Unwrapped

Although I’m quite pleased with these, I want to be optimistic that these aren’t all for me this year hence may these be what I got so far. Here are the presents while I anticipate the “futures” :-)

Hankie from Agnes


National Bookstore GCs from Aby (Will finance for books in my wish list…)


A set of collectibles of my favorite cartoon character, Doraemon… so adorable! (Thanks Jing)


And a couple of bills from my aunt spent in a couple of days. *Grinning*

Holiday Get-Together

I was present in 3 parties this year. First was in school and man it was disappointing that I’d rather not rattle on about it for the spirit of forgiveness this Christmas.

Next was the company’s despite my status. I arrived rather late so I can’t tell how fun the main program was but I believe most had a good time. And there were more who dressed up to vie for the ‘Star of the Night’ this year; heaven forbid that some looked completely ridiculous. I was just glad to be reunited with my colleagues and to have mingled with fellow employees from other departments. And since my attendance wasn’t expected, food was all meat so I had to suppress my hunger until we left. Good enough 3 mates invited me to a bar afterwards where I had a delicious serving of fish fillet and fries and creamy latte while admiring the soothing renditions of the singer. So that was dinner. But the main agendum was drinking so next stop was the neighboring disco. Well, I don’t drink beer and I was full I just bobbed my head along the techno and trance music playing non-stop. Got home few hours past midnight.

The following night was more of a dinner than a party; I was with few faculty members of the school. Despite its simplicity, it was fun because there were good foods, interesting things to talk about and exchange gifts.

Daddy Ed’s luscious strawberry daiquiri (so good the ad’s for free)

With the gang


What the hell am I doing?!? I hope I looked like Edward Cullen and not Miss De Ville

Here’s “Mama” Ann with her family and my gift for her


Aby, my adviser for the school publication with a Parker pen she got


Agnes seems very pleased with a coffeemaker (not exclusively hers though) and that’s me in the background checking out what I got from Aby

A Perfect Christmas

Simple pleasures are made special too
When they're shared with you

This is a personal favorite. As a kid I was fond of Christmas songs with merry tunes only. Well this is a little senti but it describes my ideal Christmas day. It's a revival by Jed Madela but just as good as the original by renowned Jose Mari Chan.

Blessed holidays everyone!

A Perfect Christmas - JED MADELA

Singaporean Lion

Before I open holiday presents (hopefully there would be some), I'd like to thank Marky for this really cool lion key chain with a hip mane although it was I who did the styling. What's special about this is that Marky really reserved it for me even though it's been several months since he returned from his internship in Singapore and we bumped into each other again just recently

Marky in Singapore

Gift Ideas

This isn’t one of those guides that will give you tips on what to give for the holidays. Sorry, this won’t be helpful. Unless… UNLESS! You have me in your list of beneficiaries it could save you the trouble of wondering what. And to spare you from the holiday rush, I’ll accept gifts until end of second quarter of 2009.

• Digital Camera, At least 8.1 MP
• PC/Web camera, 100K (Preferably D-Link), USB 2.0 Interface
• Pocket Drive, 60GB, USB 2.0
• SmartBro Plug-it Internet Prepaid Kit
  
• Twilight Series, Books 3 and/or 4
• Everyone Worth Knowing (Book by L. Weisberger)
• Rizal Without the Overcoat, 2008 Ed. (Book by A. Ocampo)
• 20 Speeches that Moved a Nation (Book by M. L. Quezon III)
• Youngblood 3 (Book compilation by PDI)
• 4G food supplement (At least 20 capsules)
• Boxer shorts from Penshoppe’s Undercover collection (Size M)
• Revolt by Penshoppe extra slim fit jeans (Green or bright blue, Size 32)
  
• A BIG, fluffy pillow

Teacher Dennis

Yup, my good friend is now a professional educator.

After roughly 2 months of waiting, the results of the Licensure Exams for Teachers finally came out. I was surfing the Net when a text message from Dennis came in to announce the news. I immediately checked the site of a National broadsheet which promptly published the results and after activating Ctrl+F in the PDF file, the good news was confirmed: Dennis is now a teacher. Not that I doubted my friend’s proclamation but I just wanted to check details which might be equally interesting. Coincidentally, I learned that he had no means to confirm it himself that night so after disconnecting my cellphone which I was using as USB modem, I called him up to congratulate him and relay facts he might want to know such as their school’s passing rate and the topnotchers from their city.

Uh speaking of ratings… it took some convincing to reassure the guy that it wasn’t a bad finish. The overachiever and Leo he is, he always wanted to excel thus felt bad about not making it to the top 10. But what’s to be sad about belonging to the 19,000 successful out of 53,000 examinees nationwide considering that he was done with the exams an hour earlier than the set time? And my, when he got his rating, he was just 3 points lower than those who ranked 10th so I think he’s not that far behind.

With his perseverance to always deliver the best I know he’ll make it far.

Hats off!

PlayPlates

AMO 888

In Filipino, the noun ‘Amo’ means ‘boss’ or ‘master’

Crossroads

i can wait, time won’t

There was the crossroads; a major one which I had dealt with so far. If you had been following this blog for some time, you could have read a couple of posts on how dragging my job has become.

Early on when I realized that the pressures at work are eating me, I contemplated the circumstances and came up with a rather frail decision to resign by the deadline I set for myself.

Certainly my job wasn’t a complete waste. Professionally, I was privileged to not only join the civil service but that it is the industry I pursued after high school, considering that I was then 18 years old with only a certificate that is technically not a college degree. Indeed it was a feat among the distinguished few achieved so far by our batch and which my previous mentors commend.

My job gave me the advantage of better understanding of theories taught at my present school thus earned for me not only certain privileges but respect from younger classmates and faculty members. (Speaking of ‘young’, it recently hit me that few of our instructors are actually younger then me). For several times this blog has also been a testimony of the good times I had with my work colleagues; there were the outings and other recreational activities which we enjoyed doing together. Salary wasn’t very rewarding but it did pay for my education since I entered formal college in 2003 not to mention the few needs and wants I acquired for myself.

But then I came to where my path forks and it necessitated a choice. There was dilemma that’s like a bus I know would drop me off at some point but which I boarded and rode along nonetheless. I am serving a company which prevailing policies would require a college diploma prior granting a promotion; with which I have no objection. But since I could attend school only after office hours, obtaining a diploma is the prize in the still dim distance because even though I could track my progress with the course curriculum, I cannot forecast when or whether my remaining units shall be made available in the evening schedule.

Five years in the company to which I credit the experience. Eight years since graduating from high school; the first 2 gave me credentials enough to land a job, the next 6 were spent striving for a college degree. I used to be the youngest in class, now I’m among the seniors. Come summer next year my sibling will also enter college. Then I knew my education should wait no longer for it had unwillingly taken backseat to my office job long enough. I can wait, time won’t.

Of all the advices my friends gave me, Bert’s made a mark: “Weigh the circumstances carefully, decide when you’re composed. And when you’ve come up with a decision, stick to it. No ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ because if you doubt, you might regret it afterwards”. So when my superiors summoned me a day after I’ve forwarded a letter, I already knew what I wanted; really wanted.


*****

Since a couple of weeks ago, I am a fulltime student again with 34-unit load entailing consecutive classes from morning until early evening. There’s a lot of schoolwork to do and adjustments to cope with time and money-wise. So far I’m happy to be back to school with a renewed spirit. I am now trekking the path I chose for myself. When my study leave expires by the end of the semester, I’ll return to our company with revitalized mindset. I might continue farther along or maybe another crossroads awaits me there.

PlayPlates

Down the road going somewhere or nowhere, one caught my eye.
One more was spotted and another passed by.
You know me by name, I know them by plates.
Playmates are fun, but so are the ‘playplates’


FLY 555

Owned by one of my college instructors, I see her 5 days a week in the campus parking. This photo was voluntarily provided by my mentor himself. I just don’t know if ‘fly’ tells something about how fast my instructor drives :-)

Uh oh...

Foremost, I congratulate (again) my good friend Gracie who’s now a Licensed Customs Broker.

*****

It was on the testimonial dinner honoring the school’s alumni who passed the recent professional board exams for Electronics and Communications Engineers (ECEs) and for Customs Brokers which I attended as a journalist for the school publication. There were most of the successful examinees and their families, local dignitaries, college heads and faculty, and of course food and drinks.

As the occasion marked record-breaking events – the school’s first batch of ECEs in 5 years of operation and the phenomenal ranking of 4 alumni in the Top 10 including the highest score in the Customs licensure – it has been likewise remarkable for me. First, I downed almost two tall glasses of tequila-based cocktails which so far the most I had drank in my life resulting to my first-ever experience of its kick and second I had my first-known allergic reaction.

I came home almost midnight, did my bedtime rituals and fell asleep. Three hours later, I was awakened by intense itch on the forearms and thighs. Thinking that mosquitoes were the culprits, I semi-consciously (as in without opening an eye) secured my blanket and scratched myself until I fell asleep of exhaustion.

By daytime, the itch had subsided but my sister noticed the unusual redness and remarked with admiration; she liked it as if it’s fair skin that blushes when it gets ample sunshine. The possibility that it is allergy didn’t occur to me until I awoke from my afternoon nap with the intensity of the irritation recurring.

I rushed to our company clinic where a solution which I believe is a quick-effecting antihistamine was injected in me and was prescribed with tablets I took for the next few days.

Since it’s the first time to happen, I still cannot tell what triggered the allergy. There were prawns but I do not react to the seafood before unless maybe something was wrong with the quality of those served that night. Or could it be the tequila? Or maybe prawns and tequila do not go together after all.

Must be rude

Now Hiring: Call Agent (Credit Collection)
Qualification: Must be rude; paranoid is an advantage

---

This is a transcribed conversation that took place one regular morning at work. Names were changed for security.

---

SCENE 1

(Local 123 rings)

Emerson: MIS, Good morning!

Rudy a.k.a Rude Agent: Hi! This is Rudy from Some Bank. May I speak with Mr. Sid please?
Emerson: For a while please… (Calls Sid’s name since they share the same line)

(Scenario: Sid’s cube is behind Emerson’s hence the latter would not know whether Sid’s in his area unless he turns and tilts his head)

Dee whose cubicle’s next to Sid’s yells back, “He’s out”

Emerson: Sorry, he went out

Rudy: Why did I just hear you call him? Sounds like he’s just beside you

Emerson: Sir, I didn’t turn to look to his place and just called his name. Incidentally he’s not there.

Rudy: But I heard you! You must be hiding him!

Emerson: I wouldn’t be arguing with you any longer if he’s really here! But he’s not! Now if you want, you go here to check him personally and I’ll reimburse your bus fare! Damn you!

(Phone slammed)

---

SCENE 2

(Line 456 rings)

Josephine: MIS, Good morning!

Rudy: Yes, Mr. Sid please…

Josephine: He’s not in the office at this moment…

Rudy: Ah… By the way, who’s the lady I’ve spoken with in local 123?

Josephine: That’s Emerson

(Disclaimer: Emerson’s ladylike voice is inborn)

Rudy: No, the lady I’ve spoken with…

Josephine: You’ve spoken with Emerson. His voice naturally sounds like a lady’s…

Rudy: It can’t be. You must be lying!

Josephine: Sir, Mr. Sid’s not here. You better call line 123 again maybe an hour later to check if he’s back since you don’t seem to trust any of us here. Goodbye

---

SCENE 3

(Line 123 rings again not long after. Dee picks up this time)

Dee: Good morning!

Rudy: Yes, I’m looking for Mr. Sid …

Dee: Sorry, he’s currently out for fieldwork

Rudy: Why? You guys are not consistent! First, ‘he’s out’. Another, ‘he’s not in’. Now you’re saying he’s doing field. I cannot believe all of the employees in your company are liars! Blah! Blah! Blah!

---

Whew! Isn’t he a darling?

Past Twits

Remember the famed question that gave us Twitter? Yes, that one except that now I refer to its past perfect progressive tense.

Below is a recap of what I had been doing the entire time I was out of blog world. Twitter’s 160-character limit just can’t contain these.

October, Week 1 was submission for 2009 budget. I was in charge for a part of the equipment outlay. The ultimate goal was to come up with rational plan for the distribution of desktop and laptop computers and printers. Without which, the 40+ departments of our company would have a tough time acquiring said resources. And we’re talking of 3 batches of procurement here!

Ok I’ll cut this. Details of my job are lethal for my well-being while you could die of boredom.

The following week, final exams were scheduled hence I forced myself to finish the work deliverable over the weekend and that entailed working at home overnight until 4AM. Then I filed for 3-day leave to prepare for the tests and guess what, my boss didn’t approve it right away and gave me that I’ll-think-about-it-drama. I filed it Monday and had to text her Wednesday morning to confirm whether it’s granted or not. Isn’t that sweet? Oh! I had to do the same thing Thursday morning; at least for the last day of its duration that wasn’t necessary anymore.

As expected, there’s a lot of schoolwork and my leave was spent on only 2 of my 5 subjects. Plus that requirement in digital editing where I and 3 group mates gave a new story and voices to Finding Nemo. (Disclaimer: The project is for course application only and would not be commercialized). It was fun to make despite the brain and vocal work. For almost a week our home had been the group’s production studio filled with screaming and laughter.

The succeeding weeks I accomplished 3 tests piled for Physics 1 which, due to my status as an employed student had been a self-help subject and the instructor gave it as take-home tests. Even so, it wasn’t at all easy especially that it was 8 years ago when I last solved Physics problems.

In the end, my History and Literature classes are queued for completion until this time.

*sigh*

Horoscope Flash

Cheesy but I read horoscopes. Not that I've sworn my faith in it but its coincidence to reality amuses me. Fairly there are days when it isn't about me but today, it is. Just how much today's read struck me that I logged in Blogger to post about it @ this supposedly lunchbreak in school.

Cancer

Today, you deserve a break from all the heavy analytical thinking you have been doing at work or school. Instead, step back from the arguments and issues and let everyone else deal with the headaches for a while. You've paid your dues and put your fair share of energy into the problem. This is a day when you should focus on doing some fun things -- you'll find playing with children especially rewarding, right now. There's something about their imaginative energy that will invigorate you. (Friendster)

The past weeks at work has been draining. Thankfully, schoolwork is quite cooperative and merciful since next week is sports meet so only those enlisted for the games and pep squad and the secretariats were exhausting themselves during the day thus evening (my) schedule is freed up. Otherwise I could have lost consciousness if not my sanity due to stress.

My boss was on sick leave for two weeks after an accident and wasn't completely functional yet upon returning. With due consideration to her condition, we deal with backlogs little by little. The influx of tasks however is not as considerate. So there were backlogs because much as I wanted to be the hero to save the day, I simply could not proceed without her decision and even though I'm a direct-report employee, I'm not her alter-ego that's eligible to pass through an imaginary "Authorized Employees Only" sign as far as authority with a capital A is concerned. But to talk of compassion with a capital C, I didn't contact her by any means while she was on leave to give her the rest she needed.

Ok, we're attending to those things now... To her desk I go and have her review/sign correspondences and other papers... Five down, two to go. My hopes are pulled back to earth because as she inscribes her sought-after signature, she would discuss to me other matters that just came from the manager's office and when I leave her cubicle, I have a new set of to-dos as if a redeemed gift or prize in exchange of some proof of purchase.

Coincidentally, the mother of the manager's (only) secretary succumbed to cancer last week; thank God the kind woman's suffering has ended. The secretary's granted emergency leave. But the manager would need help and this is when we put into use one of the many slashes trailing my job title: My actual appointment slash Admin Assistant.

Oh well, didn't I just defy my horoscope by posting this? Told you I don't put faith on it. I'm glad though that I did "find playing with children especially rewarding" except that it isn't "right now" but on Thursday night during the birthday of one of my instructors. Their son and I played together with his toy cars and another guest teacher congratulated me because try as she did, she can't come to terms with the kid's game and end up annoying the child.

Sojourn in Baguio: Which Has Been Typical, The Place or The Experience? (Part 2)

[Continued]

A Series of Unfortunate Events

Much as we wanted everything to turn out fun, there had been some adverse incidents too.

On the second day, Den and I went to the marketplace to get what we needed for Saturday lunch. It was a fine sunny day that provided no hint of the downpour that came in the afternoon. Lalaine and I left the house by sunset to meet Den at the mall downtown after his licensure review classes. After having fun singing at a karaoke lounge for hours, we left the mall on closing time and had dinner at a restaurant near the cathedral.

While waiting for food, Den finally shared with me (Lalaine knew about it already) about losing his job earlier for unfair reasons. It was sad. The dinner relieved the tension caused by my friend’s troublesome situation for a while. But then we got into another misfortune after we left for home.

Dinner at Zola

The rain was pouring on the busy roads and all cabs were taken. We waited at Session road for quite long but to no avail. We descended to Harrison Road but still failed to flag down a ride. Summoning all our courage and vigilance, we walked through the dark and empty Burnham Park with the eerie sound of trees and water rushing down the sewers. It had not been easy to get a taxi that night even at Kisad Road which according to my companions is actually an express loading area.

Headlight-lit Kisad Road

On the other side of the road we saw in a silhouette of a man without an umbrella and heard him yelling at almost every passing vehicle. He was drunk. He yelled to us on a dialect that only my companions could understand but sounded to me like anger if not a curse and crossed the street towards us. Our instinct moved as to quickly cross to the other side as if playing checkers with the drunken man. Worst that man hastened and got the cab we had flagged down since it’s driving in the lane nearer to him. Thankfully, it didn’t took very long and another came.

We got home; shoes soaked from roughly two hours of waiting in the rain.


Baguio For Real

The experience showed me a different Baguio. In fact, it was more than I expected.

The City of Pines has always been known as “The Summer Capital of the Philippines” and is promoted as among the top tourist destinations in the country. While it had sustained such impression throughout the years, Baguio has some things known only by residents.

First, the press release regarding its being in a state of calamity due to waste management issues is true. Although no foul smell lingers in the city, only once has the garbage been collected during my 4-day stay. Garbage bags were hung on the garage and people actually sort trash into biodegradable, non-biodeg and recyclable. Hearsays tell about scholarships granted to students who take courses related to sanitation technology.

Crime rate had also increased in the area. Theft and holdups are common. The gates in Lalaine’s place are locked once someone leaves even if there are people in the house. The doors have at least 5 locks and the house is never left empty.

I’ve also experienced storm since the forecast I followed a week before my trip didn’t turned out exactly as estimated. The wind was howling throughout the day hence the itinerary my friends prepared for me was cancelled and we stayed indoors most of the time. When we go outside, heavy fog conceals the roads and vapor comes from our mouth when we talk. A knitted vest and a trench coat worn on top of a long-sleeved shirt couldn’t make me perspire.

Water in the pipes is not supplied round-the-clock. Homes have tanks filled with water ordered from and delivered by a refilling business.

---

On my last day I was left alone in the house – Dennis had to go home since his mom will be discharged from the hospital, Lalaine went to work while her mom had left two days ago for some business. The power went out and I hadn’t heated water for my bath.

The typhoon didn’t cease but so did the thoughtfulness of my friends. Lalaine held an umbrella for me until I got a taxi while Dennis met me downtown and escorted and even stayed for a while until my bus departed.

It was a worthwhile experience for me. The ‘Be Happy’ phrase painted boldly on the fence has been true to its promise after all.

Thank You card I tucked in the bed


The bus that took me home

Sojourn in Baguio: Which Has Been Typical, The Place or The Experience?

To travel by myself is an experience I had long yearned for. The rather sheltered manner I was raised and the non-availability of personal finances then denied me of the independence I needed to fulfill that personal goal. The milestone happened months after I joined the workforce and weeks before my 19th birthday; a trip to a mall no two hours via public transport even without taking the shortcut. It was an achievement that ended my innocence but wouldn’t impress the majority who went to college in a far city at age 16. I was satisfied for sometime.

Three years after, the yearning for similar adventure resurfaced but with more intensity. I wanted to go somewhere farther yet no idea where. Until the recent company trips to Baguio City for 2 years in a row made me consider it a destination. ‘Consider’ underrates Baguio for there are no options. If it has to be done now, only Pines City is achievable.

• Seven-hour travel = farther destination. Check.
• Friends who reside in the area = assurance of good company plus savings in accommodation and tour services. Check.
• Three special leave privileges sandwiching 2 days off = longer stay. Check

3 out of 3 in the criteria made Baguio perfect for the purpose


Arrival

This took me there

The second bus departed at 4AM; the schedule I chose so I’ll arrive in my destination by lunchtime. Dennis and Lalaine have their tutoring jobs in the morning and won’t be free until noon. Eventually, I overestimated the travel time and arrived earlier because I forgot to take into account the improvement of roads and bus engines over the years. Good thing that the bus terminal there – known for its unique architecture – has a neat waiting area.

The book I brought along kept me busy while waiting for my hosts to fetch me. The only problem was much as I felt the need to pee I can’t leave my bags unattended but are too bulky to bring with me in the CR.

Lunch out was first in the itinerary after reuniting with my friends then rode a taxi to Lalaine’s place.

Ascending Marcos Highway – major entry road to the city proper

Waiting at the bus terminal

The House

The residence is on a hill. A message that reads “BE HAPPY” boldly hand-painted on the fence welcomed me although I guess it had been there for some time already for it is of the same color as the gate’s. The garage serves as kitchen and laundry. Upon entering the living room, I immediately noticed the framed cross-stitch crafts and had to compliment Lalaine’s mom for her skill and diligence. The house itself is small but very cozy and tidy; its wooden floor almost as glossy as a bowling alley.

By the corner of the reception is a small dining area with a mini-bar without the liquor bottles – basically an elbow-high shelf where stuff was kept and where we stood by while having coffee. Blinds that identify the doors of 4 bedrooms hung from the sides of the short corridor. I was given Lalaine’s room; her pictures are displayed everywhere. She no longer sleeps there thus it serves more as a study-slash-wardrobe area recently. I opened the window and felt the cool mist brush my face. It revealed a vast array of rooftops and distant winding streets enveloped by fog. Dennis had mentioned that the hill is among the places that are always foggy even when the sun is high over downtown Baguio.

I dozed off while my friends attended their classes by 4PM until evening. Aside from it’s a good chance to rest, I insisted that my stay should only alter their routines as little as possible.

It’s funny that they both complained later and regretted attending their respective classes when there was nothing significant in school for that day.

The Living Room


View from my window (Day 1)


View from my window (Day 2)



View from my window (Day 5)


Clouds blocking the view of Marcos Highway from the balcony of the house

Unmatched Hospitality

My hosts are the best one could ever have. I was wowed and moved by the hospitality of our own people which is internationally recognized as one-of-a-kind.

Lalaine offered their place even when we were just introduced to each other last June.

The night before my arrival, Dennis rushed his queued homework so as “not to get in the way during your [my] stay”.

Lalaine was a dutiful host. She planned and cooked meals according to a pescatarian’s diet. This lady’s a good cook who could turn the simplest recipe into a very satisfying one!

Her mom is equally endearing. Despite the natural firmness in her voice, she’s kind and an interesting conversationalist. We chatted on various things while my friends were out and I took the chance to ask how she raised her children to be diligent students since all 5 siblings each finished at least 2 degrees; 4 are now professionals. Lalaine herself took up Law immediately after completing her AB Political Science last term.

I also learned that it was by her mom’s order that Lalaine bought a plastic table wrap before they picked me up from the terminal so we could use a new one.

Dennis on the other hand kept me company most of the time although I knew beforehand that his mom is scheduled to undergo chemo that time and was actually confined on the day I arrived. I actually offered to pay a visit to the hospital or help him with errands but he said everything’s taken care by his dad and siblings.

Before they left me the afternoon of the first day, Den said that he’ll be seeing me again the next day already but nonetheless returned to spend the evening with us.

These plus the extra expenses for our needs during my stay they willingly provided.

It was first-class service that could have spoilt me. A good treatment I cannot believe I deserve but was given to me.

As gratitude, I tried to lend a hand with the chores, volunteered to do the dishes every time and share with the purchases.

Dennis and I while having a snack @ a coffee shop


And this is what I had...

[To be continued]

Motivating the Graduates of 2008

For this year’s graduation, an Alma Mater invited me to be their guest speaker. The first time it was announced to me by a former mentor who now works as Admissions Officer in the institution, I felt more apprehensive than excited because as a young civil servant who’s still pursuing a college degree, I don’t think I deserve the merit as compared to what most would expect of commencement speakers – those who have impressive academic and professional achievements. Even so, they said they wanted an alumnus to be the guest speaker and since the school is more of a technical learning center than a formal college, a stable job in the industry I guess gauges the success of their graduates.

The big day came and I did my job as speaker. I delivered the message which I prepared for a couple of days making sure that it doesn’t sound too scholarly and wouldn’t exceed 15 minutes; something I myself as an audience could relate to and endure. I just provided some personal pointers about knowing one’s passion and strengths, going the extra mile, the importance of listening and never taking things for granted. To make my young audience at ease, I shared my personal experience how I was nobody in high school belonging to the bottom of the class before I became the better student that the institution knew. I also injected sufficient humor (isn’t it evident in the photos?) and refreshed their attention by asking questions that would make them raise hands. It was a choice to include just a little something of the theme about how business and IT provides boundless opportunities because I don’t want to elaborate on something everybody have an idea about. Thankfully, I still achieved my goal on substance and the time frame.

This experience was truly a privilege: to be warmly welcomed, be given a proud entrance by passing through crossed swords (my sibling was one of the cadets and she had a share of the limelight answering queries from her curious colleagues), see my name on a tarp, be seated next to distinguished officials, receive a standing ovation, shake hands with all the graduates and have the lion’s share of a sumptuous dinner. Above all these is the opportunity to be reunited with people who I know believe in me.

BD's Birthday

BD is my boss’ son; he turned five today. I do have fond moments with this lad so even though at his age all he can do with the computer is watch kiddy videos and play games, I’m dedicating this post for him.

Here are among my best memories with BD:

• For quite some time, he would often stop by my area upon arrival (as if a courtesy visit) before proceeding to his mom’s to show me one or two toy cars from his collection that he brought that day or those very good star stamps he earned at school. Now, he knows he ought to say hi to his mom first.
• Once, he was at our office early morning and I was on the phone when he climbed on my chair, found the chocolate drink I bought for breakfast and sipped until the box is empty. That happened in a minute.
• He used to always borrow the Transformer toys I got free with some meal from a fastfood store until he broke it but during when he still loved playing with it, he would open my drawers to search for Optimus Prime and Barricade when he didn’t see them where he expected to. He does that even if he comes in late and I’m already out of the office. Next day, my boss would tell me that she had to arrange the mess of my desk because of BD’s scavenging.
• The little décor tree on my desk that he borrows to provide shade for his toy cars’ parking, he once placed in the pot of a real plant by our door. I only noticed when I poured old water from my drinking bottle. On a separate instance by the way, he borrowed my staple remover and pretended that it’s an herbivorous monster that gnawed the real plant.

He would always rush to see the photo even before the camera captures us. For this reason, I wasn’t able to focus my phone well to fit us both and I wasn’t able to retake either because he’s just too excited. Anyway, he’s the star today.

Oh well BD boy, happy birthday still.

Trees for a Birthday Gift

For the second consecutive year, a tree-planting activity was organized through the efforts of our Ecology Center as part of the celebration of the birthday of our incumbent Chairman.

Despite the grilling heat and blinding glare of the sun, this one had been more fun. Last year, our department was assigned in a shady part and had planted a few seedlings hence the only challenge was maintaining balance while working on the slope. Recently, we were assigned in a longer stretch and had planted more than 10 Fire tree seedlings. A double-decked bus brought us and other employees to and fro our respective areas.

Ok, it may seem in the pictures that I was not very cooperative but I swear I planted 3 seedlings myself.

I hope to see those trees sturdy and full of red-orange flowers in years