Thursday, May 27, 2010

Ballet Recital May 2010


AVA's School of Dance Ballet Recital at Trace College, Los BaƱos, 23 May 2010. Shot using Canon 1000D.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Diversion - fixing my car brakes

Last night, I just completed replacing my old faithful car's front brake pads. The previous weekend, it was the rear brake shoes I replaced. It's quite fulfilling, actually.

Auto mechanics - a job for one, a hobby for another. It is a lowly task for one but a fulfilling task for another. It just depends on how one perceives of it that makes it a menial or a glorious task.

For me, it is a diversion in life's problems or challenges if you may call it. It is also a way of appreciating the years of service my car has given me. As of last weekend, it's already 6 years and 2 months under my ownership.

My previous car, a 1989 Mitsubishi Lancer EL received a more romantic internal pampering than my present Honda Civic. My office mate used to say that mine was the worst Lancer he saw. Little did he know how I loved the car - reviving it and giving it a new life. It could still run 140 kph easily. It never broke down to the point of worrying me or my family in our out-of-town travels. I loved it and took good care of it not waiting for a piece to break down before having it repaired. It served me back well a good five years. I bought it at PhP87,000 and after 5 years, I was able to sell it at 69,000. Doing some math, it just fell to a PhP3,600 annual depreciation. Not bad.

Going back to my aging Civic, I am trying to make up for lost time. My current breakdowns are not as pleasant compared to the previous ones. I am reminded that to learn in life more than just fixing my car, I really have to get my hands and fingernails dirty and really feeling it - getting mesmerized by the beauty of the task.

Yesterday was one of my most fulfilling days ever. Not to mention, saving me at least 500 pesos in auto mechanic fees.