Endangered Specie

This morning I plan to finish the "Pen on fire" book I borrowed at the library. As I start to read Chapter 2 I noticed that the laptop is available so I thought of checking my emails first while Hubee is not around to use it.

As I check my emails, I wanted to reply to one of my friend when Hubee went inside the room and asked me if he can use the laptop because it’s really important.

So I logged out and waited for him. But it took him forever so I decided to go back to my reading again.  As I reached for the book, I noticed my cellphone is dead. I haven’t charged it yet since last night so I went to look for the charger.

The phone charger is plugged in with the O2 fully charged so I removed the O2 and charged my Razr. While holding the O2 to place on the table, Hubee asked me if I have erased his name on the highest scores. There’s this PDA game that we play in O2 that makes us both crazy. So I turned on the phone and checked the highest score. Hubee erased my name! He’s now the highest scorer in the land. I was so overwhelmed, I decided to play one serious game.

As I was playing I asked something to Hubee and he replied. After a few minutes I asked him the same question again because I don’t remember if he ever replied to me or what his response was. Irritated, I went back to what I was doing. But I was confused. What was I doing at that time?

Now, that’s when I really noticed something. Time out! Wait a minute! What’s going on here? I am supposed to finish the book I’m reading then I ended up playing a game in a cellphone?

That’s when I realized something seemed not right. Something that Hubee said I have it but I just ignored it. Something that almost everyone has it but are not aware of. Could it be?

ADD also known as Attention Deficit Disorder.

What in the world?

ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder is a debilitating, little-recognized, and widespread condition that is surrounded by confusion and debate in the professional community. (ADD in Adults by Dr. Lynn Weiss). In layman’s term "lack of focus, short attention span, and something that has got to do with so many things to think about" - that’s my own definition =P

It’s a good reading material that for the first time in my life I was able to read the whole chapter with my full focus on it because it’s all about real people and their experiences of having an ADD. The first one was pretty much like me.

Yes, because when I read a book sometimes within the chapter I think of something else like what if I can go to the moon, cut my hair short again, or buy a new pair of boots. I am nearly finishing the chapter when I realized it doesn’t make any sense! So I’ll go over the chapter again and read one more time because I was thinking of something else. Like right now, I’m thinking of what to eat in the breakfast tomorrow, pancake or cereals? See?!

Anyway, here’s sharing a piece of the book about an ADD person who’s more likely with the same life as me:

He plan to clean his desk up but first he decided to pick up a bill and put the stamp. The stamps are next to the paper clip box so he thought the paper clips should be on the desk so he placed them all to the desk. He saw more pencils on the desk and threw some. Then the phone rang. While he’s on the phone he started to throw junk mails but the waste basket was full. So he went out to empty it and passed by the kitchen and saw somethingto do there. At the end of the day he wasn’t able to pay his bills, the desk is a mess, the waste basket is full, and there are so many things to do in the kitchen.

Not that I am a very disorganized person, oh no. I’m so in-love with a room that’s very clean and organized but the point here is we both see a trail. It’s like there’s a path to follow, there are a lot of things to be done, and I just cannot accomplish a thing because I think of so many things to do in a row. I’m trying but I can’t focus.

Dr. Weiss said, living with an ADD person is terribly painful because it presents a new set of problems. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why I kept on asking the same questions to Hubee which irritates him.

Dr. Weiss said, it’s best to understand the person with ADD and it’s best if detected at an early age.

So who has it? How do you know if you have? Is that a disease? Is there a cure?

I’m going to tell you on my next blog. Because right now it’s past my bedtime already and I haven’t read the "Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren". It’s a book I read one chapter per night so before I think of something else to do again, I’m placing the period in this sentence now.

Since we don’t have a Filipino channel here, I surf the net for local news and update myself atleast twice a week about what’s going on at home.  Then there was this issue about an ignorant writer who belittled our OFWs based in Dubai.  NO, she wasn’t a famous writer but right after her article got published, (I began to think, does she has any editor at all?) she got all the attention now like she’s an unknown specie placed under a microscope.  Her article was entitled "From Boracay to Greece".

Here are some of Malu Fernandez’s key statements published in People Asia Magazine and Manila Standard Today (enclosed is my reply):

"However I forgot that the hub was in Dubai
and the majority of the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) were stationed
there. The duty-free shop was overrun with Filipino workers selling
cell phones and perfume. Meanwhile, I wanted to slash my wrist at the
thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them."

(When an OFW works for his family, sends money to the Philippines, I always think of one thing: "dignity of work".  This so-called writer seemed to know nothing about our beloved OFWs’ role in our country.  You should have slashed your wrist right there and then!  You have no idea how great the sacrifice of these people are in order to provide their family in the Philippines a comfortable life.)

"While I was on the plane (where the seats were so small I had bruises
on my legs), my only consolation was the entertainment on the small
flat screen in front of me. But it was busted, so I heaved a sigh,
popped my sleeping pills and dozed off to the sounds of gum chewing and
endless yelling of “HOY! Kumusta ka na? At taga sann ka? Domestic
helper ka rin ba?” Translation: “Hey there? Where are you from? Are you
a domestic helper as well?” I though I had died and God had send me to
my very own private hell".

(I never expected this would come from a Filipino.   This judgmental statement is a plain example of bigotry, discrimination, and disrespect to his own fellowmen.  The ignorance of this woman has harshly offended the status of our OFWs trying to survive against the challenges of life they face outside our country.   Why would  God ever think that being with them is like spending hours in hell?  Speaking as a Christian, this woman needs to learn a lot.)

"On my way back, I had to bravely take the economy flight
once more. This time I had already resigned myself to being trapped
like a sardine in a sardine can with all these OFWs smelling of AXE and
Charlie cologne while Jo Malone evaporated into thin air."

(Jo Malone?  If you’re so into signature products, then why do you have to go economy class?!  Why don’t you criticize the rich people who shop in Divisioria, 168, and other tiangge in Manila when they can afford to go shopping at Anne Klein, Ferragamo, and Louis Vuitton?  Or maybe you just enjoy the scene being with people who uses "cheap" colognes while you have your "expensive" Jo Malone.  I understand.  I think people who’s loud about the expensive products they use are the ones who just had it the first time.  My two cents.)

"All in all, it’s been a pretty good summer. Jetting from the Aegean Sea
to the Pacific may sound a bit pretentious until you wake up in economy
class smelling like air freshener."

(Next time, take a business class instead and see if your Jo Malone has a place in there, moron.)

The latest news said she already replied to a number of complaints she received since this "garbage" went out.  This is her response (enclosed is my reply):

"As I type this, I’d like you to know that it’s not about whining,
complaining and bitching but just stating the facts. Just recently, I
wrote a funny article in my magazine column and my friends thought it
was hilarious. It was humorous and quite tongue-in-cheek, or at least I
thought so, until the magazine got a few e-mails from people who didn’t
get the meaning of my acerbic wit. The bottom line was just that I had
offended the reader’s socioeconomic background. If any of these people
actually read anything thicker then a magazine they would find it very
funny. Most people don’t get the fact that they need bitches like me to
shake up their world, otherwise their lives would be boring and
mediocre. I obviously write for the a certain target audience and if
what I write offends you, just stop reading."

(First of all, IT’S NOT FUNNY.  Second, it’s offensive.  And third, this is not an issue of socioeconomic class.  I’ve been in the writing business for 5 years and if I was your editor, your travel bogus article wouldn’t have any place in my magazine.  You simply put shame to a group of people who are making a clean living for their families and who by the way are sending off dollars to the Philippines to help strengthen our economy and pay huge amount of taxes.  They probably deserve worthy of praise than you are.  If your circle of friends find it hilarious and "witty" then I suggest the next time you write something like this, just keep it to you and your friends.  Since none of us here find it entertaining.  It’s more like a senseless crap.)

"Although it may sound elitist to you the fact is this country is built
on the foundation of haves, have-nots and wannabes. One group will
never get the culture of the other. Although I could mention that it is
easier to understand someone who has a lower socioeconomic background
that would entail a whole other page and frankly I don’t want to be
someone to bridge the gap between socioeconomic classes. I leave that
to the politicians in my family who believe they can actually help. Now
I seriously ask you, am I being a diva or are people around me just
lacking in common sense? Perhaps it’s a little of both!"

(You are one pathetic psycho.  Our politicians and government officials in the Philippines may have issues of corruption, traditional politics, and all but atleast they are trying their best to put our country up and running against other well-developed Asian countries.  Same goes to our OFWs, ordinary Filipino employees, and businessmen.  We are all distinctively created according to our purpose.  Whether you’re a domestic helper, cook, driver, maintenance, or fast food chain crew, the meaning of life makes more sense if you understand the word "respect".  The bottom line is, we don’t have to be in a group of "elite" to understand  why we belong to different cultures.)

I’ve said so much.  I would have easily forgiven the author is she grew up in an environment entirely different from ours but it was not.  It was from someone who should be the first one to understand why sacrificing one’s life outside home mean so much.  Sad.  Well, I guess someone just had to learn the lesson the hard way.  It’s just a matter of dealing with it.