1.17.11

MLK Day. Made Beef with Broccoli for lunch tomorrow. Kickboxing class with new moves.

1.16.11

Date night with the wifey at Claret (local wine place in Sunnyside which we love!).

1.15.11

Gym-Breakfast-Movies-Church. "Ordinary situations doing extra-ordinary things... - heard from homily"

1.14.11

Quite happy with the results of the meeting in Brooklyn earlier in the day. A quick run at the gym with the wifey before dinner. Ending the night with a video conference chat with family in Manila while they prepare for Charlene's wedding. Best wishes Len, wished we were there, praying for God's blessing!

1.13.11

Can't help but feel excited that I'm going back to "school".

1.12.11

We woke up to this...

1.11.11

A quiet day at work. Times Square today again! The #1 Train towards home. Waiting for the snow blizzard while watching a movie with the wifey.

1.10.11

Client asks for un-retouched photos while looking at the un-retouched photos... :-)

1.9.11

Today, Mare was inspired to try something new... empanadas. So after morning mass, an afternoon movie and a trip to the groceries, she went on and made her first empanadas. It was great!

1.8.11

Breakfast of eggs and biscuit. Gym. Spicy Indian food for dinner. Billiards. Drinks at Jen's. Now watching Despicable Me for the Nth time.

1.7.11

TGIF. Mare did a great job on these home-made burgers for dinner.

1.6.11

To live in one the greatest cities on Earth and get paid to take pictures - PRICELESS!

1.5.11

Got out of the office for a few errands and got to see the New Year's Ball up close.

1.4.11

7:45 AM Queens to Manhattan to Brooklyn to Manhattan to Queens 10:00 PM. Computer Setup. Conference Calls. Scholarship to HITECH Program. 3-Hour Meeting. Surrounding yourself with great people!

1.3.11

First day back at work. Long day at CityOutdoor. Missed kick-boxing class. Regular Monday night dinner at Foxy's.

1.2.11

Epiphany Mass. Sunday Breakfast. Laundry. Movies. Gym. PJ time!

1.1.11

Dick Clark's Times Square Ball Drop. New Year's Celebration via Skype. Mare' 29th Birthday. Birthday Donut Cake. Wii Party. Walking under the train station at Queens Boulevard. Sidetracks. Two shots of tequila. A great start of the new year!

Year End Musings

I've always enjoyed Math growing up. It's logical, straightforward and bounded. There's a starting point and an ending point. It's something I like about a year as well, we start on January 1st and always ends on December 31st! It's time frame allows us to create a pause and re-assess our journey in life.

During the homily of the feast of the Holy Family last Sunday, the Deacon reminded me and made me realize of how important the following things are: 1. Family, 2. Prayer Life, 3. Taking Action and 4. Not Worrying/Not Stressing.

Family

Growing up, I've always put family first even if it means putting myself last. I've given even when I have nothing left. This year, I've realized that a family is more than who you sacrifice for but also who sacrifices for you. They share with your blessings as well as with your disappointments. Through thick and through thin. I love my big crazy family.

This year, I started my own branch on the family tree. When I married Mare, we knew that it was not just a commitment to each other but also to the family. We have learned to explore and experience the Chinese-Filipino-Italian-Polish-American cultures of our families. Each day, we feel blessed to be part of all of this.

Prayer Life

Living in NYC gives you that excuse of "hustle and bustle of city living" but it should never be an excuse to forgo your faith. I can honestly say that my faith grew stronger when I moved almost 10 years ago here in the city. This year, my prayer life was focused on married life. Mare and I have been very active with our faith journey. We discuss homilies over coffee after church. We made sure that our wedding was not just about the party but a sacrament witnessed in Christ by our families.

This coming year, I am praying for a more "deliberate" action within me to increase time exploring my faith and listening to the words of God.

Taking Action

We can pray all we want but God needs us to put things into action. We dream of big things in life but we stay so comfortable doing what we are doing that we become paralyzed of our own in-actions. The act of Joseph taking Mary and Jesus to Egypt has become a vivid scene in my mind about taking action. And so this be my guide in taking action in 2011.

No Worries and No Stress

Ask my friends, they'll tell you that I am a planner. From simple college thesis, to trips to Vegas and wedding preparations, I'll have a binder that will put some Executive Planners to shame. It has helped me in a lot of ways while sometimes putting me on an extreme.

Every year, I dread Christmas shopping. I worry and stress over what the receiver will think about the gift or worse, what they'll think of me as the giver. However, this Christmas, I attended the my wife's maternal side Christmas eve gathering. It struck me that everybody got gifts they needed/wanted but was not the focus of the night. Everybody was focused on everybody else that was there... on how they have been, what their plans for next year or if they are having enough pierogis/fried fish. It was about the gathering of people and not of gifts. No worries, no stresses.

I might have just flushed out these thoughts in my head without rhyme or reason but these are the thoughts that made my year end on a great state of being.

I’ll be damned. I’m a man…

Read on this link... I’ll be damned. I’m a man…

For the past few weeks, I'd come home and tell my wife, "I can't believe that I'm 30!".

Ever since the wedding (about 3 months ago), it feels like a stamp of approval was handed to me and told me that you are now mature, older, wiser... a man.

In my line of work, especially when I started in 2001, it was pretty difficult to taken seriously. First impression would be, "Where did they get this college intern to do this kind of work?" Even now, as I manage trainers who are "older" than me, I get the same response when I go sit in and review their seminars.

In two months, I would complete my nine years of working where I am. I've grown from, "The young kid who'd take on any assignment we give him, so send him to do training in Buffalo for 6 weeks without advance notice." to "The one in charge of training and discuss with him the client's needs and see what he recommends."

I pray that I as I get more "responsibilities" that I still keep that young optimistic attitude that I had when I started my first class in December 2001.

20100904 - Hoboken

What Works: A Day of Rest - Busted Halo

What Works: A Day of Rest - Busted Halo

Countdown...

5 days to go until my Philippine vacation after almost 2 years.

We have been looking forward to this vacation for a couple of reasons: 1. attending and being part of a good friends' wedding (Arman & Alnie) in Boracay! 2. a break from winter snow and 3. a breather from all the hustle and bustle of work and the city. On a plus note, we get to see family again... and I heard that relatives from Europe will be in town when we get there, so the bigger the family to see!

54 days until I turn the 30!

I can't believe that I am 30. I don't feel like 30. I don't think I look 30 (I am assuming!). When I was a kid, 30 was like ancient, wise, knows everything, stable, etc... now, I'm re-thinking my 30's stereotype. But then my turning 30 will bring in something new.... marriage.

146 days until I turn a new chapter in my life: marriage.

A friend once told me, "When did we get old enough to be talking (and getting into) marriage!" It was just like last year that our idea of a Saturday party was ice skating, pizza and gallons of soda, now its about dinners, wine and cheese!

I am looking forward to these dates. With family and friends along the journey, it will be a blast!

PS: Additional count down days:

12 days until Arman-Alnie's wedding.

19 days until my sister Jennifer-Horacio's Manila ceremony.

33 days until Carlo-Eunice's wedding.

61 days until my future sister-in-law's Angela-Basil's wedding.

159 days until Marianne-Joe's Wedding.

Christmas Eve Thoughts

Noche Buena translated as good night and refers to the Christmas Eve dinner usually celebrated in Spain, Philippines and Cuba. For us Filipinos, its a celebration not only of Christ's birthday (we usually have this dinner after the Vigil Mass) but also the celebration of family.

It is really exciting that I get to spend Christmas twice every year. With family in the Philippines celebrating it 12 hours ahead, I get my Christmas greetings just before noon here in the US and on midnight I relieve that moment.

This year would be a little bit different though. Jen is hosting her first Christmas as a wife to Horacio and I have to plan my "trip" to her house since I live far, far away (like 6 blocks away). Mare and I decided to celebrate Christmas this year with each other's families as our last year of being "single". Next year, here comes the questions, "your family or mine?" With the options of celebrating it in Ohio, New York and the Philippines... we just might find ourselves in Switzerland.

Can't wait for the next Christmas!

It's Starting to Smell Like Christmas

My Sister Gets Married

The Journey of Our Lives have been in hiatus for a long time. And for good reasons. Jen is getting married today!!

As another journey unfolds, her two other sisters and I wishes her the best and prays with confidence that God will watch over and bless her with a happy and long marriage.

We will always be here though...as she changes her last name to Hernandez, she'll still be the Jennifer we have always loved and will continue to love.

My God-daughter is a Published Artist!

From her mom:
"A few months ago, Ally asked me to send one of her princess drawings to her favorite Disney Princess Magazine, and so the "stage mom" willingly complied. Last Sunday, she saw a magazine rack in the Mercury Drugstore in Glorietta and quickly grabbed the November issue of the Magazine. As soon as we got our table at Friday's for dinner, she opened the magazine and was very delighted to see that her "Princess Aurora" drawing landed as runner-up in the Best Drawing category! "Mama, there's my drawing!".... of course, the stage mom (and dad) are soooo proud =)"

Proud of you Ally!

Oh My God

Making a Difference

It's Been Awhile

As I walk into my doctor’s office two day ago (last visit at that particular office was in 2007), the medical assistant asks me, “Has anything changed?” My initial response was, “Nothing.” After a few minutes sitting down, I came back up to her fished out my new insurance card and wrote down my new address.

And of course with all medical appointments, you wait and wait. Me waiting, means thinking of various stuff. And one thing that lingered was, “Whew, a lot have changed!”

Just recently, I moved in to my new apartment. A quaint space enough for me (and my fiancée when she moves in next year [more to that later]). It is starting to come together and everyday I get more and more attached to the place. I have been living quite independently ever since college. However, this time the lease just has my name on it, even my mailbox. This living independently has increased responsibility (bills, bills, bills) but also a sense of accomplishment.

If moving apartments is a big thing for most people, think about getting engaged. After almost 2 years of dating, I proposed to Marianne on May 31, 2009. Now, wedding plans are rolling. Colors, church, reception hall, and all the works. But before that, 5 weddings are scheduled ahead of us, starting with her cousin, 11/7 in Ohio and my sister, 11/14 in New York. For us, see you in Charlotte, NC, July 10, 2010!

Work is also one thing that experienced a lot of changes. Moving to a new office. Closing of a department. Moving to a new department. New programs. New protocols. And as resilient as ever, we roll with the punches.

I’m excited about these changes and all the new things ahead of me. I’ll keep you posted.

To Be Human

For the past few days, I have been very moody. I've always tried not to displace this crankiness (sorry Mom!) when this happens. And it is tough.

Sometimes we need to allow ourselves to be human (see page 160 of My Life with the Saints, James Martin, SJ). We get irritable and we have to learn how to deal with it and face the consequences when we don't control these feelings.

"I really pray for that kind of acceptance of myself. And also for the ability to be myself, not always putting on a brave face before everyone, particularly when I am depressed, worried, confused, etc. " - James Martin, SJ

Jonathan L. Ong
sent via mobile device

Fall In Love

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything."

- Pedro Arrupe, SJ

*Lifted from "My Life with the Saints" by James Martin, SJ
Jonathan L. Ong
sent via mobile device

YouTube Clip - Very Touching

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Going into confirmation as an adult brings deeper joy and understanding to the faith and the challenges that it brings especially as a Catholic young adult. I ask for prayers as I get confirmed tomorrow, 5/31/2008 at the 10:30AM Mass at St. Sebastian Church in Woodside.

Above plaque which highlights the gifts of the Holy Spirit was given to me by Mare as a confirmation gift. Thanks.

Things I Discovered in 2008

A little bit of retrospection before the New Year unfolds. Some mundane, some amusing, some totally personal.
1, I can almost eat anything except soy pepperoni. Growing up, vegetables and I were not really good buddies. But this year, I come to realize that I'll eat okra, eggplants even ampalaya (bitter melon). Balut anyone?

2. I can learn a new sport / hobby. I have been playing on a Monday night pool league at the Lower East Side. Since high school and college, my only pool technique employed was to strike the balls as hard as I could and hope to make a pocket. Now, I have learned that to win a game takes time and sometimes a soft touch. Last season, I won 3 games. This season I have won 2.

3. That I have been pronouncing "relocate" wrong. I have been using the short e as in pet instead of the long e as in bee.

4. I had very bad taste in clothes. As Marianne sorts through my over flowing closet, we came across shirts (that I actually wore to work at some point!) that begs to ask the question, "Was I drunk when I bought it (and wore it to work)?"

5. I discovered that my faith is my own. I didn't need to have a teacher tell me to go to church during holy days of obligations nor have a grandmother (which I thank her dearly for doing it) force me to go to Sunday mass.

6. That life is full of surprises if you just take that plunge without hesitation. Love you my ube.

7. That Google Maps can be wrong. This I found out with Marianne, Angela, Basil and Petey during our Las Vegas to Grand Canyon drive, instead of the South Rim destination, Google Maps pointed us at the North Rim. Took us almost 8 hours instead of the 3.5 hours. Next time use a GPS.

8. I am really a light weight. I can drink 2 glasses of wine or maybe around 3 bottles of beers in one night, after that I wouldn't know what will happen. I think I can drink more if I space it out to a bottle every 45 minutes with food, I mean I did drink at Moose's Bar back in 2005 from 10PM to 4AM with my Vegas cousins, they just had to feed me good food while we were at it.

9. I am a pack rat. I have been in denial for the past few years. This year, I am now a self-confessed pack rat which I aim to remedy ASAP. This will start with digital files on two hard drives that I have not access in months to a box full of cables that I have kept from old gadgets hoping that one day they'll find some use.

10. That I am green. I refuse plastic bags in stores. I started (without it being official) of converting files at the office into PDF format for archiving. I even bring my own bag to the groceries now.

Christmas in Woodside

New Office

Over the past weeks, I was busy moving offices and transitioning to my new position at another Department. One of the good things about moving offices is that you get to clean out and purge files and things that you just simply accumulated over the years. I still have files and thing-a-majigs lying around until I find them a spot in the new digs. It's a small office but gives me just enough privacy and a good view of downtown NY.

My clean desk (based on my standards!)

View from my window. Yes, I know, Doritos are not meant to be filed but eaten.

View of downtown NY.

Philosophy Works

The past few months, I feel that my brain is not being utilized to the fullest. Mundane tasks of filing and scanning documents. Practical Philosophy hopefully will stimulate those stagnant neurons.

Platos, here I go!

Jonathan L. Ong
sent via mobile device

Moving Forward

Growing up, the start of the new school year signals a new beginning in my academic life. Every start of the year I would always tell myself that this year I'm going to study harder, focus more on Math, or even try out for new things outside of the academic realm.

Now that I am older and out of school, it's hard to get that permission to start anew. However, as September rolls along it reminded me on how we should think of new chapters to face in life.

I am working on new journeys to take and I ask for everyone's prayer and support.
Jonathan L. Ong
sent via mobile device

Celebrity Sighting

After dinner at Django, we made our way to the subway. Marianne points out, why is it that some event happens in New York and we don't know about it while gazing over a restaurant front flooded with lights. With my trusty old camera, we made our way to the lights and guess who we found, Andy Roddick.

And Who Would Have Thought....

...I won my match last night!! WHOOO HOOO!! (3 games in a row!!)

Just Like Funnel Cake

Last night over dinner at a friend's house in Astoria, he asked how he can tell someone that he just don't like that person.

It's a strong statement especially coming from him. But another friend has put it in a good perspective. You ask yourself the question, what would the consequence be with this action? What do you expect out of this confrontation?

She ended her short rhetoric with, maybe instead of 'not' liking that person you try to always look at the positives. Maybe he is devout to his faith. Maybe he is genuinely kind. Maybe he is outgoing.

Just like funnel cake, we know it's full of sugar and bad cholesterol, but if we just look at its great factors, it just makes a day in the beach better!

Jonathan L. Ong
sent via mobile device

Busted Halo Retreats: The Seeker's Retreat

Blah Day

Today is a blah day... don't know what;s bugging me... don't know what I should be thinking... it could be work related (since we are closing down our department effective tomorrow!)... but don't worry... I still got a job... it could be the stress of being socially active... as for now, I need to just want this feeling to go away...

I need some quiet time... maybe all I need is an ice cream now and quiet time in church...

Open 24 Hours

I have been reviewing my calendar for the past few months, mostly its work stuff that I document. I realized that I have not written down most of my other happenings that it took place, e.g. Dinner with friends, movie nights at home while vegging out... You know, more important stuff.

I say this because life is not your 9 to 5 work, its a 24-hour on going cycle that will hopefully with God's presence bring you closer to that ultimate goal. Sometimes we stress too much about work after work hours that it consumes you and eventually makes you sick.

I am happy that I would get the chance to go on a retreat next weekend and be able to set time for myself. We all need these kind of retreats once in a while, be it an hour of coffee time with yourself or a weekend in the woods.

Btw, if you are interested on this coming retreat, be sure to sign up fast. It's just $50! It is more expensive to stay home with this price! Visit www.bigprojects.org/bh for a glimps of what is to come.




Jonathan L. Ong
sent via mobile device

Sunday Around NY

Mare and I decided to have sunday to ourselves. After all, we have been pulled in all directions for the past few weeks.



After church in Queens, we headed to Manhattan for a street fair below Houston Street. Before then, we have already decided that we were going to enjoy ourselves, and since Mare is paying, we tasted food at the fair to our tummy's content. Chicken gyro, Italian sausage, chocolate covered marshmallows and fruit cups. After traversing the entire fair we decided to take the 6 train to Brooklyn for some shopping.



The shopping plan was thrown out the window when I saw the N Train connection. We then decided to make it a Coney Island afternoon. The boardwalk was packed as we made it towards the aquarium. It was small but had quite a few nice exhibits.



It was a long day. However, I had to make sure we ended our sunday with a nice dinner. Because exactly 7:30pm that day last year, we first introduced ourselves to each other at the retreat. We ended the night with a toast and with hopes and prayers for a more fun and exciting year ahead of us.

Jonathan L. Ong

sent via mobile device

Pool League

I recently became one of Parkside's Finest Pool League Team member.

Christina, who is in Mare's Tuesday night team, created a Monday division group for Parkside Lounge. This is the first time that Parkside is hosting its second team for the league.

We all know that I am not even close to a good pool player, but the team is very encouraging and have been coaching me along the way. From the basics of the game to the APA rules.

Right now, its baby steps for me. From learning to rack the balls properly, winning a lag and marking your pocket. Next step is to win atleast a round!

Jonathan L. Ong
sent via mobile device

Adventures Around the World

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement, from the two-week vacation in the Philippines, to the Las Vegas trip and everything in between. While waiting for pool night, I get a time for myself.

Since May, weekends have been held hostage by a barrage of "must attend" and "need to be there" events. The great San Francisco trip kicked off the series of fun and tiring weekends. Thanks to Arman and Alnie for being such gracious hosts. Really enjoyed the 8 mile bike across the bridge, I'll do it in a heart beat!

The following weekend saw a 10 hour drive to Ohio for Mare's cousin's wedding. It was a fun experience. I was able to attend a Byzantine Catholic Church service (which I found out later that I can't receive communion however, due to affiliation with the Shevatz (Mare's mom side), I was ok'ed). The drive was long but a fun one.

Since I made plans to go to Manila, I had to squeeze in the hike that I wanted to go to the following week. Mare and I went to the Katerskills Mountain for a day trip hike that included an exploration of the Howe Caverns. It was a nice relaxing activity, not to strenuous. And for the price that we paid for, it was a steal.

Two weeks in the Philippines... from Tagatay to Iloilo to Cebu back to Iloilo then to Davao then a day in Manila before coming back to crazy NY. It was fun being with family. The resorts were beautiful, the food was amazing but the best part of the trip was when we get stuck in traffic be stuck in a van with each other. Oh and before I forget, the fun time we had in the middle of typhoon Frank... 4 big adults, stuck in a small cramped hotel room with two twin beds. Do the math.

And of course, since the Philippine trip was something that I didn't plan in advance, I was not able to space out the next trip. The Las Vegas trip was scheduled back in March so there was no turning back. After 6 days back in NY, I found myself flying to another time zone this time with the Duca Siblings and Basil.

The 5 of us (Me, Mare, Angel, Petey and Basil [Ang's BF]) piled in a mini van and headed to our adventure. First stop was the Gallego household. It was the most relaxing pit stop ever. Tita Langging, Tito Pabby and Rock were very gracious hosts. Thanks for the room, the food and the guided tour! The Las Vegas Trip and Phil June 2008 trip deserves another entry.

Now that I am able to bring this all out, entries for the other events should be able to make it online soon.

New York

“There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born here, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size and its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter — the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is the New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something. […] Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness; natives give it solidity and continuity; but the settlers give it passion." E.B. White, Here is New York

Long Time No Hear...

... and no blog!

Yup.. it has been that long since my last entry. Over the past few months, technically since February, I've been on a non-stop, get-going, full-plate, scheduled pack days.

Right after a great vacation in the Philippines, I was swamped with work. The new program that I have been handling have been very time consuming from progress notes, job readiness, standardization of procdures etc. My first week back from the Philippines had me working late nights. In fact I was out every night of the week to market the program, to meet with student and finish up reports. Mixed into the work schedule is a healthy dose of social life from wine tasting to square dancing.

February Highlights:
Wedding, Pinas Vacation, Wine Tasting and weekend of southern cooking.

March was packed with starting a new cycle of the Jobs to Build On plus we had the start of the Gerontology Project. On top of that I had to do regular financial projects plus a Rehab program where I had to develop handouts and presentations.

March Highlights:
Day Off (just because), Belly Dancing (I watched not performed), International Easter Feast

April was the best month in terms of being busy. From flights to Charlotte which was Mare's surprise for me to work running me crazy to meet deadlines.

April Highlights:
Softball Kickoff, My Birthday, Charlotte Trip, Taxes

This month has not yet ended but have been very fruitful. From Mare moving to a new apartment to a San Francisco trip.

I'll post pictures later. For now, I shall see everybody soon with other plans lined up until September 2!!

Fw: Turning 28

In a few days this little old me will be turning 28. If you don't know me or if you think you don't know me anymore I suggest going back to 2007's entry on me turning 27.

I was in a state of contentment that I actually gave myself permission to enjoy my life. I did realize that for the past years of my life I have helped make lives of people around me better and that I needed to start living my own life on my own terms with God's grace. Within a few months into giving myself permission to enjoy life I was able to meet someone special. Someone who made me feel special. Someone who reminds me that sometimes it could be just about me.

Am I happy now? In certain aspects of my life it is a definite YES. But in some areas is a MAYBE.

Maybe this year instead of praying for peace of mind I could pray for understanding and patience. Understanding that other people see things differently and patience that it will take time for people to understand. I know deep inside that I am happy. I pray to God that people see how happy I am. Finally, to be 28 and happy. That was a long wait.

Btw: I get to go on a weekend trip down south for my birthday. Can't wait for Showmar's, Bojangels, authentic pulled pork and bbq. No one has bought me tickets for a vacation. This feels sweet.