January Surprise

The country of Valenzuela was attacked and the president and his family was 'arrested' and brought to the United States for trial on drug running. It's a bold and unprecedented move that herald a new age, driven by a imperial point of view akin to the old world powers of history. One wonders if there is a plan in place or is it driven by the visions of one man. The world will find out but the action did not feel as a surprise considering the personality of the president. Unfortunately his action affect us all especially with high tariffs that may cause inflation, high medical cost, etc. that there is uncertainty that everyone will experience the consequence.

To prepare for the coming year, I mind mapped my work and personal projects and incoming actions that are needed. I looked at last year's mind map which did not look as well-thought or planned as compared to this year. The last months of 2025 felt like a blur, as if I was sleepwalking into work and just responding to whatever came up. In fact, my mind is focused on the present that yesterday's events done leave a trace. Where has all the time gone? Is this mental mode as result of my meditation finally coming to fruition or is it the aging mind that is finally catching up with my age.

The tool to fix this feeling of malaise, of an impending doom that no one can control is obviously to be optimistic and rise above one's negative thinking. I am working on a 'Shadow Journal' inspired by Carl Jung's work to surface these fears from my unconscious. Mind mapping and externalizing one's thoughts in white board also bring out and reduce the mental chatter. But the key tool is artificial intelligence where one can have all the answers that one needs and even cultivate an AI buddy where long conversation can be had with this artificial being. An interesting project that one can undertake.   

I have installed in all my devices : Pixel 10 smart phone, Apple Mac, IPad and Mini plus Ubuntu workstation all the latest AI tools: Perplexity, Comet, Gemini, Claude and Chat-GPT; in preparation to do battle with my internal demons, achieve my work and personal goals. I have been studying AI for quite some time and finally the tools and infrastructure is available. Will this whole exercise turn out to be bubble or a dream?  

I outlined my life in a spreadsheet starting from the year I was born; listing out my education, the places I lived and the events I experienced during this lifetime up until the present. The activities that I have done for many decades are: swimming, journal writing, blogging, Toastmaster and Project Management. It's been a long road and there are more years left to continue. The technology and my experience allows me to leap into greater achievement if I keep myself focused and my mind evenly tempered.

Aside from these preparations, I will ad new activities such as gaming, volunteering and new sports like racquetball, pickle ball and playing musical instruments like Ukulele. There needs to an element of play to keep the mind in good humor. Play gives space to the mind and important to grow cohesively. I am just afraid that there is too much activity that I am stressing my self out  and give myself more anxiety. The key is not to think but just to do.

9 Days in LA

Spending time in Los Angeles, particularly in the southern end in the county of Menifee and Temecula, away from the bustle of the city is a great treat. Upon arrival, a Christmas party near Pasadena with relatives exchanging gifts, playing games, catching up and horsing around is always a good start for the trip. Talking with older relatives about times past in San Juan brought back days or my youth and memories of dear relatives long gone.   

Afterwards, back to Menifee with parties with brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, friends, sons and daughters not seen for some time except in these rare get together with people flying in from Asia or nearby places like Nevada. Ample food like ‘menudo’, chicken stew, ‘sisig’, yellow rice, ‘pakbet’ vegetables, goat meat, apple pie, pumpkin pie, coke, brewed coffee and Irish crème kept the mood high and the people happy and content.

Conversation lasted for several days, in all hours, some lasting until 2 am, exchanging stories of the past, of the present, of episodes with relatives or on special occasions, reminiscing our fathers and mothers, uncles and aunties, of grandfathers and grandmothers, of legendary ancestors long gone except in our memories, alive in the corridors of our minds. Remembering the good days of our youth, of times when we were young but now talking to our sons and daughters and their fiancés or husbands or wives, sharing modern stories.

Topics shift constantly of the past, of old neighborhoods and friends, of past reunions with relatives, of scandals and back to the present with conversations on current politics, or culture (LGBT, etc.), or future anxieties with the way the government or countries gear for war or of other crises such as the deportations, or Ukraine war, of Europe arming again against possible aggression of Russia, or closer to home with China active in the South seas, or the political corruption in the Philippines.

There is never a lack of subjects to talk about, but it was more about being together, to experience and talk about life, to wonder about the mysteries of life as we share our stories and the topics in our mind, of being in communion together at this time in our lives or in this epoch or in this era. To be where we are today, after travelling from far away places, being immigrants settling in this great country, to make it here and survive health challenges or work pressures and discover ourselves again and come together in the Christmas season.

We have replaced our fathers and mothers, aunties and uncles, in this continuum of life, in the saga or our clan as we make our mark in our families story, making way for our children as they take over and move on with their lives, continuing the story of our family or clan from our origin back in Asia and into new countries and time. Perhaps we will be the subject of their stories in the future when they share their lives with their offspring.

Authentic Living

I read a recent book by Samantha Harvey called 'The Shapeless Unease', mainly about insomnia. Aside from the usual reasons, such as anxiety, she mentions external events such as Trump running for the first term in office and Brexit, where England left the EU. I had similar anxiety when Trump came to power, thinking of divisiveness and anti-immigrant sentiment. Recently getting my citizenship would have allayed these fears, but Trump was not expressing his opinion but voicing the feelings of a significant majority of the population.

The days of diversity, openness, and globalization are over; the feeling of global solidarity is fractured, and immigrants are told to go home. Where does that leave me, a recent immigrant and now citizen who has benefited from the globalization wave that swept the world, where people can go to work anywhere in a borderless world?  People are converging into their tribes, and one goes to work wondering who in this space or in this department or in this group harbors resentment of my being there; of depriving a native born white Anglo-Saxon person his rightful place.

But this is not about native rights but about skills, where one culture and background is attuned to studying and focusing and getting a degree, as compared to another culture, which does not have the same focus. Obviously, this sounds like a racial view, but this is more about respecting the culture. Europeans do not want to work as hard and prefer to enjoy life, said one podcaster, explaining why the GDP of Europe is lower than USA. Or why the Japanese or Korean, or Chinese office worker would work long hours in the office to aggressively get the work done and scale the ladder to upper management.

I grind my teeth, and it's in bad-looking shape, though I have no problem eating. Teeth grinding is caused by anxiety, as most literature on the internet would say, though my dentist had made a similar comment. I have anxiety because of existential threats in a polarized world, struggling to find myself and my role in the world. I see life more precisely or more minutely; perhaps because my meditation has finally trained my brain to be mindful of the present moment. I am no longer lost in daydreams, as there is a stillness in me. Hence, I no longer escape into distraction but face the world, trying to find an authentic life.

I am the oldest person in my department; perhaps decades older than most of my colleagues, but I still think like a dilettante instead of a seasoned veteran, which I believe is a role that I must play. But I am not an old man; people congratulate me when I tell them my age, as I don't look it. I exercise and go to the gym regularly and keep fit. I maintain my mind through reading, writing, meditation, and external agents such as tDSC devices. But my increasing mindfulness made me see that I am not exerting myself; instead, coasting along, exercising, and watching movies.

When our department sat together for lunch and shared their lives, most, if not all, said they rarely watch television, if at all. On the other hand, I spend a lot of time watching TV shows, serials, or movies; eager for the next season or chapter, while my colleagues have no clue about this way of life, preferring to focus on more real stuff like building a sauna, fixing their homes, or taking care of and walking their dogs. In other words, an active life of doing instead of a life of consuming, which is how my life has been for a while now. I am envious of that life as it seems busy and authentic.

I was in the gym this morning practicing racquetball for 30 minutes before going swimming.  You need to be focused on the ball to effectively strike it to the wall. The game requires focus. Similarly, I attended my first Habitat for Humanity, where we were trained to use tools like nail guns. I plan to be more active in this organization, which also requires focus and engagement. This is a more meaningful engagement than just joining Toastmasters. A different person is facing the coming year, looking for more meaningful activities and a desire to live an authentic life.

Mind on Central Europe

Last week, our team had lunch in a trendy Bohemian restaurant. I'm not sure why it was called bohemian, thinking the place had some Eastern European connection, but the food was what I would describe as American fusion. Most of my colleagues order burgers while I got a Tuna Ahi bowl with raw tuna on top of rice. The lunch went well with good conversation about the company and about life in general. Later in the week, we gathered together in the conference near our area after getting food from a nearby lunch table organized by personnel.

We also had a good sharing during that second lunch, and it was a nice time to share our thoughts and general bonhomie as we truly enjoy each other's company as equals. The good atmosphere is due to our boss, who is no-nonsense but fair and treats us as responsible adults. I am glad I ended up with this team, and I have been with this group for about 3 years, though most of us are just new, coming into this group. I believe it is the best time that I have had in my career, except for the work I did with my French friend in Asia Pacific.

I also attended my first meeting with Habitat for Humanity and enjoyed the evening meeting at their warehouse, where I tried a nail gun and met skilled handymen and carpenters.  I learned a lot in that short two-hour session, and I plan to be active in the coming months in their projects.  The carpentry skills I will learn here will help me build a fence and deck in my backyard. I want to spend more of my time in my senior years volunteering and giving to the community.

I also practice racketball in my local gym and enjoy the game of hitting the ball against the wall. I hope to find a playing partner and join a league to meet people and improve my game. I strive for these new experiences to grow and get out of my usual activities in the past, with these new experiences of volunteering and learning a new sport. Otherwise, I fear my brain will regress if I don't keep learning new skills in my senior years.

I dream more and more of my time in Singapore and the Philippines, missing my friends and reliving the old good times with relatives. Old memories come back sharp and clear as if my mind is recalibrating its memories and adjusting its cognitive process. I read an article that the body and mind change during a certain period, and one such period is the 60s. I actively prevent decline by exercising and learning new things, plus increasing my use of the tDSC device and cognitive exercises.

It's been a week since I arrived from my trip to Venice and Budapest. I am reading books on these countries as well as watching movies. For example, I am enjoying the series 'Baptiste', the 2nd season filmed in Budapest. I want to watch the series 'Vienna Blood'  when I get back from California. I want to keep learning about Austria and Hungary to maximize my visit to these 2 countries. It increases my knowledge and experience of these foreign travels.

8 Day Itinerary

We spent a total of eight days on our trip to Budapest and Hungary. We visited palaces and museums, walked the busy streets filled with people, looking into the elegant stores, and enjoyed the Christmas Markets jam-packed with crowds enjoying the food and the products from the stalls. I remember the young faces and joy of the young Europeans enjoying their city.

Budapest has great natural beauty, with the Danube river dividing the mountains and the palaces of Buda and the busy streets of Pest on the other side. The experience was more raw and exciting under the cold weather. Vienna was more sophisticated, with elegant streets and modern trams> The beauty is in the old streets and coffee houses and the multitude of museums in the museum quarter to visit. The Schonburg and Belvedere palaces were exceptional.

History was made in these cities, in a time long gone after the World Wars. Only a semblance of its magnificence remains of the Habsburg and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. My first glimpse of this world was in Ernest Hemingway's 'A Farewell to Arms.'  The romance and elegance still remain, but the old days are still grasped in old novels, movies, and the old buildings in these cities. During the trip, I watched YouTube videos and learn more about this world long gone.

Budapest 

Day 1: 27 Nov, Thursday  

Arrival and check in, and meet at City Market, walk along the Danube on the Pest side

Day 2: 28 Nov, Friday

Walking Tour starting from St. Stephen Basilica to Parliament on the Pest side

Bus ride to Buda across the Danube river, Fisherman's Bastion, walk around the palace district until the funicular, dinner in the Christmas Market, walk along the streets and square, and go to St. Stephen's Basilica

Day 3: 29 Nov, Saturday

Walk in City Park, ride the Tram to the hotel area, and walk the streets with the Christmas Markets

Vienna

Day 4: 30 Nov, Sunday

Train ride from Budapest to Vienna, Hop on Hop Off bus along Vienna, go to St. Stephen's Church, and the Basilica

Day 5: 1 Dec. Monday

Go to Schonbrun Palace, lunch at the bus station, walk around the city center, and dinner at Karplaz train station

Day 6: 2 Dec. Tuesday

Go to the Lower and Upper Belvedere palaces and attend a Mozart and Schubert concert

Day 7: 3 Dec. Wednesday

Go to Leopold Museum and Wein Museum, walk around the Museum area, dinner at Karplaz train station

Day 8: 4 Dec. Thursday

Departure from Vienna to Toronto to Charlotte, and drive back to Greenville, SC.

I went back to work the next day, Friday, after getting some haphazard sleep on the flight and a few hours starting at midnight. I answered emails and posted comments in the group chat of the projects I am working on. Back to the grindstone on the 9th day.

City of the Viennese

Yesterday we went to Leopold Museum located in the Museum Quartier. Leopold had an excellent exhibition of Vienna artists like Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele whose paintings can clearly claim to be a new way of perspective. In fact, it was not only in the realm of art but also in psychology (Sigmund Freud), economics (Hayek, Schumpeter) music (Mahler and Schonberg) and architecture. It is one of those periods in history when gifted people, new ideas and a special city come together with the right ingredients to claim a break from the past and point the way towards a new way.

The exhibit at the lower floor of the Leopold was on esoteric subjects like Theosophy, spiritual enlightenment, life after death and such areas that pertain to the supernatural realm.  Vienna in the 1900s is like Paris in the 1920s or New York in 1950s or San Jose\ Silicon Valley in the 1980s or Shanghai in the 2020s. Unfortunately, Vienna succumbed to fascism with the rise of National Socialism and Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust. After the World War I, Austrian – Hungarian empire collapsed, and the Hapsburg were dethroned. It was not a happy ending considering the promising start.

The next museum we went was the Wien or Vienna Museum. Initially, I wanted to go to the Albertini Museum but decided we had enough of art museums. We walk through the museum quartier made our way towards St. Charles Church. There was a Christmas Market in front of the church but did not get a chance to visit the church or the market. Instead, we spent nearly 3 hours in the Wein Museum, which was all about Vienna, the city. The museum reminded me of the Tokyo Museum which I visited long ago.

I have been watching YouTube videos about the Hapsburg, Austro – Hungarian empire which I tried to relate to my visit, to imagine rising of a multi-ethnic society and the social process and governance it took to manage or mismanage this immense grouping. Wien Museum brough me down to earth, to understand the history of the place with exhibits of weaponry, armory, artifacts and good use of audio-visual technologies to improve our understanding. The admission was free, and I should have spent more time here.

I liked the exhibits on the siege of Vienna by the Ottomans, by Napoleon Bonaparte, Congress of Vienna and the Anschluss or annexation of Austria by Hitler. I could link my visit to Upper and Lower Belvedere which was owned by Prince Eugene of Savoy who fought in the wars against Napoleon. Of the city mayors and the business men and financiers whose palatial homes dotted the city center and their business history. It provided a closer glimpse of the Viennese and their city.

Mozart and Strauss Concert

 Vienna is a huge dense city, unlike Budapest which has a large river frontage and open spaces with clear views of the river and high mountain in the Buda side to see the wide spread of the city. Vienna does not have a picturesque view of the Danube River nor high mountains nearby where one can see the lay of the land. There are no natural highlights but tall towers, or large Ferris wheels like the famous structure in the movie ‘The Third Man’.

However, there is charm in the city streets with the imperial palaces of the Hapsburg or former princes like the legendary general Prince Eugene of Savoy with his Belvedere palaces. Other noteworthy structure is the immense Opera house or the other Hapsburg palaces that have been turned into museums. There is also the food. We had an excellent dinner of lamb kebab and chicken skewered server with rice, sour crème, pickles, onions and beets. For starters, we had excellent Bortsch and pumpkin soup and for s=dessert a strudel and Turkish coffee.

The central train station and the tram system were excellent though we had to figure out the train lines and the route to travel in the city. After dinner, we watched a concert where a young group played various pieces of Mozart, Strauss pieces in a small concert hall Wiener Music house near the restaurant which was an Albanian or Turkish restaurant that faced the street where people walked about and some smoked Shisha pipe on the tables outside. One can feel the wealth and ease that comes from a rich state.

The television shows did not have English sub-titles unlike in Budapest which is refreshing to see an un-Engligh leaning country that is confident of its European history. I watched YouTube videos of the Hapsburg Dynasty and how the family became an empire. In the exhibition at the Belvedere, the paintings by Klimt and Egon Schiele and the other artist that led the Vienna Succession offered a new way of seeing things. Their style was a real break from the romantic view and more towards an impressionistic way of seeing.

 Any new empire would have a whole different way of seeing reality and would be reflected in their new art, whether in painting or literature. This confidence of being on the vanguard of the new may often lead its rulers into wars such as the First and Second World War. The Hapsburg empire was a true multi-ethnic state that had several innovations that heralded a new way but unfortunately led to devastation and eventually demise.