ICwidmyIs

Raving about a hospital

2008-09-22T20:23:00.005+08:00

I have been admitted to the hospital and tomorrow morning I will be undergoing surgery... another major surgery after 34 years.

While I am not a great fan of hospitals (because who wants to be hospitalized, right?) I have to take my hats off to St. Luke's Medical Center, where I will finally be having the hysterectomy. The place screams of professionalism and efficiency, which makes it so great for clients, easing them into something that not many look forward to. If I didn't know this was a health facility, I would actually mistake it for a hotel. A five-star one.

Can you imagine, my room has a clock! Because I made a reservation as early as Saturday, it did not take long for me to get admitted after my papers were processed. This morning, I was very tense -- like there was a fist clenched in my stomach. For the last two weeks, I haven't really thought about what I was diagnosed with and what needs to be done, so it must all be sinking in now thus the nerves.

Another thing making me so tense is my HMO, which I can't understand. They can't make up their mind if I have enough for the procedure or if I need to prepare for any excess. My gyne-onco, however, insists that what I have is enough since he's had other patients with the same HMO who did not have to raise additional funds for the procedure. I do have to say bless him, because even if I have to shell out extra funds, he is not charging an arm and a leg, unlike other similar specialists. I can live with his 40,000 professional fees. That really took a load off my shoulders.

It also helps that the room I was given (although way up high) is within the coverage of both the HMO and Philhealth. I'm on the 5th floor, and while the room is quite old (it's not among those already refurbished) but it is spacious, there's a TV and a ref and more importantly, it's PRIVATE.

Now to the operation, the doctor's only worry is if my previous surgery will make it a but more difficult to carry out mine. I sincerely hope not because it will mean bringing in another surgeon, which means more costs.

I still have to worry about the staging of the C. I really, really don't want to go through treatment.

Starting tomorrow, I won't be able to move around as I have been used to and I can only hope to heal quickly. Lots of Vitamin C and protein will address that, according to my nurse. Maybe, VCO will also help.

The guys at the office scampering but if they concentrate on what needs to be done and use a lot of common sense, they will survive. As it is, they've been calling and texting for every little thing since this morning. I know things are difficult because of the budget hearings.

So, I hope it won't be long till I can post another entry. Pray for me...

Things to know before going through a major operation

2008-09-20T22:17:00.004+08:00

In the last 30 days or so I have a) gone to 6 hospitals (New Era General Hospital, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, FEU-NRMF, Medical City, Philippine Heart Center and St. Luke's Hospital); b) seen seven (7) doctors either for consultations or clearance; and c) wasted almost 24 hours waiting for doctors to see me, yet spending an average of 15 minutes for each visit/consultation. This is not to include the hours alloted for all my laboratory tests and the actual amount I had to spend to get all these accomplished. Thankfully, I have medical insurance from the office, but in the end, these preliminary expenses have eaten into my allotment when I will finally go through my surgery scheduled for Tuesday. By then, I estimate I will have less than one hundred thousand pesos to cover even bigger expenses. I don't know if I am to believe my primary doctor that this will be sufficient to cover the hospitalization.

It is no joke to be sick, and in my case, contract a dreaded disease such as cancer. The hysterectomy will determine at what stage the cancer is at, and I am praying that it will either be Stage I-A or I-B so I don't have to undergo further treatment. It goes without saying I am anxious about all this -- not only the procedure itself and the eventual outcome, but the money that must be coughed up for everything.

Through all this initial/preparatory journey, I've picked up quite a few things that could be helpful in the future:

1. The insurance company (at least ours) will not pick up the tab even if the procedure or confinement is at an accredited hospital if the attending physician is not accredited with them. (this really sucks...)
2. The average professional fee charged by gynecologist-oncologists for the kind of procedure I require is between 60 to 80 thousand pesos.
3. Doctors base their fees on the kind of room a patient will occupy for the duration of the confinement. So if you want to save on costs, but suffer inconvenience, enter using a private room, then transfer to a ward before checking out.
4. That a boutique hospital like Medical City that charges an arm and a leg for their services is not necessarily the best.
5. That there are many women afflicted with cancer of some part of the reproductive system and the survival rate when detected at its early stages is quite high.
6. That Medical Arts Buildings, where doctor's clinics are housed, are not created equal. They range from the most swanky to the almost hole-in-the-wall types, but in the end, it is still the competence and integrity of the attending physician that spells the difference.
7. That OB-Gynes and Gyne-Oncos are basically friendly, jovial and do take the time to explain the procedure and what to expect before, during and after the operation.
8. That doctors, especially OB-Gynes/oncos and cardios) are notorious for being late because they can always be called for emergencies and they usually do hospital rounds before coming to the clinic... and that 9 a.m. usually means 11 or 12 noon.

I'm not quite sure what all these discoveries and realizations will amount to, but if it should enlighten someone who will be in a similar situation as mine, then it would have served its purpose.

Funny Boss

2008-09-17T22:47:00.003+08:00

When he is in the mood, the Boss can be really funny. Actually, he admitted so much that his peers want him to be part of their committee meetings he a lot of life to it. He's very participative and since he's a lawyer, he can articulate himself very well. Of course, when the mood swings the other way, he can really drive people off the wall, and launch a tirade that you'd want to wish the ground would just swallow you up.

Anyway, today he was in quite a good mood, in spite minor annoying characters in the office. When he was wrapping up for the day (around 8 pm) he rubbed his palm over the knees and remembered that the material had caught a snag.

Suddenly, he was in an uproar again. On Monday, I will rise to manifest about the substandard equipment here... Look, my pants caught a snag because of splinters under the table, he sputtered. When I checked where he was motioning to, I could hardly see it. He then insisted that he was even poked by nails and lifted his pant leg to show off pinpricks. He said he was very particular about his clothes, and hated the thought it had a run, a snag or a tear. What irked him really was because his suits are customized by a very expensive brand tailor/haberdashery. He was wondering if they could contain the damage.

He was really funny, showing everyone at the office what happened to the pants, and that he really would be standing up to complain about it on Monday. Let's wait and see.

The verdict is in

2008-09-09T07:52:00.003+08:00

I may not be a doctor but when I saw the diagnosis on my histopathy, I knew it was bad. Forget the with or without atypia phrase. There was none of that. Instead what was written in black and white was adinocarcinoma. Anyone who has ever read up on diseases is aware what carcinoma means. Yep, the Big C.

I tried to make light of it when I finally sat down with my OB-Gyne. She did not want to unnecessarily panic me. There were cancer cells on my endometrium or the uterus lining. No question about it, I had to have a hysterectomy, PRONTO. Cancer is cancer, she said and the earlier it can be determined and treated, the better. She was optimistic, though, because the initial prognosis showed Grade I, and while this in no way determines what stage the cancer is at, (the hysterectomy will confirm it), it is most likely in the early stage. What she wants to know is if it has gone beyond the endometrium because this would require further treatment: either chemo or radiation, which I am not looking forward to.

In truth, I didn't know what to feel. I went to the doctor alone so except for her, there was no one to discuss it with. And with her, I couldn't be emotional, if I really wanted to. There was a brief moment when I wanted to break down and cry but somehow, I didn't. She immediately sent me to the HMO coordinator to check if there was a gynecologist-oncologist within the hospital who was accredited with the HMO, to perform the surgery. Fortunately, there was. But I missed him and will have to come in for consultation on Thursday yet.

My OB-Gyne wants the surgery set next week. The earlier, the better. It will be a 3 to 4 hour operation. My, my that will be a long nap. Five days, at least, in the hospital, two weeks to recover, 2 months to heal. The good news, if it could be called that, is that the HMO will likely shoulder all the expenses. That's why I needed an accredited doctor. I need to be prepped, and I need to prep my family and the people at work, especially the boss.

Am I scared? You betcha! I have to hang on to my doctor's word that all will be well. I don't want to be cut up again -- been there, done that. But there is no other way. Bottom line, I want to get better. Please pray for me.

Can we finally make it to the Oscars?

2008-09-04T17:38:00.004+08:00

I recently read the news that the movie topbilled by Judy Ann Santos has been selected as entry to the Academy Awards for Foreign Film. The movie, "Ploning" was hyped a lot before it was shown because it was considered a maverick of sorts. It was certainly not a formula movie, and one of the most glaring difference was its use of a native dialect that even we as Filipinos are hardly familiar with. Many were wondering if it would also succeed in the box office because it was unconventional.

Well, it passed with flying colors and I think was even given a B rating by the Cinema Evaluation Board. Thanks to Judy Ann's appeal, people trooped to theaters to see the film and critics were also generous with praise for this experimental project by first-time director Dante Nico Garcia.

I must confess I was unable to catch the movie during its commercial run and am now very curious as to why it has been chosen to represent the Philippines in the Oscars. Of course, it remains to be seen if it will eventually be chosen so let's all keep our fingers crossed.

I happened to read a review of the movie from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, (Ploning) which I will share with you and let you decide if it is worth seeing and worth being the representative. Whatever the outcome, congratulations are in order for Judy Ann, Dante and the rest of the people who worked to see this film's completion. Thank you for breaking out of the norm but showing nevertheless how talented and creative you are. That's the true Filipino spirit.

State of the Art

2008-08-28T21:48:00.003+08:00

And I am talking about a hospital. Outside, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute is so shrouded by trees and greenery that it looks old and decrepit. But I had the surprise of my life when I stepped in for laboratory tests. The lobby can rival that of a 5-star hotel. And if you didn't know it was a health facility, you could actually mistake it for some luxury accommodation.

I was totally impressed with their laboratory section because it was far better than an airline office or some bank. Come to think of it, there is no bank that looks like it, nor offers such efficient service. You get a number, wait for it to be called then follow the instructions given to you. In case you miss out on the number, not to worry, it's up their on an electronic board. So the only bothersome thing while inside is the constant pinging sound to signal another number is being served in the 8 counters. Inside the booth, it's almost paperless and the very spacious so you know the customer service crew won't be whining about their conditions. Very efficient, too.

I was using a health card so I skipped the payment part and just had to wait a bit to be called for the actual blood extraction. There, the medical technologists ask you you to step inside one of several cubicles that has two seats for two patients. The seat has cushioned arm rests to allow you to hold your arm out for the actual extraction process. No sweat. In about 2 minutes, you're done (provided you ain't squeamish about the procedure).

Everything at the NKTI is so efficient, you could actually enjoy going there if not for the fact that it means you have some ailment or another. I personally don't like hospitals but because of a condition, I've had my share of going in and out of them in the last several years.

Kudos to the NKTI and I guess the government for turning it into the kind of facility it is today.

Just a Quick One

2008-08-24T17:45:00.002+08:00

I'm currently working on a site which will contain everything I am up to that is Web related. If you've got nothing better to do, you MAY WANT to visit it. It's evolving because I keep adding and adding stuff to it.

And if you're thinking of making your own site for free, it's something you will be interested in.

Visit: PinoyEarner

Clickin' and clickin'...

2008-08-24T17:18:00.003+08:00

Two or three years back, when I was in the doldrums, I found the internet to be a good companion. It allowed me to explore a world that took me to places I had never been and see opportunities I did not think were possible.

So I discovered about pay-to-click, blogs, HYIPs, forums, MLMs, YouTube and everything else that you can find on the world wide web. And because I did not think I could lose, I joined a lot of programs and sites and even when I had little by way of cash, I spent and spent and eventually lost and lost. SCAMMED is a pretty good word. Of course, I also discovered there are real programs that are reliable and until now still exist.

A week or so ago, I had to go on leave from work because I needed rest following another bleeding episode. Not having much to do, I was on the Net as often as possible just to keep me busy. And so it is that I've been discovering yet new programs and traffic generators and what have you. But I will say I am now wiser and more cautious than I was years ago.

I've also gotten back to blogging and writing and trying to earn through these exercises. Of course, to do so, I need the numbers. I need the people to visit my blogs or check out whatever it is I've written. Admittedly, it is a long and tedious process. While I may not have as much free time now as before (because of a regular job) I try to still keep at it in the hopes that I will finally earn from something.

What has me caught up these days are marketing sites that are helping me generate the traffic I need to get my blogs out there and read. It is a bit surprising because going around, I seem to be making teeny weeny headway and hope to really get a big kick out of my efforts. I need to work out a plan so that I can go about this systematically. But I am just winging it at the moment.

The truth is my preoccupation with all this clicking and surfing and browsing has left me with little opportunity to write down anything sensible in this blog. So this will have to do for now.

Super Ad Site The Widgeteers Traffic Swarm MillionFreeLeads
Hits2Wealth Click Voyager

Long lost cousin

2008-08-12T20:20:00.005+08:00

My sister and I, along with our young niece, attended the birthday party of a cousin's kid. For a long time, this cousin had been in crisis with no job (thankfully, his wife had one, though) and a young family to support. He's always been a tough guy, but even the toughest of them break under very trying times. Fortunately, late last year, he finally landed a respectable job and from the looks of things is well on the mend.

I think he feels he owes the clan thus the decision to hold the celebration of his two kids (whose birthdays are just a few days apart) nearby where everyone can drop by. It was, in a sense, an impromptu reunion, made more special by the appearance of cousin's sister.

Now this long, lost cousin, has not made an appearance for a very long time. Oh we would hear about her some from her brothers, but that was few and far between. The one time that really had all the family worried was when she supposedly suffered a heart attack (at 30 something) and she did not inform any of her folks about it until it was over. What if she'd croaked! She'd been avoiding us for a very long time so it was a pleasant surprise to see her present.

Our family (especially the father's side) is very clannish. If we can get together as often as possible, we do, with the flimsiest of reason. We do keep tabs on each other, particularly when someone is in crisis of one kind or another. So it was really both frustrating, annoying and worrisome when dear Cousin refused to put in an appearance.

But it was also such a huge relief to finally see her in the flesh and know that she is all right. I do hope she stays in touch. Geez, we're not gonna hit on her for a loan or something. We just want to spend time together, because that's the way we are.

You got a problem?

2008-08-11T19:06:00.003+08:00

So does everyone else. Because problems are part of humanity. Think about it -- how are we supposed to learn about ourselves if our life was always 100 percent fine and dandy? And what a boring life it would be!

Sunday's sermon was very simple, direct to the point yet thought-provoking. God bless you, Fr. Rommel. It was in relation to God always being there for us, especially when we need Him most. And usually this is when we are burdened by problems of whatever kind. He said during those times, there are three realizations: first, we find out who are real friends are because they are the ones most willing to stand by us. Second, we learn of our limitless capacities to overcome whatever problems we are faced with. And third and most important, that God is always there for us. Not necessarily that we can see Him, in as much as we see Him among those who rally for and support us in these times.

What Fr. Rommel said is true. We may not realize them at the time we are in the midst of crisis, but looking back, we learn how problems enable us to become better persons. Sometimes, the answers we seek or want may not be the ones that come, but however we resolve these challenges or obstacles are the way that God has intended for us.

And just to lighten the load, everyone, I mean EVERYONE of us, experiences having problems at one point or another. It knows no class, no gender, no culture. Some are more difficult to hurdle than others, and some we think are far beyond our capacity to handle. But please know that when you think yours is the biggest burden, there is someone else with a more difficult task to face.

Manic Monday

2008-08-04T22:46:00.002+08:00

I was almost contemplating not coming in to work today. On one hand, maybe I shouldn't have. But then again, the Boss needed a couple of things to be prepared for a very important meeting tomorrow. I don't know if it's the result of hormones, since I went to the doctor over the weekend and she prescribed medication. But it seems that the whole world was at the office between 2- 5 pm and in such cramped space, it was like a zoo.

I especially hate the fact that people just take it for granted that it is actually a work space and there are people who need to W-O-R-K there and would appreciate having some peace and quiet! And the things they come for can sometimes make you scream.

Then the staff had to get into the fray, deciding to act up at this time when everything around is almost going crazy. I feel like they left a bit of themselves over the weekend and they're not as sharp as they usually are.

I almost appalled myself because I was snapping at most everyone! So is it hormones or what? I really need to take a break... I wasn't even able to sneak in a few minutes to post in the forums, boohoohoo!

What a bummer day.

Job offers

2008-08-01T17:27:00.003+08:00

It's funny because there have been days when as a result of stress, I'd be contemplating on leaving the Boss. But I am really more inclined to find some work-at-home opportunities if ever I will leave. Am not sure if I'm closer to that goal or not.

So it came as a real surprise when last month, two very real job offers landed on my lap while I least expected them. And if I were really very serious about calling it quits and gave any of them a lot of thought, both were more up my alley and closer to what I've been doing for most of my work life: WRITING.

The first offer, which was so unexpected thus it came as a shock, was made while meeting with two long, lost friends. I knew where they were connected but had no inkling they actually planned to tag-team me to consider their offer. I gotta admit It was a decent and interesting offer, but honestly, there was absolutely no feeling of enthusiasm on my part. No "I really want to do this" feeling. Otherwise, I would have made some form of commitment when they were really pushing me to report to work the next day. But nada. My friends were so persistent so I would give my instant "YES"; thankfully, they relented and allowed me to "sleep on it." Well, I have been -- sleeping on it, that is -- but there's still no compelling reason for me to accept.

My hesitance actually stems from a very important factor: my health. At this time, I'm not very certain how healthy I am and if I can keep up with the demands of the job, which will require a lot of field work. Another reason is the coming and going at my own pace, as opposed to having a strict 9-6 job. While it is true I am on call 24/7 now, I still have a lot of leeway when I have to report to work. What is more important is that I get the job done, wherever I am.

Yesterday, I received another offer, stranger than the first. A neighbor previously asked if I was interested in a part-time job to edit manuscripts for a publishing company. I said sure. But she comes back to me saying the company now needed a full-time managing editor on board! Worse, she even committed me to meet the big boss, ASAP. That was low! Doing part-time work at my own pace (or passing it off to my sister) is a whole lot different and that I'd agree to in a snap. But coming in as a regular employee to figure out how to put in place a new office system is an entirely different ballgame. I'd rather stick it out with the Boss and quit if I can get online work to be my own boss.

So there... It is, however, very nice to know that my market value in the work force is still pretty high for people to think of me and seek me out. And it is a relief to know I still have a choice to accept or decline an offer.

Thank you, God...

Nightmarish day

2008-07-31T16:58:00.002+08:00

I'm a bit bothered because my sister told me this morning that I was screaming in my sleep last night. She had a bum stomach and couldn't sleep well so she was jolted when I was supposedly shouting in anger. And that was twice!? Man, I can't remember a thing. Must have been stress or some repressed feelings I'm not aware of. Could it have been because I wasn't feeling well, with a really bad cough>

Anyway, on my way to work at noon, I just got a ride in time as the heavens wept copious tears. And was it an eternity. In fact, it lets up a little then comes in torrents again. Sigh! I really hate rain, especially here because the water rises on the streets and when you commute, it's inevitable to get drenched. Add to that the jeepney driver was insisting on filling up his vehicle even when we were already packed like corned beef! Waahh!

Well, it's a relatively quiet payday Thursday and I'm really not up to working because of the coughing. Oh yes, please check out my Squidoo lenses and MyLot, too.

MyLot, Squidoo

2008-07-24T19:28:00.003+08:00

I've been neglecting this blog. Sorry! Well, it's just that I'm exploring the world wide web and finding other places to spread my excess energies (huh?) Actually, my search for ways to earn online while engaging in my passion (writing, that is) is never-ending. And till I actually find one that pays, I'm gonna keep at it. Of course, that's after thousands of pesos scammed and wasted. Still, I continue to hold out hope that there will be legitimate programs that can answer this need.

For now, I've created a couple of lenses with Squidoo and am posting a bit more in MyLot. In case you'd like to visit and be part of these sites, please check them out here:

MyLot
Squidoo

Lens1 on Education
Lens2 on Jeepneys

Odds and Ends, This and That

2008-07-12T22:03:00.002+08:00

Been feeling out of sorts and under the weather the last couple of days and with nothing better to post anyway...

Yesterday, however, my aunt came over because we had arranged to renew our passports. The thing with her is she has become an American citizen, and since she is a holder of their passport, each time she buys her ticket there, they refuse to let her buy a one-way ticket. The solution is for her to get a Philippine passport. Of course, this could be trickier than most because of her status of having dual citizenship.

Just to cover the bases, we all decided to get our birth certificate from the Census office, which will issue the ones on security paper. Just for the adventure, we all trooped together (my aunt, my sister and I) and other than the fact it will be released on Monday yet, lining up wasn't such a big deal. Only because our need for the birth certificate isn't prompted by having to seek work abroad, which most of the clients are.

Since we had really planned on dropping by the mall, off we went aboard an airconditioned bus. the fare: P10 each, not bad especially since traffic wasn't all too heavy. At Cubao we got off at Farmer's, and began walking... We did manage to check out Gateway stores, which my aunt had never been to.

We looked around condo units on pre-selling and were impressed with the offer. Since it was 4 pm after scouring the stores, we had a snack, which included Dairy Queen. We were on our way to get a ride, when we happened upon mattresses on a Buy One, Take One offer. Too good to pass up, we ended up spending for these and taking the cab home instead.

It was a very tiring day, but fortunately, I felt a little better...

Not his year

2008-07-07T21:01:00.007+08:00

Roger Federer, he with 12 Grand Slam titles, came crashing down to earth when Majorcan Rafael Nadal give a blistering and consistent performance on grass to raise the 2008 Wimbledon Championship trophy. And it was a long, long battle...

It was Roger's inability to convert on his breakpoints that eventually led to his defeat, a heartbreaking one, by his own admission. After ruling the Queen's grass for five years, almost eclipsing Bjorn Borg's record of consecutive wins, the Fed Express finally ran out of steam.

He's not likely to admit that he knew in his heart Nadal was playing catch-up fast, but that's what the 22-year-old Muscleman from Spain has been doing in the last couple of years. With four French Open titles to his credit, consecutive at that, it was only a matter of time when he would finally be able to spell out Federer. And work on it, he did.

Well, this time truly a picture speaks a thousand words. Looking at Federer clutching his runner-up plate is truly devastating. There is next year to look forward to.

Photos by Fotosport International/R. Parker; Getty Images/C. Brunskill (www.wimbledon.org)

Waiting in suspense...

2008-07-07T00:02:00.004+08:00

It's been an exciting Men's Finals at Wimbledon, and even just listening over Radio Wimbledon, the thrill and nerves is as jangling. At this time, the champion has yet to be declared, but Rafa Nadal, the No. 2 seed, leads two sets to love, and getting ready to close out the match at 5-4, Federer up. But as luck would have it, mother nature has dictated a time out with rain delay being called.

It's now midnight where I am, and I can hardly keep my eyes open. So, while I really, really want to be around to listen and rejoice with whoever will take home the crown, I'm gonna have to sign out in a couple of minutes because there is work tomorrow, and I'm not feeling as hale and hearty as I would like to be.

So, to Rafa or Roger -- go, guys. And congratulations to the eventual winner! If Roger does not make it, there must be some truth to history repeating itself as in the case of Bjorn Borg who was chasing his sixth consecutive Wimbledon crown but ended up losing to lefty John McEnroe. If he pulls a really magical rabbit from his hat, then Federer, you deserve it.

It's her Dish

2008-07-05T23:15:00.003+08:00

In two sets, defending champion Venus Williams beat younger sister Serena to raise her fifth Venus Rosewater Dish at the All England Club. Consistency was the key to her victory, and while she does feel a little sad having to win at the expense of her sibling, Venus was nevertheless thrilled that her preparation paid off.

Great game, guys... even if it was just listening over Wimbledon Radio. So, wonder if Roger and his cardigan will be making history tomorrow.

Photo by Reuters/A. Pierdomenico (www.wimbledon.org)

NUMB3RS

2008-07-04T18:56:00.005+08:00

I am so out of the loop. TV series loop, I mean. As in, television has held little interest for me nowadays. Sure, some days I manage to sit it out and watch a program or so. Of course, it makes a world of difference that there is no cable here in the house. There are four television sets but no cable. Sigh!

So, it came as a surprise that during the ride home from work with a co-worker, I happened upon a DVD he was playing that I thought was actually a movie. Stupid me. It seemed every time we went home, it was the same movie playing over and over again. It turns out he was playing the series 'Numb3rs'. Very interesting because I really love these types of series. I like CSI. Alias, and their ilk. But then unless I get DVDs of past episodes or happen to catch them elsewhere on free TV, then I'm out of the loop.

Having caught just a few of the Numb3rs episodes, (imagine mixing crime and math, wow!) I know it's already caught my fancy but alas, I really have to begin searching for past episodes if I want to update myself. Oh well, we'll see.

Another Williams finals

2008-07-04T09:45:00.006+08:00

For the 8th time, the Williams sisters -- Venus and Serena -- will meet for the finals of a Grand Slam event. The All England Club or Wimbledon has much prestige in it that Serena, who has two of the Venus Rosewater Dish, is hungry enough to keep Venus from getting her fifth.

Surprise semi-finalist Zheng Jie put up a huge fight, becoming the first Chinese to reach that round for Wimbledon. She may have been bested by one hungry Williams, but she proved that Asians are becoming a force to reckon with in the tennis circuit.

So, who am I rooting for this Saturday? Don't really care. While I concede the Williams sisters are talented tennis players who have proven time and again they are champions, I've never really been big fans of theirs. Dunno... must have been turned off by their father, Richard, early on in their tennis careers.

So, the Venus Rosewater Dish for 2008 goes to...

Photo by: Reuters/K. Doherty (www.wimbledon.org)

Sunrise

2008-07-03T22:05:00.002+08:00

This photo I took several years ago in San Juan, Batangas. You would never think the beach where this was taken was so blah, judging from this picture. It only goes to show that beauty is in the of the beholder (in this case, the camera lens)...

Aia Girl

2008-07-03T21:58:00.004+08:00

After a long, hard day at work it is always a joy to come home and enjoy the antics of my 2 year-old niece. Well, she is turning three in October. Unlike her two older brothers who took a bit of a time to talk, Aia can talk a storm, no stutters, often sounding authoritative and just plain hilarious. Of course, in her terrible two's she can be a handful, but always she brightens up my day, whether it is something she says or does.

Thank God for Aia Girl...

Tired and weary

2008-07-01T15:57:00.004+08:00

The boss has been away for nearly two weeks. I thought the whole time he was away I could relax and take it easy. Fat chance! I might as well have gone on the trip with him with his million and one demands. It really makes things difficult because he is not a seasoned traveler; neither is he patient or a techie. Had he been any of the above, life would have been simpler.

For one, he has only one (as in 1) credit card to his name. He refuses to get another for reasons that boggle the mind. It wouldn't have been such a problem if he used his available cash. Nope... he wants to use plastic all the time. And since his card is not Gold or Platinum, he runs out of credit quickly. So, we who are thousands of miles away from him, have to raise the funds to pay off his debts.

Second, he has absolutely no patience looking for internet connection/access. In case this is available -- which usually is the case in hotels around the US -- he does not take the time to check out his email and messages, always relying on text messaging (SMS), thereby incurring astronomical roaming charges. With email and the internet, we can chat and he can give instructions till we both turn blue in the face. But he hardly even checks his email, so there...

Then he isn't very mindful of the time difference. I get messages near midnight, or at dawn. As in there I am in lalaland, and suddenly I get roused by my messaging tone... from him. No wonder I feel so tired and weary. And I kissed my weekends goodbye because I was always on call then.

So I don't know if I prefer him to be away (abroad) or just in the province because at least his demands are more easily catered to without having to bother so many people at such ungodly hours.

Am I glad he is coming home...

Oh my gas!

2008-06-29T16:54:00.005+08:00

Pump prices of gasoline jumped by another P1.50 per liter. Arghh! Can you imagine , a year ago gasoline prices were in the vicinity of P30 per liter and people were already complaining then. Now, it's doubled and they've stopped complaining, instead commuting to beat the crunch.

It's hilarious how you go to a gas station in a fancy, brand new car and purchase P200 worth of gas. Laughable because that's just around 2 plus liters! You might as well leave the car and take the jeep or bus.

Of course it really is so much more convenient to have your own vehicle to get around. But pondering about how much it takes to fill a tank, and the necessity of the errand makes you think a zillion times whether or not to take the car or just commute.

A few weeks ago, while on a jeep, two drivers were sighing about the escalating gas prices. One said there was even talk that next year, crude oil will be hitting P100 a liter. If that happens, one said, no one will be plying the route. It's just darn crazy...

Even my dad who goes to the farm weekends has decided it will be more practical to just take the bus. That way he saves on gas and gets to rest while on the trip...

Wimby's glamour girls gone

2008-06-29T16:43:00.001+08:00

After Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic followed suit. And so it is that the glamour girls of the sport have packed their bags for home. I've got absolutely nothing against these young ladies being tall, gorgeous and all because they do know and love tennis as well. It just gets to me that there is so much preoccupation about their looks and what they're donning at grand slam events.

Now, the Asian tennis players seem to be making a mark at this tournament. They've managed to upset their opponents, which is a really great thing because it's the Europeans and Americans that usually dominate the sport. So here's to rooting for Asian blood to take centerstage.

So Wimbledon is now entering its second week and with the draws compressing, it will be interesting to follow if Federer or Nadal will face off once again for the finals or if one of the Williams sisters will be lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish... again.

Well we just have to tune in and watch as the games unfold.

Photo by IPS/M. Pozzetti (www.wimbledon.org)

Seeds come crashing down

2008-06-27T11:55:00.006+08:00

So much for Maria Sharapova's scene-stealing outfit... After two rounds at Wimbledon, she's joining Serb Novak Djokovic in packing bags and heading for home. Hey, aren't they the reigning Australian Open champs? Hmmm.

I guess tennis has really become unpredictable these last years. Of course, not to discount the dominance of Roger Federer, who's been at the top for nearly three years. These days, it can be anybody's game. Well, just looking over Federer's shoulder is Rafael Nadal, who just may pull a great stunt and finally prove he's not just a clay-court guy.

The truth is I miss Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, even Michael Chang and Steffi Graf and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. I miss their showmanship on court. Power tennis? I'm not really so gung-ho about. Because play that way and in a couple of years, they have to contend with injuries. Now a good game by Agassi and Sampras or Graf and Monica Seles, wow! Really keeps you glued to the screen, your heart thumping with excitement. Even Goran Ivanisevic was a showman.

Well, there's next year again for Sharapova and Novak... And here's to looking out who will reign supreme on the queen's green.

Photo by IPS/M. Pozzetti (http://www.wimbledon.org.)

Construction and the Blues

2008-06-25T11:02:00.002+08:00

Hayayayay! The office is one big construction site at this time. As in, the entire Batasan Pambansa complex is full of scaffoldings, cement, construction workers, hammering, digging, chipping and what have you. They're making use of the long break to get things going. The facades are undergoing a facelift, the bathrooms (so many of them) are being renovated, even our 6th floor has not been spared. So it's one huge facelift for the complex.

In exchange, there is never any peace and quiet, with all the racket and commotion caused by the hammering, pounding, chipping away at plaster and cement. And the dust is terrible!. Worse, you never really know which areas are passable.

Making matters worse is that I've been under the weather lately. I can feel a cold and cough tickling. At least the Vitamin Cs I'm glugging seem to be holding them off. But I can still feel it coming.

Then there's the internet lull at the complex following the typhoon over the weekend. Connections have yet to be restored. What a bummer week this is turning out to be...

Whiplash Weekend

2008-06-23T22:05:00.002+08:00

So many things happened over the weekend, and am I thankful the home and family are all intact and safe.

First there was Frank -- one bloody typhoon that whipped through the entire country from south to north, leaving thousands homeless, hundreds dead, and millions worth in damaged property. Did Frank make his presence felt... While it's been overcast with thunderstorms in the past weeks, nothing could have prepared us for the early morning attack last Sunday when Frank hit the metropolis after ravaging the Visayas and other parts of the country in its path.

Mom, who was in the farm with Dad for the weekend, roused us at 4 in the am to warn us that Frank was about to hit land. They've been awake since 2 because the wind had been howling and the heavens pouring leaving the surroundings flooded. The caretakers had to seek refuge in the main house lest they get trapped in their modest homes. It was, Mom described, like a refugee camp with lights out for the most part. Good thing there was a girl scout who fashioned a makeshift lamp using our precious VCO.

After checking on the doors and windows, shutting those that need to be shut just as the winds were starting their fury, I hit the sack again but sis tuned in to the radio for regular weather/storm updates. An hour or so later, Frank hit land, whipped everything in sight, dumped rains and made certain everyone would stay home for the rest of the day. Power was out for several hours making it difficult to do chores around the house in darkness. The house (boohoo!!) was feeling the effects of the storm, mostly in the living room when water started seeping into the house. It was a never-ending mopping session and dumping water outside until late afternoon. Power was restored for about half-an-hour then went off again. With power out, the kids were restless and bored. We had fried rice for lunch and salted fish on the side. The rains were intermittent and lasted till late in the evening.

News that an inter-island vessel sank added to the tension. I can imagine the nightmarish situation for disaster officials who would have to contend with various rescue missions. Sulpicio Lines sure is unlucky. It's another of their vessels that turned over; 700 passengers and crew on board, and the survivors are coming in trickles, if at all. Now what is with these people setting sail in spite news of bad weather? Tsk, tsk.

Our house-help, who was due in from the province (the same area where the sunken ship originated from) had us worried. But she sent in messages that she was safe but stranded. Whew! That was close. Now, she is back home, none the worse for wear.

In many parts of the country hit by Frank, there is still no electricity. Those who lost their homes are holed up in evacuation centers -- mostly schoolbuildings. Classes were suspended in areas ravaged by the typhoon. Communicatioan facilities are getting back to normal. Even internet connections suffered heavily and need to undergo repair.

It's just the beginning of the rainy season and who knows what else lies ahead...

Here I am Again

2008-06-18T16:12:00.002+08:00

I cannot believe that it's been 9 months since I last posted here. Yes, yes, I've been neglecting this what with the new boss, who has just as many demands as the previous. Well, the good thing is he treats his staff like humans and not like animals.

In the 11 months since he's been in office, he has logged in thousands of airmiles due to several overseas trips. Last month, it was Belfast, United Kingdom, tomorrow he's off to the US for 10 days. Oh my gosh! And it's always been one harried preparation after another.

I've got other stuff to write about in the next couple of days... as soon as he leaves.

In the meantime, it's good to be back.

So much happening...

2007-09-13T16:29:00.000+08:00

I cannot believe that it is almost the middle of the month, yet here I am with just this post for a start. Not that nothing much has happened. In fact, there have been many events, thoughts, words and realizations that I would have wanted to share. Still it's the fact that I really get tired and burned out from work that keeps me from logging in and blogging.

So, let me just share a couple of things. Last Saturday, I met up with elementary classmates for a mini-reunion. It's been quite a while since I last saw them. It was just four girls. But I liked the small group. We weren't awkward talking and sharing and reminiscing. Which reminds me, I got a couple of pics to work on so it can be posted for the others.

That's one. Another is my bank runs, and that's literal. The Boss has this habit of wanting to complete transactions at the last hour and since he trusts no one but me to handle his finances, I end up running up and down, trying to beat the clock to fulfill his wishes. Urrghh... I am too old for this. One time, I made the mistake of ordering him to come down and meet me when it was really one of the staff I wanted. Boohooo... But he's really a good sport about it.

My aunt, sister and I caught the last Travel Mart. As usual it was interesting because you get a sense of going around the country in 3 hours. Lots of brochures, freebies and multi-media presentations. And while we did not intend to spend, there were some buys that were too good to pass up. I even got a neat blouse for P950, and it will help build up my formal and semi-formal wardrobe. Good thing I received one month's salary then.

The last good news is that we are finally up-to-date in our wages. Of course it hurts that my deductions are a bloody P11,000, can you imagine? That's criminal!!! But hey, one day I'm going to get them all back one way or the other.

That's it for now...

Month's end again!?

2007-08-30T16:43:00.000+08:00

Yikes, it's the end of the month again. I can't believe it's been a couple of weeks since I last posted. Been busy with work and last weekend I hied off to the farm with my sister and aunt. That's was a good one.

Hmmm... was busy putting together a last-minute speech for the boss. It's kinda hard to be doing this on regular basis and I hope I can recharge enough because I've got a couple more messages to do.

Anyway, it's a bummer that the phone has been down at home so I can't access the Internet. Good thing the broadband at work is now working. Sorry to be taking advantage of it. But I'm unwinding anyway. It's a Thursday and the end of another work week. It will be gruelling next week so I gotta be prepared.

Non-stop rain

2007-08-18T00:15:00.001+08:00

Since last night, the rain has continued to pour and flood most of the metropolis. The kids have been out of school for 3 days out of 5. And on Monday, it's a national holiday again. Wow, long weekend, but very WET since the weather bureau has warned to expect continuous rains over the next three days.

On the positive side, it's very cool, at times cold, and it's kept everyone at home mostly. But with the kids in the house, they're getting wild about being trapped inside and you can only huddle in bed for so long.

I hope damage will be as minimal as possible in areas prone to flooding and landslides. And with government kinda short in funds lately, following the mid-term elections, they're gonna have to scrounge for funds to give out relief goods, relocate, conduct rescue missions, etc.

I'm really thankful for God's grace and mercy that he watched over my dad's journey from his long bus trip and kept us all safe and warm with a roof on our heads, albeit one that leaks in certain places.

I'm getting to the creative part soon...

What typhoon?

2007-08-15T21:41:00.000+08:00

This is so weird... There's supposed to be a typhoon that's bringing with it monsoon rains. Except for the one heavy downpour this morning, and rainshowers later in the afternoon, NADA. But guess what? They sent kids home from school in the middle of the day, and just after lunch suspended work in government offices.

However, there are reports that in some areas the floods have been terrible and traffic jams are really bad. So, the moral of the story is: be grateful. I am, I am. At least, coming home is just a few minutes away and I didn't have to sit through traffic or get drenched in rain and slosh in the floods.

The best part is: it's Wednesday today! Hurray! With just a day more to go, it will be a really long weekend since Monday is once again a holiday. With payday a long way off (in September yet, can you imagine?) that sure is welcome news.

Home Early

2007-08-09T17:13:00.000+08:00

I mean, very early as in 3:30 pm. And this rare feat I accomplished because I had to deliver the BOSS' ticket to him at a hotel where he is attending a roundtable symposium. He did say for me to go home after we settled everything. But I really was planning to go home early just to offset the three days of coming home late and under driving rain.

I also told the kids at the office to leave early, anyway there isn't much going on there. I love Thursdays!

Good thing I learned that my name isn't on the list for initial salaries yet because I also found out I need a certificate from the Cashiering for my last salary. This is the only document missing so they can also process my initial salary covering the month of July.

Wow, funds are really tight and I can feel it, especially with my mother breathing down my back. Another "creditor" who was asking for a partial payment called up and I finally told her I hadn't received my salary for the last one-and-a-half months. That shut her up.

Well, there will probably be more realiable equipment at the office next week, and with a printer available we can get things done there quicker without me having to bring home homework, unless really necessary.

We filed our first bill, too, and hey the move to another office is also doing my health and body good. Quite a few have noticed, even if I haven't.

Here's to the end of another work week...

Stormy weather

2007-08-07T23:02:00.000+08:00

This very moment, the storm is upon us now. The power went out for about 5 minutes, thank God for the UPS. I can hear the rain lashing just outside the window, the wind howling and raindrops slamming on the roof. Everyone is asleep, but I wonder how long they can ignore the storm.

It was a bugger coming home because the rain was falling in torrents and I had a walk ahead of me. Drat the public works people for waiting till the rainy season to undergo road widening that has shut off the shorter entrance to the subdivision. I had no choice but take the "long cut" and in the process, got soaking wet, my shoes all muddied and yucky.

While I appreciate the ride up to the main highway, I wish the people who owned the vehicle were more sensitive seeing as the rain was pouring. If it had been me, I would have driven my passenger to their doorstep in that kind of downpour.

On one hand, rain is good because the drought has threatened to leave us with rationed water supply. So while the water reservoirs may not be filling up to the brim, at least it's working up to a manageable level.

But while rain cools the surroundings, I hate it because our streets aren't rain-friendly. I'm just really glad I had my jacket and didn't get any more wet than necessary considering I'm just recovering from my bout with cold and cough.

I'll be hitting the sack in a bit, and I sure hope the rain slackens so I can sleep in silence.

Thoughts on Motherhood

2007-08-07T00:05:00.000+08:00

I've just had a crying spell. Good thing it's midnight and no one could hear me. My sister and I were just talking about our nephews and niece and how their mother -- our sister -- treats her kids. Actually, unless you know she's their mother, it wouldn't really show based on how she deals with them and treats them.

My sister related how she witnessed oldest boy and mother going through the motions of homework, when the parent has absolutely no patience with the kid and how it of course impacted on the boy. It's a never-ending cycle, as far as I'm concerned. Mother does not really teach or help out, she orders him to do the work, without taking time to check if he understands the lessons or if he needs to be more familiar with the concepts. End result? She gets exasperated, irritated and ends up beating up the boy when he becomes difficult.

For one, I would have wanted for the boy to take a nap first before tackling homework. That way, he would have shaken off the school mode, relaxed and rested before facing school work again. But mother has no patience to lie with him until he sleeps, neither will she make him milk immediately upon arriving so he can nap.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. What triggered the crying spell was realizing she has never shown much affection to any of her kids, but is content on treating them like soldiers -- sans emotions. Looking back, I know I get angry and exasperated with the boys, too, and sometimes, I have to resort to spanking them, but in spite this they remain close to me. Unlike their mother, whom they barely hug or kiss. I guess it's because I make it a point to explain to them why I was angry and why they were punished. After, I never forget to hug them and show affection just so they know they are loved.

This entry will sound disjointed because I do feel terrible about the situation. I realize the reason why I don't have kids of my own is because my purpose is to care for these kids and show them the love, respect, and care that they need and deserve. And I do believe that not all women are made to be mothers...

Winding up...

2007-08-02T23:16:00.000+08:00

Another work week ended. It seems my extra workload from the old office was even more than my present one. Hmmm. Well the good news is I got my LAST SALARY -- meaning my pay for the period June 16-30, 2007. Can you imagine that... it is now August and I'm just receiving my paycheck for June. So go figure when payday will normalize or better yet, when my initial salary will be released. Am I glad I submitted all my papers as early as the 2nd week of July. Because everyone at the new office hasn't completed theirs yet. Yikes, and good luck to you guys.

The bad news is my mother has been waiting in the wings for my salary to pay off debts. I haven't gotten around to writing about THAT, and I'm just waiting for the right frame of mind. I do feel bad, however, to be working to settle debts that aren't mine in the first place, but inherited because I was left holding the bag.

Okay, am waiting to cash out some again from online investments and scouting around for more of the steady, honest and reliable ones. Check my other blog, GUIDED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES, if interested.

Much-Needed Break

2007-08-01T19:00:00.000+08:00

GOD is good, all the time. Since last week, we've been leaving the office way too late. Today, as he told me, the BOSS is absent. And the little BOSS, too. And for the first time in weeks, we left the office at 5 p.m. Wow! Achievement.

I was really praying early this morning that I could head for home early, thinking we were going out tonight. But with an aunt and niece visiting, that might not push through either. Still, it's good to be home before dark. And everyone seems to be cooperating as we had very few callers at the office.

It's really a much-needed break.

Last Day of the Month

2007-07-31T23:20:00.000+08:00

I just wanted to post on the last day of the month...

As is getting to be the habit, we left the office after everyone else has, and that was already 9 p.m. Geesh, if there's anything I miss at the old office, it's the fact that we never really leave too late at night. Things had better change because we'll burn out fast with this habit.

And why are there so many letters to write for the other office? Sigh. Now I really look forward to my weekends because of this late dismissal. I wish the new BOSS would come in earlier so he can finish earlier and the second boss and anyone else will not tarry around... I mean, we're okay but it's not fair to be hanging around too late when all else have gone home.

Well, I better hit the sack and wake up early tomorrow to finish up everything the other office needs. Hmmm, I better think up of some compensation from them guys.

A New Week Ahead...

2007-07-29T21:49:00.000+08:00

It's 10 pm here and after this, I'll be hitting the sack to get ready for Monday, and a new week. I sure hope it won't be as trouble-laden as the last.

I have a couple of letters to do for the OTHER office, but I wanted the weekend to be just rest and relaxation so it can wait tomorrow when I'm in the working mode.

A bright spot on this day? Received my withdrawal request from an online investing program, one which gave me a scare a few weeks back, but has since proven to be reliable and steady. I really, REALLY hope they hang in there and more people will benefit from their service and expertise. Interested about them? Visit GIO.

With all the news about scams in online investing, I'm so wary about inviting locals to try their luck with reliable programs, sigh! You know, you don't want to be blamed in case it doesn't turn out the way they expect things to work out. We'll see. I have to cash out first, show them proof and then maybe, if the programs continue, they'll be enticed...

Well, I've taken up more time than I intended for this post... Till next.

How The Rain Poured

2007-07-28T20:16:00.000+08:00

The skies have cleared from 3 or 4 hours ago. It was bad then when the rain came down in torrents. Worse because we needed to drive out (me, my sister and nugget niece... again). With the main subdivision gate impassable due to road-widening construction, we had to take the longer and more traffic-congested route. It probably wouldn't have been such a hassle if it wasn't raining, but God had other plans.

Which makes me wonder: if it rains this way in the next couple of days, will the water level at the reservoir increase enough to ward off the impending water crisis? Hmmm.

We ended up going through a circuitous route just to be able to get all our errands accomplished. The bummer was having only one umbrella in the car. And since I had to drop off my two passengers at the entrance, they got the umbrella and I was left with a slicker, which was no match for the next phase of the downpour.

Our weekends sure are interesting and adventurous. I've been taking catnaps to recover from the hectic week, but playing marshall to two rambunctious boys takes its toll on you. I wish the kids would take a break, too. Sigh!

Rain is welcome tonight to cool things off...

The Week That Was

2007-07-26T22:11:00.000+08:00

It is only Thursday, but I consider it the end of my (work) week. And what a hectic week it was! I liken it to a roller coaster ride, because you know there will be highs and lows, but are never really prepared for the actual thing.

Monday had me up and early -- as in I was at work by 7:30 AM. And THAT was pretty early for me. By the time I arrived, I was up on my feet running around the complex, sweating like a pig, going up and down the stairs. And just when I thought everything was fine and dandy, I learn things just aren't so. It took another round of running and climbing before I got everything under control.

When things were getting busy around me, I get a really strange call from F, who is offering me 10k to be a consultant with the old BOSS. The thing is if it didn't come from him, I might have accepted. I was considering it, okay, but when he pulls this prank of where the hell are you, I want to see you because I want a letter written, that did it for me. No amount of money can compensate for the abuse that he can heap on me if I accept. I want respect and I won't get that from him. So I end up telling F, I will help you and the other guys out, just don't harass me and I won't do it for money but friendship and old time's sake.

Now back to the new BOSS. He's okay, a greenhorn and you have to hold his hand in a lot of things, but a quick study. I like that he's polite and respectful even when tense, and I may have overstepped my bounds a few times, but he seems okay. What I do NOT like are his bodyguards, who don't act like they are. They sit around the office, entertain VISITORS, mind the official stuff going on even when it does not involve them and are just plain pain in the **s! Hey they even insist that we have to be the BOSS' close-in when it's their job. The nerve!

I am only glad they've flown to the province and will not be back for a couple of weeks at least so we can have some peace and quiet. They really grate on my nerves.

Work is coming along, and there is the added work of helping out F and the others. I've been coming home a bit later than usual, but I don't mind. The BOSS isn't harassing me or anyone anyway...

Now, if only I didn't have to run into undesirable people...

ICE DROPS!

2007-07-21T16:12:00.000+08:00

It rained ice! I say it with an exclamation point because we live in the Philippines - a tropical country where snow is unheard of. It has been bloody humid the whole morning, and with an overcast sky, we really were expecting rain.

But it caught us all by surprise when the first raindrops began to fall. They sounded so huge because the splattering they created on the roof was unusual. Still it was a couple of minutes more before I looked out the window and saw ice chips raining on us.

Wow! The boys who were taking naps were roused to witness this amazing and unusual incident. My mom, who has seen her share of snow in the States, excitedly picked up ice chips that scattered outside the kitchen door.

This was quite an experience and I don't know how the weather bureau will explain the phenomenon. But I loved it because the air had cooled down considerably and the humidity level dropped. Of course, it could be dangerous for people outdoors who may have been caught unaware and might have been hit by the ice chips.

Well, rain, ice, rain, ice... that was nice.

A long-awaited reunion

2007-07-21T16:00:00.000+08:00

I've had difficulty accessing my blogger account yesterday so I gave up even if I really wanted to post. Anyway, I just had to write about a long-awaited reunion with one of my very few trusted friends. D has actually been badgering me for months to get together. The problem is she lives and works so far away.

But yesterday, I finally needed to go to her area and it would be cruel not to drop by and have lunch with her. Anyway, I appreciated the Licensing Center I went up to because it took less than a hour to have my driver's license renewed. It was quite a ways off, but I didn't mind the travel given that I did not have to wait the whole day to get it. So, congratulations guys.

D was thinking I wasn't really gonna drop by, so she was really excited when her staff announced my arrival. We've known each other for 20 years and while there have been stretches of time when we did not talk or see each other or even send text messages, it's as if we never lost touch. I know she will be always be someone I can run to, talk to and hang out with if the need ever arose. I helped get her wedding together, okay, and her only son is my godson, so we're really close.

As always, it was good catching up with each other's lives and we always enjoy the company, the chitchat, the discussion. And since we managed to start this "reunion" it probably won't be a hardship to get together regularly. I love D, and am really thankful we met and became good friends.

Church Hopping

2007-07-15T19:22:00.000+08:00

My sister and I and our little nugget of a niece went around three churches this pm. Are we so holy that we'll shoot out of heaven? We wish... It was for a project I took on in June but have not gotten around to working on, so today was the perfect day.

We were asking around if parishes would allow us to set up a table for a small exhibit to promote Catholic Digest, a magazine sort of like Reader's Digest, but with a Christian slant. Most were receptive and advised us to send our letter request/proposal, which the parish priests will review.

The problem now is the people who will man these tables... It will be kind of difficult to have someone stationed in them with peanuts for compensation because they will be giving up their Sunday.

But hey, one thing I do know and trust in is that God will eventually allow things to fall into place, if he really means for it to be.

And yes, in our church hopping, we did stop by to hear mass with the little one. My was she a bullet! But she enjoyed our little outing just the same.

An experiment with... wine

2007-07-14T14:19:00.000+08:00

I was asked to write a short press release for a restaurant that wanted to conduct a basic wine education course. It completely slipped my mind because of the many things happening at work and my bout with bronchitis. They called me again last night and I put one together hurriedly, which I hope will still be worth their while.

Anyway, I want to experiment about content. This article is heavy on certain keywords and I wanna check if this makes a difference with Google. In case you happen to be around Manila when they do conduct one course, you might want to check this out...

Basic Wine Education Course at Lemuria

After your first few experiences with wine, you’re ready to learn more. And if you were acquainted with wines at Lemuria, the gourmet fine dining restaurant, you’re in for a treat. This year-old restaurant is making a name for its exceptional cuisine, but this is perfectly complemented by the wide range of wine choices from Brumms Quality Wines, Inc.

Lemuria will be offering a Basic Wine Education Course, called “Cheers to the Grapes” with lectures and of course, the actual wine tasting. And you can’t have it any better because the venue, one of the function rooms at Lemuria, will be set up almost similar to the wine tasting areas in wineries at Napa Valley.

Six wines, representing the major grapes that Filipino wine drinkers are likely to encounter, will be used for the tasting component of the course. These include:

Sauvignon Blanc St. Clair Pioneer Block I
Reisling Robert Weil Kabinett 2005
Chardonnay McManis
Pinot Noir Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara 2005
Cabernet Sauvignon Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon
Shiraz Mitolo The Jester Shiraz

The first wine education course is set for July **, 2007. Only 10 participants per session will be accommodated for the two-and-a-half-hour course, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The fee is PhP ****** per person, inclusive of the wines to be sampled. ************ will guide you in this special wine course.

Leave with the knowledge that you’ve learned the wines and their distinctive characteristics, and are ready to be adventurous in your next wine drinking experience.

To reserve your slot for “Cheers to the Grapes,” please contact… Lemuria is located at The Winery, #5 Julieta Drive, Horseshoe Village, Quezon City.

2 Days to Breathe

2007-07-12T19:26:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I was "forced" to come in to the new office because the new BOSS was supposedly dropping by. No problem, I said I'd show up after lunch. While eating, I got a very sweet text message from F, who wanted to know if I was sick. Of course, she was very concerned but I told her I was getting better. She's upset about goings on at the old office (nothing new really) and she was emphatic about really missing me. My last reply was that I couldn't wait for her to get out of there...

With no furniture and equipment at the new office, I just spent time getting my appointment papers in order so I can be ready to receive a salary as soon as possible. The problem with bureaucracy is that it takes them forever to process what is due to workers, insisting on red tape that isn't really necessary.

Still, it was relaxing and stress-free to be in an office that wasn't as demanding as the last one. And I really needed the break. I do feel for those left behind because they really are groping what with the move to the new office and coping without me around.

Well...

Sick, Sick, Sick

2007-07-10T10:51:00.001+08:00

I really am and have been since Thursday evening. It's bronchitis and of the worst kind. You know, hard to breathe and exhausted even just with a few steps taken. And the spasmodic coughing is a killer, especially in the middle of the night. Well, blame it on the weather -- it's always gloomy every morning, then the sun peeks out but takes cover every 15 minutes or so. And then there's rain. Sigh!

And besides last week was stress and tension-filled what with the leaving and the intrigues following my way. Well, you really cannot please everybody and you will die trying. Me, as long as I know I've done my job and helped those that needed my assistance, I'm cool with it. Still, it sucks because even when you closet yourself from all the talk, there is still bound to be some...

I'm thankful the new office understands my situation... but the work still comes and I can already see a pattern here. I know I always have a CHOICE whether to keep at it or go and do something else. We'll see...

Meantime, I'm drinking a lot -- of water, tea and any other liquid available around the house. And visiting the john as often, too. Of course, it will help when the people who need to be around are back so I can really kick back and rest.

By the way, it's my sister's BIG day today. With 3 kids all demanding attention one way or another, I hope she gets a break, too.

Earning online

2007-07-06T23:53:00.000+08:00

I want to take a rest from my work woes and try something else for a change...

How about online earning? Now that I am a little excited about. I have been for some time now dabbling in online money making opportunities. Unfortunately, I've had more misses than hits in the past couple of months. Translated: quite a bit of cash lost. But I like to think positive so I keep searching...

I don't know if it's because I've sought divine guidance that in the past three months or so, I have come across some internet programs that are still hanging on there. There was one that I really thought was the real thing, but it went pfft in smoke, too. That cost me around $40, ouch! So now I'm trying to recover most of my losses with a couple of programs that seem to be kind to me.

Right now, that is my main goal in online investing: recover my past losses. Once I am able to do that, then I can use my current earnings to stay on with reliable programs and increase my investments so that hopefully, I can be earning something substantial and doing things I really love to do and not things I am forced to because of the paycheck.

If you may be interested in what these programs are, please check out my other blog: GIO. Nothing big or fancy but if you care to take a risk, even with minimal amounts, then please join me.

It Dawned on Me...

2007-07-04T19:04:00.000+08:00

That the reason why this job stresses me a lot is because more than just my actual functions, I have been a shock absorber, sounding board, counselor, adviser and what have you. It seems most everyone at the office is depending on me especially during crunch time and I'm absorbing all the negative vibes thus the stress.

Even when the Boss doesn't really harp on me or shout at me or curse me, I still end up feeling dejected because whoever was at the receiving end of his wrath will transmit it to me, either in person, over the phone or through text messages. And I really absorb them all.

Today was no different... the Boss suddenly on a whim (of course) decided he wanted to leave for Beijing tomorrow! It was 3 p.m. when I got the call about this. Another one of those goals where you need a miracle. Because he stressed his assistance, she in turn runs to me for help and advice. While I am at this office, I can never really ignore this. So the best thing to do is GET OUT.

The Deed is Done

2007-07-03T21:23:00.000+08:00

And my instincts were right on the dot... I knew it would be difficult -- for me and for the guys at the office -- to swallow the fact that I will, indeed, be leaving and moving somewhere else.

The first, and most important, person who learned of this refused to believe me. But when she realized I wasn't kidding, she cried. I couldn't help but be touched. She is actually the one big reason why I decided to hang on for several more months, even when I had already contemplated on leaving. I knew she depended heavily on me for support (moral and everything else) and when I go, she feels her work burden will be more difficult. Much as I hate to leave them, I don't think I can stand being in a work environment where the boss doesn't want to get a grip on the important things yet bothers himself with all flimsy and inconsequential stuff. It is also very demoralizing for him to always be punctuating most of his sentences with expletives. Demeaning...

When word got around that I would be leaving, there were of course questions as to why I decided to leave them behind. that's kinda hard to answer because I really don't want to leave behind a group, which I firmly believe I helped become a unit. Sadly, there are other considerations for staying on in a job.

Yeah, I can't help being teary-eyed because 15 months is 15 months however way you look at it. I knew they all looked up to me for guidance and support and while it pains me to break this bond, I need to breathe and take care of my health.

Of course, there will be adjustments and I'm not even sure I will actually last in this new office but then life is an adventure, with a certain amount of risk. And I truly believe this was the path God had laid out for me. My purpose for being with my office now is to touch the lives of my co-workers. Maybe, I've served it already.

Time to Decide

2007-07-02T18:37:00.000+08:00

Yep, it really is. But I did not think it would be this difficult. Yesterday, I got a call saying my appointment papers for the new employer was already available. Available for what?! I didn't even know it was a done deal, because I was waiting for a call back after I submitted my test work.
Boy do I have cold feet now. The appointment papers are now with me, waiting to be filled up. The thing is my re-appointment papers are also up for the BOSS' signature. And they're packing up and getting ready to move to the new office.

In truth, because of the unsystematic way they run the projects of the BOSS, it really is very frustrating. There, too, are the BOSS' whimsical ways. These are actually the factors that make me want to consider the change. But then there are the people I work with. Well, maybe I've already served my purpose in this office and it's time to move on. Tomorrow, I really must inform someone of the decision.

And booh, I hate being in this position... What I am now praying for is to be able to raise the necessary resources so that I needn't have to be in the service. With God's guidance, I hope things will fall into place soon.

Call for Help

2007-06-30T21:13:00.000+08:00

Attending to requests for assistance -- financial or otherwise -- is one of our functions at the office. Serving a congressional district has been an eye-opener for me because I've come to realize how lucky I am in many ways.

Not a week passes that we do not attend to relatives of patients suffering from a gamut of medical problems that require medication, hospitalization, surgery, chemotherapy, dialysis and what have you. We don't actually give out cash, because the office would be bankrupt if this were the case, but referral letters to agencies that provides assistance of this nature. My heart especially goes out to kids who are very sick, and whose parents are all but in tears begging for help.

I remember last December when a desperate man came into the office late in the afternoon, short of breath because he was trying to catch our next-door neighbors. Unfortunately for him, they left earlier. I can't recall if the patient was his wife or father, who really needed money for treatment and whose health was failing. He was struggling to hold back tears as he related how he had been everywhere trying to raise the funds needed for this crisis.

Dealing with this day in and day out, we have to steel ourselves so we don't break down or give in to all the drama every time. But there are just instances when their plight tugs at the heartstrings and you go one step further.

I didn't have it in my heart to turn away our late visitor without extending monetary assistance. His gratitude was just as touching so I knew I had done right at that moment. A few months later, he came by again and I was afraid he would be asking for help a second time. He didn't. Instead, he dropped by purposely to seek me out, extend his gratitude once more and relay the news that the patient eventually passed away in spite his efforts.

Sometimes, what we do to help others may not necessarily save them. But the thought that you shared whatever you can, and this is appreciated by those who needed help, is comforting enough.

There are many more cases of people seeking help and I sincerely wish I can do something to help ease their burdens. It may not necessarily be extending monetary assistance, but a giving of my talent and time to find ways to channel help to them. And I hope, too, that someone out there who may happen to read about these people will find it in their hearts to share.

A Special Birthday

2007-06-30T00:24:00.001+08:00

My nephew -- by a cousin -- turned 7 yesterday. Wow, big deal, 7-years-old. Until two days ago I had no idea how BIG a deal it really was... I learned the boy has never had a birthday party growing up. And now that he was reaching a milestone (kids should have a party when they turn 1 and 7 at least) there was again the danger that he wouldn't be having a party on this special day.

For the life of me, I couldn't really figure out why this poor kid has yet to experience a birthday party. My aunt, who lives next door to the boy, explained that since his b-day falls on June 29, this has always been a bad time funds-wise.

One, because school has just opened and with two of them studying, money will logically be used to enroll them. Unfortunately, unlike in America where primary education is free in public schools, it costs quite a bit to put kids through good schools here in the Philippines. Two, payday is on the 15th and 30th of the month -- so on the 29th, chances are the paycheck hasn't come. Third and more significant is the fact that they've had a very difficult life and it has only been a year when my cousin was able to get a good-paying job abroad, enough to give his young family a comfortable life. And even then, because funds have been limited the past years, there are still obligations to settle at this point in time. So, there...

Since I felt that throwing a simple party for him was not going to cost me an arm and a leg, and my nephews and niece, courtesy of my sister, would enjoy the visit to their cousins, I decided to give him a little surprise. After all, it didn't take much to create a party for him -- cake with candles to blow, ice cream, cocktail hotdogs and soda -- to give him his first birthday party experience, so off we went.

My sister also thought of lending him her son's super-hero costume (The Flash) at least for the candle blowing session, so he could really get a feel of a birthday party. And I was right. The boy was grinning ear-to-ear in excitement. It may have set me back a couple of hundred, but the smile on his face was all worth it. And the kids enjoyed each other's company, watching home movies, playing badminton and just horsing around.

Now that's my kind of birthday party... you don't need a lot of time to set it up, and you don't need much for it to be a hit with kids. Best of all, you achieve the goal of making the celebrant feel special on this important day.

Happy Birthday, Mico!

Out of sorts

2007-06-28T09:51:00.000+08:00

After the excitement early in the week, I feel like I'm vacillating towards one thing or another that I can't put my finger on. It must be because of the expected changes that are forthcoming.

First and most important is moving to another office, as in working for someone else, if things work out all right. I guess my worry is the adjustments necessary with a new work environment and new co-workers, if ever. I realize I've grown attached to this bunch of guys I'm working with now and we have established a bond that surprises even myself. So until everything is final, I sort of don't want to think about it, but can't help myself.

Secondly, is the longing and the drive to do something else entirely. This means junking office work again and going at it on my own -- doing what I like best, writing. See, I know that once I pick up on it again, it will slowly burn and kindle this need in me. Unfortunately, drafting letters and reports about constituent needs is not fulfilling. It can be very stagnating, too.

But then, there is the fear that I may not make the grade when I apply online, especially because it's a foreign company I am applying with, and clients from other countries with requirements I may not be familiar with, that I will be dealing with. So there's caution and trepidation.

The one thing driving me crazy is I cannot stand working for the BOSS much longer because of his demanding and whimsical ways, which turns everyone and everything topsy-turvy. And it worries me even more that the guys at the office no longer seem to want to get out. I swear, 5 years from now, they may regret the decision. Perhaps it's the thought that this is the last 3 year-term and they would rather just stick it out.

I never really saw myself with government for a long time. I see too many things that don't sit well with me and being in it, you can't help but be part of it, even when they are wrong, uncomfortable or downright stupid.

So I don't know what to do or feel or think or say... I guess I can only be thankful there are choices, as opposed to none. One bright spot for my day -- it's PAYDAY! Or something like that.

Miracles do happen

2007-06-26T20:40:00.000+08:00

As an addendum to yesterday's post, the real nightmare happened today. Again, it was Murphy's Law that prevailed. The concerned persons who were supposed to help us out were nowhere to be found. And I knew that if the passport was to be released, it would be just in the nick of time.

But life is always full of surprises. In the confusion about changing companions, the airline reservation was made for the wrong companion! Yes, sir. 30 minutes before the plane was supposed to leave, we discover too late the booking was in the wrong name. Only a MIRACLE could save us this time.

Suffice it to say, after much tension, butterflies in everyone's stomach, cajoling, pleading, begging, arguing and shouting, everyone was able to leave as scheduled. I will no longer detail what it took to accomplish this, except to say it cost another $347.

Yes, God is truly good all the time. And this time, even if deep in my heart, the situation did not really warrant a miracle, He still came up with one. And in behalf of everyone whose nerves were frazzled, I say thank you, dear Lord.

Oh there were many lessons learned about the experience the last two days. We are all definitely much wiser because of it. But I am CERTAIN no one wants to go through such nightmare again.

One thing all of us agreed on at the office: we can definitely put up our own travel agency.

One Man's Travel

2007-06-25T18:27:00.000+08:00

The BOSS has this annoying habit of wanting to take a trip and ordering last minute bookings... as if we were a travel agency. We had actually been preparing for a trip to Beijing since last week. The flight reservations had been confirmed and we had booked him at the hotel of his choice, for a price that is reasonable by his standards.

The problem came Thursday evening when he decided to change his travel companion. It shouldn't have been a hassle if this companion already had a passport. She didn't and this is where all the mayhem started. An authenticated birth certificate is necessary to apply for a passport. Our liaison managed to get this in less than a day and off they went to the passport division office. Everyone thought there would be no problem and once released this morning, it could be rushed to the Embassy for visa processing.

But then there is Murphy's Law... And just when we thought everything was in order, it wasn't. The passport could not be released on time, because of a discrepancy and horror or horrors, the BOSS insisted he wanted to leave tomorrow. For Beijing, where you need a visa. How cool is that?

No amount of explanation could convince him to bring someone else who already had a visa, and he kept on insisting to move heaven and earth to have the passport released TODAY and secure the visa in 2 hours time tomorrow. Worse, he wants to leave on the 7:30 AM flight! See, not even REAL travel agencies can perform this kind of miracle.

When he finally accepted that this was going to be impossible, he settled on a trip to Bangkok, where you do not need a visa for a four-day visit. Still, there is the problem of releasing the passport in time for their 11:30 am departure. By some miracle, a travel agent got us the plane seats, but had difficulty reserving the hotel of his choice. There were a hundred and one other things to handle, just for this 4-day trip... worse than handling the foreign travel of a president.

As of this writing, the tickets and vouchers are not yet in our hands and it will be a long wait for the executive assistant who begged and pleaded with the agent to do everything so these would be delivered TONIGHT. I'm sorry for her because she's developed a migraine and her stomach must be roiling with gastric juice for the tension and stress all this is causing her. Her misfortune is having to deal with the BOSS, and everyone else was busy with the travel arrangements. My head was swimming and my throat almost dried up when I learned what he wanted done.

But that's the BOSS' way. Since he never really handles the arrangements for his trips, he believes with all his heart they all happen at a snap of the finger. Figures how much he knows... And the real BUMMER? Many times, he decides not to go on the day he has to leave. Dig that!

Off to the mall

2007-06-24T21:19:00.000+08:00

My sister and I needed to get away from the house today. We were thinking somewhere far off so it would be difficult to have us back home quickly. But we ended up checking out the new mall not far from our place. We went around for about 2 hours, had a late lunch thinking everyone would be done by then (but not, waaah!) browsed at National Bookstore for a bit, and ended our day out with mass.

Now back to the mall experience... I'm not quite sure why it's called Trinoma. I'll look it up anyway. I do know it was built by Ayala Land, which "created" the malls in Makati City, which is across town from us. It's very new world and trendy and despite its size, Filipinos just manage to fill it up, especially on weekends. And by filled, I'm not saying all the shops are already open, okay?

It's a pretty cool place, figuratively and literally. But also very upscale. We have been to it previously, a couple of weeks ago, for my small niece's haircut. Just across the street from it, the SM City and The Block, which used to lord it over in the area, was probably miserable because of the new competition. But trust the people here, they'll be back to SM in no time. Curiousity, you know...

I like the fact that they've landscaped the area, so it's not just shops and shops. They have multi-level parking areas, but which are not quite enjoyable to navigate. And because the place is so huge, it would take us more trips before we can familiarize ourselves with the layout and exits. As my aunt says, she will not set a date at Trinoma for fear she and her date will never find each other.

And I just had this brilliant but expensive idea of what to do at Trinoma. Bring one thousand pesos (around $20) and try out as many goodies as possible from the restos and fastfoods and food outlets scattered at the mall. Feel guilty about overindulging? Just explore the entire mall while brisk walking and you can burn the extra calories.

I missed writing...

2007-06-24T20:07:00.000+08:00

It has been a very long while since I really sat down to write something of importance to me. My thoughts, feelings, crazy ideas, yadah, yadah.

Not that I haven't really been writing. It's what I do at work. But after more than 365 days and counting, the things I need to get on paper are either "half-truths," down-right lies or pathetic appeals to get something for somebody, usually moolah, and I mean a LOT.

However, I think I needed the break badly. But once it's in you, you can take a break from it but never really forget it. So, because I missed WRITING terribly, here I am. I've done previous blogs before and they were more thematic... now I feel I just need to get things down on paper -- okay, virtual paper -- for my sake, and hopefully for others out there who may find something of substance in what they will read.

I may have stopped writing for a while, but I have not stopped seeing, nor looking, hearing or feeling. Afterall, I still am ALIVE. And in the course of time that I was on haitus, I've seen quite a lot of things, either heartwarming or disconcerting that keeps me pondering about life, and my purpose here on earth.

One thing I do understand is that God has given me a gift and I have the responsibility to use it in the best way I can as this is the only way to thank Him for his generosity. So I hope you join me in this renewed journey as I See With My Eyes...