreement, I cannot disclose my employer or anything related to my work here. I would say that I've been blessed, my colleagues and superiors were supportive and gave me a warm welcome. I was given a welcome kit containing promotional materials which old employees didn't get. The only downside is my travel time, it's a total 12 hours that I am not here at home so you could just imagine how tiring it is to commute. But I don't complain, I'm just worried that I may not have quality time with my kids but I know that that will change when we move near my workplace. My first few days were spent attending orientation, trainings and meetings which I missed with my old employer. It feels good to be back, time to make my neurons work, learn, grow and move up...I'm glad I'm up to the challenge of going back to the corporate world. Beer, anyone?

Taming the tongue

I know that God wants me to do this so that I will always be reminded about the true characteristics of a mature Christian. The book of James said that every Christian must be:

1. “Quick to listen, Slow to speak, Slow to become angry” James 1:19
2. Practices the truth “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” James 2:17
3. He has the power over his tongue James 1:26

I admit I am a violator of all this especially the 3rd one and I am so sorry for all the wrong, tactless, needless to say words I uttered that hurt people or make fellow Christians stumble. It is my desire to correct the wrongs and to remind myself that's why I am sharing what I have learned from the bible (book of James). May we know how to tame our tongue and be right with God.

The tongue has 3 powers:

1. The power to direct
Bit and rudder: there are circumstances around us that would make us say things and make us sin. Sin on the inside and pressures on the outside are seeking to get control of the tongue. Bit and rudder must be under the control of a strong hand- Jesus Christ

2. The power to destroy
Fire and Animal: Like a fire, a tongue can heat things up. Animal: like an animal wrong words spread poison like Gossip or barking at the wrong tree hoping that it would reach the person
We need God’s help in controlling it . Proverbs 17:27; 14:29
How? The tongue cannot be tamed by man but by God through the heart.
If the heart is filled with hatred, Satan will light the fire. But if the heart is filled with love, God will light the fire.

3. The power to delight
Fountain: provides cool water. Water is life-giving, our words can give life
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life (Proverbs 10:11)
Tree: hold down the soil, provide beauty and shade, bear fruits.
Fill our heart with God’s words and yield to the Holy Spirit so that He can use us to bring delight to others.

Here are 12 words that can transform lives:

Please
Thank you
I’m sorry
I love you
I’m praying for you

“Give your tongue to God and your heart each day and ask Him to use you to become a blessing to others.”

Praise be to God who will tame our tongue especially mine.

Interview Tips: Things to say in an interview

Finally, after 5 interviews (1 for each month since January) and turning down 1 job offer last March, I landed a position with an offer that is hard to resist. I will start working in the largest brewery in North America on June 7 and I hope to live up to my employer's expectations. I want to share these tips I used in my interviews with the hiring manager, the Manufacturing Manager and the Brewery Director that helped to distinguish me from the other applicants.

It would have been much more difficult to get a foot in the door with such a great company, much more get a job fit to my skills and training but God is so good, I'm so grateful to God and my references who helped me in this job searching process. It's about time I let others experience the worthwhile interviews I had and I hope you'll learn from these tips too:

7 things you should say in an interview
by Mark Riddix, Investopedia.com

Today's job market is as competitive as ever. You need to be able to effectively communicate you skill set so that you will give yourself the best competitive advantage to secure employment. During the interview process, you want to highlight as many of your strengths as possible. An easy way to do this is by slipping a few simple phrases into your next job interview. Here are seven things you should say in an interview.

1. I am very familiar with what your company does.
Letting a prospective employer know that you are familiar with what a company does shows that you have a legitimate interest in the business and are not just wasting their time. Do your homework before arriving for an interview. Check out the company website for information about products and services. Search for the latest transactions and pertinent business news.

Be sure to let the interviewer know that you are familiar with the newest company acquisition or the latest product that was just developed. Explain how your skills and experience are a perfect fit for the employer.

2. I am flexible.
Work environments are always changing. Prospective employers are looking for candidates that are open to change and can adapt at a moment's notice. In today's fast paced business world, employees must have the ability to multi-task.

Stating that you are adaptable lets an employer know that you are willing to do whatever is necessary to get the job done. This may mean working additional hours or taking on additional job duties in a crunch. Show your potential employer that you are equipped to deal with any crisis situation that may arise.

3. I am energetic and have a positive attitude.
Employers are looking for candidates with optimism and a "can-do" attitude. Attitudes are contagious and have a direct affect on company morale. Let the optimist in you shine during the interview process.

Be sure to always speak positively about past employers. Negative comments and sarcastic statements about past employers and co-workers will make you look petty. If you bad mouth your past company, employers are liable to believe that you will do the same thing to them.

4. I have a great deal of experience.
This is your chance to shine. Highlight any previous job duties that relate directly to your new job. If it is a management position, state every time that you were responsible for the supervision, training and development of other employees. Discuss your motivational techniques and specific examples of how you increased productivity. Feel free to list any training classes or seminars that you have attended.

5. I am a team player.
Do you remember when you were young and your teacher wanted to know if you could work well with others? Well the job market is no different! Companies are looking for employees that are cooperative and get along well with other employees. Mentioning that you are a team player lets your prospective employer know that you can flourish in group situations. Employers are looking for workers that can be productive with limited supervision and have the ability to work well with others.

6. I am seeking to become an expert in my field.
Employers love applicants that are increasing their knowledge base to make themselves the best employees possible. Stating that you are aiming to become an expert causes employers to view you as an asset and not a liability. You are a resource that other employees can learn from.

This is also a subtle way of illustrating that you have an attitude of excellence. You are aiming to be the best at what you do! This will let employers know that you are not just a fly-by-night employee, but in it for the long run.

7. I am highly motivated.
A motivated employee is a productive employee. Talk about how your high level of motivation has led you to accomplish many things. If you are a meticulous worker, discuss your organizational skills and attention to detail. Companies are always looking for dependable employees that they can count upon.

The Bottom Line
Remember that a job interview is an opportunity to sell yourself to a prospective employer. Be sure to slip in the right phrases to give you the best chance possible of securing that cushy corner office on the ninth floor.