Ika 1 ng Disyembre 2008: Pissed

The beginning of the Christmas month.

I have lots of plans today. My plans this weekend were not followed to the letter...... I have some issues with the workers.... I feel they need close monitoring.... I have been disappointed with their work lately which have slowed down. I am thinking I should get another contractor for the gate....

I also learned from Ago that MIL's assistant has been acting like a wicked mayordoma to my helpers whenever I am not around. Think Cinderella...... My helpers confirmed this incident. I told MIL about it but I would really like to give her apiece of my mind. She was here this morning to run an errand for MIL. But it is not the right time.... I'll look for that opportunity soon.

It's a rather tiring day from morning till night with emotional roller coaster all throughout the day. I should be resting now......

PS: Me mga tao talaga na magaling lang sa kwento. Unti-unti ko na nakikilala si Ago at parang di na ako natutuwa sa kanya. Hindi pwede asahan..... lagi ipinapasa ang sisi sa iba....... magaling lang mag-umpisa pero hirap na hirap tapusin. Mahirap yan ganyan.... at di na ako ngumingiti..... Mahirap talagang maging foreman.....

--> Continue reading...

Ika 30 ng Nobyembre 2008: Mensa IQ Challenge

Brainchild's break..... Bonifacio day.......

The workers took the day off as well. I thought Ago and another worker were going to landscape my garden but they did not report for work. I am disappointed as that means further delay in the work..... But hubby said they also need a break.... it's a Sunday, even God rested on Sabbath Day. I should be more understanding....

The trip to the Star Theater last night was chaotic. The travel was fast but once we reached CCP complex, the Star City in particular where the Star Theater is located, my parking nightmare began. My friend hitched with us and good thing that she is quite assertive as she asked the security personnel to direct us to the parking area and mildly bullied anybody who stood in the way of our parking. But there were so many buses and people, it's like driving through a flock that Moses led to the Promised Land.... I had to maneuver at very difficult angles which put my driving skills to the test. Finally, we spotted a very hard to find parking slot but I had to squeeze in between two buses on the right side and a car beside the parking space while avoiding a head on collision with a bus going out. Through the bullying, I mean assistance of my friend who cleared the way of ambulant vendors, I was able to squeeze hubby's old car which I used to advertise it in the very tight spot. Whew! My friend, a so-so driver by her own admission, profusely praised my superb driving skills.

The parking dilemma delayed us and Hairspray started by the time we reached Star Theater. We could only enter the venue after the first number. Finally, we were let in and ushered to our seat. A former colleague from the old school where I taught was already there. My friend who still teaches in the same school gifted him with ticket for his birthday and Christmas.

Hairspray is a performance delight .... Tracy... Amber et al all gave a rousing performance that kept the audience glued the entire time. Michael De Mesa gave a respectable performance. BTW, she looks like a plump Rosemary Gil. Nyoy Bolante was a cool dude who not only sang magnificently but the guy has the right moves. His love interest looks like Sarah Geronimo after her transformation. Dulce, as expected, brought the house down. I don't know the rest of the characters even the lead stars but they surely delivered the goods. If you have time and money to spare, you sure will have a one and a half hours on good non-stop entertainment.

Later today, we are going to Fully Booked to take the Mensa Test. I am not sure I qualify as a genius, the real reason I would be there to take it is to accompany my eldest daughter. I encouraged her to take the test. Since I am driving her to the venue, I might as well take it. Who knows I might be joining Sharon Stone, Geena davis et al to the elite club. Anyway if I don't make it, this is the last you will hear of it. Passing it would be another matter of course :)

MENSA was founded in England in 1946 by Sir Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, the only qualification for membership of which was a high IQ. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. The society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities.

Wish me and my daughter luck.......

PS: Bukas kukunin na ng bird breeder na kaswap ko si Chocknut pero parang gusto ko na bumack out. Pero sabi ng asawa ko na nakipag-usap na ako...... Nalulungkot kasi ako na bigay yun aso na inalagaan ko at napamahal na sa kin. Totoo naman na pumayag na ako. Binigyan ko ng kondisyon ng palitan na akala ko hindi niya ibibigay pero binigay niya kaya napasubo na ako. Pangit din na magback out ako. Nakakalungkot talaga na mababawasan ang mga alaga namin. Sa ibang bahay na siya magpapasko.......

--> Continue reading...

Ika 29 ng Nobyembre 2008: Halt

Brainchild's break.......

A long weekend because Monday is a holiday but that means more things to do around the house. I still cannot fix my scheduled tasks with the work not yet finished. By hook or by crook it has to be finished this weekend. We would probably halt the work on the garage and the gate until we sell the car. I am having liquidity problems and bills are also due. For now, it's good enough that a have a much improved auxiliary kitchen and a new aviary for the birds....

I have to go as I am off to the tile factory so that the workers can complete their work this long weekend, the tail end of November and the beginning of the Christmas month........

Later, I am watching Hairspray with the girls and a friend at the Star Theater, CCP Complex. Last night, I was supposed to go to a show at the Music Museum with my friend, V..... but she canceled as she wasn't feeling well. I know that the Yuletide season is really here as my social calendar is beginning to fill up.....

PS: Antok na antok na ako kagabi pero nagpasundo ang panagalawang anak ko na galing sa kanilang HS dance. Akala ko ay susunduin siya ng Daddy niya at dapat me lakad ako. Ang dami talagang papel ng magulang sa anak...... at dapat laging handa sa mga biglang pagbabago at di inaasahang bagay..... Hay buhay....

--> Continue reading...

Ika 28 ng Nobyembre 2008: Office Politics

Before going to the office, I had to perform my foreman's role to ensure that things are ok at home. First, I asked one of the workers to clear out the clutter while waiting for Ago and the other worker. Then, I talked to Ago on the progress of the work and told him to finish up the tile installation of the kitchen. I also told him to come early tomorrow as we need to return to Eurotiles to buy additional tiles for the aviary. I am not sure who made the mistake in the estimate. Ago computed the tile count using 8" x 8" tiles. The salesperson converted the computation to the requirement using 8" x 12", the size of the tile I chose. I actually know how to make that estimate but I let Ago do it.

Since MIL was about to go and there was a ready tricycle, I wrapped up the discussion and hitched a ride with MIL. I got off at the terminal and took the waiting van. I slept the entire trip and when I woke up I got this text message from a friend who is also a colleague wanting to meet me at lunch. She said we can just take an early lunch before going to the office. I said yes because I know there are some pretty interesting office politics we would be talking about.

We had lunch and discuss the usual woes of employees caught in the ugly side of office politics. I have chosen to breach the bounds of the usual office courtesies and play an outsider role. I refuse to kiss asses and that seems to displease the power that be and the power brokers in this office. My friend and many other ex-colleagues probably do not have the heart and guts to rock the boat and win the ire of our blood-sucking colleagues. They either endure it until they can no longer take it and leave. They let off steam once in a while and I listen. Well, I cannot say I am victorious in my crusade but I have been heard and listened to by the top brass and I have managed to elicit certain responses from people that matter in our organization. In a way, I feel liberated and can breathe freely. Yet, I am still here among the leeches, I mean my officemates......

Because of this lunch, I missed lunch with another friend who is from another office in the Department and in the same predicament. Yesterday, I helped her draft a letter requesting transfer to another office. She wants to meet up with me today, probably to consult me. I told her about the previous commitment I made with my other friend. I asked if she wants to join us..... but got no answer. So I thought that she won't meet me for lunch today until she texted asking if our lunch date will push through. I told her I had an early lunch with my friend-colleague and we could just meet for snacks. She said ok.

I always have people particularly underdogs consulting me on their boss's problems and sometimes just telling their stories. I give advice if answers are sought. I don't always agree with their side but I am always willing to listen.

This brings me to my observation that abuses and bigotry in the workplace still happen today even if more and more culture-sensitive companies attempt to bring work-life balance. Whether we like it or not, we need to make a stand lest our abusive bosses and their ass-kissing minions think that the caste system is still "in". The more power eats them up, the more they abuse it. They need to be reminded that slavery is long dead. I have that unenviable task.......

PS: Kanina habang nasa van ako papasok ng opisina, yun tao sa likod ko bigay todo ang pagsinga at dinig na dinig namin lahat kung paano lumabas pati yata kaluluwa niya sa pagsinga...... naman talaga. Ilan beses suminga na natataon pa naman tuwing patulog na ako. Hindi ko naman masabihan na kung pwede hinay hinay lang at karapatan niya naman suminga para mailabas lahat ng gusto niyang ilabas sa ilong niya. Pero nasa likod ko siya kaya apektado ako at baka tamaan ako ng kung ano..... Kalaunan, nasanayan ko na rin siguro ang pagsinga niya at pinapakiramdaman ko na lang kung saan ang direksiyon at baka liparin ako kasama ang kung ano-ano......

--> Continue reading...

Ika 26 ng Nobyembre 2008: Leave

I finally took that leave today ......... not really to rest. Whenever I take a leave, it is usually purposeful.

I woke up at the usual time to have breakfast with my son. When everybody left, I cleaned up the dogs. And as soon as Ago arrived, I talked to him about the work which appeared to have slowed down yesterday. I also called attention to their not returning our tools used in their work to the proper place and his leaving our stockroom opened the other day. He apologized.

I think some monitoring is also needed at this point of the job. So I will do that and ran errands while at it. For starters, I had to do the following this morning:

1. Pass by the junkyard to sell our junk (that should lessen the clutter).
2. Go to the hardware for additional materials.
3. Go to the bank as I am running out of cash. My home improvement project is really draining my resources.
4. Pass by the pet shop to get dog vitamins.
5. Go to a garden supply shop to get jars for the landscaping.
6. Go to the hardware another time to buy some more materials.
7. Go to the fruit stand to buy fruits.

I am in between errands right now. I have to call a former colleague and the bird breeder. But I need some down time too.

The tile trim I bought does not match the one installed and I need to replace it. So I have to make another trip to the hardware @!#$%^&**((....... I think I ought to buy snacks for the workers too. I was hard this morning and that should be my way of balancing things out.

I am actually waiting for a call from my friend V...... for our makeover date..... She called me earlier this week and said she has a meeting today and will see if they will finish early. If if does, we can go to MOA and have our hair done. I am thinking of having a manicure and pedicure if it does not push through......

After that, I will get my car washed..... It looks so filthy with all the traveling and loading things. Like me, it needs a makeover....

PS: Minsan masama rin yun masyadong nakikipagmabutihan sa mga trabahador at nagiging pabaya sila sa trabaho. Napansin ko kasi bumagal yun trabaho nitong linggong ito. Kaya kailangan ng konting pukpok..... Kaya ngayon nakatutok ako sa trabaho nila na parang ako yun foreman. Hay naman.....

--> Continue reading...

Ika 26 ng Nobyembre 2008: Flower and Balloon Arrangement

I set off early because of a seminar on flower and balloon arrangement, the last of my seminars for this year. I was actually late but it was a good thing that the resource persons were even more late..... They came from Dangwa and Divisoria for raw materials for this seminar.

We started with a very heavy breakfast that you would think it would be the last meal before your death sentence is carried out. When the speaker arrived, we hurriedly finished our last meal, I mean breakfast..... The resource persons buckled down to business....... The speaker explained some tips in flower and balloon arrangement. Then, flowers and other materials were distributed. One of these materials is an air pump which my son needs tomorrow for their science lab and I was just figuring out this morning where I would get it ...... and there is my son's air pump...... lucky break.

Our first project is a topiary, which is a combination of a potted flower arrangement and balloon on top. The flower arrangement is symmetrical as the flowers are evenly distributed and the pot may be viewed from any angle. We pumped air into tiny balloons and linked the balloons together until we formed back to back flower..... really cool. The balloon arrangement is set at the middle of the pot making it look like a topiary.

Our second project is an L flower arrangement which resembles ikebana. We made use of anthuriums. I also did ikebana when I was in Japan in 1995 as part of cultural immersion. I like this arrangement so much.... simple and uncluttered.

The third project is a twisted balloons. It's a group work. I just pumped air into balloons here and let my groupmates form the twisted balloons. This is supposed to be the last output but our kind resource person taught us how to make balloons inside a balloon arrangement. One blurted that she'll just bring the materials home because it's hard to bring the completed projects home. Everybody agreed and followed her lead.

After the half-day seminar, I went to the office. Why would this be just a half-day seminar!!!! Just when i was enjoying myself, I had to go back to this @$%&^&*() office!!!!!!!

PS: Pagdating ko kagabi, nakipagchat ako na isang breeder ng african love birds. Nakikipagswap siya sa akin ng love birds niya para sa shih tzu ko na ireregalo daw niya sa nanay niya. Nakita niya ang ad ko sa sulit.com.ph na maraming online na transaksiyon ang nangyayari. Meron bentahan at meron naman parang barter trade nung araw na mas kilala sa tawag na swap ngayon. Maayos naman ang naging usapan namin. Ipinakita niya ang mga ibon na ipapalit niya. Magaganda naman.... Problema ko na lang paano ko ipapalit ang shih tzu ko na napamahal na sa amin. Siguradong hindi papayag ang mga anak ko. Naiisip ko pa lang din na ibibigay ko yun aso parang naiiyak ako. Malamang walang swap na mangyari.....

--> Continue reading...

Ika 25 ng Nobyembre 2008: Makeover

I was thinking this morning if I should take that leave today.... then again, I remember that my car is banned on the road because of the coding scheme and I couldn't really move around much.... I don't want to waste time. I was thinking of picking up two big jars and some small ones for the landscaping and returning to Eurotiles to replace some tiles. Ago thought that the existing tiles of the auxiliary kitchen will be removed and overestimated the tile count....... But since I can't drive my car, I said maybe another time......

I prepared for work upon reaching a decision..... Along the way, I thought about the planned makeover day with a friend. My hair date with Dayap did not materialize so I planned another date with another friend. The plan is to take a day off from work to have our hair, nails, and maybe skin done...... not really extreme makeover ..... just change hairstyle, manicure and pedicure, maybe facial and body scrub.... This other friend, V....... also wants to go to 168 to do some Christmas shopping......... that is also hanging. I texted her on my way to work if Thursday is a feasible date for her. I still have no reply. I hope she is in the country. This friend lives close to my home but we seldom see each other and sometimes when I text her she is out of the country. It's hard having jetsetter friends......

These days my thought is on my home makeover.... when it is going to be over.... the expenses..... the dwingling resources..... yet I can't stop dreaming......

PS: Pag dumarating na ang Nobyembre nakakatamad na talaga pumasok ng opisina.... Ewan ko ba anong meron pag magpapasko na at nakakatamad magkikilos... masarap lang makipagkita sa mga kaibigan at magliwaliw.... kung mayaman lang sana ako.... walang problema.

--> Continue reading...

Ika 24 ng Nobyembre 2008: Emergency

Were it not for my class later, I would just take a leave today. I still have to consume my forced leave which will be deducted from my leave credits whether I use it or not and a special leave I am entitled to. Half of December will be vacation days with the declaration of December 1, 26, and 29 as special non-working holiday..... I might not have an opportunity to take a leave. There were too many things that needs my attention. But then, I wouldn't want to miss my class.

Very early in the morning, one of my helpers asked permission to go to her sister employed in a nearby village due to a medical emergency. Of course, I said yes. MIL was also off to her physical examination due to lab tests required by her doctor. My young helper would be left by herself in the house with the workers. I was a bit apprehensive. I was thinking of going on leave and resetting my class.

By coincidence, my new friend who recommended Ago, my foreman, texted asking for a partner for the bird she bought from us. I called her. After discussing the birds, I told her about my apprehension. She said that she would call Ago.

I was about to leave when Ago came in a motorcycle and in his characteristic manner told me I have nothing to worry about. He said he couldn't work in the morning due to diarrhea...... emergency.... Then, the tile installer said that they need sand and cement to plaster the walls where the tiles will be installed..... another emergency. Ago said we can make use of the remaining sand from the drainage work and just pass it through a sift...... but there was not enough according to the tile installer. The unexpected is the worst I have to deal with so early in the day......

Ago said he would just get the materials on credit from a hardware inside the village. I told him we could just go there and buy the materials. Ago drove me to the hardware in his motorcycle. We bought the needed materials. I wasn't thinking clear when I rode his bike as i was too much in a hurry..... after that I told him I'll just take a tricycle to go the terminal. It was probably the last van when I arrived at the terminal. I tried to read on a reference material for my class tonight but fell asleep.....

I need to take a day off this week to settle things in the house. I have been so preoccupied I have been neglecting some home chores....

PS: Nung weekend, tinatanong na naman ako ng anak kong panaganay bakit wala pa kami decors para sa Pasko... Kung alam na niya excited na excited akong magdecorate at me bago kaming Belen. Ipinaliwanag ko na mahirap magdecorate na me gumagawa sa bahay.

Kaya pinipilit ko si Ago na tapusin na agad at ng maging normal na ulit buhay namin bago magpasko.... Marami pa talaga ipapagawa at kung gagawin lahat baka lumagpas pa sa Pasko...... at lumagpas pa sa budget ko......

--> Continue reading...

Ika 23 ng Nobyembre 2008: To Do or Not to Do

Brainchild's break....

Two of the workers showed up today.... The aviary area was cleared and it was prepared for installation of tiles tomorrow. The birds are going to have a nice home soon.

The house has been in disarray since last week. I am overwhelmed by the clutter and dirt all over the place. Even the inside of the house is dusty. But I guess we better bear with it for its long term benefits. The drainage work is done..... The stench is gone......yipeeee..... no more stench..... my powder room is useable again.... yay!

In my talk with my foreman, Ago, yesterday, he asked if I might want to improve my zen garden. He suggested taking down the small bridge and putting extension to the koi pond passing under a new bridge that would be constructed..... sounds cool and I am excited. I asked if it will cost much. He said not really.... An imagery formed in my head and I like what I see.

We have informally agreed that they will continue the work on the installation of tiles and the termite treatment. He told me that they can also do our gate giving some very nice suggestion like an addition of a pergola on the small gate. I told him that I am thinking of installing tiles on the garage wall and he suggested using old wood for a rustic look..... hmmmmm. Sounds pretty cool....... He said we can even make use of scrap wood.

We bought the tiles for the aviary and kitchen at the factory of Eurotiles in Silang, Cavite yesterday afternoon ..... quite a long drive but the travel was smooth and fast. One thing about me is I like to ensure that money and time are not wasted if I have to drive that long. I wanted to buy every tile that I see forgetting I have limited funds. When the salesperson gave me my bill, I was short. I even borrowed money from my foreman. I was still short in cash so I told the salesperson to just remove some tiles. It was their closing time when we finished the transaction. Waiting for our order took some time. We came home early evening making me missed hearing mass with the family.

Shortly after arriving home, hubby, MIL, and kids arrived from the church. Ago and I were on the way to his boss's home where he stays. He would show me his work on the gate and the landscaping. Hubby joined us. His boss was not home but I think he is like the caretaker of the house. It turned out that he lives in a house I admire. I pass by that house many times as it is along the main road. The facade has been slowly transformed.... it has a rustic and laid back look. It is really nice. Hubby didn't like the capiz window treatment. We both like the pergola atop the man gate. That is going to be our look too.

I told hubby about Ago's suggestion on the koi pond. He is not very keen on it as he said we would just disturb the fish and it's just a waste of money. I thought about it and maybe he's right. We haven't sold the hubby's car and I might deplete my very limited funds and not be able to do the essentials. So I put on the brakes a bit. I have thae tendency to go overboard if I don't watch it. When it comes to the house, I can easily be swayed. This is the reason why we have not completed it.....

The work continues....... we need to sell the car fast as money will be short soon.......

PS: Sa byahe namin para bumili ng tiles ay nakilala ko si Ago, ang foreman ko na nagkwento ng kanyang buhay. Bagama't hirap akong maintindihan minsan ang pananalita niya, naging eye opener ang kwento niya sa akin.

Hindi typical na trabahador si Ago. Nakatungtong sa kolehiyo at nakatapos ng vocational sa TESDA. Makwento siyang tao kaya naman naaliw din ako sa byahe na yun. Sinabi niya na marami na siyang napasukan. Marami na rin siyang naging negosyo. Marami din daw siyang barkada. Me kapatid siyang me kaya na nakatira sa village namin. Pinatititra naman daw siya ng kapatid subalit parang ayaw ng asawa nito na isang banyaga. Kung kaya dun siya naninirahan sa bahay ng boss niya.

Masayahin tao si Ago kahit na me kapansanan. Me pride .... ayaw lalamangan.... matapang din... at di mangingiming sabihin ang saloobin. Sa trabaho, me mga naengkwentro siyang boss na nandadaya sa pamamagitan ng di pagreremit ng mga kontribusyon nila sa SSS. Nilalabanan niya ang sistema pero ayaw ng mga kasama niya. Umaalis na lang daw siya pag di na niya gusto ang kalakaran. Minsan siya naman ang napapaalis.

Wala rin daw nangyayari sa negosyo niya at karaniwan inuutang ng mga kaibigan ang mga itinitinda niya. Kaya lagi sa konstruksyon siya bumabalik. Sa trabaho na niya natutunan ang mga alam niya niya. Sa dami ng alam niya, mukang siya na ang gagawa ng lahat ng kailangan gawin sa bahay.

Isang linggo na nagtratrabaho si Ago at ang mga tauhan niya sa amin. Madali naman siyang makapalagayan ng loob. Sana ay maging mabuti ang kahihinatnan ng trabaho niya sa amin. Ako yun tao na gusto ko palagay ang loob ko sa taong nagtratrabaho sa akin. Marami na rin akong nasubukan na mga trabahador at bihira na yun napagkakatiwalaan ngayon mga panahon na ito, Sana ay isa si Ago sa mga ito...... para maging mahaba ang serbisyo niya sa amin. Sa bahay naman lagi me kailangan ipagawa kaya kung marunong magmalasakit at mapagkakatiwalaan ang trabahador, sigurado na di siya mawawalan ng trabaho.

--> Continue reading...

Ika 22 ng Nobyembre 2008; Home Improvement

Brainchild's break........



I am waiting for the workers to find out if the work will be finished today. The pipes have been laid and covered with soil except for one pipe. I think the drainage job will be over today.

There are still work to be done. I have contacted our electrician to add some electrical outlets outside and putting up our lantern. I hope we could buy some Christmas lights as my kids always wanted to have some every Christmas. In the old house, we had some Christmas lights but we haven't put up lights since we moved back to our new home. I don't want lights inside the house as I have this fear that it can be a fire hazard. Some of the worst fires have been triggered by defective Christmas lights. The daughter of Congressman Joe De Venecia, KC, perished in a fire caused by their Christmas lights. I always have that grim reminder so I refuse to use these blinkers inside my house.

Hubby's aviary might just be set up sooner than expected. I am buying tiles for this and the auxiliary kitchen later. As soon as the drainage work is over, the workers will start installing tiles in the aviary area and the rest of the auxiliary kitchen. I have been disappointed with the look of my auxiliary kitchen. The floor tiles I chose looked so dark and retains water residue. That would be replaced and the untiled portions of the kitchen will be fully covered. I think that a kitchen tiled wall to wall would look sparklingly clean. It would also make cleaning up easy.

I asked my daughters last night whether they prefer to have window screens to ward mosquitoes and other insects or the gate for our security and privacy. These were the things sacrificed when we ran out of funds building our home. Well, they prefer to have the gate. I have also contacted a shop for this purpose. The shop owner is actually our bird cage maker as well. He told us he used to be in the iron and steel works business but found bigger opportunity in bird cage making as there is lesser competition. He still does iron and steel work occasionally. He told me he would come to the house yesterday to measure and look at the work and make a design for us.

The termite treatment has been started by the workers. Luckily, my foreman has the equipment to do this. I think that they have treated the ground they dug on yesterday as I see dead cockroaches in the area. I was told by the salesperson that cockroaches and other insects are also killed by the treatment.

There was this exhibit of Filipino inventions I found a Mapecon distributor booth at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), the venue of the seminar, yesterday. They were selling termite treatment and it's cheaper than the one I bought at Ace Hardware. I bought this termite treatment for wood which is in powder form. The saleslady claimed it's very effective. Well, Mapecon has been in business for a long time.... I trust that their products will be effective.

It looks like our home will be much improved this Christmas and I am looking forward to that. Our pets would also be in a nicer environment and could have freer access to the garden. Maybe, we would be inviting more friends and relatives to our home this season....

PS: Kahapon tinakasan ko na ang training pagkatapos magpresent ng ginawa naming trabaho ng mga kagrupo ko dahil me klase pa ako. Nagmamadali ako at mag-aalas singko na...... 4:30 ang klase ko. Me mga barker ng pasahero ng bus paglabas mismo ng PTTC. Marami kasing tao dahil me exhibit. Tinanong ko kung me bus na pa-Ayala at tyempo na me bus na nakalagay LRT Ayala na tinuro ng barker. Sakay ako agad.

Pagdating sa kanto lumiko ang bus pakanan... nagtaka ako pero inisip ko mag-UU turn ito.... Dumerecho ang bus.... Pero malapit na ang EDSA kaya naisip ko liliko dun ang bus. Pero umakyat sa flyover ang bus.... Hay naku, pupunta pa pala Baclaran.

Di na ako nakatiis... tinanong ko yun katabi ko kung pupunta ba yun bus ng Ayala, Nagulat siya at sinabi niya sa Baclaran papunta ang bus. Sumama ang muka ko.... Pero sinabi niya na papunta din naman Ayala ang bus.... Ahhh, ok.

Nag-uturn ang bus paglagpas ng simbahan ng Baclaran. Bumaba na lahat ang mga tao. Tinitignan ako ng konduktor at driver. Tinanong ko kung pupunta ng Ayala. Parang gulat na gulat sila. Sabi ko nakalagay kasi LRT Ayala. Umakma akong bababa na nung bumaba ang driver para manigarilyo. Sinabihan niya ako na papunta na rin sila Ayala..... kaya hindi na ako bumaba. Tinanggap ko na na malelate ako sa klase ko. Nagtext ako sa administrador namin para sabihin na mahuhuli ako at paghintayin ang mga bata....

Bakit ba kung kelan nagmamadali nangyayari ang mga ganito?

--> Continue reading...

Ika 21 ng Nobyembre 2008: High and Low

Knowing what to expect in the seminar, I decided to take my time as I needed to monitor the drainage job too. It was progressing well but not too fast. the workers experienced difficulty in drilling the concrete floor, they had to do it manually. The whole stretch has been dug up but the foreman want to ensure that the levelling of the pipes will be done well. I asked him if it will be finished today and he just smiled and said he wouldn't want to put to shame my new friend who recommended him. I said very well then and went my way.


The saga continues at the training center...... She was still at it. This time she showed irritation with questions thrown at her insisting on her way......OMG..... I got my workshop groupmates worried because I came late. I set down to work as soon as I arrived and put the output together with them. When everything was in order, somebody else finished our group work. Anyway, I decided to do something else after working on our training output. The speaker was going around and trying to help????!!!! After the group presentations, this seminar will be over. Thank goodness!

My day, however, is not yet finish. I have class this evening. Oh well, this is a good way to wind up this week of highs and lows.

I expect the weekend to be busy again. I am happy enough that our drainage problem appears solved. I have been assured by the foreman. We can go on with the rest of the home improvement. Maybe, I can decorate.... I am excited because I have a new nativity set this Christmas season.....

PS: Uuwi ang panganay kong anak mamaya.... magkakasama na naman kami.... sana maging masaya ang weekend na ito...... Gusto ko na rin umuwi......

--> Continue reading...

Ika 20 ng Nobyembre 2008: Great Find!

Today is the last of the seminars I am attending this week and I should just enjoy it thinking that I am going back to the kingdom, I mean office next week..... sigh..... just when I was enjoying, I mean increasing my knowledge and honing my skills. It should end so soon, it's a two day training so I would still be there tomorrow.

It is a training on Project Monitoring and Evaluation (PME). I think I possess enough knowledge on it but I always welcome new learning. I have an insatiable need to learn new things. If one really wants to have expertise, there is not enough means to further knowledge. It is said that losing the desire to learn is the death of knowledge. One is also never too old to learn.

When I entered the room, the training has started. The speaker looked familiar. I checked the program and saw her name and affiliation. It turned out she is the Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School of San Beda College where I taught before. I checked out the material as she was discussing it. The more she spoke, the more I realized that I know most of the stuff she was talking about. However, I was already there and couldn't turn back.... I have been allocated a training budget for this seminar and if I don't attend, I would have to pay for it. I'd like to stress this is not my original choice but since the year was ending and the training calendar will close by yearend, there was no other choice but put those who weren't able to attend their seminars in the remaining programs. I was wondering why our HR people wouldn't even look at the profile of the staff. Anyway, I should be grateful I was given this training.

Later in the seminar, there were some things presented which made me skeptical about the ability of our speaker. I am sure she has impressive credentials given her position and the title Dr. which is attached to her name. When I could no longer bear it, I asked a question and I seemed to get her cornered, she was evasive and bluffed her way. I tried hard to be polite. Another guy asked questions and I was cringing at her answers which gave away her lack of knowledge on the subject matter. She said that she once hired a teacher who was not qualified for the job and she told the teacher she should not apply for a job that she is not qualified to undertake. My question is why hire the teacher in the first place..... Are they not able to screen who among the applicants are qualified? Our speaker said that one should not undertake a task he/she is not qualified to do.... and there she was. I find her to be an apologist who claimed she was using the simplistic method in teaching us M&E when actually she is clueless about what she was discussing.

When lunchbreak came, I approached her and introduced myself. She remembered me..... there were the usual pleasantries and by the end of our chat she was asking for my cv .... I wasn't sure about her sincerity but I was thinking what!!!! I was one of the professors they let go for speaking out what we thought the college lacked before a board of appraisers of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU). Once accredited, a school, college, or university would have certain freedoms such as opening a course without getting approval from the CHED. It's a form of deregulation for academic institutions which would be qualified under their standards. The administrators thought we did them in.... They said we can be honest and when we said our observations, they hated our guts..... queer bunch of people. They should just have told us to lie or else we lose our jobs. At least we know what the consequences of our actions were.

After lunch, the lecture continued. Still, more questions from me and others came. She told us her stories of how she helped her students became entrepreneurs instead. That's one thing about her, she loves to talk about the good things she has done for others. Once or twice, that's ok but for the entire seminar, that is just self-glorification. When it was clear she was cornered, she tried to get the heat off by conducting the workshop. During the workshop which she had no idea how to handle, she was giving instructions that should be given to undergraduates, not to professionals with enough experience and who want to apply the learning in a work setting. OMG, how should we dismiss an academician with no knowledge of the corporate setting and the macro environment? She is clearly unfit for this job. As when I helped PAASCU appraisers evaluate the capability of our school to exercise certain freedom, I will give her what is due her comes evaluation time tomorrow.

I was looking forward to the end of the day, not only because I want to end my aggravation but more importantly the tyangge at the DBP starts today. This is the tyangge I was looking forward to visit. Last year, even if I was so busy with my JPEPA work, I managed to squeeze in a visit and bought several nice things in there. I and two friends who attended the seminar went to the tyangge... one friend decided not to go with us due to a previous appointment.

The way I savor my tyangge adventure is to first do a thorough hunting and not immediately buy the first things that I fancy. This year I have my mind set on the stuff I would buy. I was trying not to be excited and splurge aimlessly... I could end up with miscellaneous and not buy what I really want. I couldn't carry so much and I might exceed my budget. I saw the shop where I bought some burners and scents last year. I love the scents so much and they were quite a steal at P25 per bottle of maybe 20ml. This year the price is P50 but I haggled with the shop owner and got it for P35. I told her to reserve all the available bottles of cranberry apple which really smell good. I told her I would go around first and will come back. I bought some food stuff. My other friend would leave as she has a shuttle service to catch. I went around another time, more slowly this time as I couldn't find the nice shops I found last year.....until I saw the maker of the antique angels I bought last year. Eureka! I found my oasis.....

I actually wanted a replacement for the angels because one of the angels fell and broke. I painstakingly glued it together but it does not look as nice as before. Then, I saw this nativity set which the owner said costs P1800. I bargained with the her to give it to me for P1200. We compromised on P1500. She said they sell it at the exporters' bazaar for more than P4,000. She also has this set of three angels made of resins with a wooden finish selling for P600 and I bought that too. Then looking at my baggage, 2 big bags, I had to stop. I was taking a jeepney to go to my shuttle service. The bags were heavy but I was happy with my find. Never mind that I had to occupy the whole floor of the jeepney I rode going to the terminal, impeded flow of blood in my hands; paid for two seats in the van and rode a tricycle going home...... I think I found a very good replacement for the lost Nativity Set. Like any woman, shopping proved therapeutic for this weary soul today........

PS: Habang nasa van, tinext ko ang anak kong panganay para kumustahin kung magaling na. Mabuti at magaling na. Mahirap lang katext ang anak kong ito at maikli lang sumagot. Pinipilit ko magkaroon ng mahaba-habang usapan pero panay yup lang yata ang natanggap kong text. Hayaan na nga.... basta magaling na siya.... ok na yun...

--> Continue reading...

Ika 19 ng Nobyembre 2008: Social Artistry

Today I am attending the second of my series of seminars this week. Like yesterday, I was off to Ayala Museum which is the venue of our seminar called social artistry. What got me interested in trying out this seminar was I didn't know what it was all about. No harm in trying..... What's the worst that could happen? I'll be bored to death I'd fall asleep.... but wait that could be a plus. I lack sleep and dozing off in a cool training room isn't such a bad idea..... hmmmmmmm. But really, sleeping in a seminar was far from my mind when I chose this seminar. Surely, I'd like some time off from my cubicle and the rest of us must have felt the same thing.

I am glad our mafia, I mean HR people are coming up with innovative human resource development programs for the staff. When I teach, I always inculcate in the minds of my students who would be future entrepreneurs the importance of human resources. HR is the most important resource of any organization. Business owners and managers should bear that in mind. Industrial revolution which encourage some form of slavery has been long dead. Occupational therapists and psychologists are stressing the importance of work-life balance in improving the quality of life.

The gang, I mean HR in our office must have realized this fact and their attempt at making our lives interesting by deviating from our usual routines is most welcome. It used to be just the boring and usual stuff we all attend.... values formation which never sinks in; effective business presentation and yet we couldn't speak in a meeting, much less in public; technical writing and some of us couldn't even write a decent letter or memo; 5S is passe; project development is so so...... Social artistry sounds interesting enough there were about 30 of us who attended the seminar. There were three segments........ dance, theater, and film. I am shy when it comes to performing and I chose film when I registered. I was told that I will be bumped off because there should only be eight participants in the film segment. The dance is already filled up. Only theater which I dread the most can still accommodate participants. I insisted on being enlisted in film although I was informed that I can only be accommodated if someone backs out.

The seminar already started when I went inside the venue. I laid down my bag and quickly joined the rest in making rhythmic moves as we danced to chants and what sounds like tribal music. The music of Grace Nono, a friend of our resource person, was used in some moves.I like the stretching but I don't like lying on the floor because I have aversion to surfaces walked on by dirty footwear. I faked some of the floor exercises. BTW, the lady instructor, who is also a performer, is a tiny piece of humanity, really, really thin.

The next segment was theater and our resource person teaches actors and performers. He taught us how to use movements and voice in making the audience feel our acting. He was an interesting mentor although some of his activities made us look crazy. There was general audience participation but sometimes we can get confused on what we were attempting to do. Some of the exercises include connecting words to make a story, different pacing of sentences, different intonation in saying a thing you want to convey. We also had stretching exercise because the speaker came in from the cold.

A generous lunch was served to us after the second segment. Our full stomach proved detrimental in keeping up with the speaker on film, the last segment. He was a young artist who has some good points to say on the use of photography and film as a work of art. There are other forms: architecture, sculpture, painting, others but he said some that struck me...... photography and film in a sense being related to this medium is the only art form which evokes emotions. He has some interesting and useful pointers in taking photos but I couldn't keep my eyes open. Probably, half of the participants were in dreamland judging from the ebb and flow of the heads......

We were divided into three groups after this last segment. I was actually allowed to join the film group but I need a camera which I did not bring. I volunteered to be placed in theater. With a smaller group in the workshop, everyone participated. The resource person seemed to be reinvigorated after lunch that he wanted us to do a 10-part performance. At the end, we were getting confused in what we need to do but complied. The latter portion was not practiced to perfection.

We were then to perform in front of the other groups. The presentation started with film in the form of making a story out of the photographs taken. Then, it was our turn. I guess we had a lively presentation which kept the audience in stitches. The dance group was the finale number. We actually went beyond the 5:00pm schedule but it was an enjoyable activity we didn't mind. Going home, my friends wanted me to join them in exploring Greenbelt V which I have not seen. Unfortunately, I can't as I have an errand to do...... buy termite treatment so that the workers can apply it before they close the hole they dug. From the museum, I pass the walkway leading to Landmark and then Glorietta. There was something going on at the activity area and I saw on the big screen that Michael Johns, an AI finalist and my favorite from this year's contestant, will have a concert. I wanted to watch and retracted my steps but the call of duty was stronger. I rode a van at the terminal, went through a congested highway, passed by the mall and bought the stuff, and finally went home.

I am tired..... tomorrow I'll be attending a training program on project monitoring and evaluation, not my original choice. Effective business presentation skills was my original choice which I couldn't attend due to the Senate hearings. I was told it was a good seminar and there was only one session this year. This training replaced that seminar.... and I have attended this seminar gazillion times.....hmmmmmmmm...... I might just have that sleeping time.

PS: Me lagnat yun panganay kong anak pero pumasok pa rin siya kaninang umaga. Mahirap pag malayo yun anak mo sa yo pag me sakit. Nag-alala ako pero walang magawa at malayo nga. Sana magaling na siya......

--> Continue reading...

Ika 18 ng Nobyembre 2008: Interior Design Seminar

I have two seminars reset because of the Senate sessions I attended last month. Starting this week, I am on a roll in attending seminars.... three seminars this week. Today, I attended a seminar on basic interior design. We were given a choice by our HRD in line with their human capital program. Well, I have vested interest in attending this course. I can immediately apply the learning. My home is continuously a work-in process.........

This morning I was rushing to make it to the 8:00am schedule. Still, some chores needed my personal attention. My son wasn't able to answer two questions in math and I was trying to explain the concept of converting a mixed fraction into a simple fraction before any operation is performed and the school bus arrived. He rushed out and I followed suit explaining what needs to be done so he can complete his homework in school.

I left early and caught a van at the terminal. I fell asleep while on transit and arrived late at the seminar held at Ayala Museum. I haven't seen it since we had a field trip there in high school. I am sure it looks so different now and I couldn't even remember how it looked before. Anyway, the building looks nice and contemporary. My only complaint is there are limited toilets. And some of our seminars are held there.

The seminar already started when I got inside the venue. I sat beside a colleague who works in the same building as I do. We share a common interest in decorating our homes. I learned a lot from the seminar. Our speaker is an architect who is also an interior designer and teaches at the Philippine School of Interior Design. He said that interior decoration is different from interior design. The former is concerned with aesthetics while the latter covers the whole gamut of the look, space usage, and functionality. He deals with many clients, rich clients. He is not a believer of feng sui but is forced to comply with this way of thinking due to clients' insistence. He shared that sometimes design, space usage, or functionality suffer. But the clients are paying him for the job and so he must comply with their request.

I was all ears to the talk as it is pretty interesting to me. He welcomed questions and I had a lot. He was very patient in dealing with us. Of course, I hope to see his answers executed in my home in the foreseeable future. The seminar was capped with a tour of two Avida condominium units in Makati. I know that condo living, even with the current financial crisis, is the direction being pursued by developer because of the demand and potential demand for condo units by students, employees, and possibly empty nesters. The condo model units are so tiny and yet tastefully designed. I was thinking with the rental we pay for my daughter's dorm, it might be worth investing in a condo unit when my middle daughter goes to college. For now, that is just wishful thinking.......

We were brought back to the venue after the tour. We were finished by 3:00pm and my colleague and I had a chance to window shop at Landmark to kill time before I go to school. Yesterday's class was reset to today as I needed to finish my performance appraisal.

Tomorrow, I'll be attending a seminar on social artistry.... what the heack is that? I don't know. We'll find out tomorrow......

PS: Nasa eskwelahan ang may ari kaninang pag dating ko dun. Ipinakilala ako ng aming administrative head at ngayon ko lang siya makakausap ng personal. Nagkita na kami nung book launching niya pero siguradong di na niya ako matatandaan.

Nakakagiliw kausap si ma'am.... marami siyang ideya... at me ideolohiya din siyang isinusulong kaya naging mahaba ngunit makabuluhan ang usapan namin. Meron din siyang ikinunsulta na isang alalahanin sa isang negosyo niya na me problema.

Inip na inip ang mga estudyante ko pero hindi rin naaman ako makaalis at nahihiya akong magpaalam habang nagdidiskusyon kami. Matapos ang mahabang oras nakahanap ako ng tyempo at dali daling pumunta sa silid aralan. Tinapos ko na lang ang paksa namin nung isang linggo at hiningi ang assignment na pinagawa ko sa kanila.

Kakarating ko lang ng bahay.......

--> Continue reading...

Ika 17 ng Nobyembre 2008: Dizzying Monday

So early in the morning and it's been dizzying....... Everyone left the house early for work or school and I was the only one left to:

1. Supervise clearing out the garage for the drainage work.
2. Checke the materials delivered.
3. Leave last-minute instruction to my helpers in checking things from time to time and providing nourishment to the workers.

I was trying to read my old materials on my subject in class tonight while on my way to the office but I fell asleep. It's been a tiring weekend to say the least.

As soon as I arrived in the office, I was told that the rating of personnel is scheduled today and I haven't even done my performance rating..... And I found staff performance appraisals on my table for review and approval. So rush I did to make my own performance appraisal for two periods and review the staff's rating ..... Everything has to be finished today because I will be on training almost the entire week except today beginning tomorrow.

I am not also sure if the appraisal of staff will be done this afternoon. I had to sit in that meeting and I have classes tonight. I can't cancel my classes right away because there might not be time for our office staff to be rated and it might just be reset and I wouldn't want to waste tonight..... it's not so easy scheduling make-up classes as well. Oh boy, what am I gonna do?

PS: Sa dami ng plano kong gawin sa bahay, kung ano ano tuloy tinitignan ko kahapon sa Ace Hardware. Bumili ako ng mga gamit sa pag-aayos ng banyo ko. Tumingin din ako ng mga tiles at me mga lugar na ipapatile na namin.

Nabaling ang atensyon ko sa mga kemikal na panlaban sa anay. Meron na palang nabibiling mga ganito at pwede na rin DIY. Hmmmmmmm.... Isa ang anay treatment sa ipapagawa ko at makakatipid ako kung bibili na lang ako ng kemikal. Pwede ko rin ipagawa sa iba ang paglalagay ng gamot at makakatipid pa rin ng konti. Isa pa siguradong mas sagana ang gamot na gagamitin kung ako bibili kesa ikontrata ko ng buo ang anay treament.

Maganda rin yun sinasaliksik ang buong hardware at di mo alam kung anong makabuluhang bagay ang makikita mo. Nagkataon pang me isang mama na bumibili din nung gamot na binigyan payo din ako.

Pera na lang ang kailangan para matapos lahat ng trabaho sa bahay.... Paalam 13th month pay.....

--> Continue reading...

Ika 16 ng Nobyembre 2008: The Great Repair 2

Brainchild's break.....

After a thorough inspection by our plumber, the verdict is the drainage system is going to be replaced from the garden to the garage. Our suspicion has been confirmed that the old concrete pipes were retained and it turned out that half of the garden's pipe have been replaced by a new pipe while half of it is the old concrete pipe. And that means our garage is going to be dug up starting today. The work might run for a week. Again, !#$%^&**(*( to my contractor......

Yesterday, I really had it ..... you know how the hits keep on coming just when you have too much...... it was pretty much like that. When the plumber finished his assessment of the drainage work, I asked him to replace the bidet in my bathroom which has been leaking. I thought the bidet is damaged. He replaced it but the leaking did not stop. Then my water closet has been running continously. My son probably used it as he was in my room when I brought the plumber to the bathroom. The running water has not stopped..... probably the valve won't close properly. My water closet is the type that should be opened by a professional plumber. I got another work coming.....

After doing our grocery shopping, my celfone light dimmed..... great I thought @#$%&*&**. That is my only celfone right now and it's working perfectly except that I can't read its screen. It was issued to me by my office so I just couldn't have it repaired. My other celfone was stolen and I did not replace it. I was exhausted and this is just a great way to cap my day. By nighttime, I could just rant chatting with my friend who cared to listen..... And I am ranting again.....

BTW, I also have watches which need battery replacement and one with a broken bracelet. I have several clothes that need sewing....... and the pump of our zen fountains also need repair or replacement.......

I have had enough..... Please make this day right.

Having a bad day...

PS: Kahapon me bisita ang anak kong panganay na mga kaibigan na dating kaklase sa high school. Ang galing naman talaga ng timing.... kung kelan me ginagawa sa bahay. Pero dahil minsan lang magbisita ang anak kong ito... eh di ok lang. Iniisip ko na lang na labas lang naman yun magulo..... at di na rin baha yun banyo sa ibaba at magagamit na.

Nasa labas din kami halos buong hapon hanggang gabi dahil sa mga kung ano anong pinamili. Galing sa hardware at bilihan ng kulungan ng ibon, umuwi kami para idiskarga ang mga pinamili. Nandon na ang mga kaibigan ng anak ko..... aba at me dala ng meryenda na popcorn at ice cream. Masaya silang nagkakainan habang nakaupo sa sahig. Di maintindihan at me lamesa at silya naman kami. Pero pinabayaan ko na.

Umalis ulit kami para maggrocery at sunduin ang pangalawa kong anak. Pag dating namin sa supermarket, tumawag ang anak ko at tinatanong kung pwede niya manehohin ang bagong kotse ng daddy niya at ihahatid daw ang mga kaibigan sa me gate ng subdivision. Di ko alam ang sasabihin ko kaya ibinigay ko sa daddy niya. Alanganin ang daddy niya kaya di pinayagan ang anak ko at sinabi na pasamahan na lang sa kasama namin sa bahay hanggang gate.

Hindi naman ayaw lang siyang payagan, Matampuhin ang anak kong ito at minsan lang humiling kaya madalas pinagbibigyan namin. Kaya pag dating namin sa bahay, pumanhik kaagad ang daddy niya at sinabi na wala pa kasi siyang lisensiya at wala siyang kasamang marunong magmaneho kaya di pinayagan. Per kung meron daw, ok lang naman sabi ng daddy niya...... kaya? hmmmmmmmmmmm.... tignan natin....

--> Continue reading...

Ika 15 ng Nobyembre 2008: The Great Repair

Brainchild's break...........

I woke up a little late than usual and went downstairs. All the dogs were in the garden as if waiting for their human mum to give them their breakfast. They must really think I am their mum. I am not in the mood to prepare a special treat and just gave them their usual dog food....... seven bowls in all. My helper takes care of feeding the three dogs outside. I laid down the bowls and they were let inside.....

I joined the rest of the family for our breakfast. That's how domesticated my dogs have become as men and beasts had their breakfast together...... It has been a while since we had almost the entire family having breakfast together....... almost because my eldest daughter was not with us. My two girls usually don't join us in our morning meal as they wake up late, very late in fact. But today, my middle daughter is going to her school for some group project and contracted his Dad to be her chauffeur. So she was up early, woke up her Dad and joined us for breakfast,

My eldest daughter is still sleeping and any attempt to wake her up would prove futile. We have given up on her on this. The only reason she would wake up early on a non-school day would be because of the following:

1. She had to work on a school project.
2. She will be meeting with friends (This is adjusted as to the actual time she would wake up).
3. We have a very important family affair (This one would not even be cast in stone that we have made schedules of family affairs to be as flexible as possible depending on what the affair is and who would be in that affair. Funerals and weddings would count among the must-be-on-time affairs and any prolonging tactics are met with stern warning and repeated barging in her room).

We were having breakfast when the plumber came. I went out to meet him and his assistant and asked my helper to lead them to the problem area. They started working right away and the stench enveloped the entire house. They are still at it. So far, they cleared out the drainage under the auxiliary kitchen which was flooding our service area and the powder room. They attributed it to the same cause as what happened twice in the past...... grease and food residue.,,,,,, which is directly attributable to my helpers' ways in the kitchen. Even the workers before said the same thing and my helpers were lectured on the proper way. I made a daily check after the past incidents but after some time trusted that they have learned their lessons...... but apparently not. What is it about the mentality and attitude of people we employ that they cannot do a simple job properly! No amount of motivation can make them sustain the proper way of doing the right thing. They do for some time whenever you are looking and after awhile would go back to their old ways again. Maybe, they are inconvenienced by removing all residue and just let everything go to the sink. Unfortunately, we have not installed a grease trap or automatic dish washing system which can be expensive. Maybe, it is worth the investment........ Then again, I am thinking if only our employees could love their job and provide good service. Am I asking too much?

I am afraid what they will uncover next..... The thing about problem that you don't see is it could be just the beginning and what lies underneath may be the real problem. We are facing that hard fact and are willing to uncover the mystery of our clogged drainage. They are working in the garden now and it seems our suspicion on the work rendered by our contractor is correct. There is a cut in the drainage system and it was not simply a bad job, there was intentional deceit and I guess that we need to replace the entire stretch from the garden to the garage.............. that is a really big job. To my contractor, wherever you are, I hope you stop getting projects as people like you do not deserve the license given you by your profession .......... so young yet so crooked........

PS: Kakalabas lang ng anak kong bunso sa silid aralan namin kung saan nandito ako gumagawa ng kung ano anong bagay habang tinitignan tignan ko yun gumagawa sa labas. Kanina pa tahimik yun anak ko at ni hindi naglaro ng kanyang computer games na lagi niyang ginagawa tuwing walang pasok. Medyo nagtataka ako pero di ko binigyan ng kahulugan, Marahil sabik pa sa bagong celfone na binigay ng asawa ko sa kanya..... me camera ito.

Nabigla ako na sinabi na na me sinuntok siya sa mukha na isang estudyante. Tinanong ko kung bakit dahil daw matagal na siyang inaasar ng batang ito na isa rin batang me ibang pangangailangan sa pag-aaral. Ikwinento niya na pinigilan siya ng kanilang guro na tumitingin sa kanya at nangako siya na hindi na niya uulitin. Nabagabag man ako sa ginawa ng anak ko, meron din akong nakitang maganda sa kanya. Kusa niyang sinabi sa akin bago ko pa mabasa sa diary niya. Kusa na niyang pinarusahan ang sarili sa hindi paglalaro sa computer. Dinagdagan ko ang parusang ito na tinanggap naman niya ng maayos. Kalmante na rin ang pagsasabi niya sa akin na me pagsisisisi kaya sinabi niya na hindi na niya uulitin.

Kailangan pa rin ng gabay ng anak ko at siyempre nandito naman ako palagi. Pero lagi rin tuwing me nangyayaring ganito, ipinagdadasal ko na sana nga hindi na niya ulitin ulit.....

--> Continue reading...

Ika 14 ng Nobyembre 2008: To Decorate or Not

It's Friday and I am thinking about what to do this weekend. Hubby has been all agog in his bird searching lately and want to go to some breeders this weekend. We have been doing that the past two weekends.

I remember my eldest daughter asking me why we have not set up our Christmas tree and decorated our home for the yuletide. In fact, I just took off our miniscule halloween decor last weekend. Last year, I put on the Christmas tree and decors as soon as I blew out the candle on All Soul's Day. This year, I haven't decided yet...... That drainage problem is messing up my schedule. But I also have to heed my family's request and put a mood of festivities at home. That drainage has to be fixed at all cost!

I am getting tired of our Christmas decors after two years. I bought the Christmas tree and the trimmings two years ago after we moved back to our home two days before Christmas. The house was still a mess as it was not finished yet. Our contractor made two rooms and two toilet and bath in the second floor useable. The Christmas tree was a surprise for my son who wanted a big tree. Our old one would be too small for the new house. Robinson's Galleria had a sale on Christmas tree and decors at 50% off the original price..... quite a bargain I thought. So I bought the tree and decors.

Inspite of the mess, my daughters and I put the Christmas tree a day before Christmas. We couldn't even cook as the kitchen sink and the stove had not been installed yet. We ate in the mall lunch and dinner and my children were craving for home-cooked meal. We didn't have much that Christmas as we probably spent every penny on the house and the expenses kept on coming...... But we had a tree...... our first big Christmas tree. That probably made us feel Christmas in an environment of disarray. I remember an old student of mine bringing a box of apples and wading through our stuff to find me in one of the rooms.

Last year, I had time in my hands to really decorate. I bought some more decors and trimmings in every bazaars and tyangge in town. I had more time to scrounge through our old stuff and put aside decors I can still use. I gave my old Christmas tree to my brother. I lost our Nativity Set to theft by the people of my contractor. I was saddened by this because that Nativity Set along with the old Christmas tree had been with us for all our Christmases in our old house. I would have wanted to preserve the Nativity Set for sentimental reasons and because I considered that one of my better finds in a tyangge. The figures are made of resin but are very exquisitely made. I still have the wooden stable where I put the figures. I have been trying hard to find a good replacement since last year but still no luck..... either the set I find are not to my liking or I couldn't afford it. I am waiting for a tyangge I always go to every year and will scout for one. I hope to find a nice and reasonably-priced nativity set.

This year, my enthusiasm for decorating is at an all time low. I had major repairs and improvements that need to be done pronto. I want those work done before I even start getting my Christmas stuff out. We are searching for a good place for the tree as last year our male shih tzu, Moshi, made the decors his chew toys. With more mutts in the house which I am thinking of stationing outside once I have their place put in order with limited access inside, I am afraid the tree will be bald even before we partake of our Noche Buena. Then I find our motiff of bronze, orange, and gold a little drab now. I think I want more colors this holiday. My sex and the city set will have our Christmas get together at home. Hubby's siblings go to the house on Christmas day since MIL lives with us. My own siblings go to the house towards the new year. Other friends are expected to drop by unexpectedly.

So shall I decorate this weekend? Probably I'll delay it a little until after the drainage work is done.... next week would be a good target.

For now, I should stop thinking about my weekend chores as I still have a school to attend later.......

(Note: Beginning with this post, I will be putting subtitle in my daily blog "One Day Isang Araw" whenever necessary. I got this information that a reader's inability to find something useful or interesting in your blog site could be one of 10 Mistakes that could be Killing your Blog. I figure that the subtitle could make a search for something easier. I have also experienced difficulty in searching for some information within my own blog.)

PS: Ang galing naman mg ad ng Cebu Pacific na me tagline na "Unfare ba kami" at "Proud to be unfare" para sa kanilang mga budget fares sa iba't ibang bansa. Isa ang Cebu Pacific sa mga kumpanya na naging mabilis ang pagasenso nitong nakaraang dekada. Kung maaalala natin, hindi maganda ang reputasyon ng Cebu Pacific dahil sa mga aksidente ng mga eroplano nito. Subali't itinaguyod ito ng mga Gokongwei para maging pangalawang pinakamalaking kumpanya ng mga panghimpapawid na byahe. Dati pag me byahe kami sa trabaho, sinasabihan ko ang nag-aayos ng byahe namin na ayaw ko sumakay sa eroplano ng Cebu Pacific. Ngayon, sinabi ng isang dati kong boss dito na isa ng commercial trade attache na mas bago daw ang mga eroplano ng Cebu Pacific kesa sa Philippine Airlines, nangungunang kumpanya ng panghimpapawid na byahe. Maganda rin ang naging resulta nito kasi napigilan ang pagiging monopoly ng PAL na nakabuti sa ating mga pasahero. Ngayon nagmumurahan ang mga airfare patungo sa iba't ibang lugar. Pambili na lang ng tiket ang problema natin.

Hindi pa ako nakasakay sa eroplano ng Cebu Pacific pero palagay ko ay masusubok ko ang pagkaunfare nila pag natuloy na kami ng mga anak ko sa aming pagpunta kay Dayap na matagal na me imbitasyon sa amin

--> Continue reading...