I wrote down 18 things I wanted to do in 2018. I have done only 9 and these are

Out of eighteen things I wanted to do in 2018, nine were fulfilled.

For years, I continue doing the same morning routine –wash my face with cold water, make my bed, exercise (knee squat, stretching, abdominal crunch, planking, and push-ups), pray and meditate, brew and drink a cup of espresso and a conservative breakfast, take a shower, read pages of a book, and writing on a leather journal on what to do during the day. It was another challenging year. Life may have been made that way to make it more meaningful. But it should not be overly stressful. Rather, manageable and fun.

I am still able to pull off my regular activities like playing basketball on and off the leagues, hanging out with friends and high school classmates, practicing the longboard in our condo parking space, irregularly working out at the gym,  and watching Netflix and YouTube at home when feeling bummed. I meet and pick up my parents every Sunday morning to altogether attend the worship service. After lunch and conversation, I drive them back to the church for the ushering ministry and their small group meeting. I break the Sunday routine when I have work. Usually a mall activation or an out-of-town event.

I might have not received the exact things I set for 2018 but what is important is how these work in my life, how these affect others, and how each activity causes motivational to me.

By the way, I limit the photos here and some of them are already posted in my Instagram account @ronaldlucero so as not to give you a reason to discontinue reading until the end of this page.

“For years, I continue doing the same morning routine –wash my face with cold water, make my bed, exercise (knee squat, stretching, abdominal crunch, planking, and push-ups), pray and meditate, brew and drink a cup of espresso and a conservative breakfast, take a shower, read pages of a book, and writing on a leather journal on what to do during the day.”

1. Return to Europe

What really happened…A 3-day trip to Edinburgh, Scotland.

I spent my birthday in the United Kingdom (morning in Edinburgh, Scotland and evening in Manchester). I returned to England after four months. My U.K. visa was expiring in March so I decided to use it again since my first trip was short. I included Scotland in the list.

I thought I got a very good business class deal from a travel agency. When I arrived in Doha for a layover, I found out that the itinerary given to me by the travel agency prized me with pressure. The plane that connects the flight from Doha to Manchester left me. First, the flight from Manila to Doha was slightly delayed. Second, I was not advised by any flight attendant that I won’t be able to make it on time to take the next flight. I talked to the airline’s ground staff in-charge in Doha and I had a feeling that the response would not be favorable. There was no instant consolation. The ground staff told me to email the airline, so I did. I emailed them the situation and waited for the response. After an uneasy discussion, the ground staff gave me a room where I could stay for 9 hours and a meal ticket to the airport lounge buffet while waiting for the next flight going to Manchester. You know you have the most convenient couch onboard when you are in the business class where you can sleep comfortably and the only reason you can use that nice free hotel room is to take a shower. Later on they replied to my email. They wanted to give me 5,000 miles. I refused. I asked if I could have my next trip free or upgraded, as I reverted. I was expecting they would give me the maximum discount, to wish the least. In the end, I got nothing. I had to extend my patience because it is the same airline that I will board when I return to Manila. The airline had no idea of the consequence of the delay.

The consequences started. That 9-hour waiting turned out to be more expensive. My cousin had to rebook a costlier train trip from Manchester to Edinburgh because we missed the trip he made bookings with many weeks earlier. In the U.K. and in other countries, you have to book early to get a cheaper fare. He also had to inform the hotel in Edinburgh for the schedule and price adjustment. All turned out more expensive.

I arrived early morning in Manchester. I was welcomed by my cousin and his daughter Kacey. We picked up his son Angel in a train station and gave the boy a welcome hug. We brought him to his school. In my cousin’s house, I quickly took a warm shower, packed the clothes for the 3-day stay in Edinburgh, and took the taxi cab going to the train station near my cousin’s house. Cramming.

I was excited because it was my first time to take the train from England to Scotland. It was a 5-hour train ride. While on the train, I enjoyed the views and the landscapes I have seen for the first time. I took some videos for Instagram stories. My kind cousin brought snacks and bottled water. With so much excitement, I forgot if I needed to take lunch.

In Edinburgh, Scotland. Great Scott! We arrived in Waverley Station, Edinburgh.

Scotland is undeniably beautiful! I wish I a had a body camera to record all the walks and pieces of the streets. The castles, museums, old pubs, stores, people and a lot more that you can only see in Scotland are amazingly medieval. Those are flashbacks from what I have read and watched when I was a kid. There are buildings that still exist since they were erected in the 9th and 10th centuries. From all the nearby cobbled streets in the Old Town, we walked down to the historical Grassmarket. In this place, you can also see the traditional pubs and restaurants that serve authentic food. I bought souvenirs (Pigface, Bascinet and a set of Game of Thrones sword-letter openers) in one of the retail shops that sell medieval swords, shields, knight helmets, and other stuff I found only in this shop. According to my cousin, a lot of workers in the Old Town are not really from Scotland. Many of them are migrants or from the other places in the U.K. The descendants and old Scottish can be found in Glasgow, which I will surely visit in the future.

There is this food that they recommend but I did not try. It’s called Haggis. My cousin googled it and found out it is a sheep’s pluck or offal mixed with other ingredients. According to him, it is probably sheep’s organ. Later I found out that  the ingredients are sheep’s heart, lungs, liver, and intestines with a lot of spices. I still cannot imagine eating it. Maybe I will try it next time…with beer or a glass of red wine.

There are still many things to do and more to discover in Edinburgh. I missed the chance of going to Harry Potter tour or in the real university where the film was shot. I had no time walking further on the other side of Edinburgh, and other hidden places. There are restaurants with eerie themes, exotic foods, and the underground city of the dead tour. I walked down and up the alleys near the clubs and hangouts adjacent to Grassmarket. There I saw some cool offices. I presumed they are creative and tech companies.

Three days are not enough. I wish I had more time to explore more. I would like to visit other museums, libraries, bookstores, music shops, and different interests next time.

2. Spend my birthday in the U.K.

What really happened…I spent my birthday in Manchester.

My UK-based cousin’s birthday is also in January. So I thought of celebrating it with him. On the third day, we returned to Manchester. It was a long train trip but it was worth it. On the night before my birthday, my cousin’s family surprised me with decorated table, birthday food and ambiance. I was touched with the gifts. Definitely a moment I will not forget. On the big day, my cousin accompanied me to United Manchester Stadium tour. It was another wonderful experience where I also got personalized memorabilia and souvenirs. We maximized the day by walking in MediaCity UK, checking out the Imperial War Museum and other places. There are so much to talk about Manchester. I hope I can write and share about the place next time.

We took the train from Manchester to London. My second time in London. This time I went to more places I have not been to during my first visit. We stopped by The British Public Library. I thought I could see those high ceiling bookshelves I have seen on Instagram. Unfortunately, I could not find any. We strolled in St. Pancras International station for a while. It is the station in London where you can ride the Eurostar train going to Paris, Belgium, and other Euro cities. From there we took Uber going to our hotel. We went to Natural History Museum in the afternoon. We walked at night in many streets until we reached Harrods department store in Knightsbridge where I bought a pair of white Adidas Superstar stitched with rope accent. The following day we went to British Museum. I can spend the whole day in British Museum and left the place with so much information stored in my brain with world history, biblical facts and physical interpretation of how the people in those days lived,  and how lives were transformed from ice age to ages. The only question I have until today is “”where did the Chinese come from?”. In the afternoon, I left my cousin and his family and took the Uber to check out Tower Bridge and other places.

It was still a long day in winter so I took the train with the pass I used the whole time. I went to Notting Hill and looked for the footsteps of Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts that they might have left from the 1999 movie and saw a funny sign in the bookstore that says something like “this is not the bookstore you saw in the movie and I am tired of answering the same questions, so don’t ask.” There is an unofficial Banksy store down the road going to Portobello Road. We had lunch in an Italian restaurant for some pizza afterwards. It was drizzling and I thought it was fine because I was wearing a tan trench coat. My leatherette backpack was soaked while hurrying up to take the train again and dropped off St. John’s Wood tube station. In a few hundred meters you can reach Abbey Road. It is best known in the album cover of The Beatles. People get crazy over this narrow road. Some look funny crossing only few steps imitating The Beatles and taking photos. But be cautious with the cars passing by. Some stop, some don’t care. I think that is also the craziest thing I did in London. I attempted more than ten or twenty times crossing the lane while being taken both in photos and videos until I got the most desirable to post. Ended the night in Oxford, SOHO, Chinatown, and Carnaby with a bowl of hot Pho Hoá for dinner.

3. Surprise the world

What really happened…Snoozing from Facebook. I drove the Tesla X. I checked out Amazon Go Store. Photo Op with Gary Vaynerchuk. Unexpected good deal of a 27″ iMac with 5K display

Snoozing from Facebook is good. It is one of the right things I did in 2018. I stopped posting on my Facebook personal account after I updated my cover photo with a walk on Abbey Road in London in January 2018. Often logged out after that. I became more productive.

I am probably one of the early adaptors in my hometown. I have read this social network platform being used in the U.S. campuses and little did most people know, in exclusive corporate communities. I used my old and forgotten yahoo email account when I inquired if I could have an account in Facebook. It was still exclusive in the U.S. during those days. Then, Facebook users quickly multiplied. It arrived in Asia and across the globe. I told about it to my colleagues in both the events and tech businesses. Someone said it won’t take off. Others just wanted to be lurkers.

Facebook used to be fun and no doubt the quickest way to connect to your long lost friends and relatives. It has become an effective communication medium. It used to be “real” global-centric before the algorithm takes over and becomes the platform dictator that feeds you with local ads. For a few times I tried paying and using their marketing tools to solicit the number of likes and followers for a couple of Facebook Pages. Who responded was not my target. On another note, I wonder why tech billionaires, CEOs, and former Facebook partners had silenced their accounts. Some quit and others did not really get into creating an account.

Facebook turns into a political platform–that is based on what I see in my feed. Fake news spread. It has become a wall of swagging, ranting, and hating. It turned out to be the widest freedom wall for many people. Their personal and work problems have become habitually exposed. You will get to know the person with his reaction, comment or status updates. It has become a confession room and a vanity mirror. Bad or good post, it is good business for Facebook. Travel agencies and airlines make a lot of money too because people work hard to save, travel, take pictures, and post the places they go to. Everyone becomes a visual storyteller. Others envy others. In my opinion, posting personal stuff are for personal friends and relatives only. But it has become the digital tabloid. Gossips have naturally become a sought after entertainment. Some have become the memes. Nevertheless, Facebook wins. Do you like the idea of being connected to someone on Facebook even if you are not really friends or related to him or her? The connection could have been designed like in Twitter or Instagram. so if you are going to slowly quit social media, start with Facebook. Privacy becomes a luxury.

On December 31, 2018, I drove the Tesla X from Verdi, Nevada to Roseville, California. It is a straight 100 miles of driving, curving, cornering and auto-piloting experience. It is a car-maneuvering-the-driver feel you can even cook eggs and brew your coffee while on the road. An actual and personal experience from the future. When will this happen in a developing nation like Philippines? Beats me. It needs a lot of rehabilitation on the roads and streets by following the engineering and building codes, and the application of modern technologies. Most of all, it needs a lot of time and effort in educating the people on transformation. Changing or upgrading the mindset and perspective is important. Superchargers in gas stations, malls and open parking lots must also be happening.

I checked out the new Amazon Go store in San Francisco to experience how it works. It is located on the streets of California and Battery. I downloaded the Amazon Go app in my iPhone and connected the app to my Amazon account. I got the QR code which was scanned at the turnstile to let me in the store. I simply walked in, looked what the store sells, and picked what I wanted. I also added in my app a $0.99 orange reusable bag (as my option and souvenir). Finally, I did “Just Walk Out”. The cashier-less shopping experience you don’t need to bring cash or credit card. Just walk out and your Amazon account will be automatically charged. You can see your transaction in your app. The receipt is sent to your email. The photos I shared to my Instagram account.

Crush it! Photo op with Gary Vaynerchuk and I shared it on Instagram and Twitter. I have been following GaryVee on social media. I did not expect I would him in person by hustling the business conference held in July where he was the main speaker. We supplied the sound system, lighting, and LED walls in this event. Gary Vaynerchuk is a straightforward and smart entrepreneur. He is a motivational speaker the gives practical advices. He shares realistic insights based on people’s real situation.

I got a 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display as a good deal from a 5-day music camp. So I built an accidental home studio with a set of Audioengine 2+ speakers and basic audio interface D1 (while waiting for Apollo Twin MKII). I did not plan to buy a new iMac until one day I got an offer from a co-worker in the industry. I was asked to invest in an iMac which was used in the camp and I did not think twice about the deal. Out of the five machines, I took and paid in advance the one unit. The client fully paid after the job. The rental justifies the offset to my investment.

4. Complete the pro HD video camera system to comply to the client’s requirements

What really happened…I bought 2 Panasonic AC160 full HD cameras, Blackmagic ATEM full HD broadcast studio video switcher, LED monitor display, video recorder and other accessories

I also invested in additional video equipment. I bought a Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio Pro HD video switcher, a 27-inch Viewsonic LED Display, an Atomos Ninja Blade HDMI On-Camera monitor and recorder, and additional SDI video cables to complete my full HD video system. I also invested in Eartec wireless communication headsets. The entire system covers our events. It is perfect for live feed and coverage, web shows or live streaming, and live production. Before the end of the year, I invested in new tripods, Pelican cases, accessories, and more cables. As I previously mentioned, investing in another video camera system was not in my plan. But because of the demands of clients to use the full HD and so that not to affect other technical requirements which might lose to another supplier, I quickly responded and poured into the needs. It helped improved the quality of the live feed and video recording.

5. Buy a new compact digital camera for supposedly making YouTube videos

What really happened…I bought a Canon G7x digital camera, a RODE video microphone, gorilla tripods, etc.

Sometime in March 2018, I was searching on YouTube how an engineer in Facebook works and lives. I stumbled upon this video “A Day In The Life of a Facebook Engineer (or a Software Engineer in Silicon Valley)”. I found it funny, witty and something I can relate to. So I continued watching the guy’s channel. I also started checking out his squad’s videos. I landed on several channels I find interesting. The result? YouTube steals some of my Netflix time.

I became curious about how these young and old YouTubers make their videos. I researched what cameras, tripods and accessories they use. A lot of them are making money from creating videos. My favourite channels are about the everyday life. Other interests include tech reviews, DIY, lifestyle, culture, travel, basketball and longboarding. It led me to purchasing a Canon G7x camera, Rode professional video microphone, Joby gorilla tripod, and other accessories. I thought I wanted to get into doing personal vlogging too. Previously, I initially created a couple of channels for our small companies. Some became dormant and some were forgotten. I think I am more into doing blogs than vlogs. Better off the camera. Or maybe doing a podcast as another substitution. As you follow those who became successful in YouTube like Casey Neistat and LinguaMarina, you will see how their lives change. It has no turning back once you experience the passion and continuity. You may pause for a while but no to stopping your creativity and purpose. You will eventually be doing it for your viewers and subscribers. Posting for yourself will be secondary. Successful video creators focus on making good quality contents. And then, sponsors and business will follow. The sponsors come in depending on the topic and quality of the content you create and the sponsors would like to associate with. The videos and channels that get me into watching them consistently must be interesting or motivating. Informative and fun to watch are a plus too.

6. Read at least four books

What really happened…I finished reading only one book. Unfinished reading other books. Started reading a new book in the yearend.

I might have read more than four books in 2018 but finished only one, which is The Idea Factory by Jon Gertner. The book is about the history of America’s greatest innovations and how they all started. Today’s life are changed by different technologies influenced by the technologies in the 20th century. Some have failed because of the timing. While a lot have succeeded because of the continuous passion and transformation ideas. The engineers and scientists who sacrificed their time and pursued to doing research and development of the future of communications and electronics gave lessons not only from scientific discoveries but to multiple aspects of innovations. These include understanding the political interference, building and adapting Bell Labs culture, giving birth to new ideas, identifying the right core group in a project, and bringing a product to the market.

Some of the technologies highlighted in this book are the inventions of telephone, atomic bomb, and transistor. As I said, “sacrifice is a prerequisite to firing a passion”. I wish I could create a separate blog about this book.

7. Buy a new Tarab Loadedboard longboard

What really happened…Bought and shipped the new longboard to Manila. Bought and left another longboard in California.

I bought two new longboards in 2018. It’s Tarab by Loadedboard. It was sleeping in my wish list since I first saw the board in a video. I have stopped cruising using Sector 9 because of busy schedule. And since there is no legitimate skatepark in Makati or in Manila, I practice either at home or in our condo parking spaces. I continue playing only for fun and exercise. When I saw a new longboard used for dancing, I checked out other channels on YouTube. It is popular in South Korea, China, Singapore, France, and in the U.S. No wonder it is not available in the Philippines maybe because of the small influence or restrictions in places. They could be more expensive too. I follow HyojooKo’s channel and sometimes check out Hans Wouter’s channel who both share the basics and tricks. It took months to have my first Tarab longboard arrived in Manila from California. Tax is expensive too. I got another longboard that was shipped to our California address last December. I used it for a while on Christmas Day. I left and parked it in the garage so that I will have a spare to push with when I return to the U.S.

8. Quick break in California

What really happened…I took a winter holiday in California.

California is a home to me. I spent Christmas and New Year again with my sister and her husband. Winter is a favourite season. The season you miss and will look for when you live in a city like Manila. It is another reason to put on my trench coats and favourite hoodies.

Wearing the ugliest sweater theme, we had a Christmas dinner in a Korean restaurant. In New Year’s eve, we only stayed home, exchanged gifts, had dinner prepared by my sister, and waited for the New Year’s countdown.

There is always something new every time I return to the U.S. For the first time, I used the Turo app to rent a car which I drove from Milpitas to Los Angeles. It is also my first time in Boreal Ski Resort. The sky in Boreal was painted orange and the weather was perfectly fine. While everyone bought their ski and snowboarding gear, I rented mine. The cost is around $45.00. I had so much fun and nailed another new experience. After spending overnight in a hotel, we had breakfast in Sasquatch Tavern and Grill in Verdi, Nevada where I ordered the grilled ham and eggs. From Nevada, I drove the Tesla X to Roseville, California (100 miles) where I stopped at the mall parking and have the car supercharged in a Tesla station. Along the way back home, we also dropped by Tesla factory in Fremont.

Few days before I left California, I took the new BART station in Warm Springs and South Fremont to go to San Francisco. I checked out the Amazon Go store located in the corners of Battery and California Streets. I used the Amazon Go app which I downloaded and connected to my Amazon account. Using the app, I got in, walked in, picked up the items I wanted to buy and just walked out. It is a cashier-less experience. And another first time. Afterwards, I headed to my favourite Thai restaurant in San Francisco by taking the Lyft.

What I miss when leaving California is the weather. What I always miss when leaving Milpitas is my sister. I am very proud of her. I can see God’s presence and sympathy in her life. She is a good testimony. By the way, she gave me a high tech and app-controlled pressure cooker as Christmas gift which until today that I’m publishing this blog I have not used it yet . I will try to learn and use it. But I still miss her sumptuous baked salmon and deep-fried beef ribs. Her recipes are the best!

9. Personal Social Responsibility

What really happened…Contribution and pledge to the church. Supporting my high school batch. Continued helping my parents and family members.

The goals I set for my personal social responsibility are the same as in 2017. These include financially supporting our church by annually sharing a little amount to the mission and a pledge to the church building fund. I was not able to give the last half of my pledge for the church building in 2018. However, upon attending my first Sunday worship service in January 2019, I completed the pledge.

I continue supporting my high school batch in the alumni basketball league. It also favours in extending my loyalty and gratitude to my alma mater.

As I mentioned, my parents live in my other house. I meet and pick them up every Sunday to attend the worship service. After lunch and conversation, I drive them back to the church for their regular ushering ministry and small group meeting. I pick them up again after their ministry in the late afternoon and if needed, we buy grocery stuff and head home for dinner which my they cook. My favourites are ground beef or pork “torta”, “daing na bangus” and “adobong pusit” (nobody can beat theirs),.

I also had some plans that did not pursue because of emergency reasons. Emergency means you have to act on it, respond to it, sympathize to the situation, and re-check your original plan’s purpose. You do not need to weigh and wait. Example is switching to financially help family members in their education where you are caught in the situation that you need to immediately answer to beat the due and help them further to their next steps.

It was the year that I had to manage my finances wisely and be practical in any of the major spending decisions. A move could hasten additional obligations. Instead, I focus on the premature investments. I prioritize the things that are a kilometre away from the finish line. We are stewards of God’s resources. Even though guided to some degree, anticipation sometimes becomes normal. But must not be overworked.