Second Wind: Time to Consolidate

I'm back to "Blogger" -- and Blogging
Homer "Budz" Nievera

After a 12-month hiatus, I'm back to writing for my "Blogger" blog with a new title. I wanted to consolidate all my posts into one blog site, so here it is. This will represent my e-journal.

For this purpose, I had to have my two laptops repaired. One, the Redfox Navigator, was overheating while the other, an older Toshiba Satellite A20, needed a new board -- and so I thought. Miraculously, the Redfox Navigator only needed to be cleaned while the A20 didn't even have something wrong with it! Hmmm, really strange, most especially for the Toshiba A20. Two years ago, I sent it to the Toshiba Service Center (Tricom Dynamics) and they said it needed a new board. That would've cost me 33,000 pesos! I only paid SST (the generic service center in Alabang) 400 pesos! So, I bought a brand new Asus wireless LAN adapter for only 750 pesos. Another blessing since everything else cost 1,500 pesos and up. Voila! Am back to blogging.

Late last year, I went back to formal corporate life after 7 years in consulting and being an entrepreneur. I turned over the advertising business to my wife Jinky and the events company to my able partner Arman. I "quit" the consulting business to pursue a new career that hopefully leads me into stuff that will bring me more challenges.

Life begins at 40, they say. I'd say it's the new 20's wherein you re-direct your life into seemingly unchartered territories. The excitement is doubled as you see things more clearly since you've had 20 years of experience -- both failures and successes.

I'd say those past 7 years were well spent for my family. It was a long sabbatical after a successful run in advertising. I admit I burned out too soon, as an effect of peaking in my career too soon as well. The experience was worth it. I can say that I've seen my children grow in those 7 years. They're growing up so fast that my eldest ( a son) is graduating from high school and will join the next batch of would-be nurses next school year, while one of my daughters moves up to high school from grade school. Time flies so fast.

It's time to consolidate.

The year's almost ended. It's been more than a year since I joined Manpower Inc. (Philippines). The road has been bumpy but it's been leveling the past quarter. A new career, a new industry. What a way to start your 40th year.

I still do free consulting for start-ups and foundations. I'm still writing for the Foundation for Christ-Love Asia as editor of 2 magazines. I just finished 9 units for my march to a teaching certificate (and a masters degree in education) from the University of the Philippines Open University. I've also recently accepted a Chapter Head assignment for the CFC-Foundation for Family & Life. Whew! What a way to consolidate your life.

I have more than 20 years ahead of me yet. Life may be short but I want to make sure that I make it worth my time on earth. Keep healthy, work hard, play harder, pray longer! This is my second wind. Pull up the sails!