Let the Queen Muse

2011's 11 Valuable Lessons

2011-12-31T22:15:00.000+08:00

2011's 11 valuable lessons:

Work smarter not harder.

Kindness is not always a kindness and severity at times, is a kind of kindness.

Assert yourself and do not let the fear of confrontation censor you. This is especially true on issues of great importance. Holding your silence when you should have spoken your mind forfeits any right to complain afterwards.

The best defense to have against people who like to stand on other people's shoulders and take credit for other people's hard work is to know your self-worth.

Some people love to portray themselves as the victim because it's their way of coping with realities they can't accept. Give them sympathy therefore because that is what they want to elicit but give them nothing else.

If you don't change something about yourself, nothing around you ever will.

All great changes are preceded by turmoil. Have the courage to embrace it however unknown. You can not grasp something better if you don't let go of what is currently in your grip.

Everyone has their version of the truth. It is after all everyone's prerogative. Some truths however, hold more true than others.

Do not call it YOUR dream if you are waiting for other people to realize it for you.

Let go and believe. It. Will. Be. Alright.

Love is love is love is love. It is not something that you should ever apologize for.

-o0o-

This is a post, I lifted verbatim from a good friend, Therese Seares, which I believed made a lot of sense.

-o0o-

One of my greatest lessons in 2011,is to take chances. Risk. Trust. Believe. Fight. And do it all over again. There is nothing but bold about doing and fulfilling your dreams and believing that YOU CAN DO IT Thank yoiu 2011! Thank you for the hard lessons learned, for the strengthend relationships, awesome travels and great opportunities. 2012 will be a good year. I claim it to be!

2011 the Great year of Travels

2011-12-31T21:54:00.000+08:00

I think this is the year of my most expensive travelling, if combined, to date. I have been to many several places, to give in to the itch my feet has been feeling. So here are my unforgettable adventures:

1) Puerto Princesa, Palawan

I think more than the nature, the scenic view, the tan and the food, it was one of greatest escapes for the year because I spent it with my family.

2) Cebu City, Cebu

Amidst the rains, our vacation to cebu is one special because this is the first out-of-towns that me and Ron has ever gone to.

3) South Korea

I love South Korea. If there is a place with language barrier I would be trapped in, it would be South Korea. The autumn backdrop was perfect, my partner in crime Kat is all game, there are friends we could run to and we made most out of what Seoul has to offer us. It was one helluva experience.

4) Hong Kong Disneyland

Going back to Hongkong to spend a day in Disneyland was used to be an outrageous plan. But we did it. Being in the one of the happiest places on earth was a heart warming experience. I felt tears in my eyes not only once in the park everytime I feel overwhelmed of the blessing to be actually there and experience Disney! It was fabulous.

5) Puerto Gallera

This is the on-the-spot trip that me and my friends from work did just because the summer sun is so hot and we are craving for the beach. So we packed our bags, loaded it with pairs of bikinis and readied ourselves to party. It was an expensive beach escape but then, we needed it so badly.

6) Trips to Bacolod

I think I have gone home a gazillion times in 2011. And home is always a special haven for me. It is a breather from my chaotic life in Manila. =)

7) Manila Trip with Manong's Family and Mom

This is the first time that Saph has gone to Manila. Manong is going to Saudi Arabia to work and so the whole family did a send off. We visited Manila Zoo and spend most of the time at SM MOA. Saph, Manong and Graze also had a chance to visit Manila Ocean Park

8) Iloilo

Just two days ago, I crossed seas to Iloilo with Ron to attend the annual gathering of the SILAK-SILAB community. It was my first time to attend after being a member since 2003. And I sure glad I did because it was only at that party that I got to see some big shot abyans that has inspired me to who I have become today.

9) Zamboanga

I guess the reason we went is we thought it would be a waste of tickets if we won't push through with it. So even if we don't have enough money, Ellainne and I still went but I don't regret this trip at all. It is one vacation that has no planned itinerary yet we have maximized Zamboanga!

10) Enchanted Kingdom

This is the trip that I was made with bestie Lenny and my college friends Kat and Ellainne. Although, it is not my first time in EK, I still enjoyed it because of these 3 people . =)

11) Intramuros and Manila Zoo Exploration

This is my bonding trip with Rex when he visited me in Manila. Not that the places are special.. I think what made it unique is seeing my brother actually enjoy.

I'm looking forward to more adventures in 2012. I'm excited.

Happy birthday Luke!

2011-11-25T01:08:00.001+08:00

Happy birthday to my inaanak, Rafael Luke George Solancho Sampang! Tita Ninang loves you much!

The Kitchen Musical

2011-10-23T10:42:00.000+08:00

I just love TKM's Unwell. Well done Karyll and Art Acuña!

One Hellish Day

2011-09-23T16:59:00.000+08:00

Today, was supposedly a normal day turned worse and then worst.

I was up very early to meet Kat at Katipunan. Today is the day we are applying for a South Korean Visa. We agreed to meet at 8. But I cam late and she came late and there are other documents not yet done and so we ended up leaving Katipunan at around 9:30 ish. So much for a plan.

I don't mind being late really or out of schedule as i have the day off from work. But that's the thing... I was suppose to be on leave yet my boss was texting me for details of my 2012 Executive Plans and our OPEX budget, my CAPEX budget and my targets. I feel so frustrated because I have prepared all of these data, submitted to my immediate supervisor yet she was not in today. So my boss was barking at me because he has a meeting of which he needs to present all these stuff. For the whole week we were not able to see each other even if I went to work for the whole four days because unfortunately he was out while I was in the office.

By the time we got to the embassy, somehow the inquiries stopped. Good thing. I could not concentrate with all the work drama.

It was smooth at the Korean Embassy. Except for the limited parking, entering it was organized. We were given numbers and when our numbers are called, we go to a window. Kat queued at at different window because she has a US visa, although expired. We have to wait for 30 numbers before our turn. The queue was actually fast. About 20 minutes or so it was my turn. After scrutining my documents, the Korean national at the embassy scrutinized my brother's documents. And my nightmare began. He was required of ITR. My brother isn't really employed. He handles the family's business although the business is registration is by mom's. So he is given only "allowance" and that's without taxes.

And so all of the documents are returned to me and was I should bring the lacking requirement when coming back to the embassy. So basically, I have wasted my morning and my leave for nothing.

Kat and I decided to take our lunch along C5. It was a battle between House of Minis and Mom and Tina's. My preference was money and something new. Although the prices are almost the same, we decided to House of Minis because we have known that their steaks are good.

My money is depleting to nada. So it is depressing to actually eat something because it is the cheapest and not because it is your choice. Argh!!

Going home, I had myself dropped off at Eastwood. Normally, if I have the money, I would grab a taxi and bring me home and spend around 200Php. But I only had 20Php bill and some coins so I took a jeep to Cubao and transferred into another jeepney until I reached home.

What's worser than worst? Walking home from the subdivision, my feet got blisters from the shoes I was wearing! Argh!!!! It was really painful.

It was not my day today. Hellish as it seems, I'll rant on it for awhile and forget about it and move on. Some things sucks but its not all the time. =)

Booked my Ticket for Christmas

2011-09-13T13:44:00.000+08:00

Finally, I have tickets for Christmas! And at cheap prices at that.

I have been waiting for fare sales and cheap deals for Christmas Season and it was only over the weekend that I finally accepted the horrific fact that I won't be able to snatch rock bottom price for my ultimate Christmas homecoming. I used to bag tickets for only 200php (or lower) and that's back and forth. Although my tickets are on sale, I can't help but compare.

But what I am most happy about is the fact that I almost booked a ticket with a 500++ variance compared with my tickets now. Good thing there was an error and the booking wasn't made. The following day, I found a much better deal.

So I'm ready to go home for Christmas and excited as well.

Angel Sent Leche Flan

2011-09-02T19:31:00.000+08:00

I have been craving for desserts. So I thought of cooking one for myself. I got ingredients from the grocery to make my all time favorite sweet leche flan. So I would like to share with you the recipe I got from Angel with a bit of alteration.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1 can Angel Evaporated Filled Milk
1 can angel Condensada
7 egg yolks
2 whole eggs

Procedure
Pour the sugar into 3 llaneras then heat over medium flame until sugar carmelizes. Set aside. This will harden.

In a bowl, mix together the rest of the ingredients. Strain twice. Pour over the llaneras. Cover with aluminum foil and stea for 1 1/2 hours or until firm.

My mom is a testimony that this recipe is super! She is my greatest critique and she doesn't sugarcoat. When she says it's awesome, she means it.

Debt Capacity UP

2011-08-24T16:56:00.000+08:00

I got a surprise from BPI today. My credit limit is now increased 30++% more. This is my second increase in the 3 years that I have my BPI Credit Card. Being a good payer and with no outstanding balance since I acquired my credit card, I am constantly rewarded with an increase.

But more purchasing power means a bigger hole of debt if and if I don't have the discipline with my purchases. But Oohh! I could just imagine the gadgets and the numerous tickets I could buy with my new credit limit now... hehehe!!!

My Brother, an OFW

2011-08-22T20:15:00.000+08:00

Tonight, I have come home to a once again empty house. My family was here for the weekend. Manong will be going to Al Khobar in Dammam in Saudi Arabia to work so Graze, Saph and Mom are here to send him off. Finally, he is fulfilling his dream as a Mechanical Engineer.

I sure do miss him. With even just a few hours ago, I do miss him. I just hope and pray that he does not get sick while he is there and that he will be guided and even if he could not practice our religion the Holy Spirit will guide him.

Good luck bro! I'll see you next year!

Bankrupt

2011-08-08T10:09:00.000+08:00

I'm digging myself a big hole of bankruptcy. Worse, its a hole of sinking mud. Quick sand! If there's a rope that I could cling to, to keep me hanging then I am hopeful. But for now, I am in deep shit.

My bank account is reaching zero. And I have to live by with less than a thousand pesos until the next pay day. I have bills and debts to pay. And just this Saturday, I broke the LCD of my brother's laptop causing me Php 6500 for repair and replacement. I haven't told him yet and I'm not planning to as I am also the last person who held his iTouch until it went into slumber. I'm really a wooz when it comes to gadgets...

So now instead of allocating money for my upcoming travel, I have to tighten my belt more to cover for more bills and payments. =( The economy is not doing well like I do.

Tattoo Byebye

2011-08-02T15:06:00.000+08:00

One of my Silab sis, Karla informed of her interest on taking on my Tattoo mobile internet subscription. I have been looking a taker for a while now so I was really glad when she texted me last week. I think I need to give up my tattoo because I have net connection in the office likewise there is wifi. So I just need to spend some time at the office after work to do my internet gaming (Restaurant City) and blogging. =)

But really, it all boils down to expenses. Since I am living alone, I shoulder all my expenses by myself. And that is really very hard on me. So I'm cutting my internet expense until I go crazy again with nothing to do in the house.

Strutting the Pirates look

2011-07-23T13:40:00.001+08:00

Today, I am strutting the Pirates Look. I wish Pirates of the Carribean is still shown in the cinemas, it would have been timely. I would have been setting the trend.

I finally had the time and guts to have my upper eye lid operated. It was actually a minor procedure lasting only for 15 minutes. But an aftermath is a black-eye which my doctor has warned me. I haven't seen my eye yet though although according to my doctor, it is fine if I would take out my patch when I arrive home. But I'll wear the look for awhile...

Yesterday, I had gone to an eye doctor, Jesus Altuna, M.D. who specializes in glaucoma, eye laser, etc. to have my upper eyelid check. I have this small "kuliti" in my left upper eyelid for some months now and I have been postponing my appointment for several time due to work. It was only yesterday that I have the time to see my doctor.

I think Dr. Altuna is one rocking doctor with patients queuing outside his clinic. He was very professional when he had a look at my problem.

As he had free time to do my operation, he scheduled me for a 15 minute date at the Operating Room of Capitol Medical Center today. He is actually cool in the OR joking around with 2 medical attendants who assisted in my operation. and he occasionally involve me in their conversation to ease my worries.

Yes, I got worried. Frantic in fact. It was the first time I went into the OR. Most of my life, I am very well and healthy. So I am terrified to do the operation alone. With no family and friends who I wish are with me (oh yeah, I was trying to be independent and maybe strong), I am doubly frantic.

So here I am now, with a patch, proud of all the pain I suffered for about 4 hours now (and probably counting).

P.S. Probably, there are a lot of wrong spellings in this post. Pardon the one eye left to work extra hard to get me by. =)

EPEC Approved

2011-07-14T13:16:00.001+08:00

I finally got my Employment Pass Eligibility Certificate (EPEC)from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of Singapore. This is already my second try and finally it has been granted to me.

In my first try, I still filled out the usual questions on my educational background and then 2 days after I got an email from MOM that my application was rejected. A week later, after reading through how to go about rejected applications to MOM, I sent an email to MOM to appeal on my case. How could they possibly reject such application when their only basis of approval is educational history. I'm not bragging, but I graduated from the most prestigiuos state university and I am currently taking up further studies so how in the world did I got rejected. So I sent them scanned copies of my diploma, my grades etc for them to realize that I am fit to join their work force. But then I received a reply that I just need to reapply! But I have to wait 90 days since I filed my appliction for me to reapply.

So after three months, I logged on again at MOM's website and reapplied. Two days later, I got an email requesting for some of my documents like diploma, certificates, photo, passport for them to evaluate. I have prepared all of them when I decided to look for work abroad so it was an easy job.

Two weeks later, I got another email that my EPEC got approved and I will be receiving my certificate in my given address.

So today, I went home happy to finally see my EPEC. I don't know when I would be leaving for SG yet but I know its an opportunity I should not pass.

Bringing in the Outdoors

2011-07-12T10:43:00.000+08:00

To account of my travels and my love for theater plays, (free) movies, and good food I would be transfering some of my old travel posts and reviews at http://www.fieldfindings.blogspot.com/. It is still a work in progress though so please bear with the new blog.

I would still do my musings and rants on my life in this blog. =)

No Title. Just Plain Musings (and Rants)

2011-07-11T14:49:00.001+08:00

I have been complaining nonstop of how much I hate my work, of how much I wanted to quit, and of how desperate I am for another job. Secretly, I look forward to living the bum life, spend all my savings on non essentials, and live a rebelious life just to say that I am actually living. Although stopping is a lucrative plan but it ain't option.

I'm 27. I have the most vague plan let alone having a plan. And I keep on blaming the absense of direction to quarter life crisis because I have no one to tag it to. At this late adulthood, I am full of angst, anger and pride, feelings mostly associated to puberty. I feel like I am threading on quakesand without a buoy to get me out of it. I have gone stagnant. Comparing with my peers, who probably earns twice or thrice my salary or driving their own car or perhaps, being the bosses of their own business, I am far way behind. So maybe I'm a late bloomer. But I could in no way reason that out. I am tired of the demands of my age but amidst what I feel, I need to work, take responsibilities, and be at par to the invisible standards set before me.

So maybe I haven't gone the way I planned it. I am not the doctor I thought or planned to be when I answered the question "What would I be when I grow up?". Maybe, I didn't meet expectations. But my life has to move on. I have limits and I am accepting it for me to be stronger and more complete. It is never too late to actually acknowledge the life I am living and embrace the changes and decisions I have made.

So here it is, while I do not have a concrete plan yet, I have to live out my life. I have to make little steps to strategize a plan. I could not just wait for the plan to just pop in my head worthy of a squeeking "eureka", I have to actually make it. I don't dream for the day when I have to say, what if. I have to try anything and everything and hopefully, I would struck on gold.

Tugue Cancelled

2011-07-01T11:19:00.003+08:00

The Tuguegarao trip which is supposedly tomorrow is cancelled. No money. Good thing the airfare is only 214 back and forth so it won't be much of a big deal if we won't be able to use the ticket. But I really realy wanted to go see Tugue especially the underground cemetery if only my funds permit.

So instead of hitting Tugue for the weekend, I'm set to watch the remaining films of the French Film Festival. I'm spending time at the UPFI for free films just like during my college days. I'll be bumming out in the house as well for the rest of the weekend.

It seems eons since I've stayed in the house without nothing to do. I'm having withdrawal syndrome just thinking about it.

Food Dreamin'

2011-06-30T16:14:00.004+08:00

I'm having multiple cravings for meat.. I want to try Lord Byron's spare ribs, and Fake Bob's, and food from Steak Room.. then maybe desserts from Felicia's... haven't tried any of these yet so I'm not sure if I'll be satisfied.. But Bacolod is the taste buds' haven so they have to live up to that expectation... been dreaming of food quite lately. And it is a sad thing that I don't have much money for fine dining or even just good food in itself. I'm having bouts with self pity everytime I go through youtube and look on how a recipe is done.. Grr!!!

But for this weekend, I'll try to cook some meat on my own and have some experiment. I need to satisfy my rebellious tastebuds.

Home Again (and Again)

2011-06-28T13:25:00.009+08:00

I just came home from Bacolod.

My trip home was initially intended as a vacation. But I received a call from my highschool classmate regarding my interview for the a post in the Province. So I booked a ticket for a date ahead of my scheduled flight and viola, I'm home again.

1st Day Friday

The interview is a disappointment. Not that I failed myself, but the way it was conducted was a reflection of the Backer system in the government. Aside from my credentials, the consultant asked me how I am related to certain people. It is to my advantage of course but I think it would be best to hire me because I am qualified for the position not because I am the daughter of my parents. But I'm still up to working at the province. Aside from the work, I have another objective why I am open to work there.

It was Saph's last day at the hospital so I dropped by to visit even though I have no sleep the night before. I have to go to the airport very early to avoid missing my flight and a possible delays because of flooded streets. Saph is a poor thing, having viral infection causing him not to drink his milk and vomitting endlessly. So Manong and Graze decided to put him in the hospital and have him in destrose so that even if he doesn't feed, he still gets to "eat". So I just played with him and eventually fell asleep in his hospital bed which is a good thing because it was also at that time that the nurse took the needle off his foot so I was not able to see it. =)

After an endless waiting for our hospital bill and check-out, Mel and I went across Riverside for a sumptuous merienda at Jollibee. With my limited funds, Mel covered for the rest. Graze, Saph and our maid went with my brother Rex for home. But amidst the ride, I arrived at the house earlier than them giving me extra time to fix myself for a Last Friday of the month gathering of Silak in Bacolod. I went with my brother for a joyride at first because Ron left his house late. The group gathered at the Bacolod Pavillion courtesy of Abyan Horace. Not a lot came. I exited around 9PM leaving the guys all to themselves.

From Pavillion, I proceeded to the house of my Tito for his birthday party doubled with the baptismal celebration of his grand daughter. I was late of course so I did all the rounds saying hi-s and hellos to relatives. I was a bit tipsy and light in the head so was so engaging and chit chatty.

2nd day Saturday

Spent the whole day at the house. It was unfortunate because in the afternoon, I lost my phone to a stranger... Somebody came in to the house, inquired of Mel's dogs. My brother was not around and so I called him up. And I was hungry and lazy to get involved in the conversation, I passed on my phone to the stranger so that he and my brother would talk directly. I went to the dining table to eat and totally forgot about the phone. The stranger was even invited to eat, was given merienda because he won't join us and he asked for water. He finally asked mom if he could smoke outside. And when my brother arrived and look for the possible customer, the guy was gone and so was my phone. Tsk Tsk tsk!!!

Amidst the loss, I was still happy that day because my brother brought home crabs from Hinigaran!! So I didn't much dwell on my phone. But of course I was hoping that I would get it still.

In the evening, mom and my brothers and I wen to a spa for a heavenly massage. Unlike our spa treatments in the past were I pay for all of us, I came as a free rider. I have been honest to mom and my brothers that I don't have money at all so they just treated me for a treatment!! Love it much!!

On our way out of the spa, Mel was having rashes all over his body. Blame it on the crabs that he has been gluttonously devoured. So we went for an anti-histamine and waited just outside the hospital for about 30 minutes until he felt ok. But even until the morning the red spots in his body were still there and he was running a fever due to his allergies.

3rd day Sunday

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

2011-06-26T12:41:00.006+08:00

My brother's request, I just have to give in.

I got the recipe from the demo video from youtube. If there's one thing I'm very good at, it is to follow instructions. So here is the finish product!

To make this simple but fabulous cake, follow the recipe below from www.joyofbaking.com.

Topping:
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) (55 grams) unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
3/4 cup (160 grams) light brown sugar
1 medium pineapple (peeled, quartered, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick)
Maraschino cherries or candied cherries (optional)

Cake Batter:
1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Butter (or spray with a non stick vegetable spray) a 9 inch (23 cm) round cake pan with three inch (7.5 cm) sides.

Topping: Place the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved. Continue cooking, without stirring, for a few more minutes or until bubbles just start to appear around the outside edges of the mixture (the sugar starts to caramelize). Then remove from heat, and pour into your prepared cake pan. Evenly arrange the fresh pineapple slices on top of the sugar mixture. (Can also garnish with cherries.)

Cake Batter: In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then beat in the vanilla extract. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture (in three additions), alternately with the milk (in two additions), ending with the dry ingredients.

In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites with the cream of tartar just until the whites hold a firm peak. With a large spatula gently fold the beaten egg whites into the cake batter in two additions. Pour the batter into the cake pan, smoothing the top. Bake in preheated oven for 45 - 55 minutes, or until the top of the cake has browned and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan (a toothpick inserted into the cake (not the pineapple) will come out clean). Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the pan and then invert the cake onto your serving plate. Serve with softly whipped cream.

Makes one - 9 inch (23 cm) cake. Serves 6 to 8.

Dead Stars

2011-06-22T09:46:00.001+08:00

I think my star has dimmed. I don't seem to be excelling in the postion I am right now. I feel like I'm drowning with work. I haven't even started with my thesis yet. I am so dead. I am still in my mutt hole and I feel like all the more that I would stay, the more the hole gets deep, and by then, I could not leave it. I need to go. I'm desperate to go. I'm so screwed.

Waiting at the Airport

2011-06-20T21:36:00.001+08:00

I'm here at the Mactan Airport in Cebu, 12 hours early than my flight schedule. I'm bound for Manila tomorrow at 5:55AM so instead of spending the night at a hotel, I took a cab to the airport where I could wait for my flight. I usually do that in Manila when my flight is in the wee hours (4am). I'm not being stingy, but I am not a fan of waking up very early so there is a high chance of me missing my flight.

I also planned of catching the last flight going back to Manila but after inquiring at Zest Air, I am in no way going to spend more than a thousand pesos just for additional fare. I would actually have to add Php 3512 just to go home at 9PM... tsk!!! that is too much! So I'll just wait here in a bench while I continuously get sore back muscles... =(

P.S I really need to invest on a neck pillow.

Last Day at Cebu: Lone Traveller

2011-06-20T12:30:00.001+08:00

I just realized, I hate travelling alone.

I'm currently here at Cebu. One of those impulsive trips I booked. After knowing that today's a holiday, I immediately looked for another Manila escape. And wham, Cebu it was!

Today's the last day, and I can't help but think that I'm excited to go back to Manila. With nobody with me, and I'm in a place I don't even know about, you will appreciate the thought of going to a place that is familiar. I have no problem with asking people around of directions as I am used to do that in the places I go to... But the problem with Cebu is that I don't speak the language and speaking Tagalog is somewhat unforgivable. So I am left to speak English and a few Hiligaynon words that is similar to Cebuano. I actually understand Cebuano a little bit but I could not put Cebuano words into sentences!!! And everytime I attempted to speak, I feel a bit embarrassed that they would figure out I'm "foreign" or a trying hard Cebuano. They may probably laughing in their heads because I sound funny.

But I had fun at Cebu. And it is still one of the places I will always remember. =)

Banned Sites Accessed

2011-06-16T16:39:00.004+08:00

Amazingly, I got to access my blog and multiply in my office PC. This is a good thing as these previously banned sites are now accessible at the workplace through our office internet and even through the office wifi but all of a sudden I got to visit all of them with no restrictions. Porn sites, Blogs, social network sites like facebook, multiply and twitter are banned by our IT due to work purposes and they are eating our bandwidth especially downloading. Now, this is totally fun!

I now got to update my sites frequently, upload the pictures that I want whenever I want and chat to people whenever I like it... but this I also have to self-discipline myself as I wouldn't want to be reprimanded of not getting things done.

PS Let's see if I could acess facebook in a little while when the people have gone home.
PSS Sheesh!!! I just realized that my pocket wifi / Tattoo stick is stuck to one of the usb ports of my PC that is why I got access to these banned sites. But I'm still thankful for this discovery as I would no longer bring the laptop to work just to check my facebook or multiply...hehehehe!!!

Going Home to Bacolod

2011-04-20T18:26:00.000+08:00

Boarding for Bacolod. I'm excited to go home. My flight is being called while I'm typing the hell out...The queue would be long anyway and the plane won't leave without me. So I'll waste a few minutes ticking on my keyboard waiting for coherence to sink in.

i'm really looking forward for an escape from Manila and the stress and suffocation I've been feeling. I need the fresh air literally and figuratively...I'll enjoy the four-day vacation...making the most of it... the queue is getting shorter now..have to get in line as well...

I think this would be one of the last flights to home (for the year).... I don't know when is the next. But I'm not afraid. I'm not sad even. Maybe that's for now... let's see when the day comes.

Am I ready for a new Adventure?

2011-04-15T23:36:00.000+08:00

It has been months since I'm looking for work. Not that I'm not happy with MWC. But I think the only reason why I kept on staying in Manila is because of school. And maybe some friends (Frank and Tom included) at work.. I'm a thesis shy which I could still do even if I'll be leaving Manila. I've got no family here. There are lesser reasons to stay.

My first option was to go home. Most of the offers back home do not match my compensation here. Maybe a factor to that is back home it is provincial rate. But everytime I'm thinking of going home, I always hear Frank, my former boss, saying "What would you do there?" I remember those talks I had with him about me wanting to go home and maybe stay there for good. Homesickness is drowning me. Even with 11 years in Manila, home is where my heart belongs. Although home does not suffice my hunger for a flourishing career.

Just before the start of April, I got a job offer at Qatar. At Nakilat Keppel Offshore and Marine ltd. The position offered is Assistant Engineer for Contaminated Water Treatment Facility. Basically the major responsiblity is similar to a chemist.

The package they are offering is quite good. Although the salary is just almost double of what I'm getting, I think it would still make a big difference with my finances. Aside from that, everything will be shouldered by the company. I just could not go home quite often. I would only have a round trip ticket. I am apt to go since it is a good opportunity. And if I would not like it there, I could always come home.

That's the reason maybe I am leaning towards taking another adventure in Qatar. It is something better to put in my resume than a small company back home. But I've got no one there. And everything would be new. I'm so scared about all that.

So there. I haven't said yes to the company yet and they are waiting for my reply. If I would go, I'll be rendering my resignation before the holy week starts. Let's see.