Wednesday, April 13, 2011

For One More Day


I am a certified Mitch Alboom fan. I got his first book "Tuesday's With Morrie" given to me by a friend and I am so in love with it. And now, here's his latest addition - For One More Day. It is a book that recounted the story of a man, Chick Benetto, who gets the chance to spend one more day with his mother, who died 8 years earlier. It is a story of redemption and one's man struggle to deal with ghosts.

The story personally appealed to me because it tackles about family relationship and how we often neglect its importance. I personally love "The Times My Mother Stood Up For Me" section in the book because it proves how marvelous, genuine and unconditional the love of a mother is.

Below is an excellent book review I got from the website goodreads.com :

For One More Day is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one?

As a child, Charley "Chick" Benetto was told by his father, "You can be a mama's boy or a daddy's boy, but you can't be both." So he chooses his father, only to see the man disappear when Charley is on the verge of adolescence.

Decades later, Charley is a broken man. His life has been crumbled by alcohol and regret. He loses his job. He leaves his family. He hits bottom after discovering his only daughter has shut him out of her wedding. And he decides to take his own life.

He makes a midnight ride to his small hometown, with plans to do himself in. But upon failing even to do that, he staggers back to his old house, only to make an astonishing discovery. His mother—who died eight years earlier—is still living there, and welcomes him home as if nothing ever happened.

What follows is the one "ordinary" day so many of us yearn for, a chance to make good with a lost parent, to explain the family secrets, and to seek forgiveness. Somewhere between this life and the next, Charley learns the astonishing things he never knew about his mother and her sacrifices. And he tries, with her tender guidance, to put the crumbled pieces of his life back together.

Through Albom's inspiring characters and masterful storytelling, readers will newly appreciate those whom they love—and may have thought they'd lost—in their own lives. For One More Day is a book for anyone in a family, and will be cherished by Albom's millions of fans worldwide.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

My First Running Story



MY CHASE FUN RUN
Run For Personal Record
April 3, 2011, Sunday, 5:30 AM
Asiatown IT Park, Lahug, Cebu City

Finally, I was baptized to RUN.

Though I have tried joining fun run twice for the last two years, it's only
last Sunday that I've made a self-declaration and commitment to take running
seriously for three reasons.

1. To stay fit
2. To stay fit
3. And to stay fit

I've never been a sports buff and admittedly I'm not getting any younger. Thinking about my family made me realize I have to take good care of my health now. As a famous commercial tag line puts it, "Bawal Magkasakit". Being a father I have to be in good health to provide for my family. And the only healthy regimen I could think of is running.

So when this invitation for My Chase Fun Run organized by our client came in, I did not hesitate to give my nod.

I was with my boss when the run started. Being a health buff, it was him who convinced and encouraged me to have a healthy regimen and to take good care of my health. Sharing that running moment with him is such a precious and priceless moment.

In the middle of the race, I was lost in the crowd and did not see my boss anymore. I decided not to look for him and run on my own. I ran and ran. Decided to finish the 6k that I have set for myself.

Seriously running 6k for the first time is not a joke but I've make it. It was personal accomplishment for me – a personal record I've conquered myself . Not bad for a first time serious runner like me.

This is the start of my running story.

Stories behind every running adventures that are yet to unfold.