A Dose of Me...

A terrific dream in the making

2008-10-06T10:30:00.007+08:00

I finally decided to quit my job a couple of months ago and put up a business of my own. Coming from a demanding and stressful job, I guess it's time for me to fulfill my dreams. I just can't believe it took me this long to realize where to invest my time and savings.

I've spearheaded several events for the companies I used to work for - from budget proposals, supplier selection, detailed work plan schedules, logistics preparations to effective executions. Now, with my whole family to support me on my new endeavor, it's definitely time for me to put my expertise to the table.

After going through extensive trainings and seminars, my mom and I decided to put up our own events management and catering business, called Caterrific Catering Services (thanks to my ever reliable partner in crime, PJ, for suggesting the name!). We cater to all kinds of corporate and private or personal events, from serving breakfast, luncheons, dinners, and buffets for wedding receptions, parties, trainings, seminars, and private events like family gatherings and romantic dinners for two.

So if you're looking for a partner to make your events a successful one, without having to worry too much about exceeding your budget, then why don't you try us out? Check out our website for more details.

Thinking catering? Think Caterrific! We're more than a caterer.

Backseat driving

2008-09-03T14:00:00.005+08:00

My son CJ, always mimics his dad when driving.. Here's one way to know if your child can be a good driver in the future.. =)

The newest addition to our growing family tree

2008-07-14T22:04:00.001+08:00

Warmest wishes to my sister Reich, who is now a new mom to a healthy and cute baby boy - Santino Lorenzo Calpo.

Btw, my nephew's first name was actually my idea.. Fresh from watching "Goal 1" and "Goal 2" in dvd, I went to my parents' place and blurted out to my sister that "Santi" is a good name to consider in their list (Santi, short for Santiago was the name of the lead character in the movie). Who would have thought that both parents of Santino have the same grandfather's name, Santiago? So there it goes...

To our little Santi, welcome to the family! ..can't wait for your toddler years!

Grand Riverstone Village (Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines)

2008-02-03T00:01:00.000+08:00

For those who are looking for a nice and affordable place to live in, check out the Grand Riverstone Village in Dita, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. We went there this afternoon to see the model units, and I have to admit that the place is not bad at all. In fact, this could be a promising investment for those who are looking for a house and lot in the south area. After all, Sta. Rosa, Laguna is now a city and developments have been very evident with the rising of different malls and establishments. To give you an idea, below are 2 sample computations:

1. Lot area: 36sqm
Floor Area: 22sqm

Total Contract Price: 550,000
Down payment: 50,000 or 3750 for 12 months
Monthly Amortization for 25 years is 3,884

2. Lot area: 45 sqm
Floor area: 22 sqm

Total Contact price: 613,000
Down Payment: 43,000 or 3166.67 for 12 months
Monthly amortization for 25 years is 4,457.00

Interested? Don't let this good opportunity pass! Call/text Rubi Teruel (63.9209199874), and she'll give you more details on this new housing project of PAG-IBIG.

Baguio City: Panagbenga Festival 2008 schedule

2008-02-01T03:58:00.000+08:00

It's February once again! Aside from Valentine's day, one of the things I look forward to during this month is the celebration of Baguio City's Panagbenga Festival - commonly known as the flower festival of the Philippines.

I certainly hope we can get-away from work for at least 3 days this month to see what Baguio City has prepared for this year. It was too bad that we missed to go there last year, for some reasons I don't remember now..

Thanks btw to my office mate Quick, for sharing with me the schedule for this year, which I'm happy to share with you also.. :)

FEBRUARY 1 - GRAND OPENING> DRUM AND lYRE AND Street Dancing, Opening and Blessing of Market Encounter.

FEBRUARY 22-24 - Abanao Nights= nightlife

FEBRUARY 23- GRAND OPENING PARADE> Parade composed of schools…

FEBRUARY 24- PARADE OF FLOATS AND BANDS> most awaited time which you can see a thousand flowers bloom and the bands on thier exhibitions…

FEBRUARY 24- MARCH 2- SESSION ROAD IN BLOOM> be at our very own Session Road and have the arts of the city be urs…

MARCH 2- CLOSING CEREMONIES WITH PLAYGROUND DEMONSTRATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS

ComQuaL Closing Event

2007-07-12T15:47:00.000+08:00

We held our very last ComQuaL event last 7 July 2007. It was a last minute preparation, but I'm glad that everything went well... Thanks to all of our member companies who were able to make it, and for those who were not there, I definitely hope to bump into them again one of these days. Congratulations to MISNet Inc., BPO International and LST for winning the CQL Excellence Awards!

To my ComQuaL family, I will definitely miss working with you guys, or at least with Winks and Mr. C, since I'll still be seeing a lot of Kim, Usoa and Ester.

No more 30-ish Fish

2007-07-02T21:57:00.000+08:00

Time surely flies. It was like a few months back when PJ posted something about his turning 30. And now, he's counting down to his last 12 months before his age gets kicked out of the calendar! :)

Happy 31st birthday to my mahal! I hope you had a great time. There were no surprises for this year but I know you had fun! Our simple salo-salo with my whole family together with PJ's family made our celebration a success! So, with that, I would like to thank my family and my special thanks to Ding, Emily, Cel and the 3 kiddos who went to our new place to celebrate this occasion with us.

And to you birthday boy, I wish you more blessings and am looking forward to celebrating more blissful years with you as my lifetime partner! Muah!

My Visual DNA

2007-06-10T16:44:00.000+08:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Story of My Mushy Wednesday night..

2007-06-07T18:51:00.000+08:00

Prologue:

Thursdays suck. If Kimmie thinks that Monday’s the worst day of the week, I don’t think it will ever surpass Thursdays for the top spot. After all, who wants to wake up as early as 0530H in the morning, force my two boys to get-up and fix the bed while I take my bath and start with my morning chores in a span of less than 30 minutes, and then rush to the car by 0600H to drop CJ off in my parents’ place and then finally drive as fast as we can (140km/h) headed for Makati in a mad rush to beat the 0700H license plate coding scheme time. Then, you’ll just find yourself working from 0700H to 1900H. Argh! Just by typing all of these makes me feel tired already.

After 3 consecutive Thursdays of either coming in late for work (forced to commute because of missing the color code deadline) or not coming in at all, PJ and I decided that it’s best if we let CJ sleep in my mom’s place every Wednesday nights. We thought that this would save us time, gas expense and not to mention that "harassing" feeling every Thursday mornings, considering that it’s a futile effort to wake up at 0530H.

Hence, we started the new set-up last night.. Sniff... we didn’t drop by my parents’ place anymore since CJ was already asleep by the time we reached Sucat. Sniff.. As soon as I entered our room, I just found myself in tears from loneliness that there’s no toddler running and playing around. I got so used to the feeling of CJ’s presence and with the noise and laughter he brings to our home. Sniff.. So, I thought I was over it after dinner. I drowned myself in some paperwork that I brought home last night. Thinking that I was really sleepy because I can barely see what I was typing in my notebook, I went up to our room and left PJ with his PC games. Well, after what seemed an eternity of trying to get sleep and putting CJ out of my thoughts, I just found myself crying again! Sniff… It was hard for me because CJ always hugs me before he sleeps, and we pray together…I missed his smell..his kisses..his sweetness, his naughtiness… After I realized that there’s no chance I’ll get that sleep, I called for rescue.

Epilogue:

PJ immediately went to our room and was surprised to see me crying. Of course, he knew what it was all about! In all fairness, he tried his best to console the “OA” mommy he was hugging. He even volunteered to fetch CJ at such an ungodly time, which I declined right away.

Calling for him was actually a smart move for me. What happened next between us made us sleep faster than you could say "Good night!"….:) J

Moral Lesson:

“It” is a proven sleeping disorder remedy…

Number 5

2007-05-29T15:26:00.000+08:00

Thanks Chrissy for tagging me in this another interesting meme. Sorry it took me this long to do it.

Number 5

INSTRUCTIONS: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so.

1) Pointless Drivel
2) Shelli’s Sentiments
3) Curiosity Killer
4) Chrissy
5) A dose of Conne

Next select five people to tag: (if you haven’t done it already)
1) Sty
2) Cito
2) Jackie
3) Maan
5) Aileen

What were you doing 10 years ago?
10 years ago – Summer time. I was probably getting ready for my Fourth year high school or busy spending time with friends for a summer outing or just reading dozens of novel books.

What were you doing 1 year ago?
I was with my family at Saisaki restaurant in Alabang Town Center to celebrate the May celebrants in our clan. (Good thing I still have my organizer )

Five snacks you enjoy
1) Pringles
2) Dried mangoes
3) Cheese sticks
4) Dunkin Donuts’ Choco Butternut
5) Turon/Banana-q/Camote-q

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
1) On Bended Knee (BoyzIIMen)
2) The Journey (Lea Salonga)
3) Your my you (Nyoy Volante)
4) Knocks me off my feet (Stevie Wonder)
5) I wanna know (Joe)

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1) Secure my family’s future, after all charity starts from home. – a house of our own, educational plans for my siblings, nephews and nieces and cj,
2) Donate money, food, medicines and toys to my chosen orphanages and some churches
3) Invest my money to a promising business
4) will lend some money to relatives so they can start their own business
5) Go for a European tour with my family

Five bad habits:
1) I speed-up at intersections when driving. (PJ insisted I put this as my No. 1 bad habit although he has only seen me doing this once..)
2) I have a tendency to smoke (more than 3 sticks in a row) whenever I'm depressed and stressed out.
3) I sometimes don’t finish reading a certain book that I don’t find that interesting from the start..
4) you can find my money almost everywhere – in my bag, my wallet, my table, my drawer…(oh no! not that I have a lot of money!)
5) When driving, I only fasten my seatbelt if: PJ’s around, I’m in Makati or if I’m in an area where there may be traffic officers..tsk tsk..

Five things you like doing:
1) bond with my family
2) sports - Although I have not been active for the past months? years? (obviously)
3) go for out of town trips with family or close friends
4) watch movies
5) singing

Five things you would never wear again:
1) fake eyelashes
2) sunflower clips
3) butterfly clips
4) McDonald's Birdie Mascot Costume (because I like Grimace's costume better...haha!)
5) any sandals that have more than 3 inches heels

Five favorite toys:
1) my laptop
2) my cell phone
3) my siblings
4) CJ
5) PJ

Chanos' Reunion

2007-05-03T13:08:00.000+08:00

Last April 28 I had my very first reunion with the Chanos' group - my college friends! It was supposed to be a whole day affair but some things never changed...we all ended up waiting for the last person to arrive which by the way took me two hours before I finally met up with them! Nonetheless, it was all worthy. I never realized how much I missed them and how much I missed our college days, escapades, group studies, the neva-ending brain storming for our thesis, the pancit canton near PLM, the professors, the parties, the library, Rny's place, ahhhh the exciting life of college!! (Taxation II classes are not included in my list! darn! I don't even want to remember that professor!)

Our first stop: Asian Hospital (Filinvest, Alabang) We visited Thonnie who gave birth to her son 2 days earlier. Thonnie (another chanos) was one of my closest friends in college, my buddy... The short visit was enough for us to talk about almost everyone in our batch especially our blockmates. And I'm proud that most of us are now successful with our own careers..It was also nice to hear about what had happened to those who we didn't like much during college, our other blockmates who are now married and who have their own families. Ex-suitors, ex-boyfriends, ex-lovers...Like they say...those were the days. So to Thonnie who refused to posed with us in this shot, your loss! Haha! Cheers to the new mom in town!! Congratz!! Next stop: Festival Mall
Since we're too hungry to actually take our time to decide where to eat, we went to the nearest restaurant as soon as we have parked the car. Thanks Emman and Gandz for the lunch treat! :) We were all recharged after having that heavy lunch at Teriyaki Boy, so we then headed to where else but the Videoke Bar! We didn't even realized that we've been singing and dancing and munching and drinking for the next 3 hours! It's just unfortunate that I had to call it a day at 630PM since PJ is expecting me home by 7 for our late night Subic trip. :( (kimmie, if you're reading this, I know exactly what's on your mind - Conne, you're a KJ, as always - shadap....)

Anyway, I definitely had fun! It may be short but it was definitely worth my time..I enjoyed every single moment of it! haha! Obviously, I've missed them that much! I can't wait for our next get-together, hopefully soon and by that time, I wouldn't allow myself to be the "KJ" in the group.

Trivia: *chanos chanos is the scientific name for milkfish

10 Random Weird Facts About Me

2007-04-30T12:47:00.000+08:00

My good friend, Thonnie tagged me with this one. So, here are 10 Weird/Odd facts about me:

1.) I get hiccups everytime I drink softdrinks. I don't know why! I'm not sure if there's any scientific explanation to that, that's why I don't drink softdrinks that much especially when I am in public places or when I'm in a meeting.

2.) I eat green mangoes with fish sauce (patis) + sugar + iodized salt. Take note, it has to be more of sugar and not too much fish sauce.

3.) I cannot sleep without a blanket! Even if it's the hottest part of the year, I have a hard time sleeping without a blanket. Not just that, I prefer a soft-textured blanket.

4.) I refuse to watch horror movies and I can't stand cold-blooded movies. Just like recently, we watched 300. PJ has been begging me to watch it with him, so I finally agreed! He watched and I snuggled the whole time in his chest just like a baby. I know, I am such a kill-joy!

5.) I hate milk, can't stand the smell of it, but I love halo-halo. I remember, my family had to drag me to finish a glass of Anmum when I was still pregnant. No to any dishes with milk - which only makes sense if I say I hate cheese.

6.) I don't eat caramel and nuts in chocolates.

7.) I love fresh strawberries but I don't eat strawberry jam and strawberry sundae.

8.) I prefer to eat the thigh part of the chicken. Gravy's purpose for me is not as a sauce but as a soup.

9.) Most of the times, I only wear my make-up when I am about to go home from work.

10.) I am supposed to be the key-keeper of our office, but I always tend to forget my keys.

Here are some of the things Kimmie added on my list - her unsolicited opinion.

11.) You think that Lemon Chicken is a weird dish! God knows why, though. It’s usually the come-on dish of today’s most popular restaurants (i.e., Super Bowl, Temple, etc.)!

12.) Every time a camera’s within your six-mile radius, you’re always ready with a smile and sexy pose. And, the cameras are not even always pointed directly at you. J

13.) You’re very girly-girly. But today’s the first time I’ve actually seen you wear a skirt to the office!

Hmmm...come to think of it, 50% of what I have come up with are all food related. Tsk..tsk..not a good sign! :)

Tagaytay trippings

2007-04-25T11:57:00.000+08:00

Just recently, we had another one of those Tagaytay evening trips with old friends Liann and Cocoy. I remember the first time our group went there together, I was about 6 months pregnant, and we finished at about 1am! This time around, we went out with, now a toddler - CJ - so he can also spend time with his Ninang Liann and Tito Cocoy. As usual, we went to our fave dining place - Gourmet's Cafe! Aaahh...... Just the thought of the place makes me wanna come back and have another of their famous Caesar's Salad, fresh from their own garden! Oh, and I also love their version of Seafood Pasta!

After dinner, we stopped by Starbucks for dessert and coffee of course. We then left CJ with his lolo (my dad) who works and stays in Tagaytay. His lolo was more than happy to baby-sit, too happy that he's asking for a tip for his services! :))

I swear, 5 hours of non-stop talking with this couple is not enough! Whenever we get together, we just can't stop reminiscing on how each one got into each other's arms. PJ and I, btw, played cupids to these 2 lovers and they in turn became one of our closest friends! The four of us were officemates before, and I'm glad that after all these years we still manage to get together.

Goodbyes and Hellos

2007-04-24T08:06:00.000+08:00

This is just a very quick post. This week and next week will be busy-moving-stuff weeks for me.

First move: Office
Our project will end in 2 months and here we are, busy with the relocation! Our timeline: 5 days! So far, we're moving things as planned following my detailed schedule of activities. I just have to worry about how we will manage to fit all items in our new office. I will surely miss my second home, the privacy, the balcony, the washroom, the views from the windows, the training and conference rooms, and most especially the elevator...

Goodbye Cacho! Hello Regina!

Next move: Home
Finally!!! Next week, we will be moving out of my parents' house! Well, well, well, it's about time, right? Now that we're perfectly adjusted as first-time parents to our CJ, we've decided that it's finally time to go out and explore independence! We found this two-storey house in Paranaque, about a 5-minute drive from my parents' place. It's nice and well-maintained and we knew that this was the house to get, the first time we saw it. Although it may not be the best one we've seen in terms of opulence and size, it's not the worst either. But location-wise and budget-wise, it's perfect! We're very excited to get the ball rolling for this new chapter in our lives, and we just can't wait to fill the house with our own furniture - one piece at a time...

Goodbye to extended family household! Hello independence!

Solo Flight, at last!!

2007-04-13T09:46:00.000+08:00

Yesterday marked the very first time I drove alone for a considerable distance - from Makati to Sucat (our home)!!! Yooohoooo!! The past few weeks since I got my driver's license, PJ has been giving me the liberty to drive the car even without him. But on those occasions, I was always accompanied by someone else either my cuzin Cito or some friends who would always be willing to be of help by staying awake and look out for any trouble that may hit us. But yesterday was a different story. PJ decided to stay home so I drove to Makati for work with my cuz and dropped him off near my office leaving me enough time to park car before 7am (not that I'm an early bird for work, it's because we're color coded on Thursdays! haha!) I haven't had the chance to practice on my reverse parking before, so since it was still early, and there were only a few cars parked, I managed to park it after several trials. Hmmmm...it took me more or less 5 minutes before I was able to fit car inside the parking lane. Whew!

Anyway, cuz texted me late in the afternoon to confirm that he's already on his way home, and that my angels will be there to guide me on my way home. I certainly hoped he didn't mean heaven when he said home! LOL! Honestly, I really got nervous with a mixed feeling of excitement and nervousness because it was my first time to drive alone from Makati and at night time, and its still peak traffic hours! I left the parking lot after I said my prayers and off I headed to the first independent driving of my life. There! After about 45 minutes of intense driving, I got home complete, safe, sound and most of all, the car was intact, not a single scratch! Yipee!

Please allow me to thank my family and friends who prayed for me on that night; My best friend - my eyeglasses! Thanks to my angels and to my companion from above!

Can't wait for the next one! =)

What Every WOMAN Should...

2007-04-11T01:21:00.000+08:00

This is actually an email from Mitch which later on Kim and I answered back - turned out as a good meme so I'm posting it here.. For the love of my life, I didn't include Kim's reply below. LOL! Sorry have to edit some of my original answers as I don't want people getting the wrong idea.. =p

**************************************************************************************************************

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....one old love .....
she can imagine going back to...
and one who reminds her of how far she has come.(C: Depends on what "come" means here! LOL! Oooookk, let's not elaborate further on this one.. =))

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
...enough money within her
control to move out and
rent a place of her own
even if she never wants to or needs to...(C: Just enough but with a little help from PJ - for CJ's luxuries =p )

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
... something perfect to wear if
the employer (C: Check!) or date of her dreams
wants to see her in an hour... (C: The date of my dreams (who else?!) prefers anything I wear! Haha!)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
... a youth she's content to leave behind...(C: Youth can also come from within... I intend to feel the youthful energy within me till my gray days. Bow.)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....a past juicy enough that
she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.... (C: Hmmm....)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....a set of screwdrivers, (C: I'll probably just borrow...)
a cordless drill, (C:na-da...)
and a black lace bra... (C:minus the lace...)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
...one friend who always makes her laugh .... (C: Lots of 'em! I just have to hear Winky sing her "Be my guest"
and one who lets her cry... (C: cry out of what?)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....a good piece of furniture
not previously owned by anyone else in her family... (C: Check!)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....eight matching plates, (C: I only have 4)
wine glasses with stems, (C: flowers lang, walang stem..)
and a recipe for a meal (C: Check!)
that will make her guests feel honored. (C: Just by being invited in my place is already an honor! haha!)

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
....a feeling of control over her destiny... (C: Hmmmm....)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
...how to fall in love without losing herself... (C: I believe you'll lose yourself one way or another - either you become better or worse)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
..how to quit a job, (C: Just look at my CV)
break up with a lover, (C: Check!)
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship... (C: depends...)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
...when to try harder ... (C: ahhh...I'm good at this one!)
and when to walk away... (C: always trying hard not to..)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
..that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips,
or the nature of her parents... (C: I am very much aware of all these..)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
....that her childhood may not have been perfect...
but its over... (C: Absolutely!)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.....
...what she would and wouldn't do for love or more... (C: Check!)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
...how to live alone...
even if she doesn't like it... (C: proved it already!)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
...who she can trust,
who she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally... (C: still on the learning stage..)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
...where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing... (C: don't think she has a charming inn in the woods)

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
... what she can and can't accomplish
in a day...a month...and a year... (C: pretty muck ok with this one)

"People say what we are all seeking is the meaning of
life...
I think what we're really seeking is the experience of
being alive..."
-Rudyard Kipling
(C: Cheers to that!)

A Well Spent Lent

2007-04-07T11:24:00.000+08:00

Last year we went to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to spend the Holy Week holidays, this time around we just stayed home and attend the masses at our parish (Miraculous Medal National Shrine). Although, we were not able to push through with our plans of spending the holidays in Tagaytay, it was also a good thing for at least the Holy Week for us has been more solemn and fruitful.

In addition to that, I was able to attend our scheduled service since CYC-Central Youth Choir, my second family, was assigned to sing on Good Friday. (I know it may sound absurd, since almost all of us are no longer youths. Well, we were, 12 years ago, when the group first started! :) ) Too bad, we're only 6 yesterday-Sty, Rubi, Conne, Duanne, Poch and Jeff, and of course our kikay organist La Belle Armi and Angelo on the guitars!

Anyway, it was indeed a long mass, almost 2 hours! We underestimated the number of people so some of the songs we sang were the what we call "the emergency songs." One of the songs I've always love to sing on Good Friday is the "Tao sa Krus" a very touching and moving song, sang right after the priest shows the Crucifix to the people.

Lyrics: Tao sa Krus
(Sorry have no idea who the composer is)

Tignan masdan, ang Tao sa Krus
Sya'y ating kaligtasan
Halina't sya'y sambahin...

Hanggat ang butil ay di mahulog at mamatay
Ito'y hindi lalago, 'di magbibigay buhay..

(Oh no! I can't remember the 2nd stanza)

Bridge:
Anong laking kahiwagaan, kababaang loob
Naging hamak na tao ang Diyos sa pagtubos
Dugo't tubig ang umagos sa pusong inulos
Huling patak, pag-ibig pa rin binuhos!

The next one is a new song (for us) written by Manoling Francisco, but definitely got my heart the first time I heard the song on one of the albums of Bukas Palad.

If I Could Touch You
by Bukas Palad
Written by: Manoling Francisco

If I could touch You, I'd heal Your broken palms
If I could hold You in my arms
I'd call the soft breeze to caress Your weary arms
I'd call the moonbeam to dispel this darkest night
If I could touch You, I would

If I could hear You, Your words of anguish
If You'd just whisper in my ear
The sadness weighing down Your heart that no man sees
If You'd just call me, I would sing of flaming hope
If I could hear You, I would

Long have I waited for you to hear My cry
Long have I waited for you to answer My plea
What you do to your brethren You do it for Me
I am in the brokenness and woundedness of man

COUNTERPOINT:
Yes, you can touch Me
I'm in the least of your brethren
I'm in the weak and small
I need your hands to bear My weary arms
I need your touch to heal My wounded palms.
Yes, you can touch Me
Yes, you can hear Me

Other songs we sang yesterday were: O, Hesus Hilumin Mo, Sugatan Mo Panginoon Ang Aking Puso, Hesus ng Aking Buhay, Halina Lumapit sa Akin, Pagkabighani and Anima Cristi.

My other sentiments this holy week:
I miss the old days when our group will go for Visita Iglesia after the Maundy Thursday mass. It would be a convoy of about 2-3 cars just to accommodate everyone including non-members who wished to join. After finishing 7 churches, we would go to a convenient store to have midnight snacks and coffee. Ahhhhh, those were the days..those were the younger days..This picture was taken after the New Year's Eve Mass 2007. Jackie and Atz were present - fresh from Singapore and Australia.

How do you feel...On Great Difficulty...

2007-03-08T18:53:00.000+08:00

As I am writing this post, I myself can't really give a concrete answer on the above title.. This is one of those times when you say, "When it rains, it pours."

I just know that I feel better somehow just by reading these 2 messages from Ralph Marston. I wish I can say that I am one of the "Others" who choose to feel energized and inspired even in a challenging situation or in great difficulty. After all, these things are blessings in disguise, right? Whatever I feel, whatever difficulty that I am experiencing right now, I know that I have my family and I have God to help me get through all these..

Hope you get inspired and motivated also by reading these 2 messages:

How do you feel?

It may seem that the way you feel depends on how much things are going in your life and in the world in general. Yet the exact opposite is true.

The way things are going in your life depends on how much you choose to feel. Your feelings are your most sincere expectations. Every part of your life picks up on those expectations. Your thoughts, your actions, your words, and the results that come from them all take their cue from the way you feel.

Some people see a challenging situation and feel dismayed. Others will see the same exact situation and know that they can choose to feel energized and inspired.

Life does not arbitrarily impose itself on you. Rather, through your feelings, you select which of life's many offerings you wish to accept.

How do you choose to feel about things? Whatever it is, that is the way your life will play out.

On Great Difficulty

Are you encountering difficult challenges? That means you're ready for great things.

Are the problems becoming more critical, complicated and demanding? That puts you in a position to make an enormous positive difference.

Take a step back, take a deep breath, and consider it an opportunity. For that's exactly what it is.

The challenges that come your way are precisely the ones you are now able to handle. If they're becoming tougher, that means you have become stronger.

You've grown so much that you're ready to move to a higher level now. Take the opportunity to do so.

For in great difficulty is great value, right in front of your eyes, begging to be created. Choose now to be the one who creates it.

Lola Pura's 86th Birthday Celebration

2007-03-05T11:54:00.000+08:00

Further to PJ's post on the above subject, like to acknowledge all people who came to celebrate our lola's birthday last Saturday. Relatives - close and distant, old and new friends, past and present neighbors, waiters, caterers etc... LOL! The night before her party she was worried that no one will come aside from us! So cute!

It was a last minute preparation from all her children and grandchildren, but it didn't stop us on making that day a huge success for our beloved granny! Too bad that my "Ta Tess" wasn't able to take a leave from her work in the the US. She was the missing link for that birthday and family reunion.

Anyway, we all made our contributions one way or another to make it a memorable birthday celebration for her. I especially like what we, the grandchildren (special thanks to Jannie, Johnby and Ivan) did on the movie presentation as one of the highlights of that party. Ahhhh....just watching this makes me reminisce the old days when we were all here in the Philippines, in one community, living in the same area, having lunch and dinner together on weekends, playing games with all our cousins, the "harutans" and the "kulitans," the never-ending picture takings, the out-of-town trips...Not that we don't do those things anymore, but it's not the same when the others are already a million miles away.

This is the second and last part of the presentation we showed last Saturday... (special thanks to PJ for the technical assistance) Sorry I had to cut the last few slides...

The Roman clan has certainly grown so big! And I just realized how lucky I am to be part of this family. We may have a lot of differences and we may have petty quarrels within the family, but who doesn't have anyway? The more important thing is that, we love and we care for one another and we all love the same Mother, Grandmother, great grandmother and friend, our "Lola Pura."

To my dearest lola, hope you enjoyed your party. Happy 86th birthday! We love you...

Weekend get-away @ Puerto Galera (Part 2)

2007-03-01T14:52:00.000+08:00

Let's have a recap: Kim and Mitch, my 2 loudest friends, forced me to go with them to Puerto Galera last weekend. Why? Simple. They needed someone to pull the plug when the volume got too loud! Peace guys!

Still on Day 1:
1830H - Kim and I went to the boat station to change our schedule for the following day. We were initially scheduled for the 1545 trip, but we found out that we needed to check-out by 12 noon. We were a little lucky that the 1245 trip still had 5 available slots.

This is a pretty cool shot of the sunset silhouette.

1930H - Dinner time! Kim and I made instant friends with a gay waitress on one of the resto bars while we were on our way back to the room. Don't be surprised if you see lots of them there, they have invaded the whole White Beach resort! LOL! Nothing against them! In fact, they provide better service compared to the other M/F waitresses. So, we decided to have our dinner @ Paul's Beach Bar and Bistro. Their grilled kebabs are worth your Php110+!! After that, we got ourselves coffee from another bar and we walked for an hour just to burn some of those calories from that heavy kebab meal!

2030-2200H - Shopping, haggling and more shopping!!!
Got myself a "kikay" beach dress,(don' know actually what they call that, but that's my version!) souvenir shirts for my 2 boys, blue earrings to go with my blue swimsuit (kelangan talaga terno ;P) razor-back shirt for my dear friend Sty, and these pictures for Chrissy! LOL!

2200-midnight... - Spent the rest of the evening in the sand drinking beers with the girls. The bar that we chose offers "banig" or sleeping mats for free that customers can use if they want to drink or dine by the beach. The moon was perfect that time also! So, we talked everything and anything under the moon till midnight! Ooopps, I forgot! I was the first one who called it a day, since there's no chance that these 2 would retire by 12. I was really too tired and exhausted to spend another hour awake...

(To be continued..)

Weekend get-away @ Puerto Galera (Part 1)

2007-02-26T15:32:00.000+08:00

Here is one place I would always love to go to - White Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro. I swear, I'll never get tired of coming back there. We initially planned to have this trip 2 weeks ago, but thanks to Kimmie she had to cancel a day before the scheduled trip. This is one of those cases wherein its better if you plan things the last minute and then all will go well as expected.
Its just too bad that I went there without my 2 dudes, so its basically an all-girls escapade from work and family, more so for me, because I'm the only mom amongst the 3 of us. I have to call at home and ask how CJ was doing every 4 hours! Yes, I really felt so guilty :( but no regrets because I certainly need to get-away, relax and "think things over." Hmm...

So, what can I say about Puerto Galera? Travel, food, accommodation, bars and of course the beach is really worth your Php1,500.00 for a two-day-one-night stay, not to mention the irresistible souvenirs they offer.

Here's our itinerary during the whole trip, with some take-away tips if you plan to see the place for yourself:

Day 1: Saturday (February 24, 2007)

0710H - Meeting time with Mitch @ McDonalds, Sucat. It was supposed to be at 0630H, but then again, what can I do? My 1 1/2 hrs. of packing and other preparations for this trip was just not enough! Good thing, Mitch was in high spirits so she didn't pull my hair!

0730H - Picked up Kimmie @ McDonalds Greenbelt, Makati with her take-out breakfast for us!! (sausage mcmuffins, love 'em!)

0815H - Buendia LRT Taft Station. Boarded van going to Batangas Pier (Php150.00). I'm telling you, you won't have a hard time finding the bus/van going to Batangas pier, because dispatchers will be all over you once you get out of your car! You can also ride from Tritran at Quezon City and also at Alabang. So long as its heading to Batangas Pier.

0830-1030H - Travel time from Buendia, Makati to Batangas Port. I swear, it was a two-hour ride with the two loudest friends I have. They just never get tired of talking, LOL and chit-chatting!

1030-1100H- Bought round trip boat tickets (Php340.00) and Terminal Fee (Php10.00). There are scheduled trips every 30 minutes which you can choose from the different ferryboats but we opted for the MB Commandos 7 because the next trip was scheduled at 11am, and this one is going directly to the White Beach unlike the others that heads straight to the Sabang Beach (about 15mins tricycle ride going to the White Beach). Same case also with the bus terminal, as soon as you get out of the van/bus, these guys will be swarming you like bees and telling you to choose their boat!

1130H-1300H - Travel time from Batangas Port to White Beach, Puerto Galera. The 1 1/2 hour boat ride wasn't that fun as I hoped it would be, thanks to the Korean family we were with during that trip. Argh! Anyway, people will approach you as you get down the boat and offer you places where you can stay. (That is if you haven't made any reservations yet.)

1320H - After much haggling for a place to stay in(yes, you really need to be good at haggling, otherwise...) we were able to find a good one. Very nice bungalow type with 1 bed, good for three persons, 1 electric fan and 1 bathroom. This one cost us Php1,200.00 and I was able to convince owner to give us an extra electric fan. (Not bad, huh?) We didn't choose an air conditioned room because I find it very impractical since we will be out of the room most of the time. After unpacking our stuff, change to our swimsuits, picture takings, off we went for lunch.

1530H - Swimming and sunbathing time!! yipeeeee!!!

(To be continued..)

A Woman Over 30

2007-02-22T14:36:00.000+08:00

My friend, Aileen, sent this very interesting email to me, so I thought of sharing this to all you venusians 30 years and over.... and for those who are turning 30, and for those who are scared of moving into their 30's...AND for guys who are scared of girls over 30!!!! I certainly believed this article. Funny, especially the red lipstick thingy!

This was written by a MAN named, Andy Rooney from CBS 60 Minutes.

As I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it's usually something more interesting.

A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a damn wh! at you might think about her or what she's doing.

Women over 30 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

A woman over 30 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women.

Women over 30 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 30. They always know.

A woman over 30 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women.

Women over 30 have more tricks up their sleeve in bed. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 30 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 30+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress.

Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free". Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire Pig, just to get a little sausage.

How to win back an unhappy customer?

2007-02-20T15:19:00.000+08:00

I just want to share the cool experience we had last week when we dined in at Bubba Gump (Greenbelt, Makati). Aside from their awesome and sooooooooo yummylicious menu, I can't help but be pleased with the way they treat their customers! PJ and I have been their regular customers for the past months, so we know already more or less how the food are served, how good they present it, and how fast their service is (or atleast most of the time, depends on the time of the day). Anyhow, our last visit was quite memorable. I got disappointed because the main course that we ordered didn't arrived on time...I had to follow it up to check if they were able to get our order considering we were almost done with the other food that we ordered and PJ has to run for an appointment. I had to mention that it was quite unusual because we use to order that a lot so we have an idea of how long it takes for it to be cooked/prepared. So, one of the crews or probably the manager, immediately approached us and said that it was in the order list but for some reasons the person-in-charge in the kitchen missed to take note of it. She was very apologetic, and I just bluntly said, it's ok but we prefer to cancel it. In the end, it was too late to cancel since the order was already prepared a few minutes later. Not that we didn't have the choice, but it was quite rude if we still insist. And who am I to make a big deal out of it, when they have sincerely apologized.

Here's the catch! We decided ofcourse to just have it packed so we can take it home (aside from the fact that we were really full, also to be consistent that we are really running out of time) The manager approached us again with a complimentary cup of sinful ice cream together with that she gave us a gift certificate which we can avail on our next visit! Cool, huh? PJ had to go already so I was left with the ice cream. It was just too bad that I'm not an ice cream lover, more so if it's strawberry flavored! I didn't want to hurt their feelings and I don't want them to think that I'm being rude, so I had to finish atleast half of that cup! Burp!

I realized that it was a good strategy that they did there! They have resolved the issue with a-not-so-irate customer, by sincerely apologizing and accepting that it was a mistake on their end. To make it up for a customer, they give them complimentary food, which is the usual approach already done by a lot of restaurants. But for them, aside from that, they made sure that after that not-so-good experience you had with them, they give you a GC which can be availed on the next visit as their way of making you return and try again their food and service! So, as a customer you'll be thrilled that after everything, you were still fortunate that you got a GC from them and you would already consider using it by going back to that restaurant. In the end, chances are you'll come back and be their customer again!

I've had several experiences before when I got so pissed off for a bad service but this one certainly was a different story. Not that I'm being biased, I've worked also as a crew and as a marketing relations officer @ McDonalds for about 3 years during my college, so I know when someone is really not doing his job. Hmmm....I'm also aware how people from the kitchen gets even to a customer when they make life harder for them! It happens everywhere, right?

Appreciating employers who appreciate

2007-02-19T12:16:00.000+08:00

I'm soooooooo glad I'm back to blogging again... Last week had been very exhausting for me, but in the end it turned out to be very rewarding. I was able to finish and submit the survey report that I've been working on for the past 2 weeks! I'm happy to finally get it out of my system!

Anyway, one of the things I like working with my present employer is that they definitely know how to acknowledge your hard work because the following day, I got a note on my desk from my boss congratulating me for a very nice work I did on my report. Well, it's not perfect but atleast she did make an effort to acknowledge me.

It's a sad reality that not all superiors are like that..I once worked for a CEO of a company before for more than a year, did my very best to please him, worked till midnights, served him, pampered him...(haha! don't get it wrong please) only to find out after 2 months from the time I left the company that he already forgot my name! Can you imagine that? It's no wonder no one stayed there longer than 3 years. I guess that really happens! These people sometimes forget that employees are also their customers.

I can't help but compare my employer now to the previous ones I had before. You can't just diminish the importance of recognition and appreciation as an integral component of keeping your employees. It's really important for an employee to feel that he is being recognized for his contributions to the company, be it a simple task or a major one. It doesn't have to be all the time but as often as you can. A simple, "Thank you," "thanks,"or "Good job!" will do because it will reciprocate in a thousand ways. So, don't underestimate the power of saying thanks! On my part, the more often I get to be recognized and appreciated for the things I do and for the things I was able to accomplish, the more I exert effort to improve my work, not to mention it empowers my loyalty to the company. On the other hand, dealing with criticism depends on how you deal with it. That's another post! :-)

Oh, this also means more work for me! argh!

On Frustrations

2007-02-12T22:43:00.000+08:00

Here are my top frustrations to remind me that life is a continuous struggle...

1.) Learning how to drive
After having my student license for almost a year now, I still feel frustrated that until now, I can't drive in the busy city roads and highways. Having a very strict instructor in PJ, did make me feel confident in a way, because I know that not only am I (slowly) learning how to drive but I am actually learning how to do it right. Thanks to my ever-trying-hard to be patient instructor and always-the-driver Sharkey! He's one helluva disciplined driver and mentor! Need proof? Go ahead and check this one, and this one out!

I actually lost my momentum when I caused a scratch at the side and at rear end of our car...on two different occasions! After that, I guess the fear of causing the same damage or probably even worse got so much into me, that I would rather sit and buckle up my seatbelt on the passenger's seat.

Goal: I'm giving myself two-months' time before I hit the one year anniversary from my getting the student license. I know I can do it, I just have to believe in myself and I just have to listen and follow what my instructor asks me to do - yes, the vain in me likes to do things my way...

2.) Losing weight
I can't remember the last time that I felt so light and so healthy inside. Yes, it's more than a year now since I have given birth to our wonderful CJ...I don't know what has gotten into me because I never became as big as I am now when I was still pregnant. I feel so bloated...but good food everywhere is just so hard too resist! Especially when you have someone who always tags you along to these "you-can't-say-no" restaurants!

Goal: PJ and I are considering going to the gym...just have to look for somewhere good and reasonably priced! (Oh no, another add-on to our list of expenses!) In the meantime, I'll avoid the sinful cabinet in our office and the tempting fridge contents in the house! Enough of those Chinese slimming pills! Hello sweat and muscle pains!

(To be continued to make you feel frustrated... =P)

Dada/Daddy : Baby's First Word??!!??

2007-02-11T18:24:00.000+08:00

I never knew that Dada/Daddy is "usually" babies' first word till my friend, Kim, mentioned it to me a couple of weeks ago. Well, who would have thought that Dada comes clearer first before Mama? Can somebody please explain this to me? 'Coz I still find it weird! =) Oh well, at least now I understand... I still remember that day when we got home from work, and my son, CJ, just never stop babbling "Dada." It was really a touching moment for all of us, especially to PJ. We ended up recording it and begging him not to stop until he got tired and start his usual snoring at nights! LOL!
Well, as a consolation for me, being the mom, he can actually say Mommy/Mama, only in a different way... It's my family who really enjoys it everytime they ask him to say, "Mommy/Mama." Why? Maybe because I've grown so big, that he actually pronounce Mommy as "Ba-bye!" You would actually think he said it as "Baboy" (Tagalog word for pig!!) Great, isn't it? Don't get it wrong.. I'm really close with my son, that we tend to forget his dad's existence especially when he's busy with his laptop. I guess I'll just have to buy Kim's explanation why he can't still say Mama clearly.
Anyway, we're still enjoying his toddler years! And the fact that he's starting to babble a lot is a sure sign that he's right on track and very much healthy. He sure is getting bigger each day, and I just can't get enough of him...Motherhood is really an overwhelming experience, not everyone gets to be a mom...and not every mom gets to be called "baboy" by her own toddler!!

Sunday Reflections | February 11, 2007

2007-02-11T12:28:00.000+08:00

More than just saying something about my life here, I'd like to share God's Word to all the readers of my blog. Today is His special day of the week after all!
____________________________________________________________________________________

The Beatitudes

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false
prophets in this way.”
___________________________________________________________________________________

Reflections from Proclaiming Faith:

Does Jesus mean that we should all be poor, hungry, sad, and rejected? What Jesus is saying is: these people have nothing and no one but God. Of course God cares about them! That is why they are blest! And we are most like God when we care, too!

Jesus is telling us (who are not poor, hungry, sad, or rejected) that we must be careful. Our riches, our full stomachs, our pleasant lives, and our efforts to be popular with others may well keep us from trusting in God. We must make great efforts to understand that the good things in our lives come from God and are meant to be shared.

Do we hoard our riches and not share our things? Do we eat or drink more than we need, or waste food, or not share food with people who are hungry? What is our church and charity budget vs. our budget for fun, vacations, entertainment, and the latest toys, cars, shoes, or clothes? Do we learn about the sadness and evil of the world and try to help, or do we do our best to ignore the problems in our world? "It's not my responsibility. That's somebody else's problem." How do we treat the most rejected in our society‹the mentally ill, the homeless, the addicted? Again, do we ignore them, or do we try to help them?

Jesus has taken his stand with the poor, the hungry, the sad, and the rejected. He has called them blest. Where do we stand?

New Version For Bloggers

2007-02-11T11:29:00.000+08:00

Just wanna share that I absolutely find the new version of Blogger very user friendly and easier to navigate!

After getting back to my old habit of blogging, the enhanced version made it more interesting for me to keep up my own blogsite! It really is a lot easier to set-up and you can just play around with the drag-and-drop template layout.

So, for the people behind the Blogger site...Well done guys! Keep it up! You have indeed won another promoter in me!

A Dose of 4 Things Meme

2007-02-10T22:49:00.000+08:00

4 things meme....
From PJ

Four places I have worked:
1. Total Information Management Corp.
2. First Guarantee Life Assurance Inc.
3. Intertek Testing Services
4. McDonalds Group of Companies

Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Top Gun
2. My Best Friend's Wedding
3. The Notebook
4. Moulin Rouge

Four of my favorite TV shows:
1. The Oprah Winfrey Show
2. ABS-CBN News
3. Charmed
4. MTV / Myx

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Puerto Galera
2. Boracay Island
3. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
4. Baguio

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Filipino Cuisine: Sinigang
2. Filipino Cuisine: Sisig
3. Shawarma
4. Sushi / Sashimi

Four things I like to do in my spare time:
1. Spend time with my family
2. Read
3. Sports
4. Eat

Four people I tag (tag as many as you like, it's okay) - To be posted soon!
1.
2.
3.
4.

My nth Blog

2007-02-09T15:14:00.000+08:00

I can't recall how many times I have attempted to start blogging again. This is like my nth time in a month's time!

Thanks to Sharkey for his being too persistent that I go back to this kind of stuff.

Let's find out if I'll be able to keep it going here...Goodluck to me!