Impressions

It is a fact that the first thing people notice in a person is their physical appearance. That is why it made me wonder: What impressions I made when they first saw me?

I always ask myself how people reacts the first time they laid their eyes on me.

Do they see me attractive? Ugly?

Do girls think of me in romantic way?

Do they think I have a bad fashion taste?

Do they see me as a kind person? Trustworthy?

Do they think I'm a snub? Friendly?

For me, it's the impression that decides the future relationship between two people (not necessarily in romantic way). We always say that first impressions lasts and for me, that is true.

But come to think of it, is it socially and politically correct to rely on our impressions? Maybe it is not but its important in the social arena. It's the impression that guides us in making decisions. It's these impressions that decides our social fate or failure. It's these impressions that guides us in dealing people of any kind.

Homily

I attended the 6:00PM mass yesterday at St. Christopher's church here in Taipei. Eversince I was assigned here in 2003, we've been attending the mass in that church.

I don't know if it's just me but, there is this priest who I don't like that much. I know it's bad but everytime that it's his mass that I catch, I end up not finishing the whole mass.

I don't know if its descriminating but, it is suppose to be an english mass but he keeps on talking in Filipino - which is undertandble in some point because it is a Filipino congregation after all. Nevertheless, you have to consider the other foreigners who might have been delighted to learn that there is a church holding english masses in this chinese-speaking country.

Again, I don't know it it's just me but, there are many from his thoughts that contradict to what I believe, differ from my stand point. And if that happens, I end up losing my interest in listening.

I respect everyone's opinion especially a priest like him but it is my character that firmly hold on my view points.

In his homily yesterday, he was saddened with the fact the mass attendees become thiner and thiner in numbers. He then compared attending mass with going to the hospital or going to the doctor. I agreed with the first two points he gave, but I strongly differ with the third one. He says that people doesn't go the hospital because it is very expensive to get sick these days, in which, he relates to attending mass and told everyone that (in gist) we say we love Jesus, we love God, but we don't like to spend. He cited examples such as the offertory collections. I mean, from what I believe, money offertories should be voluntary given, of how much should be the based on our own free will. It is one's prerogative how much one should offer, right? I don't so much about the bible but I know that there is written article that says a certain percentage of your wealth should be donated or given to the church.

But that is not what I am after for. The quantity of how much you love God does not equate to how much you give during offertory. Its how much we believe in Him, of entrusting our whole life to him, of doing the right things in accordance to what he says.

We always say money is the root of all evil. If it is, then in fact, the priest should not say those words.

Although, I am aware that in this modernly materialistic-driven world, we need money - even the church. But please, I hope the priest could have been cautious of what he says, of what he imparts to the people.

My two cents.

Trackback

Its been almost two long months since the last time i blogged.

What happen since then?

1. I've visited the Philippines twice already.

2. I had a new hair cut - skin head style.

3. I just recently got sick.

4. Had Ilocos Norte tour with my visiting friends in one of my trips to the Philippines.

5. I started a new business.

6. I had a speaking engagement in my high school alma mater during their commencement exercises.

8. I had an eyeglass protector made.



9. I bought a sunglass worth more than $100 bucks.


10. Have watched a lot of movies in DVD in my new DVD player.

11. I learned that my brother has a new girlfriend - a lawyer.

12. I got a pension plan from one of my boss.

13. Work is still the same. Nothing much to do.

14. No new interesting people met.

15. Saw my nephews after years of staying in the states. They've grown bigger and taller than I am!

16. No potential girlfriend in sight.

17. Heard that my cousin did not pass her exam which is a ticket for her to go to the US.

18. I saw a cousin of mine whom I haven't seen for such a long time at the airport. We eventually took the same flight back to Taipei

19. My sister moved to her newly bought house in Oslo, Norway