Have you gone through years of schooling, yet still unable to fully express yourself in English?  For many of us, we wonder why, with all these years of education, from kindergarten through college, we are still unable to speak English the way we want to.  Now, we want to improve, and we want to know an effective, but cost efficient way of enhancing our communication skills.

I would highly recommend joining groups or organizations that are geared towards learning English.  One example would be the Universal Pro English Club (UPEC).  Joining such groups that facilitate discussions, debates, and conversations through events such as trips, parties, and get-togethers is one way to learn while having fun and expanding your networks.

Remember, birds of a feather flock together.  If you want to be a basketball player, be around basketball players.  If you want to be a singer, join a choir.  If you want to be an English speaker, join groups that speak or teach English.

For more information about UPEC, visit http://aiepro.org/index.php/board,8.0.html.

UPEC General Meeting
May 23, 2009, 9 pm (Meetings will be 2nd and 4th Saturday every month)
227 Salcedo Street, Suite 2G
Makati City, Philippines

Everyone is invited to attend.  Bring a friend or two!

“You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.” -George Lorimer

Why do I keep waking up at 4:00 in the morning to do a 5km fun run or a 40km fun ride on my bike? No, I don’t enjoy struggling to shake off that drowsy feeling on a weekend morning when I know I should be sleeping in. Knowing how I will punish myself again with physical pain I find myself asking the same question over and over, “Car, why do you this?”

Last Friday (May 1, Labor Day) I woke up with a sore throat and fever I wasn’t excited to ride my bike. I wanted to back out but backing out wasn’t an option. My running coach said to me once, “Pain is all in the mind.” I forced myself to get up, eat breakfast and after taking 2000mg of vitamin C and paracetamol I left our house with very low energy.

I survived the ordeal of biking for almost 1 hour covering a stretch of 40km. Maybe it’s the effect of the medicine, or perhaps it’s sheer willpower. In my mind I kept pushing myself to keep going and going. I’m just thankful I didn’t collapse or had an asthma attack. I was exhausted yet, happy. But as soon as I got home I went straight to my room and crashed into my bed.

So why do I do these things? Why do I bike and run? I have one simple answer: I feel good about myself. When I am able to beat my personal record it feels great. When I survive a gruelling ride of uphill and winding roads it’s exhilarating because I was able to commune with nature. I feel good when I actually try out something new and not just wishfully think about it.

I believe that physical pain is nothing next to pain of regret. I would rather listen to my joints and muscles cry out in soreness, than my soul being haunted by what ifs.

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“… and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” -Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Being a Christian is not easy. I have my own share of ‘modern-day persecutions’. I have been labeled as being too serious and too straight by some. My personality has been judged as well because I don’t subscribe to other people’s idea of fun.

It takes a lot of courage to even admit out in the open I believe and pray to God. But I know I shouldn’t feel any shame. What’s really difficult is trying not to give in to daily temptations such as gossiping, whining or having a good laugh at the expense of making fun of people. It is not easy to overlook an offense and be forgiving, to be patient and not to say bad things about other people.

This is the real race I have chosen to run. To keep moving forward in my faith living out my identity as a child of God first and foremost. All other worldly titles are secondary. As God continues to mold me with His forgiving hands I know He is always there to cheer me on. For some people they will never appreciate nor fully understand what this whole ‘faith thing’ is all about. And if that is the reason for people to see or treat me differently then so be it . I’m willing to cut some ties. But life without God is empty. So I’d rather keep Him.  Starting out a journey with Him is an exciting experience it’s almost like starting a race. But it’s how we finish it is what matters most. I may have been sidetracked many times by fleeting pleasures. But I’m thankful for His grace and mercy I can always get back on track. And as I persevere to focus my eyes on the road my goal is to cross that finish line.