I can’t seem to control myself when it comes to food. I just ate a lot of Krispy Kreme doughnuts today and I just know that I’ll pay for it sooner or later. I wonder if I’ve already acquired diabetes due to the intensity of sugar in the loops? I’m gonna search it up in the internet, “How do you know if you have diabetes?” or “Symptoms of diabetes” in good ‘ol Google.
I came from Manila American Memorial and Cemetery this morning for the second session of the Landscape Photography class. I borrowed my bro’s Canon D400 SLR camera for the class, the only problem was that I didn’t know much of the basics of a manual camera so at one point or another, I ended up switching to auto-mode and getting the results that I wanted, hehehe. So much for photography class! I realized from this experience that I’m not really a hardcore photography buff; I find the technicalities too deep and mind-boggling. I’d rather point and shoot, throw in some effects, then I’m good to go! The one effect that I desire most is a focused subject and a blurry background, is that too much to ask? I’ve also realized that I enjoy taking pictures of food, which, I think, doesn’t go well for my health.
Two of my sisters-in-law have already tried the South Beach diet and both have lost 10 pounds of more in a span of 2 weeks! Unfortunately, I don’t have that much money yet to get into the diet! Php600 a day—that’s totally over my budget. So right now, I’m an aimless wanderer when it comes to losing weight. I don’t eat a lot when I feel like it and I eat a lot when I feel like it— everything is done on a whim.; thus, 0% progress.
I wonder what’s the probability that I’ll lose weight if I go on as I am right now? ManStat class has influenced me to think with statistics and I guess it isn’t so bad after all. From what I see, ManStat is a little bit easier than ManPri because ManStat has empirical basis for its conclusions; while ManPri analysis depends on your familiarity with the field and how one should conduct business there. Maybe there’s also a basis, but I can’t fathom it completely yet.
I’m eating suha right now to fight off the sugar-induced (assumption) itchy toe feeling. My dad swears by it—his blood sugar and cholesterol level has dropped after 5 days of eating the fruit. It doesn’t hurt to try, besides, it tastes good too :)
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Icky Sugar Feeling
Dear Blog,
Too much sugar and oily foods leave you feeling crummy after a while. It grossly affects your mood and you can’t seem to focus and do anything right. I hate it when that happens… much like now. Sigh.
I just read a back issue of GQ with Uma Thurman on the cover; this was during the height of Kill Bill and her divorce with director Ethan Hawke. Also in the issue was the case of Opus Dei. I wonder if people who are inclined to S&M would be able to endure ‘the discipline’ more than the others, and well, enjoy it more than others.
I do not fully understand that religious sect, so I shall not judge. One thing I’m sure of, though, is that I’d never become one. Heck, I can’t even get it straight with Catholicisim and Protestantism. What’s with all these religions anyway?
I always seem to screw up my Sundays. I can’t get past the sleeping after lunch part, then eating when my brothers arrive, then watching TV, then trying to do my homework, then talking to Drich before I go to sleep. It’s been two nights in a row that I’ve had ‘impromptu’ sleep. This means that I didn’t mean to sleep, like just lying down to rest or close my eyes, but I fall asleep without consciously meaning to and wake up the next morning. I don’t like it when that happens to me coz it just means that I’m very tired and probably stressed.
Logically, I don’t think I should be stressed, but I guess my upbringing was very stress-free, so now it’s much harder for me to cope with stress.
Icky-sugar feeling is still here, ugh. I need to shake this off so that I can focus on my homework. Mango Terrine in Panciteria Lido did this. Well, I did this to myself coz I was the one who ordered it. Oh well. I should have just stuck with the brewed coffee, it was great already.
Japanese doll wall decorations at the restaurant.
Too much sugar and oily foods leave you feeling crummy after a while. It grossly affects your mood and you can’t seem to focus and do anything right. I hate it when that happens… much like now. Sigh.
I just read a back issue of GQ with Uma Thurman on the cover; this was during the height of Kill Bill and her divorce with director Ethan Hawke. Also in the issue was the case of Opus Dei. I wonder if people who are inclined to S&M would be able to endure ‘the discipline’ more than the others, and well, enjoy it more than others.
I do not fully understand that religious sect, so I shall not judge. One thing I’m sure of, though, is that I’d never become one. Heck, I can’t even get it straight with Catholicisim and Protestantism. What’s with all these religions anyway?
I always seem to screw up my Sundays. I can’t get past the sleeping after lunch part, then eating when my brothers arrive, then watching TV, then trying to do my homework, then talking to Drich before I go to sleep. It’s been two nights in a row that I’ve had ‘impromptu’ sleep. This means that I didn’t mean to sleep, like just lying down to rest or close my eyes, but I fall asleep without consciously meaning to and wake up the next morning. I don’t like it when that happens to me coz it just means that I’m very tired and probably stressed.
Logically, I don’t think I should be stressed, but I guess my upbringing was very stress-free, so now it’s much harder for me to cope with stress.
Icky-sugar feeling is still here, ugh. I need to shake this off so that I can focus on my homework. Mango Terrine in Panciteria Lido did this. Well, I did this to myself coz I was the one who ordered it. Oh well. I should have just stuck with the brewed coffee, it was great already.
Japanese doll wall decorations at the restaurant.
Monday, January 08, 2007
New Year, New Look
I have a new blog look! Yey! Blogger has now tied up with Google and its template is now in XML format, how cool! Now I'll be learning about XML :)
As you've noticed, Britney Spears is gone. I've bidden my farewell to her and have moved over to Angelina Jolie. I think I've outgrown Britney and find her antics quite frivolous. Maybe I've also matured myself which is why Angelina's tough but kind-hearted image has appealed to me. It doesn't hurt that she's also Brad Pitt's partner! I'm so for Brangelina! Sorry Jennifer Aniston, nothing against you.
I'm actually blogging at home right now which is not quite common. I was smitten by the changes that Blogger implemented so I couldn't wait to get home and blog. Adding to the pleasure of blogging is having really nice keyboards to type on. Arvin, the one who picked my name at our office's Grand Kris Kringle, was the one who gave this to me as a Christmas gift (well, it helped that i provided a wishlist).
Another reason why I'm able to blog at home is because classes haven't started yet. My first class will be on Wednesday, followed by the other one on Thursday. I've enrolled in Fundamentals of Writing, a.k.a. Business Writing and Management Statistics (oh no). In Bus. Writing, only my ego is on the line, in ManStat, it's my grades!! Well, classes haven't started yet so I'm hoping for the best :)
Shameless Plug
As I'm typing away right now, I have a Slims Uzap Vibrating Belt strapped around me waist. My brother lent it to us so that we can have a sample. He's selling it for 5K and all my sisters-in-law said that it has to work on me first before they buy one from my brother, haha! This is the second time that I'm gonna use it and so far so good. It has actually improved my circulation because I was able to do some 'movement' afterwards. I'm almost fully sedentary so this belt is perfect for lazy ol' me -- exercise without moving a muscle!
If only I had fast metabolism that would allow me to eat anything I wanted without gaining a pound! Life would be perfect.
As you've noticed, Britney Spears is gone. I've bidden my farewell to her and have moved over to Angelina Jolie. I think I've outgrown Britney and find her antics quite frivolous. Maybe I've also matured myself which is why Angelina's tough but kind-hearted image has appealed to me. It doesn't hurt that she's also Brad Pitt's partner! I'm so for Brangelina! Sorry Jennifer Aniston, nothing against you.
I'm actually blogging at home right now which is not quite common. I was smitten by the changes that Blogger implemented so I couldn't wait to get home and blog. Adding to the pleasure of blogging is having really nice keyboards to type on. Arvin, the one who picked my name at our office's Grand Kris Kringle, was the one who gave this to me as a Christmas gift (well, it helped that i provided a wishlist).
Another reason why I'm able to blog at home is because classes haven't started yet. My first class will be on Wednesday, followed by the other one on Thursday. I've enrolled in Fundamentals of Writing, a.k.a. Business Writing and Management Statistics (oh no). In Bus. Writing, only my ego is on the line, in ManStat, it's my grades!! Well, classes haven't started yet so I'm hoping for the best :)
Shameless Plug
As I'm typing away right now, I have a Slims Uzap Vibrating Belt strapped around me waist. My brother lent it to us so that we can have a sample. He's selling it for 5K and all my sisters-in-law said that it has to work on me first before they buy one from my brother, haha! This is the second time that I'm gonna use it and so far so good. It has actually improved my circulation because I was able to do some 'movement' afterwards. I'm almost fully sedentary so this belt is perfect for lazy ol' me -- exercise without moving a muscle!
If only I had fast metabolism that would allow me to eat anything I wanted without gaining a pound! Life would be perfect.
Monday, December 25, 2006
On Christmas Day
Something Personal
Sometimes there are things that happen in our lives that we do not understand. In these trying times, i feel like crying and being down.
But things are not the same anymore.
I must be strong, i must be optimistic and i must have faith. I know that God's grace is sufficient for us. He will not give us challenges that we cannot overcome.
Life is not for the faint-hearted...*sigh*
************
Where's Christmas?
How come i didn't feel that it's Christmas today? Where's the magic? Where's the awe? It's weird. Is it me? Have i become too logical and numb?
I don't want to become one of those bitter old hags and certainly I don't want to unlearn all the wonderful things that I've discovered in life such as JOUISSANCE (i will forever remember Dr. Leo Garcia) and how about SANTA CLAUS and believing in the goodness of people? Another thing, i musn't succumb to the materialism and consumerism of the holiday season. Christmas should be about love and kindess, we're celebrating Jesus' birth, right?
Have to channel good feelings and lessons from The Nativity story...
Must bring back Christmas spirit!!!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Blog Entry of a SIM Addict
Blog Entry of a SIM Addict
This is the only interesting game I have in my computer and this is what keeps me happy and entertained during the night for the past few days J Oh, the joys of vacation!
If only life and career was as easy as it is in SIMS! Well, it’s only easy in the game because I use the cheats: a loadful of “klapaucius” (a.k.a. rosebuds) and the ambiance is set; basic needs are all fulfilled. Then there’s the career and social life to work for. Climbing the career ladder is the hardest so far for me. It doesn’t seem to end! Both career and social life go hand in hand because you can’t be promoted without having the right number of friends. It’s true, even robbers need a clique. So far, getting to the top is my latest challenge. I have been fast-forwarding through promotions with ‘save and deletes’ and the fast forward button.
The oddest encounter I had while playing the game was the lack of ‘morality’ in the characters. I assumed that when I placed a man and a woman in one house, that they are husband and wife. I even have to work on their relationship for them to be able to sleep in one bed. Then one day, the wife was invited over by a bachelor neighbor. They hit it good and I saw a ‘Propose’ option come up. So I was curious and tried it out… The girl agreed! They got married, moved into the house and her surname was changed! Wow! That was fast! I was just surprised. Why isn’t there a logic in the game that would display a bubble saying, “No, I’m married already” when there’s an crazy bubble saying “I cannot decide on an empty stomach” or “Can’t you see I’m in a terrible mood, your timing stinks” and “Why don’t we do fun things anymore, I want to be able to know that I can have fun here before I consider serious questions”
Well, obviously, it’s all about mood, feeling, emotions. Even two girls can kiss and move in together, not that I have a problem with that, hehe. Basically, everyone can change partners as long as they get on the other’s good side. Heck, I even got a house with a husband and wife and the wife asked a friend to move in. Well, the husband’s a jealous one but it doesn’t stop all three from living together.
Another challenge I’ve encountered but don’t really mind now are the babies! I’m in a stage in my life right now where I’m not super fond of kids that you can’t reason with. So my SIM babies usually get taken by social service! I try and I try but I just can’t seem to get it right. Sometimes, I also get annoyed with the kids. The voice used for kids kinda irritates me, so in one instance, I let a kid drown in the pool. I got an urn and a ghost to boot! I’m not really sure how to make them grow up to be an adult but I vaguely remember that I was able to do this a few years ago….
This is the only interesting game I have in my computer and this is what keeps me happy and entertained during the night for the past few days J Oh, the joys of vacation!
If only life and career was as easy as it is in SIMS! Well, it’s only easy in the game because I use the cheats: a loadful of “klapaucius” (a.k.a. rosebuds) and the ambiance is set; basic needs are all fulfilled. Then there’s the career and social life to work for. Climbing the career ladder is the hardest so far for me. It doesn’t seem to end! Both career and social life go hand in hand because you can’t be promoted without having the right number of friends. It’s true, even robbers need a clique. So far, getting to the top is my latest challenge. I have been fast-forwarding through promotions with ‘save and deletes’ and the fast forward button.
The oddest encounter I had while playing the game was the lack of ‘morality’ in the characters. I assumed that when I placed a man and a woman in one house, that they are husband and wife. I even have to work on their relationship for them to be able to sleep in one bed. Then one day, the wife was invited over by a bachelor neighbor. They hit it good and I saw a ‘Propose’ option come up. So I was curious and tried it out… The girl agreed! They got married, moved into the house and her surname was changed! Wow! That was fast! I was just surprised. Why isn’t there a logic in the game that would display a bubble saying, “No, I’m married already” when there’s an crazy bubble saying “I cannot decide on an empty stomach” or “Can’t you see I’m in a terrible mood, your timing stinks” and “Why don’t we do fun things anymore, I want to be able to know that I can have fun here before I consider serious questions”
Well, obviously, it’s all about mood, feeling, emotions. Even two girls can kiss and move in together, not that I have a problem with that, hehe. Basically, everyone can change partners as long as they get on the other’s good side. Heck, I even got a house with a husband and wife and the wife asked a friend to move in. Well, the husband’s a jealous one but it doesn’t stop all three from living together.
Another challenge I’ve encountered but don’t really mind now are the babies! I’m in a stage in my life right now where I’m not super fond of kids that you can’t reason with. So my SIM babies usually get taken by social service! I try and I try but I just can’t seem to get it right. Sometimes, I also get annoyed with the kids. The voice used for kids kinda irritates me, so in one instance, I let a kid drown in the pool. I got an urn and a ghost to boot! I’m not really sure how to make them grow up to be an adult but I vaguely remember that I was able to do this a few years ago….
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Waiting for its Arrival
Sometimes i wonder, "kelan kaya ako papayat?" This alone tells of my approach on weight loss. I seem to view it as something that will happen or arrive eventually.
I was just curious... there seems to be no definite answer but, logically speaking, when i finally get my butt working to achieve it.
It's amazing that I find it so hard to lose weight, i dont' seem to have ingrained all those years of dieting, taking whatever weight loss supplements and going to the gym. I just had a very strict instructor, so now that i'm on my own, i just don't have enough drive and consistency to carry on with my previous regimen.
It's complicated.
I was just curious... there seems to be no definite answer but, logically speaking, when i finally get my butt working to achieve it.
It's amazing that I find it so hard to lose weight, i dont' seem to have ingrained all those years of dieting, taking whatever weight loss supplements and going to the gym. I just had a very strict instructor, so now that i'm on my own, i just don't have enough drive and consistency to carry on with my previous regimen.
It's complicated.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Talking to Myself
Talking to Myself
This is the last day that the laptop will be with me. I’ve watched 3 rounds of the latest Smallville episodes and I’ve finally finished the entire season with Clark trapped in a hexagonal disk floating in outer space. Oh, what hope that brings to humankind!
I wonder if Smallville will ever transition into the Superman Series. There’s too many gaps like how come Clark doesn’t remember Lois and what happens to Lana and Chloe… stuff like that. But then since it’s Smallville, weird things can always happen like memories being reset and lives being lived again, who knows what fantastic event will happen that will lead to Clark Kent’s destiny?
This is the last day that the laptop will be with me. I’ve watched 3 rounds of the latest Smallville episodes and I’ve finally finished the entire season with Clark trapped in a hexagonal disk floating in outer space. Oh, what hope that brings to humankind!
I wonder if Smallville will ever transition into the Superman Series. There’s too many gaps like how come Clark doesn’t remember Lois and what happens to Lana and Chloe… stuff like that. But then since it’s Smallville, weird things can always happen like memories being reset and lives being lived again, who knows what fantastic event will happen that will lead to Clark Kent’s destiny?
Tomorrow will be my last day at work for this week coz I’ll be on leave on the 8th -- having an advanced birthday celebration with Aldrich :) He says we’re going to HEAT @ Edsa Shangri-la hotel for lunch then off to Gateway to watch Devil Wears Prada! Ooh, it is my day coz we’re eating at hotel buffets and watching a chick flick hehehe. Maybe we’ll have Chai Latte at Coffee Bean afterwards too! I just hope that everything turns out well and it will indeed be a relaxing day for me. Sometimes, even if you don’t get tired at work, you get tired when you’re already home. Doesn’t make sense really, but maybe it’s more of a mental fatigue than a physical one.
Speaking of physical stuff, I still haven’t assembled the Elliptical machine that Drich gave me for my birthday! I’m not very good at assembling stuff and I don’t want to injure myself with my own creation. I’d just get annoyed and lose faith in the machine—that should never happen, coz that exercise machine costs a lot of money!
Ack! There’s really nothing to blog about! What should I talk about—work? Oh, I was in the office all day, I made spreadsheets, checked spreadsheets, coached people, gave status and attended a call when I was at home. Hmm other than that, I had lunch with Aldrich and we had merienda at Jollibee. Sounds droll? Well, sounds like but it’s not really that bad. If you ask Drich, I even had to consciously draw myself away from the computer coz I wanted to finish the spreadsheet that I was doing. Oh and I get excited every time I get an email – of course it also depends on the content. I actually planned lots of trainings today and I kinda like that. I’ll be giving trainings over lunch for the whole week next week and it makes my blood rush and gets my brain working and my heart pumping. It’s cool to still have that feeling inside you, which just means that there’s still the driving factor that makes you stay and work.
These days, I try to be as positive as possible when it comes to work because a few negative lines is enough to influence my day. I’m very fragile at this period in time as I mentioned in my previous post but hey, I’m fighting back to regain the lost glory – love of work.
If I speak what I type then I would talk a lot but as it is, I write a lot but do not talk like this very much. I can seem to write and type away even though what I’m discussing doesn’t really merit discussion or does not make any sense at all. See? I’ve filled up three lines!
I just realized a while ago that there is still some bitterness left in me for my ex. Oh yes, it’s true and I admit to it. I guess I hold on to grudges at times and this is one of those times. I’m not really mad at him or anything, but there’s just a little bit of resentment whenever I am reminded of the past. I guess there’s so much that happened over the five and a half years that I didn’t really have time to pause and contemplate on them. I just stored them in my brain and now, they come back to me on certain occasions and I am able to realize what a fool I was! I was spineless on the times that mattered, tsk tsk tsk. Oh I hear echoes of someone telling me to, “Move On, Grace!” Hahaha! Yes, I’ve moved on, definitely, bad memories just have the tendency of coming back to haunt you!
Friday, September 01, 2006
Back from the Dead
I don’t fancy typing on my desk coz it reminds me of work too much, so I’m breaking my back and typing away on my bed.
Too many things have happened in the past month/ weeks, I can’t remember how long I’ve skipped writing details into my blog...
***First Self-Bought Cellphone***
I’ve already gotten a decent camera phone that I’ve been wishing for for so long and one drawback is that I had to switch to Smart. I’m just used to having my Globe number for 5 or so years now, but hey, if I keep holding on to that number, who knows when I’ll ever upgrade my phone! So it’s a k608i, the one with 3G, HTML browsing, 1.3 MP camera, FM radio and comes with a USB cable and earphones. Those are basically the features that I want in a phone. It just doesn’t have expandable memory, that’s why it’s relatively cheap – free @ Smart’s Plan 800 and barely 8000 pesos in the market.
The first phone I ever bought for myself, wow.
***Happy Birthday***
Aldrich’s birthday has already gone by while mine is just around the corner. I felt that I didn’t do much justice to his birthday celebration but he insists that he already appreciates it very much. Well, we are different people.
Both of us took a half-day leave from work to have lunch at A Veneto Pizzeria in Glorietta. The servings were huge that even the both of us couldn’t finish everything! That’s another first! We had tempura style crab sticks with ranch dressing for appetizer, pesto and garlic with Hungarian sausage pasta and the resto’s special pizza for the main course and no more from A Veneto for dessert. We went to Coffee Bean afterwards to wash down the food and leisurely strolled around the mall after that. We were supposed to watch a movie but there was nothing worth watching at Greenbelt or even elsewhere during that time How sad! To add to that, we actually had to go back to the office afterwards since Aldrich had a call and I had my interview for Post Grad Diploma in Management.
After the call, the interview, and sending status reports, we had dinner at Brothers’ Burgers in Convergys and continued to talk off a storm. That’s what I really like about Aldrich – the fact that I can talk to him about anything and everything under the sun! :) It’s really nice to find someone who you have a genuine connection with, someone who’s not only your boyfriend but your best friend at the same time. Okay, cheesiness stops here, hehehe.
So I felt that I could have done better, you know, with all the history I’ve got in flamboyant and heart warming gifts, why didn’t I pull one out of my sleeve? Maybe being like that is not totally me. Yes, I enjoy doing that, but sometimes, it’s more of self-satisfaction, more of a project than really thinking of what the other wants. There’s been a lot of self-realization for me lately and I still can’t say that I know myself completely. There are still parts of me that need to be ‘baselined’ to further solidify my character. So anyway, I’m chipping in for Aldrich’s most coveted PS2. He’s been using all his falling eyelashes to wish for the PS2 but he never gets it right, hehehe. Well, it’s just an old-wives tale after all.
***Graduate School of Business***
Why DLSU of all schools? It doesn’t really matter to me. Well, aside from being very convenient to go to after work (they have a campus in RCBC Plaza), my brother went to DLSU for masters so somehow, something inside me has equated masterals in business with La Salle. It has a bit more subjects than Ateneo’s GSB, too.
Why not MBA at once? La Salle requires 3 years of work experience before one can enter their MBA program and I don’t want to wait anymore. I’ve originally been planning to take masterls last June for MSIM in Ateneo’s IT Center but changed my mind after feedback from my lead Joyce who took it before. So I’m taking PGDM first – Post Graduate Diploma in Management—which is technically taking the Pre-MBA subjects required during one’s first MBA year. The only difference is that those in the PGDM course cannot skip taking the courses via validation exams, while those in MBA can. There’s also one additional subject – Ethics, Family Life, Work-life balance—which I think I really need to take especially based on the project that I am in at Accenture. Besides, I don’t want to skip any of the subjects either because I can’t say that I’m an expert in any of them!
PGDM Courses:
Information Management ----- Financial Accounting
Business Writing ---- Business Communication
Managerial Statistics ---- Business Economics
Business Law
Management Principles
Ethics, Career and Family Life
IT Workshops
My ultimate goal is to learn more, in order to be more, to do more and to serve more. Well, another goal is to get 85% across all subjects so that I’ll be automatically accepted into MBA the following year J
***Life at Accenture***
Oh it’s a life, sometimes you don’t know if it’s just work or it’s already your life. Another good result of taking up further studies is that I’ll be able to steer myself away from massive overtime work and to also discipline myself into managing my time better. I’d have to get to work at 8am and leave at 5:30pm!
It’s been a rough time at work lately because I now get easily burned out. This is due to massive overtime a few months back, when we had to do overtime every single day and even stay in the office for almost 20 hours!! How crazy is that? Those days are over but I am still feeling the repercussions of the experience. I used to always love going to work and didn’t really mind the overtime, but now, everything’s different. Yes, I can still do overtime but only very minimal. I’d have to psyche myself the day after, oh it’s such a chore. I don’t like this feeling but it’s always creeping up on me. Once bitten, twice shy?
Anyway, this fiscal year, I’m coming back to the Test Team again. I honestly and sincerely hope that my higher ups have learned from the lessons of the past. Please, I don’t want to feel the same resentment like I did before. People at work are my friends but it’s hard not to feel bad when you feel that they are not taking care of your welfare. I’m actually a bit anxious right now because I have this ill feeling that there will still be a lot of overtime and what if my higher ups don’t push back again or do not come up with humane estimates again? I do not know why they do that! I really hate that part which is one of the reasons why I have such a great desire to learn the ropes of management. I don’t believe that what’s happening to our team is a result of good management. Tsk tsk tsk.
There’s really only so much I can do to change the way things are going, the rest, I will leave to God to give me strength to conquer the challenges that lie ahead!
Too many things have happened in the past month/ weeks, I can’t remember how long I’ve skipped writing details into my blog...
***First Self-Bought Cellphone***
I’ve already gotten a decent camera phone that I’ve been wishing for for so long and one drawback is that I had to switch to Smart. I’m just used to having my Globe number for 5 or so years now, but hey, if I keep holding on to that number, who knows when I’ll ever upgrade my phone! So it’s a k608i, the one with 3G, HTML browsing, 1.3 MP camera, FM radio and comes with a USB cable and earphones. Those are basically the features that I want in a phone. It just doesn’t have expandable memory, that’s why it’s relatively cheap – free @ Smart’s Plan 800 and barely 8000 pesos in the market.
The first phone I ever bought for myself, wow.
***Happy Birthday***
Aldrich’s birthday has already gone by while mine is just around the corner. I felt that I didn’t do much justice to his birthday celebration but he insists that he already appreciates it very much. Well, we are different people.
Both of us took a half-day leave from work to have lunch at A Veneto Pizzeria in Glorietta. The servings were huge that even the both of us couldn’t finish everything! That’s another first! We had tempura style crab sticks with ranch dressing for appetizer, pesto and garlic with Hungarian sausage pasta and the resto’s special pizza for the main course and no more from A Veneto for dessert. We went to Coffee Bean afterwards to wash down the food and leisurely strolled around the mall after that. We were supposed to watch a movie but there was nothing worth watching at Greenbelt or even elsewhere during that time How sad! To add to that, we actually had to go back to the office afterwards since Aldrich had a call and I had my interview for Post Grad Diploma in Management.
After the call, the interview, and sending status reports, we had dinner at Brothers’ Burgers in Convergys and continued to talk off a storm. That’s what I really like about Aldrich – the fact that I can talk to him about anything and everything under the sun! :) It’s really nice to find someone who you have a genuine connection with, someone who’s not only your boyfriend but your best friend at the same time. Okay, cheesiness stops here, hehehe.
So I felt that I could have done better, you know, with all the history I’ve got in flamboyant and heart warming gifts, why didn’t I pull one out of my sleeve? Maybe being like that is not totally me. Yes, I enjoy doing that, but sometimes, it’s more of self-satisfaction, more of a project than really thinking of what the other wants. There’s been a lot of self-realization for me lately and I still can’t say that I know myself completely. There are still parts of me that need to be ‘baselined’ to further solidify my character. So anyway, I’m chipping in for Aldrich’s most coveted PS2. He’s been using all his falling eyelashes to wish for the PS2 but he never gets it right, hehehe. Well, it’s just an old-wives tale after all.
***Graduate School of Business***
Why DLSU of all schools? It doesn’t really matter to me. Well, aside from being very convenient to go to after work (they have a campus in RCBC Plaza), my brother went to DLSU for masters so somehow, something inside me has equated masterals in business with La Salle. It has a bit more subjects than Ateneo’s GSB, too.
Why not MBA at once? La Salle requires 3 years of work experience before one can enter their MBA program and I don’t want to wait anymore. I’ve originally been planning to take masterls last June for MSIM in Ateneo’s IT Center but changed my mind after feedback from my lead Joyce who took it before. So I’m taking PGDM first – Post Graduate Diploma in Management—which is technically taking the Pre-MBA subjects required during one’s first MBA year. The only difference is that those in the PGDM course cannot skip taking the courses via validation exams, while those in MBA can. There’s also one additional subject – Ethics, Family Life, Work-life balance—which I think I really need to take especially based on the project that I am in at Accenture. Besides, I don’t want to skip any of the subjects either because I can’t say that I’m an expert in any of them!
PGDM Courses:
Information Management ----- Financial Accounting
Business Writing ---- Business Communication
Managerial Statistics ---- Business Economics
Business Law
Management Principles
Ethics, Career and Family Life
IT Workshops
My ultimate goal is to learn more, in order to be more, to do more and to serve more. Well, another goal is to get 85% across all subjects so that I’ll be automatically accepted into MBA the following year J
***Life at Accenture***
Oh it’s a life, sometimes you don’t know if it’s just work or it’s already your life. Another good result of taking up further studies is that I’ll be able to steer myself away from massive overtime work and to also discipline myself into managing my time better. I’d have to get to work at 8am and leave at 5:30pm!
It’s been a rough time at work lately because I now get easily burned out. This is due to massive overtime a few months back, when we had to do overtime every single day and even stay in the office for almost 20 hours!! How crazy is that? Those days are over but I am still feeling the repercussions of the experience. I used to always love going to work and didn’t really mind the overtime, but now, everything’s different. Yes, I can still do overtime but only very minimal. I’d have to psyche myself the day after, oh it’s such a chore. I don’t like this feeling but it’s always creeping up on me. Once bitten, twice shy?
Anyway, this fiscal year, I’m coming back to the Test Team again. I honestly and sincerely hope that my higher ups have learned from the lessons of the past. Please, I don’t want to feel the same resentment like I did before. People at work are my friends but it’s hard not to feel bad when you feel that they are not taking care of your welfare. I’m actually a bit anxious right now because I have this ill feeling that there will still be a lot of overtime and what if my higher ups don’t push back again or do not come up with humane estimates again? I do not know why they do that! I really hate that part which is one of the reasons why I have such a great desire to learn the ropes of management. I don’t believe that what’s happening to our team is a result of good management. Tsk tsk tsk.
There’s really only so much I can do to change the way things are going, the rest, I will leave to God to give me strength to conquer the challenges that lie ahead!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
DLSU GSB Entrance Exams
DLSU Graduate School of Business Entrance Exams
I passed the exams!! i passed the exams!! woohoo!! I'm so happy and nervous at the same time because interview's the next step! And it's on August 24, 6:00pm onwards! of all the days to have an interview! kelangan pa birthday ni Drich heheh but he understands! :)
My heart is still racing up until now!! I guessed through the Math stuff again! hahahaha! i am so lucky or better yet God loves me! :)
Woohoo!!
I passed the exams!! i passed the exams!! woohoo!! I'm so happy and nervous at the same time because interview's the next step! And it's on August 24, 6:00pm onwards! of all the days to have an interview! kelangan pa birthday ni Drich heheh but he understands! :)
My heart is still racing up until now!! I guessed through the Math stuff again! hahahaha! i am so lucky or better yet God loves me! :)
Woohoo!!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Stressed in Bora?
Stressed in Bora?
Ever imagined anyone getting stressed out and tired in Boracay? Well.... that's me!
I couldn't believe it either.
Post to come soon...currently still recovering...
Ever imagined anyone getting stressed out and tired in Boracay? Well.... that's me!
I couldn't believe it either.
Post to come soon...currently still recovering...
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Villa Escudero: Highly Recommended
Villa Escudero: Highly Recommended
Of all the trips that I’ve taken and all the resorts that I’ve gone to, Villa Escudero is the only one that I’ll definitely go back to! Situated at the boundary of the provinces of Quezon and Laguna, this 180,000 hectare plantation and resort is one place that’ll make you not want to go back to the hustle and bustle of Manila.
After an hour and half bus ride (which was comparatively more comfortable than the cramped city buses) we got off the highway just after the Welcome to San Pablo City arc. A traffic enforcer helped us crossed the street and there was already a tricycle waiting to give us a ride to the resort’s reception area.
The cool breeze, huge coconut trees and smell of cow dung (which I found quite fascinating) signaled the start of a rural life.
The reception area was of a native feel with the chairs, tables and even trash cans made from designed wood. While waiting for the receptionist to process our credit card, someone gave us welcome drinks of refreshing gulaman. All the employees there wore a uniform of a colored baro’t saya style garb that definitely enhanced the native feel of the place.
Since it was still 2 hours until our check-in time, we were advised to go sight-seeing on the grounds. We decided to give the museum a visit since it was the nearest from the entrance. Before getting there, we admired the park which displayed several age old canons, a real fighter plane and a catapult. It was a relief that they had a baggage counter at the entrance of the museum which allowed us to unload our backpacks while taking the tour.
Taking pictures or videos wasn’t allowed inside the museum so we just took a snapshot of every bit and detail with our eyes. A curtain of shells served as the entrance to the museum and the first floor was filled with religious artifacts—statues of saints, Jesus and his disciples of different situations and forms. I do not really like looking at religious statues and just regarded them with little significance as display objects. What interested me on the first floor were the preserved insects and animals all lined up in glass cabinets.
There were different species of butterflies that were not merely displayed outright but paintings and dioramas served as a background to help the viewer imagine the natural habitats of these beautiful creatures. There were bugs and insects from different countries that gave me the creeps coz they somewhat reminded me of cockroaches. There was also a tough and massive crab on display that was reported to been able to break open coconuts!
As for the animals, there were calf heads, horns of goats, a jungle display with stuffed leopards, elephant hooves, monkeys, baboy damos, snakes, snake skeletons, deer, bats, eagles, different bird species and a whole lot more animals that I do not know of! It was really a great spectacle that got me all excited :) Replicas of indigenous tribes and their clothing, accessories and weapons were also on display.
As we went up the stairs, we were greeted with lots of money on glass cases that came from all over the world. Old Philippine coins and bills and even 32 pieces of 1000 peso sample bills! Imagine that, if only there weren’t ‘sample’ stamped across those bills, it would’ve been 32,000 pesos together in one picture frame, cool! It was an interesting experience because we started reminiscing and pointing out the coins that we still had in our piggy banks. The hexagonal 2 peso coin, the square 1 centavo and the flower shaped 5 centavo coins brought back some memories. Aside from money there were also priceless vases, jars, bowls, utensils, gold artifacts and gems on display. Clothing from the different eras in Philippine history—from Rizal to Estrada, were all there to give visitors a feel of the history, culture and traditions of the country. There’s a lot more to mention and everything that one could see in the museum was part of Don Aresenio Escudero’s personal collection that his descendants took care of and displayed in the museum for all the world to see. How well traveled and culturally-rich the Escudero’s are! No money could ever equal the knowledge and experience gained from these journeys.
After taking in the beautiful artifacts from the museum, we decided to go our cottage already since it was almost 5pm anyway. We rode in a carabao cart pulled by a carabao named Gigolo, while being serenaded with Tagalog love songs on a guitar. The place was breathtaking! We passed by several manicured gardens with lots of colorful statues of native folks specifically placed there for picture taking purposes with tourists.
After registering at the resort reception, we were led to our room called Rosas. It matched perfectly with the feel of the place since it was made entirely of wood. The windows were the rectangular sliding ones patterned with capiz shells. The very hospitable attendant showed us inside and there was a four-poster bed with white curtains made of some sheer fabric reminiscent of those Old English romantic beds! And the bed was as comfortable as it looked. I felt sleepy the instant that I lay down! It was just the right amount of softness and even though our room had no air conditioning, the fans and the location of the place provided a cool breeze that kept us comfortable.
The bathroom was not native at all which was just right to our tastes. There were three separate sections which enclosed the shower room, the comfort room and the sink with mirror of course. They also gave us towels and there were already packets of soap and a drinking glass, just like when you’re staying in a hotel.
The room even had a loft in case more people were staying in the place. It was, by far, the largest room that I’ve stayed in among the resorts that I’ve been to. There was even a buzzer for room service if ever you might need anything. We didn’t really use that buzzer thing coz all the attendants there were very hospitable that you wouldn’t want to trouble them any more.
After resting a while and enjoying the coziness of our room, we went to the pavilion for our dinner buffet. We were seated at a table overlooking the river and served soups. Again, the waiters and waitresses were very hospitable and would give you all the instructions you needed to go around the place. There was also some form of native entertainment every meal, be it performers doing the tinikling or singing Tagalog songs. The meals always left us stuffed that we couldn’t even go back for seconds!
For dinner, I think we had macaroni salad, lasagna, pork shepherd’s pie, soy chicken, savory vegetables and for desert, leche flan and buko pandan salad. :)
We were supposed to go swimming in the evening but were too full and lazy; instead we just hung around the outside of our room, sat on the wooden sofa and chatted the night away. We also bought softdrinks and water which were very expensive but this was expected since everything else was free. (30 for softdrinks in can and 40 for wilkins mineral water).
We woke up at around 8:45 in the morning and prepared for the day’s activities. Breakfast was served from 8:00-10:00 so we went to the pavilion again to fill our tummies with the delicious food, and we were definitely not disappointed. I think I ate the most during breakfast and filled my cups with hot chocolate, calamansi passion juice, and my plate with suman that you’d put sauce and toppings on, arroz caldo that you’d put egg and onion stalks on, potato omelet, tinapa, ensilada, corned beef with potatoes and fresh fruits! That was just what I ate coz there were others I didn’t get, like plain and garlic rice, danggit, hot coffee and some other stuff that I can’t remember anymore.
After that filling breakfast, we went back to the room to change into our rafting attire. We surveyed the entire river portion with our rafts and had fun maneuvering and looking at the riverside cottages. There were trees hanging from the other side of the river so we went under it for shade and some more chitchat. It was a really cool experience! Next stop were the swimming pools, there were 3 in all: 1 for kiddies, 2 for adults and both only 5 feet deep, 1 jacuzzi and another wading area. We really appreciated that there weren’t many people crowding the pool, I guess because there was a lot more else to see than just hang around in the pool unlike our visit to a resort in Antipolo before.
Anyway, I was quite surprised that one of the two pools made me float more than the other. One pool had the standard pool look—with blue water and tiled flooring. While the other had no tiles and just plain concrete flooring and had this river theme. This was the one that made me float more and also where the Jacuzzi, in the form of a shallow well, was situated.
Thinking that it was already 1pm, we got off the pool and headed to our room to have a shower. There were actually lockers, dressing rooms and shower rooms beside the pool for daytrippers but since we were staying overnight, we just opted to take a shower in our room. Turned out that it was only 11:40 but we didn’t go back to the pool anymore coz we were excited to have lunch at the waterfalls!
The staff pointed us to the right direction and it was an amusing sight to see. There was a man-made waterfall—water came from the river that we rafted in--and there long tables with benches set up on the ground. While eating the once more sumptuous food, you’d feel the cool water running up to your ankles and enjoy the sight of people having their pictures taken beside the waterfalls. We ate with wooden plates placed with banana leaves and drank soup out of niyog halves. Kaldereta, vegetables, lechon kawali, inihaw na manok, inihaw na isda, kalabasa soup, fresh fruits and some kind of coco-milk-sago desert were served among others.
We left the place really full and headed for the coconut harvesting demonstration. We were already late but still went, hoping to catch something. The harvesting was over but the men were still cutting up the coconuts for the tourists to have. Even though we just arrived, the men split a coconut, put two straws and gave it to us to drink. We tried to finish it best that we could and gave it back to them, we couldn’t eat the flesh anymore coz we were really full to the brim.
We had our picture taking session with the statues, flora, and the pink carabao named Pogi while walking around. There were also fat fishes under the little bridge leading to the cottages that I’d love to look for and have a photo-op with. We rented a sidecar (coz I don’t know how to ride a bike) to go around the area some more and we visited the church and rode around the houses of the staff. They actually lived in the place since the lot is really like an entire town.
Of all the trips that I’ve taken and all the resorts that I’ve gone to, Villa Escudero is the only one that I’ll definitely go back to! Situated at the boundary of the provinces of Quezon and Laguna, this 180,000 hectare plantation and resort is one place that’ll make you not want to go back to the hustle and bustle of Manila.
After an hour and half bus ride (which was comparatively more comfortable than the cramped city buses) we got off the highway just after the Welcome to San Pablo City arc. A traffic enforcer helped us crossed the street and there was already a tricycle waiting to give us a ride to the resort’s reception area.
The cool breeze, huge coconut trees and smell of cow dung (which I found quite fascinating) signaled the start of a rural life.
The reception area was of a native feel with the chairs, tables and even trash cans made from designed wood. While waiting for the receptionist to process our credit card, someone gave us welcome drinks of refreshing gulaman. All the employees there wore a uniform of a colored baro’t saya style garb that definitely enhanced the native feel of the place.
Since it was still 2 hours until our check-in time, we were advised to go sight-seeing on the grounds. We decided to give the museum a visit since it was the nearest from the entrance. Before getting there, we admired the park which displayed several age old canons, a real fighter plane and a catapult. It was a relief that they had a baggage counter at the entrance of the museum which allowed us to unload our backpacks while taking the tour.
.5.jpg)
Taking pictures or videos wasn’t allowed inside the museum so we just took a snapshot of every bit and detail with our eyes. A curtain of shells served as the entrance to the museum and the first floor was filled with religious artifacts—statues of saints, Jesus and his disciples of different situations and forms. I do not really like looking at religious statues and just regarded them with little significance as display objects. What interested me on the first floor were the preserved insects and animals all lined up in glass cabinets.
There were different species of butterflies that were not merely displayed outright but paintings and dioramas served as a background to help the viewer imagine the natural habitats of these beautiful creatures. There were bugs and insects from different countries that gave me the creeps coz they somewhat reminded me of cockroaches. There was also a tough and massive crab on display that was reported to been able to break open coconuts!
As for the animals, there were calf heads, horns of goats, a jungle display with stuffed leopards, elephant hooves, monkeys, baboy damos, snakes, snake skeletons, deer, bats, eagles, different bird species and a whole lot more animals that I do not know of! It was really a great spectacle that got me all excited :) Replicas of indigenous tribes and their clothing, accessories and weapons were also on display.
As we went up the stairs, we were greeted with lots of money on glass cases that came from all over the world. Old Philippine coins and bills and even 32 pieces of 1000 peso sample bills! Imagine that, if only there weren’t ‘sample’ stamped across those bills, it would’ve been 32,000 pesos together in one picture frame, cool! It was an interesting experience because we started reminiscing and pointing out the coins that we still had in our piggy banks. The hexagonal 2 peso coin, the square 1 centavo and the flower shaped 5 centavo coins brought back some memories. Aside from money there were also priceless vases, jars, bowls, utensils, gold artifacts and gems on display. Clothing from the different eras in Philippine history—from Rizal to Estrada, were all there to give visitors a feel of the history, culture and traditions of the country. There’s a lot more to mention and everything that one could see in the museum was part of Don Aresenio Escudero’s personal collection that his descendants took care of and displayed in the museum for all the world to see. How well traveled and culturally-rich the Escudero’s are! No money could ever equal the knowledge and experience gained from these journeys.
After taking in the beautiful artifacts from the museum, we decided to go our cottage already since it was almost 5pm anyway. We rode in a carabao cart pulled by a carabao named Gigolo, while being serenaded with Tagalog love songs on a guitar. The place was breathtaking! We passed by several manicured gardens with lots of colorful statues of native folks specifically placed there for picture taking purposes with tourists.
.jpg)
After registering at the resort reception, we were led to our room called Rosas. It matched perfectly with the feel of the place since it was made entirely of wood. The windows were the rectangular sliding ones patterned with capiz shells. The very hospitable attendant showed us inside and there was a four-poster bed with white curtains made of some sheer fabric reminiscent of those Old English romantic beds! And the bed was as comfortable as it looked. I felt sleepy the instant that I lay down! It was just the right amount of softness and even though our room had no air conditioning, the fans and the location of the place provided a cool breeze that kept us comfortable.
.jpg)
The bathroom was not native at all which was just right to our tastes. There were three separate sections which enclosed the shower room, the comfort room and the sink with mirror of course. They also gave us towels and there were already packets of soap and a drinking glass, just like when you’re staying in a hotel.
The room even had a loft in case more people were staying in the place. It was, by far, the largest room that I’ve stayed in among the resorts that I’ve been to. There was even a buzzer for room service if ever you might need anything. We didn’t really use that buzzer thing coz all the attendants there were very hospitable that you wouldn’t want to trouble them any more.
After resting a while and enjoying the coziness of our room, we went to the pavilion for our dinner buffet. We were seated at a table overlooking the river and served soups. Again, the waiters and waitresses were very hospitable and would give you all the instructions you needed to go around the place. There was also some form of native entertainment every meal, be it performers doing the tinikling or singing Tagalog songs. The meals always left us stuffed that we couldn’t even go back for seconds!
For dinner, I think we had macaroni salad, lasagna, pork shepherd’s pie, soy chicken, savory vegetables and for desert, leche flan and buko pandan salad. :)
We were supposed to go swimming in the evening but were too full and lazy; instead we just hung around the outside of our room, sat on the wooden sofa and chatted the night away. We also bought softdrinks and water which were very expensive but this was expected since everything else was free. (30 for softdrinks in can and 40 for wilkins mineral water).
We woke up at around 8:45 in the morning and prepared for the day’s activities. Breakfast was served from 8:00-10:00 so we went to the pavilion again to fill our tummies with the delicious food, and we were definitely not disappointed. I think I ate the most during breakfast and filled my cups with hot chocolate, calamansi passion juice, and my plate with suman that you’d put sauce and toppings on, arroz caldo that you’d put egg and onion stalks on, potato omelet, tinapa, ensilada, corned beef with potatoes and fresh fruits! That was just what I ate coz there were others I didn’t get, like plain and garlic rice, danggit, hot coffee and some other stuff that I can’t remember anymore.
After that filling breakfast, we went back to the room to change into our rafting attire. We surveyed the entire river portion with our rafts and had fun maneuvering and looking at the riverside cottages. There were trees hanging from the other side of the river so we went under it for shade and some more chitchat. It was a really cool experience! Next stop were the swimming pools, there were 3 in all: 1 for kiddies, 2 for adults and both only 5 feet deep, 1 jacuzzi and another wading area. We really appreciated that there weren’t many people crowding the pool, I guess because there was a lot more else to see than just hang around in the pool unlike our visit to a resort in Antipolo before.
.jpg)
Anyway, I was quite surprised that one of the two pools made me float more than the other. One pool had the standard pool look—with blue water and tiled flooring. While the other had no tiles and just plain concrete flooring and had this river theme. This was the one that made me float more and also where the Jacuzzi, in the form of a shallow well, was situated.
Thinking that it was already 1pm, we got off the pool and headed to our room to have a shower. There were actually lockers, dressing rooms and shower rooms beside the pool for daytrippers but since we were staying overnight, we just opted to take a shower in our room. Turned out that it was only 11:40 but we didn’t go back to the pool anymore coz we were excited to have lunch at the waterfalls!
The staff pointed us to the right direction and it was an amusing sight to see. There was a man-made waterfall—water came from the river that we rafted in--and there long tables with benches set up on the ground. While eating the once more sumptuous food, you’d feel the cool water running up to your ankles and enjoy the sight of people having their pictures taken beside the waterfalls. We ate with wooden plates placed with banana leaves and drank soup out of niyog halves. Kaldereta, vegetables, lechon kawali, inihaw na manok, inihaw na isda, kalabasa soup, fresh fruits and some kind of coco-milk-sago desert were served among others.
We left the place really full and headed for the coconut harvesting demonstration. We were already late but still went, hoping to catch something. The harvesting was over but the men were still cutting up the coconuts for the tourists to have. Even though we just arrived, the men split a coconut, put two straws and gave it to us to drink. We tried to finish it best that we could and gave it back to them, we couldn’t eat the flesh anymore coz we were really full to the brim.
We had our picture taking session with the statues, flora, and the pink carabao named Pogi while walking around. There were also fat fishes under the little bridge leading to the cottages that I’d love to look for and have a photo-op with. We rented a sidecar (coz I don’t know how to ride a bike) to go around the area some more and we visited the church and rode around the houses of the staff. They actually lived in the place since the lot is really like an entire town.
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The “biking” part was really tiring since the terrain would slope up at some points so we collapsed on the bed after that activity. We had a nap until it was time to checkout. The resort attendants were gracious and instead of having a carabao bring us to the main entrance, she called for their specially designed jeep (with the seats lined up horizontally for sight-seeing purposes) to bring us to the main road so we wouldn’t have to pay for a tricycle ride anymore.
I actually felt bitin coz I didn’t want to leave anymore! I wanted to stay one more day as the place was very relaxing and it would really cast away your cares for your entire stay :) A must must must must place to visit and revist! Villa Escudero is by far, truly the best resort that I’ve been to :)
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