Greatly Appreciated

For all you do, Gobbie -

For sending forms and fixing files,
Poring through the paper piles,
Completing tasks with time to spare,
Keeping track of what goes where,
Placing orders for supplies,
Staying calm when tensions rise,
Typing e-mails and reports,
Handling crises of all sorts,
Taking calls throughout the day,
And being great in every way...

For all these things and lots more, too, it’s time to thank and honor YOU!


Happy Administrative Professionals Day, Geraldine!

A Prayer for the Earth

Dearest Lord, we thank Thee
And so to you we pray
For all the things that you provide
Throughout each and every day...

For the sun that shines and warms our hearts,
For the flowers and the trees,
For blue skies and oceans
And the wind's cool, gentle breeze.

Thank you for the nutrients
In all the things we eat.
We thank you for giving us shelter
And for the ground beneath our feet


We thank you for the rain that falls
Upon this wondrous land,
And for the fresh air that we breathe,
All created by your hand.

We pray that you'll protect our natural resources,
So that for generations to come
Your many children may still enjoy
All the blessings of your kingdom.

Amen.

Natural Highs

As I sit by myself waiting for all the attendees of the seminar-workshop, I was ticking off ways to spend a perfect week. Listed below are natural highs that I think everyone will agree.

• Falling in love.
• Laughing so hard your face hurts.
• A hot shower.
• No lines at the supermarket.
• A special glance.
• Getting mail. Getting email. Getting SMS. (Getting Facebook/Friendster/Multiply Messages)
• Taking a drive on a pretty road.
• Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
• Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
• Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
• Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry).
• A bubble bath.
• Giggling.
• A good conversation.
• The beach
• Finding a money in your office blazer.
• Laughing at yourself.
• Looking into their eyes and knowing they love you
• Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
• Running through sprinklers.
• Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
• Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
• Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS
• Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
• Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
• Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
• Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
• Playing with a new puppy.
• Having someone play with your hair.
• Sweet dreams.
• Hot chocolate.
• Road trips with friends.
• Swinging on swings.
• Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
• Making chocolate chip cookies.
• Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
• Holding hands with someone you care about.
• Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
• Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.
• Watching the sunrise.
• Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
• Knowing that somebody misses you.
• Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
• Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

Do you have other “highs” in mind?

I-S-O What?

In preparation for a future take-over of a critical position in a company, I had been busy attending seminar-workshops about ISO 9001 for the past two weeks. It was a very interesting experience mind you.

Yes, I am proud to say that our firm is an ISO 9001:2000 certified organization and the first in our line of business (saan ka pa?) which is why the need and interest to pursue the much-controversial ISO training for the betterment of the company’s quality implementation. Oh well that will see the day!

During my I-think-I-already-know-what-this-is training, I learned new ideas (surprisingly!!) and it broadened (once again) my knowledge on the different requirements of ISO 9001:2000 (even if this is completely new!!) and the application of each requirement to our own firm.

The training provided hands-on activities, role-playing and lively exchange of ideas from the participants. That really got me going! Even if the food was not at par with my previous trainings. He! He! He!


So suma total, not only did I learn a lot from the sessions, I also gained new friends.

Guess what, after all the sessions, I am now a threat to we know who! Ha, ha, ha!

I scream… Ice Cream!

Usually whenever we crave for ice cream we go to Crepes & Cream located at 26th Crescent West Park at the Global City, Fort Bonifacio. Mom loves the variety of flavors and her ultimate Banana Split.

A few weeks ago, we went back to satisfy our thirst for ice cream and I found out that they changed ice cream suppliers. Even the prices of the ice cream changed and I asked what happened – simply put they changed suppliers. Though the new supplier is still good, we still crave the old familiar taste of the Raspberry Ice Cream.

Good thing that I remembered the brand of the old supplier and the other day, I brought my Mom and sister to the newest creamery place in the metropolis.

FIC Ice Cream Bar is now open to the public at the Ground Level of the Joya Tower in Rockwell. It is the same location of Santi’s Deli and beside Figaro. The place is bigger that the Crepes & Cream store and they serve short meals aside from ice cream and yogurt.

Mom was very happy with her Banana Split, the Sister loved her Malt Chocolate Milk Shake and I was very quiet savoring my Choco Mallow Parfait. Yummy!


Now, we have two options. One in Rockwell and another one in the Fort – yippee!

Another Send-Off

In a few days, one of my parent’s classmates from elementary and high school will be leaving for another country and will pursue greener pastures.

Tita Norma will be joining her other siblings in the United States and will be surely missed by her two sons and one grandson. I, for one, will definitely miss her. She’s so sweet and thoughtful and very helpful to my family and she cares for our welfare. She is there for every big event in our family and does not fail to make sure we are doing alright!


I know my Mom, Tita Mercy and the rest of Batch ‘70 will miss her but I know that the bond of their friendship is greater than any distance.

We had lunch with Tita Norma and her son, Darwin, a few days ago and as usual, I was teary eyed. Good thing my Dad was also available and it was a good send-off.


I told Tita Norma as we were leaving the restaurant that we’ll have constant communication and we’ll definitely touch base with her whenever we are near her area.

Tita Norma: Bon Voyage and have an amazing time!

SCTEX

Last Sunday, we passed by the famous and long-anticipated SCTEX on the way to Subic and Olongapo. And to tell you honestly, it was worth the trip. It only took us 38 minutes from Clark to reach SBMA. A very smooth route for the 55 kilometers travel.



SCTEX or the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway was again open for another test run from April 6 - 9, 2008 and is open from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m and it is absolutely free of charge. The SCTEX Exit is a few meters after the Dau Exit of the NLEX and ends right at the entrance of the Subic-Tipo Tollway.



I do hope everybody will get a chance to see the fascinating view of the rice fields, mango orchard and the mountains. Happy driving!

Mango Madness

I got an early call from Tito Rolly and he mentioned that he’ll have something delivered before I leave for the weekend. Guessing if it was Suman from Batangas or home-cooked pasta made me hungry while waiting for the messenger.

Lo and behold, I got a big basket of green mango from Pangasinan. Seventy-one big ones. Sarap! Thanks, Tito Rolly and belated happy birthday too!


I will give Mom half of the mango and I’ll prepare pickled mango and wait for some to go yellow for my cheeblings favorite.

Now, let me get a knife and I’ll start sampling a big one!

How to Kill Creativity...

1. Always pretend to know more than everybody around you.
2. Get employees to fill in time sheets.
3. Run daily checks on progress of everyone's work.
4. Ensure that highly qualified people do mundane work for long periods.
5. Put barriers up between departments.
6. Don't speak personally to employees, except when announcing increased targets, shortened deadlines and tightened cost restraints.
7. Ask for a 200-page document to justify every new idea.
8. Call lots of meetings.
9. Place the biggest emphasis on the budget.
10. Kill any idea that is not your own

Creativity is what keeps things growing, keeps the mind sharp and keeps people enthusiastic in all their endeavors, from home to work to personal life.

So next time you have the opportunity to stifle creativity – Don’t – whether it is in the workplace, the kitchen, or from a smiling 3 year old.

Thinking out of the box is what brings society its leaders. Restricting creativity only hurts oneself.

Life Explained

On the first day, God created the dog and said: 'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'

The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?'

So God agreed.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said: 'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span.'

The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?'

And God agreed.

On the third day, God created the cow and said: 'You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.'

The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?'

And God agreed again.

On the fourth day, God created man and said: 'Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years.'

But man said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?'

'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.'

So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Happy Easter!

In one warm, gentle, spring breeze,
Easter reveals all the impossible wonders and beauty hiding within -
As if all creation smiles and whispers, "Life is good!"

Wishing you all a springtime of tiny amazements.

Happy St. Patrick's!

May God grant you always...
A sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel
So nothing can harm you...

Laughter to cheer you,
Faithful friends near you,
And whenever you pray,
Heaven to hear you.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Mini Oble

The Oblation has always been for me the symbol of being a true UP student in which nakedness is not about the lack of clothes but instead the freedom to embrace ANY culture, perspective, race or tradition because in UP, you open your mind and emotion to everything about life and that has taught me very important lessons.

I got my Mini Oble from Gobleth Moulic, a batchmate from UP.


Thanks to Emerson Cuyo for he was the one who facilitated the Baguio-Manila transfer of our precious.

This treasured Mini Oble is beautifully done by Kigao Rosimo of Baguio City. I hope his works will always be a reflection of his creativity and artistry.

From one UP student to another...

Tagged... again!

I AM… desperately trying to finish Turbo Subs while waiting for my brother.

I WANT… to be rich enough to buy me a Mr. Right.

I HAVE… no idea where to go for St. Patrick’s Day.

I WISH… I could go to the mall and get whatever I want.

I HATE… those people who only remember you when they need something.

I FEAR… never being able to do everything I’ve wanted to do.

I SEARCH… for the perfect man. Seriously, I am looking out for that person who will see through me and love me for who and what I am.

I WONDER… if things would have been different if I was not fat.

I REGRET… not exceeding my worth.

I LOVE… my siblings.

I ALWAYS… pray before going to bed.

I AM NOT… as tough as I appear to be.

I DANCE… as long as my feet can hold my body.

I SING… with the i-Pod in full blast.

I CRY… over happy endings and sad movies.

I WRITE… long letters to keep in touch with friends.

I WON… a weekend stay at a five-star hotel.

I AM CONFUSED… about the state of our country.

I NEED… to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.

I SHOULD… start getting serious with my job.

THE LAST THOUGHT YOU GO TO SLEEP WITH IS… Thank you Lord for another day.”

April, Bunny, Rachelle, Kyla, Rhea and Tuesday – your turn.

The Universe Unlocked

1. Save the whales. Collect the whole set.
2. A day without sunshine is like... night.
3. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
4. 42.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
5. 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
6. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
7. He who laughs last thinks slowest.
8. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
9. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
10. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.
11. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
12. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
13. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
14. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
15. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
16. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
17. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
18. Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.
19. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
20. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
21. What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
22. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
23. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
24. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened.
25. Just remember, if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
26. Light travels faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

When The Moon Hits Your Eye...

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie…
That's amore.

When an eel bites your hand and that's not what you planned…
That's a moray.

When our habits are strange and our customs deranged…
That's our mores.

When your horse munches straw and the bales total four…
That's some more hay.

When Othello's poor wife, she gets stabbed with a knife…
That's a Moor, eh?

When a Japanese knight used a sword in a fight…
That's Sa...mur...ai.

… Amore!

HVD!

Wishing everyone showers of love on Valentine's Day!

Is it really over?

From Just Jared and all over the evening news:


“The writers’ strike is finally over. Party time!!!!!!! “It’s over,” former Walt Disney chief executive Michael Eisner told CNBC. “[The major media companies and the Writers Guild of America] made the deal, they shook hands on the deal. It’s going on Saturday to the writers in general.” The writers, however, could still reject the agreement, but the deal is definitely in motion.”

I want all of my fave shows to resume!!! Can't wait, bring them on!!!

A Different Perspective of Love

In a conference where the Keynote speaker was Jim Bouten, a former New York Yankees pitcher and author of the bestselling book “Ball Four” which rocked the baseball world in the early 70s. Although he had little to say about the online world, his experience was very enlightening (as well as very entertaining) as he was someone who had to work very hard and break a lot of rules to play in the big leagues, especially on a team with greats such as Yogi Berra and Micky Mantle.

Given that we are a week away from Valentines Day, or Love Day as some call it, it is important to understand different aspects of love – including “Loving What You Do.”

* You Must Learn to Love the Process of What you are Doing
* Secret of Success is Persistence
* Most People Don’t Fail – They Just stop Trying
* If you Love what you do, you can find a way to succeed
* One Thing I learned from Pressure is to try to have fun with it
* When you are having fun doing what you are doing, your mind and body work correctly

For everyone, be reminded to enjoy the process -- to love what you do. If you don’t, and can’t find a way to do so by changing your perspective, perhaps you should start looking to do other things. If you are just results focused, you will often be unhappy. If you enjoy the process, you can always be optimistic, even during difficult times.

Quotes on Love

"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed."
- Carl Jung

"To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best."
- William M. Thackeray

"All's fair in love and war."
- Francis Smedley

"Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of growths. No man or - woman really - knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century."
- Mark Twain

"Love conquers all things except poverty and toothache."
-Mae West

The Following Have Unknown Authors:

"To love something is to give it room enough to grow.”

"With most people lovability is not absent—it is merely undiscovered."

"Without loving acts, loving words are meaningless."

"People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway…"

Wishing you all a great week, and with a reminder not to wait to the last minute to get your Valentine presents.