Hello World 2021!
In 2019, I wrote a blog called Hello World 2020. In that article, I wrote "some but not all of the life lessons I learned over the past years". Now that a new year is born, why not continue. Vulnerability
Vulnerability is just a new English word that I learned. It took me some time to pronounce this word. For those who do not understand why I am thrilled about this word, I speak English as my second language. It excites me when I get to learn a new English word and that's one way for me to continuously improve my communication skills. The term means the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. In my opinion, this word has been associated with the word "weakness or appearing weak".
The Difference Between "Poor Communication Skills" vs. "Language Barriers"
One time, I stopped by a depanneur (convenience store). The staff greeted me in Filipino, "kumusta?" (how are you?). She was a Filipino lady happily working. I greeted her back in Filipino. We are two Filipinos excited to meet in Canada. She asked me what do I do for a living. I told her that I am a Town of Canmore employee. She was very excited to hear that and she asked me again, in which building do I work. I told her that I work mainly at the Canmore Recreation Centre. She told me that I was a very hardworking person because it is a very big building to clean. I love to clean but I am a facility booking agent. It made me laugh because she assumed that Filipinos are cleaners.
I thought that this is one worth story to share in my blog. In Canada's statistics, Filipinos are continually growing in the visible minority category. Unfortunately, there are still a significant number of Filipinos who are not getting enough support in Canada. One issue is the assumption that Filipinos and other non-native speakers of English or French have poor communication skills. Unfortunately, this is not entirely true because there is a difference between having poor communication skills and language barriers.
Now, although there is nothing wrong with cleaning, many Filipinos start out as cleaners when they first move to Canada. Even I became a janitor at some points in my life. It was a job that I was really proud of and until now, I still consider myself a janitor. But I am hoping that this blog can be a tool to communicate with my fellow immigrants that we have a great life ahead of us in Canada. I hope that you can read this and be reminded that we have plenty of opportunities here in Canada and let's take advantage of them.
Ice Skating is Fun!
In the past few months, I have been getting more into ice skating. There is something really addicting about it. At first, you can not even stand on your own while you are on your ice skates. You think it is impossible what others are doing. But then, you wanted to keep going. Time goes by and the next thing you know you are already moving around the ice pad. Every day, you want to keep improving your skating skills. You are addicted. For me, I got addicted to it that I even started a Facebook group called: "Ice Skating is Fun."
The 25-Pushup Challenge
In the Philippines, Daniel Razon, the CEO of a TV station called UNTV has challenged the employees to do 25 pushups for 25 days to promote health. Soon enough, it became a trend that Filipinos from all over the world has participated in this health challenge. It has been an exciting one that got me in this trend. I also proudly participated and completed the 25 pushups for 25 days daily challenge. After a few weeks, I decided to restart it with an extra flavour. Why don't we add 25 squats?
After completing 25 days, I kept going until I decided to do a 365-day challenge. On this day I am writing this post (January 5, 2021), on day 281 of a daily minimum of 25 pushups and 25 squats - no days missed. I am able to make it to this day because of God who provides my life. It is in my faith that he is the one who allows me to stay strong until today. (If you do not believe in God, I respect that too).
However the year 2020 has been a horrible year for many of us, I will always remember this year as the year I started my 365-day pushup challenge. This is a special year that I have been an instrument to help inspire other people to take care of their fitness despite the pandemic. Now that we are in a new year, may God provide me with more strength to keep inspiring others.
The Art Show
One of my goals in life to make a living out of my paintings. I have now a collection of paintings that will be soon ready to be shown. Many people wanted to see my paintings but I refuse to share them over the Internet because I'd rather keep the excitement until a proper art show. My paintings deserve to be in a formal event. I am still in the stage of setting up an art show and if you are interested in helping out, please don't refuse to hit me up.
The Canmore Singers
Singing is healing. For me, I have fewer migraine attacks when I sing often. I do not know what's the exact science behind it or maybe it is just a placebo effect. Whatever it is, singing is good for you especially if you are always looking to improve. This year 2021, I decided to start an online choral group called "The Canmore Singers". Although this group is based out in Canmore, Canada. Everyone from all over the world is welcome to be a choir member. This is possible with the use of technology. I will be the conductor of the "virtual choir" and I will be sending the members their materials in order to become a successful member. They will be sending me a video of them singing the part I assigned them and I will layer and edit those videos to synchronize together. If you are interested please contact the group through their Facebook page: The Canmore Singers.
Well, those are my "some but not all of the life lessons I learned over the past years". I hope 2021 is a year of prosperous values for you. If you would like to support my page, please visit this blog: Amazon Recommendations.