And now Martial Law

Proclamation 1959 declares martial law in Maguinadao. Let's just hope that this will not trigger a repeat of 1972. :(

Only in the Philippines

Only in the Philippines... where a massacre happens and the Government calls it an incident (between two warring clans). Hay naku, Malacanang is treating this with kids gloves. They did not even show signs of indignation. Tsk tsk.

Only in the Philippines... where a former president files COC for President and an incumbent President runs for Congress. Haven't they heard of delicadesa?

Only in the Philippines... where hard working individuals are taxed beyond belief and Politicians living beyond their salary range.

Only in the Philippines...where people smile inspite of hardships. Where christmas comes early. Where drinking starts way too early too. :-)

You are tagged!

Laser Tagged that is.

Had fun tagging my officemates, my bosses and syempre si Usman. hahaha. First round, I was 6th out of 14. Determined to be on the top 4, i said yes to game number two and ended up being 2nd out of 12. Not bad.

2 games = 40 minutes of fun

Let's start planning

I know its more than a year away, but let's start planning anyway. Time to put excel to good use. hahaha.

Here is the list of excel files I came up with:

• Matrix of vendors, suppliers, venue and cost
• Budget list ... must stick to the budget
• Guest list

So far only the suppliers/vendors are being put to use. I still haven't tackled the budget nor the guest list...still having fun with formating the spreadsheets. bwahahaha

I should...

I should...

...start blogging again. writing is one way to work those grey matters.

...start exercising (as if!)

...start planning for next year

Satisfied Customer

I have always believed that when one is not satisfied with the service, he should always voice out his opinion. After all, how can a company or a restaurant improve? (actually, complainer lang ako. bwahahaha. I always have to get my money's worth)

A few days ago, i called Uniliver's customer service to complain about a defective product. They assured me that they will be replacing the product and will have the replacement delivered to my home at my convinient time.

Today, the company delivered the replacement product. Two thumbs up for them. See, it does not hurt to file or voice out a complaint. :)

it's summer

It is now officially summer! Why?

Mainit na.

Nagkaka migraine na ako. :(

valentines day

Instead of going to restuarants this valentines, why dont you try spending the day at home and have a home cooked meal? :) 

Happy valentines day to all!

busy busy

Been busy with work lately that i have no time to post a blog :(

Ay di nga lang pala work, may kasamang socials. :)

Anyways, i am trying to lose the 3kg i have gained in Dubai. Diet and exercise daw. hahaha.

High Risk = High Return?

Life is too short to play it safe and not take risk. Sabi nga, you have not lived until you take some risk, to experience the excitement, the elation, one must learn to let go and take the fall.

This year,  I have decided na I will take the risks. Sana this time, it is worth taking as i am giving it my all. 

Confused, shocked, speechless

I have been staring at a blank screen for a time now. 

I have written sentences only to have erased them again. I mean, how would you start writing about a friend who is in critial condition?

I admit, i have been remissed in keeping in touch with her. Yes, we do text and send YMs once in a while, but sometimes things don't go out as planned. Life has a way of throwing us curved balls. 

This post should have started with a disclaimer: Warning, the post you are about to read is was written under due stress... author has no thought consistency.

I have not checked my personal emails for the past two week, as i have been too caught up with work and the new developments on my personal life. (Things were supposed to be in the upswing... Hey, the year started out just right for me and my family; things at work looked good, our client seemed happy with the way things are going, I could not have asked for anything more.)

I don't usually open my laptop at home during weekdays as it is the last thing i would want to do after a long day at the office. But today, i just had to check my "personal" emails. I just had to. 

The email came as a surprise...My dear friend Eileen is said to have taken a bad fall last Friday (the only details in the email said that she had a fall and hit her head) and is in critical condition. How I wish I could call her family and get more details on this. How I wish I am in Zamboanga right now. Kaso lang, wala eh...All i can do is pray for her recovery and wait for updates.

Supply and Demand in action

My world was shaken last Thursday. 

It started out pretty unremakable, just like any other day. As usual, I woke up a bit late, and as usual traffic in EDSA was really, really bad. Nothing remarkable really. Just another day in the office... reports to generate, meetings to go to, another ho-hum day.

The email came in around 9am. It was sent by top management and addressed to all. The subject - the company's redundancy program. The outcome - 500 "redundant" employees out of their jobs by the end of the day.

I never thought that it would come to this. Sure there were measures to address the growing numbers of resource on "bench", penny pinching was the name of the game. First to go were the iced teas and juices, next came the tissues, and the more subdued Chirstmas party. But in the end, the company could only do so much. In the end, it had to cut its losses. 

It was an economic decision. A way for the company to survive. A classic case of supply and demand. 

sira

Sira ang laptop battery ko. It's no longer charging. How sad nman. :( bibili p kaya ako ng battery?

keeping up

How can i keep up if...

• I am tamad to open the computer on weekdays dahil pagod sa work.
• I am busy with friends, family and "ehem"
• I don't have anything interesting to say (chi, kitaun ku bang dii ku ibutang in updates, kung hindi, read the other blog na lang)
• I am in one of my moods

I can keep up if...

• I get home early from work and may time pa to update
• Find time to update even if i am busy with socials
• I bring the laptop on my travels
• I find inspiration
• There is something interesting in my personal and professional life

hello, good bye

This is a late post.

While 2008 has been a turbulent time for the country and the world, it has been a milestone year for the family. (Don't we just love lists?)

• The family grew larger in 2008. - The year started with Nageeb (my brother) and Marian's wedding in January. It was followed by the birth of Zaki (my sister Amina's baby) in July. Atchie's marriage to Al in December rounded up this remarkable year for the Family.

• The first time in a long time that i got to visit and bond with all my first cousins (mother side). The last time we were complete was 10 years ago, though we might have been older and some are already married with kids, the bond between us cousins still stays. We are and will always be siblings. I miss brgy Shajah, the food trips, the bonding and the kids. I am looking forward to my next visit. Inshallah, attend another wedding soon?
  

• I reached my goal of visiting a foreign country every year. Althought the Dubai trip was an unexpected event, it was one of the most fulfilling one. I am looking forward to more trips next year. Sana makapunta ako sa US, Canada and Singapore. hahaha

• Although i was not promoted this year, I am happy with work. I might rant about it from time to time, but i love my work. My grey cells are constantly working. I love the work environment and i love the people i work with. My goal is to do good in what i am doing. I know that hard work and opportunity is what is takes to have that promotion.

back to work

I arrived in Manila yesterday after a three week vacation (technically i only had a full two week vacation, the first week i had to do some work / reports). Although i my brain, mind and body is still on vacation mode, I had to force myself to get up work today. I was staring at my screen for several minutes and It took me a while for my mind to reboot and go back to work mode. Hahaha.

Kahit ganun, I was still in slow mo. It takes me a while to process stuff (especially work related). Good thing that I was allowed to work from home today. Tomorrow, it's back to the office for me. Hello traffic and waking up early. Good bye to sleeping till 9am and food trips.

I miss brgy sharjah.

My UAE experience (condensed edition)

Since i arrived in the UAE three weeks ago, my family and I have been to several mall and each time i come home empty handed. :(

It is so frustrating to find the shoe you love but not in your size. hahaha. I am going home tomorrow, and all i can show is a couple of pairs.

Oh well, di naman shopping ang aim ko pumunta dito. I might be frustrated in looking for the perfect pair, I may be a few dollars poorer, a few pounds heavier but i am going home happy.

Happy to have bonded with my siblings, my cousins and my pamangkins. Happy to have bonded over food, malling and shopping. Sad nga lang kc tomorrow, its back to reality for me. :(

Happy new year

Happy 2009.

Here's looking forward to a better year, a better life.