Heads-up or Head-ups?

I am such an OC when it comes to spellings and pronunciations (though grammar is not something that I would consider myself an expert of). I sent an e-mail earlier to an office mate and used the word "heads up." She replied using the word "head ups." This got me thinking, which one is correct?

                   heads up vs. head ups

Apparently, none of the above is correct. There should be a dash (-) in between.

TheFreeDictionary defines this as:

          heads-up (hdzp)

          adj.

      Showing an alert, competent style: play heads-up basketball.

          n. Informal

      Information or notification, especially in advance: gave me the heads-up on the new security measures.

So, there...I was able to review on my spelling today. 

Clover Chips!

This is currently my favorite snack in the office... as in almost everyday snack. My boss reminded me I might have UTI because of eating too much of this. Hay, that's good reason enough to motivate me to stop munching on this!

Reminiscing

So much has happened since my last post. I am now on my 2nd year with the company, and so far, challenges in terms of understanding the business is being addressed gradually. My boss transferred me from the fixed line business to the wireless business. I appreciate that they have also promoted me to a higher job grade. Earlier in February, I had a hysterectomy operation so this is the 4th month that I've experienced no pain after more than 10 years of monthly agony due to myoma. God has been so good and I am excited to see what He has in store for me and my family for the rest of this year.

State of Health

Sometimes I wonder... will I reach old age and witness the growth of my daughters? Will I be beside my husband 10 or 15 years from now and still enjoy life? Will I be able to fulfill my duties as a wife and mother? These questions come to mind when my myoma acts up and causes me discomfort, even disturbance to my daily activities...like last Saturday when the pain was unbearable and I was unable to prepare dinner. My husband took charge of feeding my daughters and doing their nightly rituals. The following day, I was still unable to get up and attend our church's worship service because of continuing pain. When my husband told me that he had to take care of his own needs in the church, I was filled with guilt. I realized that because of this sickness, I have been remiss in performing my duties as a pastor's wife. I am reminded of God's Word in Eccelesiastes 12:1: "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." Oh how I wish I am strong and healthy and young! I am on pain relievers round-the-clock, and have been feeling low because of this. However, a text message from a churchmate comforted me: "God is perfect in His directions, and absolute in His decisions, that if we follow Him every step of the way, we have nothing to worry about." And because of this, I have vowed to be responsible and take care of my physical and spiritual health starting this year. More vegetables, start exercising, more reading of God's Word, more fellowships. God will enable me, I am sure of this!

New Employer

I now have a new job, and have been with the new employer for over a month. I thought it would be easy, knowing that I will be handling only the revenue part of the Accounting department. I handled the whole Accounting and Treasury department in my previous employer, a smaller company though, so I said, this would be easy. But I was wrong! The new employer is an established company in the telecoms industry, an unfamiliar industry for me. There are many terminologies and acronyms that I don't understand. I had to adjust in many aspects as well:

- waking up early because I cannot be late
- working on a 5 days compressed work-week at 9.6 hours per day (my mind wants to go home already by 5pm but I can't yet)
- slow processing of supplies and other requests, probably due to voluminous transactions that have to be prioritized
- new bosses, new subordinates, new co-workers
- new location of office, which is a little farther than my previous job
- i cannot take a leave of absence yet because I am still on probationary status

But in all of these, I cannot deny that there's this part of me that's excited and challenged by these changes, however drastic these may seem. My boss gave me 2 assignments this week, and though I am still formulating in my mind how to do and best present these, I am thrilled at the thought of actually doing and submitting these reports. And in all of these, God is constantly reminding me of His Word in Colossians 3:22-23: "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." God has blessed me in many ways for maintaining a good relationship with my previous employer especially during the turnover period before I left the company. I pray that God will always remind me to please Him in all that I do in this new company.

The Agony of Waiting...

My husband has been away for 13 days now. I have no news or update about his condition since last week. Not that I do not trust him. He is on a mission trip to Calayan Island, specifically, Dibay Baptist Church, along with Mam Marlet, Mickey, pastors and workers of other churches. The weather here in Manila has become unpredictable since last week, but mostly cloudy. I am expecting that the weather in Calayan is no better. Hayyyy...

This got me to think, why is this happening again? Last year in the month of May, was the first time my husband went to Calayan Island. He was delayed in coming back to Manila by a week due to bad weather. This year, it's happening again. What is amazing is that April and May are summer months! I can only marvel at God's sovereignty and power. Probably He wants to maximize their stay there in order to fully utilize their services. God gives importance to His ministries. I am reminded of God's Word in Luke 10:2: "Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest."

I haven't been to Calayan Island but from what I've researched, it is one of the largest islands of Babuyan Islands, located in the northern extension of the Philippine archipelago. Here's a map of Babuyan Islands:

Calayan Island is home to the Calayan Rail, identified by a group of Filipino and British wildlife researchers as a new species of flightless bird in 2004. The bird, about the size of a crow, can be found only on the island about 40 miles off the coast.

Next time, I will post pictures of my husband's mission trip to Calayan in May 2008.

Oh well...at least I am comforted by the knowledge that God is in control. I just pray for their protection and well-being. I will still wait...I'm excited for his return home.