Why Me?

This summer, there are already two occassions that I really felt bad, stupid and sorry for myself. I hate it!

Around a couple of weeks ago, I almost lost my ATM card on a China Bank ATM machine near our place. That night (or should I say morning), Carlo fetched me at the office at around 3am. We headed home and dropped by the bank to check for salary. When I got the receipt and saw my current balance, I left the machine, got back the car and went home. Yes, the ATM card was left at the machine, and since the program is still asking "Do you want another transaction", there was no buzzer to remind me about the left card. That day, I did my regular routine of catching sleep, cooking, prepared Carlo's pack lunch, did a little reading with Nianne, and went off for work. When I got to the the train station, I opened my wallet and saw that something was missing, a red card that is usually the third on the arrangement, that's when I realized that it was missing, and thought of the possibility that it might have been left at the machine I last went that morning.

It's a good thing that Carlo was assigned at Starbucks Congressional Avenue, near our place, and near to where I currently am, the train station. I was trying to reach him while I was on my way to their store. I told him the problem and said that we need to rush to the bank and hope for good news. When I got to their store, he adviced me to first check the car for the possibility that the card might be dropped inside, but it really wasn't, I knew it really wasn't. So he took his 15 minute break and we headed to the bank which was just about 2 blocks away. We got there around past 5pm, it's a good thing that there was an ongoing party since iT's the birthday of an employees. I asked the guard on duty and explained to them what my current scenario is. The guard consulted their manager and found out that my card was recoved by the guard on duty that morning. God Bless Him! I submitted all of the identification cards I have with me, just to prove to them that I really do own the card. Then they let me in, had a little talk with the manager, signed some log book and got my card back.

To that "manong" who is the most honest person I've encountered so far, thank you very much po! May God Bless you and your family. Despite the fact that he could've just used the card (since the pin was already entered to begin with) for any personal reason, he still stood behind his honesty and principle. I salute you sir! I felt bad that I wasn't even able to meet you and thank you personally, but either way, you will always be with my prayers and that good deed of yours is something that me and my family will never forget.

Now, this morning, just around a couple of hours before my shift ends, my cell phone was stolen. Yes guys, the phone which I just purchased on January 2, 2006, used for barely four months is no longer with me. I remember that it was my last break for the shift, around 1am, I left my phone, together with my bag and wallet (as I always do) at the left side of the computer monitor on my workstation. I stood up, pushed my chair back and had a little glimpse towards my phone and to where it's at. I then realized that maybe, that was the last time I saw my phone, a glimpse which simply means goodbye.

During my break, I, personally didn't notice anyone or anything unusual on my station, or maybe because I really wasn't looking. When I got back after my break, I didn't know it yet, or should I say, I really don't know if the phone was still there, until I remember to check on any messages or missed calls, and saw JUST my wallet. I checked on my bag, the phone was not there either. The first thing that came to my mind, is that maybe, one of my friends just made fun of me, kept my phone to scare me and all, I was wrong. It was really missing, It was really stolen. I still try to think that I can still find it. We tried calling it, but all we hear is a busy tone. We digged all over each other's workstations and stuff, nothing was found. We informed the security department of the incedent, and they immediately conducted a search among belongings and amoung us, still, negative.

The whole time I was able to compose myself just to avoid making a scene at everybody's expense, it's my fault afterall. But when I got home, Carlo was on the living room waiting for me, and sincerely listened to my story and all, I wasn't able to help it, I broke down and cry, it was the first time since the incedent happened that I felt good when he comforted me. I then realized how much of a loss it really is. I realized that there's really nothing more I could hope for, it's a freakin' mobile phone you can dispatch in minutes. And more, it's a Sony Ericsson P910i for pete's sake! Who wouldn't want that?

It was so disappointing that I lost the phone that easily, without even being able to fight for it. I really feel so bad becase one, the money I used to buy the said phone is money from sleepless nights, thousands of phone calls and unquestionable hard work! Two, I have been using that cell phone number for two years now. Three, there are more or less two hundred contacts listed on my phonebook, which I really can't think of the most effective way to start gathering them again. Four, I have around 1000+ sms saved on my inbox, plus some pictures, and video which I know, is now impossible to retrieve. Five, I lost tons of important information such as passwords, confirmation/reference numbers, reminders, to-do lists, my calendar and everything on it! And above all, I lost something which is really so helpful to me and my super busy life. It's more than just a PDA phone as I always say, it's a Smart Phone! It got all the features I could ask for a phone, and even more. It has everything I have in virtual format.

I learned that in life, you really can't have the best of both worlds. Once you thought that you already have everything you could ask for, God will give you such challenges where you would feel that you can't pick up yourself anymore and move on. For the past few years, He have been giving us continuous blessings left and right, it's just now that I was, again given something that will make me feel extremely sad and cry myself to sleep. I know that some of you may say that I'm over-reacting, but guys, I don't deserve this. I have been good towards everybody in the office, they even see me as a mother of the team and calls me mommy. I never had any cold blood with anybody and never had any issues whatsoever. I am a good christian. I don't envy anyone, I don't consider anybody an enemy, and I really can't remember an incedent wherein I actually hurt someone or something, for me to be punished of such thing. I really can't understand why.

So, to you who I consider family and trusted so much for the past two years, Good Luck! I am sure that God will definitely do the work for me. Enjoy the phone, I hope you can take good care of it the way I did. And in case there's anymore conscience left on your soul, you can still give it back anytime! Or if it's not too much to ask, will you please send me all of my stored information on the phone like contacts, passwords, etc. My email address is listed there as well. If you want, I can even exchange the whole complete package that comes with the phone directly from it's box and give it to you, seriously. I just really need to have all those information back badly.

I've written a lot again. I know that it's summertime and we're all having fun and all but I just need to vent this out. I'll write something light and fun, something about our summer escapades and stuff when I got back on shape. For now, I'll first try to catch my breath and wipe the tears.