Jolly Princess @ World Wide Web

Furlough

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:59:04 PST

Yesterday night, I reported for work as usual. It was a little different anyhow from previous nights, I have no voice. I remember the voice of Ariel being stolen by Ursula at the Disney flick Little Mermaid. I hope no one attempted to steal my voice. It is one of my greatest assets. Likewise, talking as most gentlemen knew is the best pastime for most ladies. I am not exempted.

Yes, I do sing, inside the bath room. Working in a call center, my voice has a price of gold. The gold is just converted to Philippines Pesos. I was allowed not to accept calls. Otherwise I might get dissatisfied customer. They might think they are talking to Minnie Mouse. While I sat on my desk, I read all work related emails, saved the important ones and deleted those that are not needed. I created folders for each updates and tools I used at work for easy reference.

All of a sudden, I learned the art of sign language. It is good enough we have office communicator. The communicator is similar to that of yahoo messenger. The only difference is we cannot post our photos in there. I guess it is safer that way. At least no one could post our photos in an unfavorable websites by any chance we get entangled with some technician missing an appointment for repair.

The communicator is our fastest way of communicating in all departments either here in Manila Philippines or sites overseas. My temporary disability enabled me to read the website we are using as guide in trouble shooting phone features of our customers. Trouble shooting may include activation code for voice mail, call display not showing the phone number and name of caller, call forwarding not working, etc.

I do not smoke as opposed to the lifestyle of most call center agents. I had colds for two days now. We still have warm weather in Manila and to drink cold water is very tempting. Now, you know, not who, but what to blame for the loss of my voice. At this time, I had to take in more liquid just tap water and hot tea with lemon.

After sitting on my work station for several hours, our Office Manager approached me. I can go home. I was allowed furlough in lieu of and administrative work. Thanks goodness! The team captains in our account are very efficient. No filing work to be done! I just had a second thought. Possibly some agents had same case as mine. I heard cacophony of coughs. I was home via a taxi cab after around twenty minutes. I do hope by the time I write a new blog post. I will have my voice back to its original state. Wish me luck, folks! :)

Behind the Happy Smile

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:42:47 PST

I have not written for quite a long time except for some photos I had been posting in my blog. Now, let me write what I had been doing offline in those days I slackened from posting or updating my blog. The year 2011 was a great challenge to me. I wanted to post stories that connote positive ideas. I thought I should keep to myself the real issues. I had silence for a while. I want everything to pass before I blog about it.

As early as Feb 2011 I had work related issues. We were advised the account we were working is to close the Manila, Philippines call center. It was announced 1^st week of Feb 2011 the account is to close by the 15^th of Feb 2011. All my plans for 2011 were done as early as Oct 2010. My plan was to look for an apartment comes 2011 to invite the daughter of my sister to stay with me to look for a job. The announcement of the closure made me adjust every plan I started.

My niece was set to come to Manila, March 2011. I did not have difficulty getting an apartment for at least three people. My nephew, cousin of my niece as requested by my sister in law is to stay with us. Last week of Jan 2011, I bought the much needed fixtures and appliances in cash. I do not have a credit card. I refused to have one anyway.

In view of the possibility of losing my job I had to rearrange my budget. Luckily the call center I am working has several captive accounts. I was endorsed to at least two accounts. One is a tech support for gaming account, a U.S. based account. The other job is as tech support to a telephone company in Canada. I was trained as customer service for sales and billing. How am I to handle technical accounts?

It was not an easy transition. I have to pass the exam and interview to count me in, despite my five years of stay with the same call center. I did not make it to the gaming account. The exam was almost all computer and internet related. I do not have formal education in computer. I became computer literate through self study. I was advised I could retake the exam comes April 2011. How am I to eat and pay for my house rental between Feb and April? I grabbed the phone tech support upon passing the interview.

The training was not at all smooth sailing. Some of my co trainees quit before we hit the phone lab. Reason was info overload. No quitting, I thought to myself. I needed a job. I made it to the floor. I guess my good performance with the other account had paved a favorable result. It was barely a week with training, handling phone tech support calls when I had issues with my landlord.

The landlord would collect the rental fees in advance. One day my landlord with his family went into hiding. Some people were knocking at their door for some unpaid utility bills. Until one day, my neighbor and I lost our water and electricity services. Apparently our landlord was collecting our payments for utility bills without remitting our payments to the service providers. Worst, when my neighbor and I moved out from that apartment we were not refunded back our one month advance deposit.

When I moved to the apartment where I am now, I had very tight budget. I had to take salary loan from our Social Security System. This is a government owned agency that takes care of retirement for employees who work with private companies. I used the money to pay my one month advance and two months deposit to move to the new apartment. To make plans is too tiring. How much more if money is involved?

My perseverance finally was rewarded. Despite a little hassle on my training I passed it. I have a new place I would say I am happier compared to the previous apartment. I have a plus or should I say a bonus when I got accepted as a tech support agent. I got tech premium added to my monthly salary. I am likewise getting cash incentives. I just have to pass all metrics. Passing the metrics is not easy, but the reward that goes with passing it, is worth working for.

Folks, this is my side 0f the story. I have my ups and downs in life too, like most of you. It is a matter of not giving up. We cannot have everything in life... it is a matter of making the most of what we have. Life is too, short. Be nice to yourself. Be happy, why worry? :)

Moonlit Dawn

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:36:23 PST

I posted about the sunlight here are photos of the moon I took at dawn from my terrace. This was at around five am today. The lady street cleaner working on the bridge was probably wondering if I was taking her photos. I am just fascinated by the crescent moon. What was I doing at the terrace at five in the morning? Today is my day off from work. Friday and Saturdays are my day from work. I will have same work schedule until the end of March. I was hanging my laundry at the terrace when I chanced upon this lovely moon.


The lights are located on the bridge close to my apartment.

This is how the bridge looks at night. I made it lighter so it could be seen.

The unedited photo of the above.

The river below the bridge looking like lights are falling. It is actually a reflection of lights.

The clothes I was hanging at the terrace. I took this photo in the morning. The vine looking thing is bitter
gourd one of my favorite vegie. I made clothes line made of straw in lieu of trellis.

For the Love of Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:59:46 PST

From the terrace of my apartment. These bright rays of the sun bathing the river below.

Every time I woke up during my day off from work. I love the sound of chirping house sparrows when I would open my window and door leading to the terrace. I just could not have a chance snapping photos of them. They normally appeared when the sun is to start rising.

I admire the sun as it little by little takes charge of the horizon indicating a bright new day! A new beginning! The bright rays striking the river close to my apartment as if to say “ Hey! Buddy wake up! It is morning!” Here are some photos I took from my terrace. I may not have taken the photo of the sun itself. At least you could see its rays passing through the leaves of a tree.

The entrance to the terrace.

The bright rays of the rising sun passing through the leaves of the trees.

A bright new day! A new beginning!

A Day to Remember

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:51:36 PST

Yesterday, Feb 5 is the 85^th birthday of my late father. I went to the memorial park to bring flowers and candle. My parents were laid to rest in the same place. The memorial park is not close to my house. I do not visit my parents too often. Except if there is occasion. I am a bit guilty for not visiting them last Christmas as I used to do. Despite the difference of the place where they are now, we still belong to one family.

I was amazed by the number of people at the memorial park. Cars were neatly parked at the designated parking spaces. Family members were having lunch together under the shade of a huge picnic umbrella. Some children were running around to probably ease their boredom or simply just to play. Are you not wondering how quickly children could invent a game on any occasion?

It was a Sunday. The memorial park was on a festive mood so I thought. One of my acquaintances once said. She does not want to visit memorial parks and cemeteries. These are lonely places. Well, I would say not always. The caretaker I hired to look after my parents mentioned there had never been a time the memorial park is empty of visitors.

Filipinos may differ in so many ways. Yet, I am glad there are still those who value their loved ones and family members, regardless of where they are now.

Here are some photos I took just to practice my camera :)

My favorite statue. Jesus Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.


*The entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane where my parents are now.*

Who says this place is lonely?

When visitors could come any time of the day, any day of the week.

This is me taking photos under the shade of my umbrella. :)

Make a Difference

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:18:16 PST

I want to share this video with my blogger friends and blog readers. Watching this video made me utter words of thanks. It is simply because I am a complete person. This made me realized faith works in mysterious way. It is a matter of not giving up.. Enjoy watching, folks. :)

Customer First

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:39:25 PST

Thank you for calling how may I help you today?”

“I am calling about my telephone. I reported the noise on it since December. I was promised of someone coming but, no one has ever come to our house. My husband is undergoing chemotherapy. I have to endure this noisy telephone every time I call his doctor.”

I received the call from a soft spoken lady a minute before I log out to end my shift, around the second week of January 2012. I could imagine the effort calling from a very crackling telephone. We had to shout at each other to be heard. I responded without hesitation, accessed the trouble ticket. To my surprise, I searched an open ticket that indicated “acknowledged” by dispatch but no technician was ever assigned.
My instinct dictated to me the lady on the phone needed her phone badly. Putting customer first, I did not mind at all extending my working hours. I rebooked the ticket, routed it to the correct department. To backup my request for priority, I sent a request for manager call back. I assured the lady on the phone. Someone will call her the soonest possible time and her phone will be fixed.

Three days after the call. I received a notification though my email the issue was resolved. I felt happy reading the email. I could see in my mind the smile on the face of that soft spoken lady. By putting customer first on my list, I believed I extended a much needed help to the lady customer and her husband. Likewise, I retain a satisfied loyal customer.

This is an excerpt from what I had written for our essay writing contest at our office. I hope my entry would arrive in time. The first one I sent through email came back to me. I had to resend my entry. Wish me luck, folks.

Jolly Princess Is Four Years Old

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:09:59 PST

My blog Jolly Princess @ World Wide celebrated its fourth blog anniversary last Jan 11, 2012. Yes, the birth of this blog was Jan 11, 2008. Since, then until now this had been my window to the World Wide Web.

Jolly Princess is my personal journal. I write whatever I feel I would like to share with my readers. This blog absorbs my feelings. Who says I am alone when I have the World Wide Web to share my thoughts with? This is the beauty of being a blogger. You communicate and learn to share your feelings with others. Most of all you gain many friends.

Folks, I hope you guys would never let up visiting my blog despite my absence in some months. A word of thanks and appreciation to those who leave comments and let me know of their visit. To those you expressed concern in my days of absence – A MILLION THANKS! :)

My Precious Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:52:28 PST

Enjoying dinner on New Years Eve. I forgot we do have comb at home.:)

I had a simple Christmas and New Year celebration. Simple as I did not spend a lot for decors and food. After all I have to watch my diet. I have voracious appetite. The only things I spent a bit more is my gifts to my family members, godchildren and close family friends. I had to ask my family members of what they wanted to make it easier for me to shop. I had to work on the budget for the items. For my godchildren I know what they wanted, toys. I did not ask some friends of what they want. The question is exclusive for my family members. I love shopping but my limited time will now allow me to. The wish list was a great help. My family members did not ask me what I wanted but they sure know what to give me. Here are my precious gifts. I do not care much of how expensive or how much do they cost. The excitement of accepting them is what counts to me.

My precious microwave. My first gift from my nephew.

Old rose shoulder bag and blue legging paths from my sis and her family

Shoes from my youngest bro and his family.

My youngest bro was assigned by his company in Dublin Ireland. I got these cute t-shirts from him.

I thought of sharing some of my blessing to my fellow Filipinos who were not fortunate to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones. When our HR at the office asked to share to those you were impacted by typhoon and flood in Mindanao area. I sent email to have some amounts be deducted from my salaries for these people.

Have a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR, folks!

Welcome 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:37:29 PST

Happy New Year!

New beginning, new hope.. May there will be prosperity, love and peace in the entire universe as we welcome the 2012.. Never give up hope.. We can fulfill our dreams, we can make things happen!

Wishing my blogger friends and readers, ALL the BEST through the years and... ALWAYS!

Christmas 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:03:20 PST

Merry Christmas!

I had been away for almost a month online to attend to various activities last month and even as the Holiday Season come. Last November, I started working on some shopping and decorating my apartment to set the mode for Christmas. I made it simple decors I do not want to spend a lot. I got tired of working overtime just to have additional budget. Maintaining a bigger home costs more than when I was staying in a room good for only one person. The good thing about having a bigger apartment is I could decorate my house and has bigger space when my family members would visit.

Speaking of Christmas, I am done with the shopping and gifts are ready to be distributed. Okay, folks I am waiting for my reindeer. I would be out of the house anytime. Here are the images of my Christmas 2011.

My Christmas Tree. At the terrace outside the house

My little stars at the window outside of the house

My nephew and niece with hand puppets

Inside of the house going to the kitchen

Gifts are ready :)

Inside of the house part of the living room

My Noche Buena

Fresh fruits for good health

My Surprise Visitors

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:02:00 PDT

My sister was here in Manila last week for three days visit. Just in time for my youngest brother and his family to visit Manila from Singapore. My sister stayed in my apartment to be with her daughter who stays with me. Mother and daughter had a great bonding in cooking. Yes, my sister is a great cook. Please do not ask how I fair with her. I can cook alright, just the basic cooking. My brother and his family stayed with his in laws. His brother in law has a big house intended as vacation house for all of their family members.

My surprise presents- laptop and IPhone

I had great time with my family members. We visited our parents at the memorial park were they were laid to rest. Ate, chatted, the limited time is not a bother. At least we had bonding time. My brother and his family came to my apartment last Thursday, Oct 20, my day off. I slept late last Thursday. I never thought I could manage to be up until 12 midnight, Friday. My sister left for the province after four days. My brother and his family had a brief stay for five days.

Guess what I got from my visitors? My sister filled our ref with food stuffs that could last for about fifteen days. I teased my niece I should have taken some of the groceries out of the ref. Had I known, my brother would open the ref. We should have more groceries courtesy of my brother. Anyhow, I am happy for what my brother gave me, a laptop and IPhone. They are slightly used, but are lovely and in good working conditions. I wanted to buy a laptop had I not transferred apartment and bought some new home appliances.

Nine, Twenty Three, Twenty Eleven

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:55:40 PDT

After three months of my request for the transfer of service for my phone and internet. My service got transferred, finally. When was the date of transfer? Take a guess. But the phone had no dial tone for almost two weeks.

In my previous blog, I mentioned about subscribing to my previous internet provider. That one I had when I was in Makati City. I had a second thought, in view of too many months of service disconnects. When I transferred to Pasig City, I subscribed to Philippines main phone and internet provider PLDT. I requested to transfer the service in July to the new apartment, I am renting now. I was denied transfer for the reason the connection will be passing through private properties. PLDT was referring to the other apartment units.

PLDT advised I need to hire my own electrician to hook up a drop or phone wires from the pole to my unit with the permission of the owner of the property. I got busy with other work and home activities and set aside for the while the issue. One time, I was asked by the apartment manager what happened to my phone transfer. Alas! He agreed to hook up a phone wire from the pole to the house free of charge. I rewarded his effort with some few Pesos and a bottle of coke for his snacks.

The rest is history folks. I am happy to be using a faster internet connection compared to the prepared USB internet wireless modem I used for a while. The USB prepaid gadget is plug in to the USB port of my computer. It was what I had been using in the absence of my DSL modem. It belongs to my niece. My problem is, I had to endure the slow internet connection and disconnects while online. The USB uses a prepaid card like that of a calling card to connect to internet.

Happy blogging days are here again, folks! ☺

Taking a Peek at WWW

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:06:46 PDT

The young lady in the picture is my bookworm niece. I never thought she inherited the talent of my father.

Her tiny fingers did wonders on my computer table and the metal table we bought together at a shopping mall.

I asked if she knows how to assemble them. She nodded with great confidence. The gentlemen at the mall who attended to us were smiling. I bought a Philips screw driver. And presto! My tables were neatly assembled.

I guess it is too early for me to say, I felt happier with the new condo apartment I transferred to. I had been at the place for almost two months already. There are new tenants transferring every now and then. I do hope all of us will be happy with the owner of the property. Except for my internet and phone transfer declined by my provider I am enjoying the spacious space and the silence of the place compared to my previous place. I have not attended to my plan for a new subscription. My brain is too busy to think about it yet.

Work is fine, I passed the training. Despite being busy at work and at home, I am happy for feeling secure now at work and at my new place. I do hope there will be no more transferring until the end of the year. It is too tiring to move and make plans. One of my neighbors in the previous place stays in the same apartment on the ground floor. I am at the second floor. She teased me once, if I move again I would need a bigger truck for my home furnishings.

My Activities Offline

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:08:32 PDT

Folks, this is just an update of what I had been doing offline. I transferred to another place last 26^th of June. It is a condo type of apartment, one street away from my previous apartment. It is almost a month I had transferred, yet until now I have not arranged all my things properly. I was not given a vacation leave from work. I am new to the account I was endorsed to, when my previous account closed. I had to do some shopping too for some appliances like washing machine, wall fan, cooler fan and some other small items.

To make my story short, I am popping in to say, Jolly Princess is very much alive and kicking. My internet provider, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) declined my transfer of service for the reason they might trespass private property. The owner of the condo is yet to subscribe to a telephone line. The other day I called my previous provider Globelines and applied for wireless internet with wireless phone. I hope my internet and phone will be up and running by next week.

The photo by the way is my living room. I promise to post more when I get everything settled. I will have to clean my small kitchen first to complete the process. The unit I am renting is a newly renovated building. I had to wipe off the residues of fine sand used for the walls during the construction. It is a tedious process but I will get things taken care of, soon.

Okay, see you guys around. I just borrowed my niece USB for prepaid internet connection instead of going to internet café. I had to reload the USB more if I stay long hours online. Take care… will be back soon.

I am Moving Again

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:02:40 PDT

Folks, I may not be online for a week or two. I am moving again. This time it will be a bigger place compared to my present home. I promise to post some photos soon as I get settled. I will have my phone and DSL transferred. I was advised by my phone and internet provider it would take a week or two depending on the location I am transferring to. Likewise they would take into consideration if the house is blacklisted or has available facilities already. Hopefully, it will be transferred soon. I have no time to go to internet café to post and visit blogs.

I am not happy my current landlord and landlady, they are spouses, did not deliver what they promised me, especially the sub-meters for electricity and water. When I moved to their apartment 1st of February 2011, I repeatedly asked if I will have my own utility meters. I was assured I will have. Later, my electricity service was disconnected. I had to pay for the usage of the other tenants just so I will have the service back. Being out of electricity service in the warm weather in Manila is no joke.

My move in schedule at the new address is this Sunday, the 26^th of June. I will have my phone and internet transferred to the new address on Friday, the 24^th. I hope this time the new place will be a lot better with regard to facilities and all. Okay, I am packing my things now. See you soon guys. Be good while I am away. ☺

Make It Short and Simple

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 05:18:02 PDT

Thursday and Friday are my day off from work. Oh, yes I am back to work for the info of my blogger friends. I will write a separate story on how it happened, soon. I had a chance of reading some blogs.

What caught my attention are blog topics about relationships. A.K.A – Tips and recommendations how relationship would work and last in the days ahead. I read many kinds books about this topic. It seems all of them have same recommendations. Why not simply point out the simple ways how relationship would work? Here are what I have to say. -

Be a responsible partner – Relationship is partnership. Be it among family members or among friends.
Shun white slavery – Strong words but I simply mean abuse in relationship. You should know when to take control of the situation. Most of those who knew me personally, know I am easy to please. I seldom complain. But when I sense something is amiss. I distance myself or let the other person know, it takes two to tango.
Avoid complicated relationship – Life has so many challenges. You may not be strong enough to handle the pressure.

Is there anything you would like to add? Relationship is partnership. Sharing is caring as one of my blogger buddies says. ☺

More on Hobbies

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:48:37 PDT

On my previous post I had a story of my younger niece, hobbies and collections. Let us take a look on how the older ones fair with the youngest.

My nephew and my niece had the habit of logging online before they go to bed and right after waking up. Our room is an internet café for both of them. My nephew could sometimes be late for work because of his laptop. They are thankful to the newly added invention in internet techno, WIFI.

I do not know if these computers are using more electricity. I am glad my sister, the mommy of my niece is paying half of my house rent. I got work again folks will blog about it in the comings days. ☺

Hobbies, Collections, Etc,

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:14:51 PDT

You wonder if the owner of these toys is a boy? No folks. These collections belong to my eleven- year old niece. She is sporty kind of girl. She had played with Barbie and Ken when she was younger. She had collections of the doll, accessories, cars and doll house. Later when she learned of these toy guns she just wanted to have collections of them. I copied the following photos from her Facebook account including the captioned she typed. Yes, she is the girl who plays violin. She loves to play these toys with her two-boy cousins when they would come to the Philippines during Christmas and New Year Holidays.

Nerf Darts, Nerf Sunglasses, Furyfire, 6 dart clip, Another Furyfire, 2 35 Dart Drums, Raider Gun, Barrel From Old Broken Recon, Secret Shot, Nerf Deploy, Deploy, Nitefinder, Normal MAverick, Clear Maverick, Small Gun..Forgot Name, Raider Shoulder Stock, Shoulder Stock From Recon

She loves building blocks even as a toddler. As she grows older her blocks still occupy a space in her room.

She typed –“ My safe, opened. Oh look, a smiley face brick!

Her caption – “My 100% homemade Lego safe. 100% lego. It even

has its own lock."

She saves all the monies she gets as birthday, Christmas presents and rewards for getting good grades. She used them for her collections. ☺

National Flag Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:43:27 PDT

The 28^th of May through the 12^th of June is Philippines National Flag Day. Throughout the celebration, all Filipinos are encouraged to display Philippine flag at their public and private offices, schools and even private homes. When the flag is displayed, the blue color should be on top. Putting the red color on top means the country is at war. Philippines National Flag Day is to commemorate the very first day the Philippine flag was flown freely after the Filipinos Revolutionary Army defeated Spanish Forces in the Battle of Alapan in 1898.

Philippines had been a colony of Spain for around three centuries, 1595 to 1898. Filipinos adopted the Spanish customs and traditions. Spanish highly influenced Filipinos in all aspects of their lives. In the early Spanish colonization, education was mostly religious oriented dominated by Roman Catholic Church. The two oldest universities in the Philippines are University of Santo Tomas and San Carlos University. University of Santo Tomas was founded in Manila, 1590 by Jesuits. University of San Carlos was founded in Cebu City in 1595. These schools are still operating until now honing Filipinos with their educational mandate.

Despite the cultural advancement offered by Spanish, Filipinos protested the authoritarianism making them slaves in their own country. Philippine Revolutionary Army was formed. As to how Filipinos survived American and Japanese wars, is another chapter of Philippine history.

Music Magic

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sun, 29 May 2011 18:48:02 PDT

Lauren Alaina

I chatted with my eleven year old niece on Facebook at around 10:30 in the evening last night. I asked for her bet on American Idol she typed without hesitation Lauren Alaina. I thought she would like a guy because she had been a fan of David Archuleta, runner up on 7^th American Idol.

David Archuleta

My niece loves music. She plays violin as a member of String Ensemble at their school in Singapore. The group won silver in 2008 at Singapore Youth Festival and gold in 2009. Winning for gold the group was treated for a week trip to New York in November 2010. Singaporean kids dominated the group only two of the members are Filipinos, my niece and a boy a year younger than my niece.

Here are some souvenirs of the New York trip.


The group with Statue of Liberty at the background


Just a bit of close up.

The three girls enjoying the pose after shopping?

Standing right in the middle of Times Square.

At Central Park.

American Idol Season Ten

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sat, 28 May 2011 14:36:53 PDT

I had the privilege of watching the finale of the show American Idol season 10. It was last Wednesday 25^th of May night time in the U.S, 26^th of May in the morning in Manila. I came home early from work after I learned of the result of my training. I thought of watching the news because of the typhoon in the provinces. My sister lives in Bicol provinces where the typhoon was heading.

After watching the early news I waited a bit to see what would be the next program. I got lucky to watch the finale of American Idol season 10. At the upper left hand of my television it was flashing “live”. I am elated. I do not have a cable television. I was glad our local network had the show via satellite. Only, I had to endure the local television ads.

Scotty McCreery, 17 years old lad from Garner, North Carolina emerged as the winner. My congratulations to him!

Thia Megia, 16 years old Filipina contestant from Mountain House, California, made it to the top 11. She was eliminated 31^st of March. She has a wonderful voice but the ballad style kind music did not favor the modern day fans. The judges even suggested she has to go outside the box. Thia, win or lose I am still your fan.

I love the music at the show. It made me relax a bit. I like the singing and the dancing performed by known artists like, Marc Anthony the real life spouse of Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce Knowles, Tom Jones, U2, and many more. The Spider Man stunt was amusing. I felt sorry for the Spiderman guy. He did not get a kiss from J.Lo. I love the sportsmanship shown by the rest of the contestants. Their voices combined together were fantastic.

Behind the Keyboard

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:36:15 PDT

I do not exactly recall what made me too busy these days but I know I am always doing something. Be it at home or at work. My job training is over. The result is not good. I am looking for another open window of opportunity. Who knows it is a blessing in disguise. In life as I always remind myself. I cannot have everything I wanted to have. Where will I put them all anyway? Uh, oh, sour grapes.

Do not worry folks, I am still in control. I guess I just have to focus and align my ways of thinking. Oh, and I need few days of rest too. The year 2011 had been a challenging year to me since day one. I am posting this article not to entice negative feelings. This to let my readers know I share the same feeling with everyone like a normal person. This is the beauty of having learned how to blog. You have your keyboard to express what you feel.☺

What inspires me? I know this is familiar to you all. The poem written by Max Ehrmann. Here it goes -

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

The Eight of May

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sat, 14 May 2011 05:01:46 PDT

For the past two months Manila, Philippines had been into warm weather. I am a bit alarmed. I know with this kind of warm summer weather we will get lots of rains on rainy months.

Last Sunday the 8^th of May being Mothers Day, my niece and I decided to visit my parents at the memorial park they were laid to rest. The sun was not shining brightly. I told my niece she got lucky, the weather had been cooperative with her. We bought our folding umbrellas to shield ourselves from sun. Being the most awaited day of fight for our boxing icon Manny Pacquiao versus Sugar Shane Mosley, there were not too many people at the memorial park. I guess family members decided to visit a day before. Philippines, is twelve hours ahead of time of the most states in the U.S. The boxing bout was in Las Vegas Nevada. I thought, I could watch the boxing delayed telecast. Mothers Day is more important.

It was almost lunch when we left the memorial park. My niece and I decided to have our lunch inside a shopping mall in Ortigas Center. After we had lunch, we went to the grocery of the same shopping mall for our groceries for the week. We had fun inside the grocery store choosing and deciding what items to buy making sure the budget will suffice. It was a bit raining when we went out of the shopping mall. The folding umbrellas were in handy. We were lucky the rain did not get us. Soon as we were inside the house, the rain poured mercilessly. It was all white when I peeked from the terrace.

My sister sent text message to my cell phone she got uneasy of the rain and the wind. The Bicol provinces where my sister and her husband lives, is signal number two. Their daughter and I were safely home taking a cup of tea. I did not pay much attention of the rain until I turned the TV on. Manila was on typhoon signal number one. Some provincial areas were the typhoon visited lost love ones due to landslide. How sad is it to lose a mother on Mothers Day? No one could ever imagine the very day they would have to greet their beloved mother on Mothers Day, is the day they would say goodbye to one of the most important persons in their lives.

To those who missed to greet their mother on their special day for some reasons. Life goes on, no matter what happens. For those who were able to hug and kiss their mothers on that day. Had you thanked your mother and count your blessings? Your mother made the best out of you.

Thanks to You

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 07:04:31 PDT

My blog title post may not be very original, but it is okay folks. My head is too loaded to have roams for more ideas. I just want to share with you all, this award I received from one of my blogger friends.

You may check on her blog through this link. -

http://www.bittersweetlife.co.cc/

♥ She, wrote as I quote ♥

“ She's the first filipina who followed my blog and supported me. I love the neutral disposition that she has with regard about friendship. She really tells you what she thinks and she will always be on your side but she lets you know what she really think. I love the way she keeps me in line with reality. She dont know her effect in me but i really do look up to her as an older sister. ”

Hey Steph, much more than thank you for the award. This is my second award from you. I am glad to be your blog sister. I am happy I had somehow shared something with you. And… that I would like to let you know the appreciation is mutual. From you blog posts, I could sense you are a strong person. Take care of your little boy, okay? Most of all do take care of your self, always. Mwahh! ☺