To the lowest level!!!*

I am down. I am very sad. No, this has nothing to do with my current job. My sadness is a result of some things that have been going on in the world of football/soccer. In all the years that I've been a soccer fan, this is one of my lowest points. First, the French (my team) lost in their World Cup Championship Game against the Italians. I was sad, but it was okay because I don't really hate the Azzurri (Itlaian team). I really wanted Les Bleus (French team) to win, though. I was actually one of the few who were happy for the French's victory against the Brazilians in the Semi-Finals. Oh, and right now, I have nothing to say about Zidane's "grand exit." Bow.

And then, today, I went to the Net Center to check the news about the match-fixing scandal in Italian Football, where my favorite team, Juventus, is a part of. Indeed, the verdict is out. Juve and two other teams (Lazio and Fiorentina) are relegated to Serie B (Italy's Second Division), and Juve is stripped off their last two Italian championships. The news really moved me to tears. I just felt so bad. I've actually been dreading the news for two days already because, two days ago, I lost a very important memento that always reminded me of Juve. At the time, I prayed and prayed that losing that little thing wouldn't be a foreshadowing or a bad omen. It turned out that it was. The only thing I am thankful about is that, at least, Juve is relegated only to Serie B. It could've been worse. They could've been relegated to the Third Division or even lower. Hay!

(Ron, if you're reading this... Sad, 'no? I did pray for the team, too.)

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Personal Vision and Mission

Okay, I don't want to end this entry feeling sad so I tried to think of something else that I could write about. I remembered that I have this 6-year-old "Personal Vision and Mission" in my bag. I actually found this paper three nights ago as I was rummaging through my old papers. I wanted to show it to my students as a sample for our next writing activity. And, I decided to share it in my blog as well just so I wouldn't be too sad as I leave later. Hehehe:)

I actually wrote this during our Pre-Departure Training for SSEAYP six years ago. I remember we were asked to write, in about 15 minutes, our personal vision-mission and how we'd be five years from that time. Here is what I wrote:

My Personal Vision-Mission**

As a human being created by the Almighty, I am not perfect for only God is perfect. To compensate for my imperfections, I will give my best in all things. I will strive to be the best of whatever I can be. I believe in the values of a good and principled person, thus I will always stick to my good values, principles and beliefs. But, I will let go of beliefs that may be negative for they may hinder me from real learning and understanding. I will try my best to be contented with whatever I have for only then can I truly be happy. I will share what I have (knowledge, wealth, etc.) with my people and hope to be of help in makling the future better and brighter. Success, contentment, service to other people and for the future, and my belief in, submission to, and praise of God will complete my very being.

In 2005, I shall have started to do what I can to live the life that I dream of having.

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Hehehe:) Well, look at that. I can say that up until this day, my personal vision-mission hasn't really changed much save for some additional things and specifics. The year 2005 has come and gone and I ask myself now: "Have I started to do what I can to live the life I dream of having?" Yes, I have. In fact, I think I can say that from the moment I wrote that back in 2000, I started on my way to the life I dream of having.

(Tita Pie, do you remember this activity?)

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* As opposed to the popular expression in the Philippines today, "to the highest level!"
** Not edited; copied as written in August 2000.