My 100th

We live in a world of balance.

Without darkness, how would we recognize light? Without sorrow, how would we appreciate joy? Without despair, why would we treasure hope?

It is these contrasts that inspire the most passionate and profound experiences. In the world and in ourselves, there exists a never-ending battle between these conflicting ideals. Every decision we make, every choice we face, is but a skirmish between these opposites. Just as we benefit and reap the fruits of these world's 'positives' so must we face and withstand its 'negatives'.

But the presence of a counterpoint to everything good should not deter us in the pursuit of meaningful lives. On the contrary, the best things in life come as a direct result of our efforts to overcome the adversities fate deals us.

Courage is a treasured and much needed quality. But it is not to be confused with mere bravery or recklessness. True courage cannot manifest itself in the absence of fear; it lies in doing what must be done even when terror grips the heart and chills the soul. Thus, without the capacity for cowardice there can be no potential for courage.

Commitment is another virtue whose worth stems from overcoming its counterpoint. Commitment is not commitment when it is easy, for then you are only doing what you like. Commitment is strongest not in the absence of doubt, but in spite of it. The same can be said for trust.

Love is perhaps one of the best displays of this truth. Adversity and distance destroys superficial love but strengthens great ones. The same gust of wind that will snuff out a candle will only feed a bonfire. True love is tested not during fair weather but during harsh, cruel storms.

We are an imperfect, flawed race. Capable of such horrible cruelties to each other, ourselves, and the world we live in. But that very same imperfection also brings with it a hope for redemption. The triumph of your spirit, and the true realization of your potential shall come not when you hone your finest gift, but when you master your greatest fault.

Lonely in the Saltmines

I'm finally working! A contributing member of society. A roaring rodent ready to join the urban rat race. A.. uhm.. sorry ran out of metaphors.

So here I am in this building in Ortigas, typing away on a company laptop (that I get to take home) - by far the only real perk I'm getting right now. Well beggars can't be choosers so they say, and since I'm not a graduate (yet), I guess my choices in profession isn't really as wide as I would like it to be. It was either this or a night shift job as tech support (aka: comp repairman) which would actually pay better but offers nil in experience.

I opted for the seemingly more challenging role of Web developer for Sagada Solutions, where I would be trained in Ruby on Rails, and web development using Java. And for the past week, I've been doing just that, creating my own test website, reading eBooks, and watching screencast training vids. Oh, and did I mention that I'm usually alone in the office?

Yup, they forgot to mention that I would be the ONLY employee most of the time. Never really though of myself as a people person, mind you but it gets pretty lonely being alone after about 6-8 hours of having only Yahoo's smiley face as company. Hopefully, they'll hire some new guys soon so the place would start feeling more like an office than an isolation cell with air conditioning and a laptop.

The job itself hasn't even started yet, I think. We're handling this project for Directory Philippines Incorporated, but since the site's actually up and running already, I have to balance learning RoR and familiarizing myself with the project's source code. No easy task when working with a language you've only been using for a week.

This isn't what I had in mind when I signed up, I'll admit. I always thought I'd be working in a plush office in some fancy skyscraper, with my own cubicle adorned with pics and other cute nothings, chatting away with my coworkers as I do my stuff for the day.

Maybe it'll take some time to get used to this. It's not as bad as it seems, actually.

It's just that when I signed up to slave away in the Saltmines, I always though I'd have company, y'know?