I know that I mentioned a very strict protocol that writers and journalists seriously adhere in this post about a year ago. For the longest time that I am writing, I have tried my very best to follow this very important rule.

But I suppose despite extreme caution, sometimes it (or I) should fail. Caution isn't always fool proof in some senses. That was what I discovered last Friday -- yep, on my birthday itself. I was watching my managing editor as she replied to an email. Upon reading the name of the recipient and the word "apologize" I already sensed that there was something wrong.

And I was indeed right. I misspelled an important person's name. And while I tried to remedy the problem by emailing my editors the correct spelling, I think it did not arrive on time.

Of course, upon learning that, I admitted my mistake and was really apologetic for it. My mom, upon learning that the incident reacted, even thought it's too shallow but I understand.

Thankfully, while my offense could have cost me an arm and a leg, my bosses are forgiving. Yes, it's such a shame on my part and I hope and will try that this will be the first and last time it's going to happen.

Aside from the rainy days and becoming busy with projects, there are two other things that is making my October:

...and I'm not talking about the infant conceived the way you think it is.

I'm talking about MMLDC Highlights' last issue for this year. While I was waiting for the text message (that never arrived) from Kenstar Graphics, one of my editors emailed me and told me that the baby has arrived. Which prompted me to go to the office today. Having secured my copies at hand, I went to my darling editor, Ms. Kay Abella's office and asked her (with that wide smile on my face) "your first baby is out! What do you think?" which left us both laughing and giggling to our heart's content.

Actually, this issue isn't just only my darling editor's panganay. In a way, I was like a first-time mother too. I've been with the magazine for three years but I only write my own stuff and sometimes edit someone else's work when needed. But because my managing editor needed to be away, I accepted the huge not to mention tasking yet challenging responsibility of rearing the magazine; which meant overseeing the whole structure not just jotting and editing but coordinating with the editors, the printing press and at times having to decide on my own (when it's just minor) where and what photo to put or remove in the pages. And like a woman going through the whole bout of pains and the birthing process, I must say this is worth the aches and the long, winding, head-turning sleepless nights.


In a few days, another year's coming to a close. My dear reader, I hope you don't mind if I'll be ecstatic by a higher level just for this time. After all, accomplishing something this big is so fulfilling--including the fact that the effort was appreciated. Worthy indeed to shout it out--cheers for this labor of love.

It has been two weeks since I last wrote on this zone. And now I am saying anyongihaseyo (in Korean, that's HELLO) again. My long absence was because of a lot of things; from updating or should I say revamping a concealed blog to overseeing the operations of the magazine. My managing editor had to file a leave thus entrusting me with the task as coordinator (I'd rather put it that way--rather than call myself as OIC managing editor, which I don't think to be appropriate) for the quarterly publication. Which really left me really busy.

The said endeavor left me working on like the usual office schedule. For most days, I found myself working from 9am to 5 pm in front of the PC monitoring the emails from my editor, checking the drafts and coordinating with the printing press. This seemed to be a routine that mom actually finds taxing.


But don't get me wrong. Despite having the task, I don't complain. I am used to it actually. And handling the magazine taught me new lessons. It showed me how it is like to do the whole thing; not just write and revise like what I have been doing for three years (actually it's eight years, if you'll include being in the college paper). It was fun that because I've been seeing the same pages, emailing the same stuff to the same people, it came to a point that I have memorized the contents and the place where to put what already.


The great news is that we're almost done and the magazine is just a few steps away from being printed. I can't hardly wait for the output.

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Saturday weekend. The past week was full of jumbles, surprises and happy things. It was yesterday too when I realized the amateur photographer in me. Yipee! A new career. And as I was toying with my brother's Canon 300D camera and the past issues of T&D Highlights (the mag where I have been writing for two years) scattered over my bed, the though came into my head, why not give each one a solo shot--just like documenting my two-year "love affair" with the magazine.