HELLO! Long time! As per usual, I have failed to keep this blog alive thanks to all the yuppie problems enough to keep me busy on a daily basis.
Some good news: I have kept true to my promise of cooking meals for my family on a weekly basis, I have found a way to solve my career dilemma, I have remedied a few of my short sighted crises in the past months. In fact, 4Q is turning out to be the best period of the year so far.
In the middle of all the pre-holiday planning, pre-shopping and food scouting for the looming festive season, I took the initiative to organize all probable expenses into a wish list. This way, I will be able to prioritize the assortment of goodies I already earmarked since day 1 of our pre-shopping spree this first week of October.
1) Table top oven
I have not been able to test my skills in baking and desserts because the gas range and the oven have yet to be replaced here at home. Thank God my parents are allowing me to buy a smaller oven this Christmas. I saw one today while looking for a portable emergency light (because my parents are really paranoid about typhoons and the climate change) which is a bit under 10k. Pwede na! I'll treat it as part capital for a hobby-business. Hahaha.
Goodbye to no-bake desserts! I already have a gazillion ideas in mind, maybe even do this as a sideline on weekends. I've done a mental layout of the packaging and sticker design to top it all off. Hahaha :)
2) Baking and cooking materials
Of course I won't be able to pursue sweets and pastries without the right cooking ensemble. I've been eyeing on the basics but nothing fancy. Just the few that will help me survive since I have been using improvised molding pans for quite a while. Hahaha. I also need a sushi mat, outdoor grill and food processor. Hihihi :)
3) External Hard Drive
Yes, I love my series. Plus I'm working on some freelance projects for PS and web content. I might need to free up some space and give way for a formal portfolio. I'm kind of lazy to take pictures lately but since I'm looking at upgrading my camera, hope I can do my 2012 travel photodump soon! :) This year was indeed the beginning of my travel years ;)
4) Classes
Since I'm still on my 2nd year off of graduation, I have a year before I can pursue parttime teaching and eventually an MD, so I want to invest in all types of learning I could use. Short courses on cooking, Adobe apps and of course another set of refresher course for driving. Finally getting wheels (oh so delayed gratification) but I don't know if I'm happy since I'll be paying for it and the gas. I might have to lay off on the clothes and travel for a while. It's a good thing I've already invested in great gadgets this year.
5) Treadmill
With my mom lobbying for opposition, my dad and I have been canvassing for treadmills that we can use when our veranda gets built. Nothing can surely replace jogging in Makati parks, but let's face it. This is a more practical (and lazy-friendly) way to ensure that we all do our mandated dose of cardio every day, even during the rainy season. Here's hoping my mom isn't right about us. Hahahaha.
Well what else? Looking at my wish list, I can see that I'm maturing in terms of selecting purchases and investments. I hope everything fits my budget since we're upgrading almost everything in the house starting November.
I'm so excited! Never been more excited for the holidays! I have a lot of dinners, reunions and travel lined up for this! :D
Showing posts with label updates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label updates. Show all posts
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Book On Board!
Life is a journey,we're all going somewhere, but where are we going? - Logos Hope
I've been too many years late in finding out about the MV Logos Hope, just about the largest floating book sale that sails all over the world (pun intended). I read about it in a newspaper article that was posted by a friend in Facebook. Anything about books and book sales makes me go gaga ever since I was a kid.
Before booking my parents for a visit to the South Port of Manila and see what was there to see, I did my own research about the MV Logos Hope. Apparently, it began its journey originally as a car ferry before it was operated by the renowned German Christian organization the GBA Ships e.V. Since 1970, its ships (Logos, Doulos, Logos II and now Logos Hope) have visited over 500 different ports in 160 countries and have welcomed over 40 million visitors on board.With a very inspirational goal of bringing knowledge, help and hope to nations across the globe, it also allows citizens of various countries to volunteer, live and serve for two years in the ship en route to its many destinations.
It was scheduled to dock in the ports of Manila from February 16 to March 14, 2012 and I was lucky enough to have time on the last weekend before it sails for the Subic pier. Stationed on Pier 15, right behind the Manila Hotel and past the Philippine Coastguard Headquarters it was pretty easy to find if you're familiar with the Manila Bay area. Since it was a Sunday, I told my parents to go after lunch because it opens at 1:30PM on Sundays. When we got to the South Port entrance, there was very little parking space so I guessed a mob of people must have gone to see the ship on its last weekend in Manila.
Moving into the gates, we were welcomed by two ships. The Superferry carrier ship was nearest the dock and the MV Logos Hope was sitting majestically behind it. This was a pretty shot that I was able to take complete with an overcast sky on a late Manila Sunday afternoon. I could smell the sea breeze from where I stood.
And the standing took long, mind you, because this was the queue that greeted us upon setting foot in the port entrance.
But the wait was absolutely worth it. Despite the long lines and our grumbling stomachs (a very clever mistake not to eat before going there), it took us roughly about 20 mins. tops to wait for our turn. Every 5 mins. signaled a flurry of people getting off the ship so I could just imagine how many people were actually in there. Finally, after paying a very delightfully cheap entrance fee of Php 20.00, we entered the MV Logos Hope for a real treat.
We were welcomed by a highly energetic crew, with the frontliner being a woman (a South American I'm guessing) giving us the house rules after playing a short video about the MV Logos Hope and its crusade. She was even chanting Tagalog words to relate to us and help us ingrain in our minds that the walk in the ship is a one-way system and that we cannot make "halo-halo" the books as courtesy to the next customers who will be coming in. Pretty witty at that, and I was more excited to move on into the book sale.
Predictably, there were a lot of people on board that it was like mall sale of sorts inside the book fair. I had a hard time squeezing in past customers in the different sections that held almost 5,000 titles. Like the usual bookstore, the books were divided into catergories according to their general topics and I was pleased to see that the staples were there: fiction, health, biographies, cooking, children, spiritual, academic titles, etc.
My parents and I were not so keen on hoarding books since we were there mostly for the adventure but we grabbed a few titles that we found the most useful for home use (which I will reveal later). And well, my dad told me I could download through my iPad the books I wanted anyway and I guiltily agreed so.
The books were priced per unit but it was fairly easy to remember because 1 unit = P1.00. The price range was fairly reasonable, though I could still vouch for cheaper books in real book sales. But the books were not all hand me downs and the majority for sale was actually brand new.
After asking my dad to pay for our finds, we then cruised through the other stations hurriedly because we wanted to get to the international cafe, to where the food was. On our way we saw murals on glass that told the story of the Prodigal Son, videos of life as a crew on the ship and a small room where a seminar on HIV was being held.
At last we reached the cafe which was unsurprisingly barricaded by a long line of people yet again. Most families and kids had to fight their way to get tables.
While waiting in line, a woman went around and showed us the menu so we'd be ready to order by the time we reach the counter.
I got us the quickest snacks: a bag of popcorn, a croissant (with chocolate syrup and almond slices) and vanilla ice cream. It wasn't bad at all. After it, we were ready to say goodbye to MV Logos Hope and make way for more people to enter the ship.
The book titles that we got were more on health, recipes and self-help. I didn't bother much on the fiction and biography since I still had untouched books here at home. We also got a bag for our books and I have to say that these were best buys that I can't wait to flip through.
The MV Logos Hope goes around the world every year and my only wish for it is for more people to come and visit. An adventure in it once is enough, given the multitude of people who want to get a piece of that experience.
I'm not sure if I'd be visiting next year to get more titles but I am interested to volunteer when it docks in Manila again. It would be truly great to spread the cause, involve people and help in a vessel of hope, inspiration and knowledge, in every sense of the word.
I've been too many years late in finding out about the MV Logos Hope, just about the largest floating book sale that sails all over the world (pun intended). I read about it in a newspaper article that was posted by a friend in Facebook. Anything about books and book sales makes me go gaga ever since I was a kid.
Before booking my parents for a visit to the South Port of Manila and see what was there to see, I did my own research about the MV Logos Hope. Apparently, it began its journey originally as a car ferry before it was operated by the renowned German Christian organization the GBA Ships e.V. Since 1970, its ships (Logos, Doulos, Logos II and now Logos Hope) have visited over 500 different ports in 160 countries and have welcomed over 40 million visitors on board.With a very inspirational goal of bringing knowledge, help and hope to nations across the globe, it also allows citizens of various countries to volunteer, live and serve for two years in the ship en route to its many destinations.
It was scheduled to dock in the ports of Manila from February 16 to March 14, 2012 and I was lucky enough to have time on the last weekend before it sails for the Subic pier. Stationed on Pier 15, right behind the Manila Hotel and past the Philippine Coastguard Headquarters it was pretty easy to find if you're familiar with the Manila Bay area. Since it was a Sunday, I told my parents to go after lunch because it opens at 1:30PM on Sundays. When we got to the South Port entrance, there was very little parking space so I guessed a mob of people must have gone to see the ship on its last weekend in Manila.
Moving into the gates, we were welcomed by two ships. The Superferry carrier ship was nearest the dock and the MV Logos Hope was sitting majestically behind it. This was a pretty shot that I was able to take complete with an overcast sky on a late Manila Sunday afternoon. I could smell the sea breeze from where I stood.
And the standing took long, mind you, because this was the queue that greeted us upon setting foot in the port entrance.
About a hundred feet away waiting to board the MV Logos Hope.
Crossing over the real gates, where we would pay our entrance fee and board the ship.
But the wait was absolutely worth it. Despite the long lines and our grumbling stomachs (a very clever mistake not to eat before going there), it took us roughly about 20 mins. tops to wait for our turn. Every 5 mins. signaled a flurry of people getting off the ship so I could just imagine how many people were actually in there. Finally, after paying a very delightfully cheap entrance fee of Php 20.00, we entered the MV Logos Hope for a real treat.
We were welcomed by a highly energetic crew, with the frontliner being a woman (a South American I'm guessing) giving us the house rules after playing a short video about the MV Logos Hope and its crusade. She was even chanting Tagalog words to relate to us and help us ingrain in our minds that the walk in the ship is a one-way system and that we cannot make "halo-halo" the books as courtesy to the next customers who will be coming in. Pretty witty at that, and I was more excited to move on into the book sale.
Wall exhibit on the ship history.
Inside the ship were 5 different stations: the welcome area where we watched the video, the book fair area, the journey of life area, the theatre and the international cafe.
My parents and I were not so keen on hoarding books since we were there mostly for the adventure but we grabbed a few titles that we found the most useful for home use (which I will reveal later). And well, my dad told me I could download through my iPad the books I wanted anyway and I guiltily agreed so.
The books were priced per unit but it was fairly easy to remember because 1 unit = P1.00. The price range was fairly reasonable, though I could still vouch for cheaper books in real book sales. But the books were not all hand me downs and the majority for sale was actually brand new.
After asking my dad to pay for our finds, we then cruised through the other stations hurriedly because we wanted to get to the international cafe, to where the food was. On our way we saw murals on glass that told the story of the Prodigal Son, videos of life as a crew on the ship and a small room where a seminar on HIV was being held.
At last we reached the cafe which was unsurprisingly barricaded by a long line of people yet again. Most families and kids had to fight their way to get tables.
While waiting in line, a woman went around and showed us the menu so we'd be ready to order by the time we reach the counter.
I got us the quickest snacks: a bag of popcorn, a croissant (with chocolate syrup and almond slices) and vanilla ice cream. It wasn't bad at all. After it, we were ready to say goodbye to MV Logos Hope and make way for more people to enter the ship.
The book titles that we got were more on health, recipes and self-help. I didn't bother much on the fiction and biography since I still had untouched books here at home. We also got a bag for our books and I have to say that these were best buys that I can't wait to flip through.
The MV Logos Hope goes around the world every year and my only wish for it is for more people to come and visit. An adventure in it once is enough, given the multitude of people who want to get a piece of that experience.
I'm not sure if I'd be visiting next year to get more titles but I am interested to volunteer when it docks in Manila again. It would be truly great to spread the cause, involve people and help in a vessel of hope, inspiration and knowledge, in every sense of the word.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Q2-Q3 Review
Seriously, I should be penalized for always promising to update this blog yet failing at every inch to do so. Pardon my schedule and my penchant for overbooking. It's one of the perks of being single - I get to say yes to every opportunity that comes knocking on my door. I have to be anywhere and everywhere all the time and the last thing I want is to be stuck without nothing to do, even though my life is a huge pile of work as it is.
I've gone a whole month without any substantial updates. My last post was about splurging (wait for the part that uncovers if that's still an issue or not) and I have not posted a single word on my exaggeratedly busy weeks. (For blow by blows, refer to my FB and twitter) So here goes nothing.
(Grabs planner to check dates)
July swooped in with a lot of gifts and surprises. (It is to the extent that I can't help but cuss under my breath when I look back and dissect everything that's happened) It can even probably win the most eventful month of the year award. But then again, who's to say that the coming months can't get any spicier and more exciting than all of my 22 years combined?
1. Major major work paradigm shift
Can I just say that working in the major and global accounts has been every bit of demanding, challenging, grueling, tiring, etc.? Negotiations are on opposite sides of the poles. I have been pressuring myself to increase my coverage so that I can already give a comprehensive report on my list come the end of Q3. However, I have to face the fact that I have a whole other list of commitments that need focus and attention. Plus, some clients tend to be demanding (and I mean a whole new level to that word) so I have to take the extra mile to actually create, revise and overhaul presentations, schedule repeated meetings and do consistent follow-ups.
2. Demo Challenge 2011
I could still remember my first day at work over a year ago. I sat in the mock presentation of the DC2010 delegates to our president and CEO, head of division and managers. I mused over the fact that I can still get to do what I love doing in HS and college - being the seasoned presenter on marketing competitions, theses, defenses and speeches alike. So, I vowed from that day on, that I was going to be the next representative of the Philippines to the hosting country of the Asian regional finals.
Nearly a year, cried over drafts, crammed spiels, recycled slides, nagged teammates and supportive other friends later, I was standing on the 15F in front of a panel of judges hoping to become the next DC2011 champion to Singapore.
Lo, and behold! After crashing down to make up for all late nights' loss of sleep, I got the text saying that not only was I going to SG, I also topped the contest for the division. For a moment right there I was feeling a bit jubilant. It was a milestone in my career and a goal that I set for myself. Once again, I was on the road to making my dreams come true. No one can ever come in the way of that. :)
Some good news to top off everything, Fitness First finally gave us our corporate rates for our monthly workouts! I'm really looking forward to this when I come back to SG since I've been gaining a lot of weight (hello frequent drinking and binge eating) and I haven't really spared some time to get my butt out for a short workout. I'd rather spend time refining my solution design in front of a laptop than attend a free session of Barre3 or jog around McKinley.
This time, no excuses - I'm saying hello to my yoga , hiphop and combat classes again. Not to mention my prolonged hours in the sauna and steamroom and my pretentious cardio minutes in CineFit. Hahahahaha :p
6. Financial Disability
With regard to being financially challenged (please refer to last post), I still am in the works of solving this dilemma. My bills just skyrocketed in the last few weeks and I just turned negative with all my pending expenses. I had to get myself a new pair of prescription glasses and book myself a flight to BCD for the Masskara festival on top of a supposed trip to Samar. That and my membership with Fitness plus Toastmasters - all this coming September. Please shoot me now.
To somehow remedy the situation, my bestfriend Teptep and I are going to hold a small fundraising so that we can pay for our bills and cover up our debts (first to our parents, next to other benefactors). All unnecessary clothes, bags and fairly profitable items will be open for a mini-online garage sale to the public in the coming weeks or so. I pray to have the time for this soon.
Aside from this, I still need to get a credit card of course and pay my utang to Globe. (BREATHE) I know that funds will easily run out because of all pending travels, bills, night outs and whatever demands of being single are. I promised myself to start learning how to play the stocks soon since that will also give me extra income. BUT JEEZ DO I HAVE ALL THE TIME FOR THIS??? Hahaha. I'm mentally laughing and panicking as I type.
7. Fling-a-majig
Given this long list of life-defining pre-occupations, do I still have the time to entertain MEN? Well, here's a pretty straightforward answer: I TRIED TO. But you know where that got me. I never expected to actually like anyone in the course of my career-first disposition, well at least not seriously. I'd have eye candies, crushes and occasional admired guys but not to the lengths of... going out.
Until this one person actually came along. And that will be spared for a separate and rather lengthy blog entry on questioning what it means to make a move and not follow through, of false hopes and pretenses, of leaving someone hanging, of falling in like and chickening out and of being an asshole. And of course me, being the hopeless romantic who always always foolishly believe too much of the good in people with a side of stupid, overthinking, overreacting and easily FALLING. :)
But hey no sweat. If I were smart at everything then it'll be the end of the world. So no big. HAHAHA :D
So there folks. That's all I can throw for my month-long cavorting with life. It's highly ambitious of me to hit the bull's eye and perfect everything but hey, that's MAGIS for me. I just hope I don't drive my crazy along the process. PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE to use this blog as a break and fasten myself to updates! :) My life's been a whole cosmic product of interesting whatnots lately, it's real good not to share.
Off to work now! :) Toodles!
I've gone a whole month without any substantial updates. My last post was about splurging (wait for the part that uncovers if that's still an issue or not) and I have not posted a single word on my exaggeratedly busy weeks. (For blow by blows, refer to my FB and twitter) So here goes nothing.
(Grabs planner to check dates)
July swooped in with a lot of gifts and surprises. (It is to the extent that I can't help but cuss under my breath when I look back and dissect everything that's happened) It can even probably win the most eventful month of the year award. But then again, who's to say that the coming months can't get any spicier and more exciting than all of my 22 years combined?
1. Major major work paradigm shift
Can I just say that working in the major and global accounts has been every bit of demanding, challenging, grueling, tiring, etc.? Negotiations are on opposite sides of the poles. I have been pressuring myself to increase my coverage so that I can already give a comprehensive report on my list come the end of Q3. However, I have to face the fact that I have a whole other list of commitments that need focus and attention. Plus, some clients tend to be demanding (and I mean a whole new level to that word) so I have to take the extra mile to actually create, revise and overhaul presentations, schedule repeated meetings and do consistent follow-ups.
What weekends look like for me :)
I could still remember my first day at work over a year ago. I sat in the mock presentation of the DC2010 delegates to our president and CEO, head of division and managers. I mused over the fact that I can still get to do what I love doing in HS and college - being the seasoned presenter on marketing competitions, theses, defenses and speeches alike. So, I vowed from that day on, that I was going to be the next representative of the Philippines to the hosting country of the Asian regional finals.
Nearly a year, cried over drafts, crammed spiels, recycled slides, nagged teammates and supportive other friends later, I was standing on the 15F in front of a panel of judges hoping to become the next DC2011 champion to Singapore.
Lo, and behold! After crashing down to make up for all late nights' loss of sleep, I got the text saying that not only was I going to SG, I also topped the contest for the division. For a moment right there I was feeling a bit jubilant. It was a milestone in my career and a goal that I set for myself. Once again, I was on the road to making my dreams come true. No one can ever come in the way of that. :)
Demo Challenge 2011
Needless to say, it's eating a huge chunk of my time right now. The whole stretch of preparations is up until the first week of September. That's already an unwarranted pass to run over my (once in a blue moon) long weekend but hey, I'd be having a mini-vacation when I get there anyway. I promised myself not to entertain side booking for the rest of the coming two weeks so that I could focus on work and Demo Challenge. I'm excited as hell to go to SG and be exposed to other cultures and practices of Canon in the whole region. It's time to actually savor the good memories that I will get from that place when I come back. :) Please wish me luck!
3. Business as usual
Well my partners and I have had quite a successful test run on our first batch. Although a big struggle for us is finding the right fit for our calendars, we've taken a few baby steps to advance the progress of our business and making it materialize. And I have to say that part of the bottleneck is charged to my account since it's me and my ambitious multitasking that gets in the way of beating deadlines aptly. I swore to help expedite the process once Demo Challenge is over so that we can move on to the next phases of our implementation.
Please watch out for us in the coming months as we launch our next batch of designed accessories made especially for the requests of our buyers! We're also going to launch our first line of clothes and hopefully bags and shoes! :) Will keep you updated on that.
4. Toastmasters
Back in college, I had this sort of inexplicable inkling to join this org and help myself enhance my public speaking skills. I never had the chance to, especially with my then-obligations to the bf and other seemingly more important things (of course I was wrong). Even my partners and I at some point tried to venture into joining one chapter to pilot a team that will teach high school students (this offer is still up but later on in the business CSR). Imagine my reaction when the chance to be a guest came, thanks to my Demo Challenge partner Mommy Shie, who I love so dearly just because we have tons of things in common. Toastmasters for one :)
The experience was everything I pictured it to be, and more. I sat in a room full of yuppies, entrepreneurs and executives - basically a hodgepodge of people that I don't get to ascribe to as my audience on a daily basis (well long before, but since I'm in the corporate world now, pretty much). What really got to me was the passion and warmth of the people. Never mind that they have to critique the way you organize your speech, the number of times you said aahh, uuhms, or any other verbal crutch, the errors that you made in grammar or how much you went above the given time limit. It was like practicing in a band with long time friends or sitting in a room full of colleagues that don't judge your output but cheer you on to give the best that you have, give constructive criticisms the nicest way they could and still give you a pat on the back for a job well done.
That, over and above the fact that it's the nearest chapter that allows us an hour travel time to beat after work rush hour, is the winning reason to actually join that particular chapter (Achievers Toastmasters Club in Makati Stock Exchange). After my first session as a guest with the theme "Style or Fashion", Mommy Shie and I are finally doing our ice breaker speeches a week before we leave for SG. I AM STOKED :)
5. Fitness First!
Some good news to top off everything, Fitness First finally gave us our corporate rates for our monthly workouts! I'm really looking forward to this when I come back to SG since I've been gaining a lot of weight (hello frequent drinking and binge eating) and I haven't really spared some time to get my butt out for a short workout. I'd rather spend time refining my solution design in front of a laptop than attend a free session of Barre3 or jog around McKinley.
This time, no excuses - I'm saying hello to my yoga , hiphop and combat classes again. Not to mention my prolonged hours in the sauna and steamroom and my pretentious cardio minutes in CineFit. Hahahahaha :p
6. Financial Disability
With regard to being financially challenged (please refer to last post), I still am in the works of solving this dilemma. My bills just skyrocketed in the last few weeks and I just turned negative with all my pending expenses. I had to get myself a new pair of prescription glasses and book myself a flight to BCD for the Masskara festival on top of a supposed trip to Samar. That and my membership with Fitness plus Toastmasters - all this coming September. Please shoot me now.
To somehow remedy the situation, my bestfriend Teptep and I are going to hold a small fundraising so that we can pay for our bills and cover up our debts (first to our parents, next to other benefactors). All unnecessary clothes, bags and fairly profitable items will be open for a mini-online garage sale to the public in the coming weeks or so. I pray to have the time for this soon.
Aside from this, I still need to get a credit card of course and pay my utang to Globe. (BREATHE) I know that funds will easily run out because of all pending travels, bills, night outs and whatever demands of being single are. I promised myself to start learning how to play the stocks soon since that will also give me extra income. BUT JEEZ DO I HAVE ALL THE TIME FOR THIS??? Hahaha. I'm mentally laughing and panicking as I type.
7. Fling-a-majig
Given this long list of life-defining pre-occupations, do I still have the time to entertain MEN? Well, here's a pretty straightforward answer: I TRIED TO. But you know where that got me. I never expected to actually like anyone in the course of my career-first disposition, well at least not seriously. I'd have eye candies, crushes and occasional admired guys but not to the lengths of... going out.
Until this one person actually came along. And that will be spared for a separate and rather lengthy blog entry on questioning what it means to make a move and not follow through, of false hopes and pretenses, of leaving someone hanging, of falling in like and chickening out and of being an asshole. And of course me, being the hopeless romantic who always always foolishly believe too much of the good in people with a side of stupid, overthinking, overreacting and easily FALLING. :)
But hey no sweat. If I were smart at everything then it'll be the end of the world. So no big. HAHAHA :D
So there folks. That's all I can throw for my month-long cavorting with life. It's highly ambitious of me to hit the bull's eye and perfect everything but hey, that's MAGIS for me. I just hope I don't drive my crazy along the process. PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE to use this blog as a break and fasten myself to updates! :) My life's been a whole cosmic product of interesting whatnots lately, it's real good not to share.
Off to work now! :) Toodles!
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