When I was a kid in the 70s, we had a black and white TV, the one with the case that could be a small table. Channel selector is rotary and limited to 13. Channels that existed were 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 13. Even when we changed TV later to color, it was still a 13-channel one.

I remember staying mostly on channel 9 because of the English/American films/movies that showed. I also fondly remember Sesame Street and The Electric Company! Cartoons such as The Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry were the norm.

We had Tagalog movies too but we rarely watch them. Our parents wanted us to develop the English language. In fact, we started at home speaking in English and learned Tagalog when we went to school.

In the 80s, the habit hung on, watching TV as schedule allowed and limited to those that can teach moral or language. In the 90s, though, when 3 more siblings were born in 77, 78 and 80, and more shows appeared, watching TV became a baby-sitter. Multitasking began, watching television while cleaning the house and even while eating dinner. I learned to do assignments while watching TV and still understand both!

When I got married, TV was last in our list of things to buy. After 10 years, we got to buy one that’s even reconditioned. It lasted for 2 years and did not buy anymore again. We were focused on the computer anyway.

A few months ago, a friend gave us a very good one! It may not be Samsung HDTV which is really a royalty treat but it still is ?a handsome television. He could not find the antenna but said he’ll buy one if he could not really find it. The kids were hoping we’d buy one instead but we keep on setting it aside. First, when the antenna arrives, it might just be the right time to have the TV operational. Second, the wait brings about patience and sets priority straight. Money that comes my way is not enough for luxury. Sure, having it operational gives us the chance to discipline but not at the expense of sacrificing food money.

Now, when we want to watch a movie or something for entertainment, we just guide the mouse. Maybe later we can watch from the actual television. I want to watch the local news.

We all have priorities and preferences. We also have tasks that we do not prefer but should do. We have dreams we want to accomplish. We also desire more of some things that come our way scarcely. How we see things, our perspective in life, reflects on what we do, not on what we wish we could do.

Tom Cruise is dyslexic that surely gives him a hard time reading right. Memorizing the script makes him do his best in acting. He’s a good actor but without the script, he’s nothing. He loves acting so he does his best.

Oftentimes, students take courses they don’t like. Either their parents told them so with authority or someone else is paying for their tuition. Even if it’s against the student’s will, it is still a blessing to be able to be educated! The cost of education is expensive and having someone else pay for your education is something to be grateful for.

What do you do if you don’t like it? Make ways for your to cope. If you don’t like business yet you are forced to go to business school, then go for gmat prep courses so you will be armed/equipped better. What you do with your life spells out your failure or success. Everthing is just roadblocks. You either go around or remove them. In short, overcome them…and do your best so you come out successful.

Before moving into this current domain (the place where we live, sleep and eat and not the internet domain), we used to have so much space. Not that the house was real big but that our stuff did not crowd much of the available space. Hubby wanted that space as space. I see it as wasted space.

That house we came from (not ours, though) is too far to and from hubby’s work. He used to spend an hour and 45 minutes one way to or from work. Now he spends 15 minutes walking.

The drawback is the very limited space. It’s just about 1/4 the size of the previous one. To be exact, it’s 26 feet by 7 feet, including the bathroom which is 3.5 x 3.5 feet.

Before moving, I visited this place to measure the area. I wanted to plot everything I can bring. Definitely some will have to be left behind. I had no tape measure or ruler but thankfully the floor is tiled with 1-foot tiles. All I had to do was count the tiles!

When I got home, I measured the must-bring stuff that will occupy floor space. We dismantled the bed and brought it as wood slats and poles and left the mattresses behind. They just won’t fit. We brought flat cushions, though, that were meant for the couches, and left the couches too.

Now we use the cushions to lay on the floor to have some soft back support. I wish I could have a mattress but that’s not just about to happen yet. Meanwhile, we’re all learning to adapt as there are more important considerations to be thankful for.

Almost everyone adds some special effect to create an image. Call it accessories if you want.

Starting from little babies, parents put something on the head to identify the babies whether it’s a boy or a girl, like a cap, hair clip, or a headband. Of course, it’s easier to accessorize girls than boys. These little things let the people know what the parents want their kids to look like, usually beautiful or handsome…generally, cute.

When these kids grow older, they get to choose their own color, type of clothes and look for bracelets and necklaces. When they become teens, image changes again to a more self-defined one.

Those who grow up to be financially poor settle with simple stuff like bracelets, anklets and necklaces. Most will be self-made. The rich, though, will have more options like sparkling jewelry, signature clothing and shoes, and some stuff like cigars (eg., Padron) or electronic portable toys.

These special effects affect our image but nothing is better than character.

We just moved from hubby spending 1 1/2 hours to work and 2 hours going home and a hundred bucks for transportation, to 15 minutes walking (each way) and zero expense for transpo. It’s awesome! He gets his exercise at the same time!

The house is a lot smaller but the flooring is tiled and access to the market and grocery stores are just a few steps away. I was even able to buy a piece of plyboard for the computer table, specifically for the keyboard, just by walking. Everything needed daily is just a walking distance away! That’s what’s great about this place.

We have to make do with the adjustments. More for ourselves than the physical dwelling place. We get to learn to be happy despite the size…because we see something greater that overpowers the obvious.

Everyone in the family is happy. That’s what really matters.

Change is permanent. Happiness can be, too. It’s all in the outlook.