Memoirs Q9: Can you share a Significant Challenge you faced, and how you overcame it?

I can share two - both work related. Both while I was with I/ACT (the Institute of Advanced Computer Technology). These happend sometime early to mid-Nineties. The first one was when I was assigned to teach in the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as part of the Computer Training group. My boss approached me one day to ask if I still know my Systems Analysis training from my I/ACT days as a student. I said vaguely... but I could refresh myself. She said I could sit in some night courses to refresh myself in Makati. Reason, she wa thinking of sending me as part of a two-person team to teach staff from the National Bank of Commerce, in Tanzania.

Apparently, I was noticed when I volunteered to teach weekend classes aside form my ADB assignment. This showed initiative, which she liked. Hence sshe thought of me for this project. I would be flying to Tanzania and stay for about a month. Both to teach and assist in the courses. I asked if there was a training manual I could use, and without batting an eyelash, she said yes. I would have to bring the manuals and transparencies (those acetates can really be heavy).

The challenge was that when I was already in Tanzania - at Dar Es Salaaam, I realized that he manuals were less helpful than I jhoped for. I ended up studying at roughly 1am, after a few hours of sleep, and thinking, wondering, connecting what I read, with what I knew about businesses, and the IT world. At times, I was just a day ahead of my students. Boy, was that challenging. To make matters worse, telecommuncation from Dar Es Salaam to Manila was not that efficient, and it was exxpensive too. So I couldn't ask for help for people back home to help explain cetain concepts to me.

Bottom line, I was able to conenct things in a practical way, and this was how I presented the ideas to my students. I didn't know it yet, but I apparently was using a prefered manner for knowledge transfer by connecting the ideas to practical applications. So, yey me!

Challenge number two.

The comapny underwent new management, and I stayed on to help the new managers run the business side of Training. I was now the boss in the first scenario. Unfortunately, there woudl be some decisions by the owners that would not be easy to sell. One particular case was with our Hardware training line up of business. This was a series of three classes - one week each. Highly technical. It was also run by a part-timer, J H. I hide the identity to keep this person safe, but I'm sure people working back then with me, will know who it is I'm reffering to.

The prblem started when managment decided on a price increase - naturally, the students taking up the first module saw the price increase and complained. Unfortunately, Jun did not help placate them, and even sided with them. Though they had valid reasons, Jun's style fanned the flames of anger and frustration of the class - then turned the problem to Marketing, who could not control the angry class. So they asked my help.

I already saw that this was a situation mishandled by the instructor, and Marketing was not able to control. They simply had no say in the price increase. So my first act was to remind everyone in the room not to shoot the messenger. I listened to their concerns (liek i said, they were legitimate ones) and promised to raise the issues with the new owners. I left feeling frustrated, and sought the owner - explained the reasons, and asked they consider keeping the price back to it's original one for the current students - so long as they would continue to the next scheduled classes.

To me it was simple - keep the prices as it was and have a guaranteed two more weeks of classes, or possibly lose these two due ot disgruntled students. Luckily, Management agreed, and I went back to the class to give htem the good news. I received a room full of applause, and that sort of assuaged my stress earlier. So... great work, me. I listened to the customers, showed my concern, said I would talk on their behalf - though no promises were made. Then I got to present their concerns to Management, and got the exemption to the price increase for hte current class... no thanks to the instructor, who washed his hands form the problem.

Memoirs Q8: What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

My first job was as a developer in EESSCOM - I forget the aronym, but it was a PC assembly company that sort of repackaged, painted, then sold the PCs. I was hired as part of the software developemnt team, but also became part of the after sales service team. Part of the package back then was for every PC sold, there would be a free training in some software. These were DOS, Wordstar, Harvard Graphics and maybe even Lotus 123... just enough to make the buyer able to use the PC they bought.

What did I learn? FOr starters, that the business wasn't totally honest with what they sold. THey had two lines of PCs - one more expensive thatn the other - but the inner workings were all the same? The difference? The other was a dark gray colored casing (all painted internally, of course), so what the customer was paying for was just paint for the more expensive line. I also learned the need to test the PCs after, by keeping them on overnight - complete with monitors looping certain displays - their version of a hardware stress test.

I learned that if you were not in sales, you were not important in tihs company. I even participated in a 'fixed' bidding for a province, wehre we were supposed to represent different companies bidding for a hardware sale to the province. i was given the task fo representing one company (we were all formone company though, and I believe the Governor knew this). Man... I didn't enjoy that.

Given the chance, I got out to seek better employment.

Memoirs Q7: Were there any pivotal moments in your life that altered your path?

I will need to reflect on this a bit. Will update when I think of such things.

Okay. It really depends on what we mean by pivotal moments here. A time when I had a bad moment that made me realize I should be better than this? Sure, it happened. When I was in Grade School I got away with shoplifting - it became easy for me - unitl I got caught. Boy was that a humiliating moment for me. If I could run away, I would have. Anyway, I stopped doing it because it wasn't worht the agravation to me and my parents.

Another pivotal moment? Let's see... I can't really say. Maybe I can recally bad moments. As for good moments, well... were they life altering? The forst time I held my son; Bryce, in my arms - I was present in the delivery room - I remember the doctors were even asking if I was feeling woozy. Maybe some husbands fainted in the middle of it all? I don't know. But I flet a life moment change - form that moment forth, I was officially a father... responsible for the life of a helpless child. I did not get the same feeling with my daughter; Bernice, though, because I wasn't allowed to enter - as Barbie wasn;t the only pregnant patient around that time.

Did I get other epiphanies along the way? Like the start of this entry, I'll just update it as I recall something really important.

Memoirs Q6: How did your Education shape your Worldview?

In Gradeschool,I went to La Salle Greenhills. How did this shape me? For starters, I grew up in a more often English speaking environment, so I became a fluent speaker - as the years went by, my vocabulary increased. We even had speech classes, and a laboratory where we would record ourselves and listen and our teacher would comment or correct our pronunciation. Hence I need not worry about Grammar police when writing or speaking to others. My Education in this continues to be honed and sharpened by my joining and being active in Toastmasters.

In High School, I took my status as a La Salle student for granted. I did not see why others saw it as an asset in society. Guess that was because I was exposed to the environment all the time - I've seen what was good, and bad, and how I did not put this matter on a pedestal as others seem to take it as. It really did not get me to win dates with the girls... though that was also because I was not in any position to use it.

In College, I experienced a different world. Suddenly we wer co-ed, and I had friends taking differnt courses. I was taking Commerce - with an initial focus on Marketing, but I was seemingly immersed in something alien to me. Marketing needed someone who could talk, sell, convince others to buy - that wasn't me. I was more an introvert. Later I switched to Finance. Better... though I really did not like worksheets, and journals, and just appreciated spreadsheets better because they allowed for quick computations. But really, I wasn't too keen on learning the ropes about business, and I just graduated out of sheer determination. But boy, did I feel like a fish out of water. So how did this shape me? I dunno... it was a confusing time in my life - lucky for me I had friends.

Beyond College, I took a comprehensive Computer course in the Institute of Advanced Computer Technology - this was where I learned computers, programming in BASIC, a but of COBOL (too clunky for me, and I did not finish it within the given timeframe) and Systems Analysis - which I loved. I absorbed the concepts, the PERT chart, the Critical Path, I liked planning, and problem solving. This, I could do. So yeah, I got technical.

In my rather first job, I was a programmer - but I was also introduced to the Junior Chambers, wehre I learned about leadership, and thinking of projects with zero budget - needing to source these. The club taught me politics - which I did not like, and gave me a chance to be a trainer, when I took the training for trainers program. This gave me the needed skillset that I would be using for decades.

So how did all these shape me? For starters, it helped me realize more about people skills - and in so doing, become less an introvert, and more an ambivert. It helped me communicate, understand and even teach. Because I had great comprehension of English, I enjoyed reading books from a varied of genre - SciFi, Fantasy, Adventure... not much on Horror or Love Stories. Epics... depends. I got to Finish Gone With The Wind, Frank Herbert's Dune saga (all six original books), Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, even soemthing seeming as technical as the Tom Clancy books. I have a small library and I continue to add to it - though slowly nowadays... prefering audio books these days, or digital copies. Space became a concern, so I even have some disassembled book shelves. Just waiting to find the proper location for them, and my books.

So... I'm a searcher for knowledge, a wanderer for advanture, but I am also tethered to reality, can understand fianncials, can understand computers and the IT industry, and have built my comunication skills. I can lead when the need arises, I have a conscience and heart. I value integity, because I know how fallible we can be. I know I can be flawed - but despite this, I strive to be better.

Memoirs Q5: What Values were most emphasized in your upbringing?

We weren't given values straight forward like. No posters, or kumbaya chantings, nor were there oaths uttered. Not really. So the values instilled were mostly learned through others' actions (or non-actions).

We start with Respect - of elders, of other people, of family. I guess that would have been ingrained. This later extended to realizing that respecting otehrs with what we say or do to them - hence the Golden Rule of 'Do unto others what you want done to you' - respect by calling people by their name (assuming we can rememebr their name - but even here, there is a matter of respect by trying to make the effort to remember their names. Nowadays, it is alos respect of otehrs' feelings, life choices, beliefs. Seeing others as people - as equals in society's eyes. Having an open mind about things, and others. Respect was ingrained in us early on - and it serves me well when I practice it on others in life.

Partnering this would be something that is likewise ingrained - though admitedly, something I at times forget to do. Responsibility, Knowing what you ar responsible for, and knowing how this may affect others if you do, or do not enact this practice.

Then there's valueing truth, or integrity. Being consistent with what you do, and say, and making sure that these are based on truthful knowledge. No pandering of falsehood. This doesn't mean I'm a saint... far from it. But when I am in front of others - what they see is what they get. No pretentions, no deceptions. If I were to foster trust in others, I need to show them that I am dependable, and truthful.

As a boy scout, we had these laws that we uphold. Turstowrthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. These were the values we expect to follow - and I was in he scouting movement for the better part of my Grade School and High School. I'm surprise I remember them.

I also got some of my values from comics, books, and maybe even TV shows and movies. The concept of heroism - of doing good. Persevering. The Hardy Boys gave me a sense of advanture - a love for mystery and problem solving. It also exposed me to the concepts of friendships, family, and community.

I'm sure they could be others. But these were my early values - most of which I still practice to this day. They form my moral compass.

Memoirs Q4: What are some of your Most Cherished Childhood Traditions?

The automatic response here would be Christmas gatherings. We ould - back in the days, make sure we were together for Christmas. At the least, as a family. But since our family could not get together for Chirstmas, we'd spend the eve preparing for Christmas - even at times going to midnight mass, so when we got home in time for the midnight hour, we'd eat of our Chirstmas feast. This would usually have ham, fruit salad, possibly pasta, and ube halaya which I would have been responsible for making.

Then on Chirstmas day, it would a trip with my dad to our Lola's place, or a relative's where everyone else would be gathered together. to continue the Christmas celebration with my dad's side of the family.

But the nice thing about Christmas, which is why it was my favorite tradition, was the carols that would permeate the airwaves in radios and malls - okay, maybe not so much the malls - except for COD and it's displays. The setting up the tree, and at an early age, I wanted to help set it up, so my mom taught me how to fix the lights before they went up the tree. That was my role. So when the tree went up for all to admire, I could say I helped via making sure the lights were all working and blinking. Oh yeah, not forget the presents. As kids we looked forward to presents, and were either happy with what we got, or disappointed.

Because of all that, the other traditions could not hold a candle to Christmas.

Holy week, for example taught us about Christ's sufferings. But as a kid, a;; I rememebr were that TV and radios would go silent. We would have to fast from a meal - taking on just bread and water, if needed. Plus abstaining from meat- at least until Easter Sunday. Sunday would be celebrating again - sometimes with an egg hunt in the gardens, later... these eggs would be turned into chocolate eggs - as opposed to the hard boiled eggs (I mean, one can eat only so much hard boiled eggs - but chocolates? No such limits. And because things were kinda boring for a few days, Easter wasn't as fun to look forward to.

Oone tradition my dad instilled in me was the love for reading books - I would read a book about the Hardy Boys, and once this was finished, he'd offer to get me another one. I later transferred this to my kids... a trip to the bookstore at around payday, and they could choose any book in the bookstore for me to buy for them. In my dad's case, it was coincidental perhaps... in mine, it was deliberate as I wanted my kids to enjoy reading.

Memoirs Q3: Who had the most significant influence on your life during your formative years?

I'd have to go with my mom. She was the family's pillar She may not have been perfect - and I did share that she could be strict and inflexible... with a my way or the highway kid of mindset. Still she taught me all these things - either as a way to emulate - or vow not to do to others. Either way, I formed my moral compass by these terms.

I learned to be good to others. Not to take advantage of others. To respect others. To keep one's promise, or word. To have a sense of honor - and do unto others... yes, even a healty respect for Religion. But as I said, I also learned a few things like being diplomatic about things, specially when my dad asked about my mom, and my mom asekd about my dad. I knew that saying the wrong thing would fan flames - so i carefully crafted my messages.

Mom also caried her sense of honor too high at times. She owuld quit a job when slighted - not bothering to fight back - thus losing out on others who wanted to ease her out. That would be a mistake, as her family suffered. I guess, she wasn't practical and when she decided... come hell of high water, she'd stick to it. I learned to be flexible and measure all the outcomes before making my final decision. I knew when ego needed to step back. When silence was golden, and what to do - and not do in times of conflict... mostly by dealing with my mom. So yeah, she was a great influence... but not in all the ways she might have wanted.

Memoirs Q2: How would you describe your family dynamics growing up?

Hookay... when I read this question last night, I just had to pause. I felt I was not in the right mind to answer it when I'm tired. I needed to reflect on this, as it would not be a 'happy' nor an 'ideal' story. No there are no deep dark secrets - but it won't be an ideal one either. So here goes...

My family life - growing up, wasn't an ideal one - we would be reffered to later on as a broken family. My mom left my dad while he was gone - and just brought us kids, and our grandma our of the house in San Juan (the H. Lozada one) and we just transferred to a place in Mandaluyong Capitol. The reason and story is fuzzy to me - oh there were depositions made about it when they went through a Church Annulment proceeding, but back then, my mom did not want us to read her statement because we'd lose respect for my dad> I guess she was shielding us from some painful truths. But that would happen much later.

As I said, we left. From my dad's viewpoint we abandoned him and tihs put him on a low point in life where he just wanted to srink and carousse with friends nightly - that is until Lola Nena, his mom, got him to move into her place. There were possibly several reasons for this separation - one of them was when my dad went home and beat me up with a metal hanger, accusing me of taking his wallet. I may have been a relatively naughty kid - no saint, but I did not do that. Still, I got black and blue welts - my mom nearly shot my dad for it. My Lola Nena asked to care for me, and I ended up recovering at her place for weeks. I guess you could even say all this made for a possibly nice TV drama.

But there we were - a broken family. My mom and dad were not on speaking terms, but she, and Lola Ruby had to work expenses through with the rented house. Me? Well what could I do? I will possibly admit I was afraid of my dad after that beat up incident. To this day, I try to stay independent of him. I rarely ask for his help. My sister, Bing bing, who was very close to him - as in she would sneak into his room whenever he got home back then - she was the most affected - possibly with a sense of abandonment as well. Then she felt hope when he invited her to spend some time with him in Malaysia, my other sister, Tizza - the youngest, was close to Lola Ruby, so she did not feel lost, or abandoned. She went with Bing bing to Malaysia. I had gone ahead of them and back - a chance for me to stay with him some time - and he brought me to a doctor to inquire why I wasn't growing up much - and I had just flunked out of College back then, so as far as he was concerned, I was drifting around.

That drifting was most likely because I did not have the needed support that a whole family would have experienced. I entered a course i really had no interest in -I was thinking Medicine... my Grandpa convinced me to take Commerce instead. There was no Syyap in medicine, he said... and I got swayed. Anyway, back to Malaysia, I kinda enjoyeying there... different culture, food was great, and sleeping in a flat - I experienced my dad's life as a top executive for SC Johnson on a reginal scale. I saw how friendly he was to people - with a dash of naughtiness as well. I statred seeing him as a person.

From High School to College, I wasn't the athletic type - I was bullied at times in Grade school. No familes to help me in campus. I had to fend for myself - I had a handful of friends, and we shared similar hobbies - comics being one, and a pleasure to play tag, but with a twist - the 'it' person would be a Vampire, and when you are tagged by a 'bite mark' on the neck (using our hands to mimic the sinking of teeth) - well, now there'd be two of you. Happy times in those brief times in school.

From Mandaluyong, we moved Pasig Kapitolyo, then to Life Homes in Pasig - this was where I got to meet some friends in the neighborhood, and spent my High School years meeting some girls too. We stayed until my College days arrived, then we moved to Cubao, near the Mariposa area. I had a few friends this time, outside of school and in school. My gaming group - SAGA, and my SA barkada. Needless to say, this latter group had me spending time away from home, and not concentrating on studies, until I got too many accumulated failure units, and had to leave, and transfet to the College of Career Development (later called College of Saint Benilde), which was night school.

But back home it was always me being the eldest helping out with house chores. We would have Sundays reserved with my dad - and he would bring us to Lola Nena's place - where I would spend time with my cousins. THere would be times I would even have summer classes with them, liek Karate and Swimming - but that did not last, and I was the quiet, distant cousin. This was because I was never with them long enough to get to know them completely and form bonds of freindships. There would be a slight awkwardness, I guess - having my dad and mom's situation as a non-spoken topic. But I also saw their family dynamics and wondered why we couldn't be that way too.

So... living with mom, who could not answer everything I needed to know. She treid her best to be a good disciplinarian too... sometimes, I'd have felt that she was too strict - but this helped me form my moral compass as well. I saw her look for companionship - but her marriage was a burden that always kept her from enjoying life. She looked happy at times, but these partnerships couldn't last... hence the need for the Annulment. Unfortunately, she did not get the annulment. There would have been times taht I felt the church was too rigid, and her and my dad's life did not check all the needed boxes to get annuled. So she ended up being alone a lot. But she kept trying - unfortunately as I said, sometimes being too controlling and demanding. There was a time I hated her for forcing me to clean the bathroom regardless of how late it was. My sister got married at 28 - and my mom blamed us for pushing her ot that decision... not for once seeing that she was at fault for being controlling, bitter and less empathetic.

Still she was mom, and I tried to make her happy by giving her what she asked for. But when I married and Barbie and I lived for a while in Cubao - hoping to save up and find a different place, her rules made our lives misserable at times. So I was also happy - for Barbie's sake and Bryce, to move elsewhere. Had she been more open and sharing, we could have stayed and helped her and Bingbing out. Later, because of mounting rental debts, she had to leave and transfer to Cuenca, Batangas - with Tizza and her family. Had she been more empathetic, she wouldn't have had to leave Cubao. Ah well... c'est la vie.

My priority was now 'my' family. And I would do whatever it takes to avoid the mistakes my parents had. Being abroken family wasn't fun, endearing and robbed us of the necessary support system to grow into complete and mature individuals. I, at least, had a loving wife, and got exposed to some great corporate lifestyles. I also had some learnings with first, the Junior Chambers, and later, the Toastmasters - so these things helped shape me for who I am. Yer, I can be naughty... but for the most part, I stay carefully respectful of others.

As I said, this might have been an emotional sharing - and a not too organized one too. But it happened. I'm sure I left out a ton of other things - mostly some fun tidbits... but who knows? I might share those as answers to the other possible questions. Yes, I don't peek at the questions in advance, and will answer them one at a time.

Memoir Q1: What is your earliest Childhood Memory?

When I am asked this, I haev to really dig deep into my memories - these were usually about life in San Juan - less the house in N. Domingo vs. the one in H. Lozada. N. Domingo was our place - but I vaguely remember how the house looks. Nope... I jus rememerb snippets connected to emotions.

I vaguely remeber falling down a ladder of sorts and my foot got caught, which left me hanging for I don't know how long - how I was finally rescued and brought ot the hospital, and how this led me to times when (and this was years later), I experienced needing to stop myself from habitually twisting my foot and somehow making it feel painful again - I needed to stretch it, turn it... but in doing so, I was making it feel painful again. Why? I don't know. I just had to will myself not to do this.

Then there was the time I rode a tree stump like a horse, and started giddy yupping, and feeling some pain on my leg whenever I moved it - until I looked and saw a hairy catterpilar with a good number of it's hair (or needles) stuck on my leg already. This was also painful later, because the way they removed the hair was to drip candle wax on my leg - definitely not fun at all... and it had to be done several times until there seemed to not have any hair any more.

I think I also saw a ghost one night ago. I was in the bed room when I woke up, looked at the door and saw an ethereal floating head. I just hid under the blanket hopeing whatever it was would not see me.

In H Lozada, whoch was connected to the N Domingo property via a back driveway.Both properties formed a big L-shaped property. I think the H Lozada property was my grandmother's property. Mom's mom - Loal Ruby> I vaguely remeber walking from one howse to the other.

In the H Lozada house, wehre we later stayed - unsure why we moved and when back then, I remeber haivng a long stair, and I would use a box as a car, and ride it down from the top of the stair.

I also remeber San Juan Fiesta - and throwing water to all passersby. Not sparing anyone. I even tossed water on a bus filled with nuns (I was a kid, so anythign goes), I was later tod that I shouldn't have done that. Worse? I found the faucet slow in filling up the pail, so I got water from the fish pond. Oh lordy, now that I think about it...bot, did that stink.

I also remeber the stick my mom used to discipline us - that was painful, until I learned to place a notebook under my pants.

Thise are my early memories. I'm sure there are others, if I think about it. I sometimes see baby pictures and youngling pictures - but tehy are simply pictures - with no connected memories. So yeah, I kinda remember these because of an emotion connected to them. But they are vaguely remebered memories. From a chronological standpoint, the N. Domingo memories are earlier ones.

Time to make Memoirs? Hmmm...

One Social Media advertisment states that by the age of 60, a person should start making their memoirs, By this time, they have had a lifetime of experiences, and "hopefully" the memories to recall them.

I'll admit to this making me curious. So what did I do? I checked out the advertisment and their approach would be to ask fifty (50) questions, and after you answer them, they will publish your answers intoa book - making up your memoirs. You can then make this a legacy of sorts for your loved ones, and maybe even friends.

I did not follow through with the needed payment for the services they offered. But it got me to wonder... what would ahve been these questions? I can imagine some of them would focus on one's chronological life... but is that it?

That said, I asked ChatGPT to come up with 50 questions that would help a person make their memoirs as they answered them, and I plan to answer them here. I may not have them published - but who knows? At least here, I can share theme to anyone.

So, I will do this, and in the process, likewise discover a bit of myself - maybe ask other friends to do the same.

An unexpected spotlight

Last Saturday evening, Toastmasters of District 75 had it's Turnover Ceremony, where the District Officers of TM year 2024-2025 were discharged (Yehey! I no longer am Division N Director?), and the District Officers for TM year 2025-2026 got sworn in. I officially became the District Disciplinarian - yes, that was how I was introduced.

Normally, I'd say I'm not too heavy on pomp and pageantry - I'm a 'keep it simple, and get things done, so we can work' kinda guy - but I understand the need for protocol, so we went through the steps, following the program. It was basically a night to honor Director Jot Chiongbian for his leading the District for one year. It may not have been a banner year with respect to getting hin=gh marks to brag ot TI, but looking at our performance within the region, our numbers were not too bad. We were a stable District showing growth wehre others were content with their status quo. Anyway, I digress.

What was different about this evening happened when Director Jot started his Valedictory Address. He discussed his term's achievenets - humble as they may seem, they were positive still. He thanked the people surrounding him, His clubs, his supporting staff, his PQD and CGD. Then he begged permission to give thanks to his Division Directors, starting with Director Jolo for Division A, and leading to me as last, for Division N. Each portion segmented to a Director was short - possible three sentences of praise, congratulations and heartfelt thanks.

Now, Division N did not grow, as we failed to add one club to our numbers. Sure there were prospects, and one even in the pipleline - but it took too long, so this club will officially join the next term, and not be part of mine - them's the breaks... at least, we tried. What we made sure of was to clean up non-performing clubs, and support the active ones. There were two stragglers whom we tried helping reform... one of them a new club - which was rather frustrating. Needless to say, I could not see any plus points for Direk Jot to add when he came to talking about me, so I was expecting a token thank you for your effort.

What happended, though was that he thanked me for certain qualites he saw in me as I was working with him - then he unexpectedly said this was something he dahred with his sister - but never shared with anyone else... I, that is, the way I acted, maybe even moved, reminde him of his dad. He saw in me qualities he related with his father who was a few years past away. I was stunned - yes, jokingly, I though... oh no, now I'll be the 'tatay' of the district. Not anymore a cool 'pogi' director admired by many, and loved by lots.

Okay, back to reality. I did however realise that Director Jot was honoring me the way he did not honor the other Directors. His father was influential, and even became responsible with him becoming a Toastmaster - so seeing in me the qualities that reminded him of his dad was a profound gift to me. I was somehow placed in that pstiion of honor by process of comparison. It was something others could not remove, nor dispute. It probably gave me some presitge points... as an elder statesman. I guess I'll take it. After all, if I were anything like his father, then that means if I play my cards right, my kids may one day be leaders in Toastmasters too... just like Jot and Pria are.

One a personal note, I nearly cried. But that's okay - I saw Jot nearly cry when we sang to him, gave him a card with a personalized poem, a bunch of roses, and an electronic album filled with pictures of us working with him for the year. So we're even in that regard. Not that I'm keeping score.