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...
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Wimby's glamour girls gone
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)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Seeds come crashing down
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.)
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Construction and the Blues
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...
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...
Monday, June 23, 2008
Whiplash Weekend
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...
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...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Here I am Again
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.
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.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
So much happening...
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...
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...
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Month's end again!?
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.
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.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Non-stop rain
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...
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...
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
What typhoon?
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.
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.
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