ThOuGhTs, iDeAs, oPiNiOnS, cHaTtEr: August 2005

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Skeleton Key Turn-Over

Today, went to the condominium where I invested for one unit. Met my agent, who turned-over the keys of my condo unit. Yes! I am now a proud condo owner. c",)

It is the first time I've been there, so, I checked the facilities: the swimming pool, the gym, the laundry room, the function room and the roofdeck.

Frankly, I have no plans to live in the condo. I just want to have something I can say I own, something I have invested and where my hard-earned earnings went.

Now, what to do... what to do...
1) Maintain the unit and parking.
2) Have the unit and parking rented-out.
3) Maintain the unit and have the parking rented-out.

Already in my mind's eye, I can picture what furniture goes where... But, I still want to hire an interior decorator to make my small unit look big and spacious. Hmmm....

Today, finally watched The Skeleton Key. It's about Caroline who took a job as a live-in nurse at a remote house to take care of an ailing husband. The house is creepy, prompting Caroline to do her explorations. Much more when she overheard the wife mention to her (wife's) lawyer that she "should understand the house".

The treatment is different from other Asian horror movie remakes (like The Ring, Dark Water, etc.), which happens to be the trend in Hollywood today. The movie is more of a thriller than a horror movie. What I liked is the twist at the end, providing a classy air for a thriller.

Today, attended the anticipated Mass and we had dinner at Super Bowl. For a meal consisting of Super Bowl combo platter, Yang Chow fried rice, Lemon Chicken and Braised Tofu with Mushroom, three of the four of us paid only P50.00 each! Thanks to the gift certificate one of our friends shared with us.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Office Bes-PWEH

She's at it again! She happens to be my office bes-pweh. (hehehe!) A friend tagged her as such when she read my previous post wherein I fleetingly mentioned about her. Boy! is my friend sharp.

The meeting today, with her as one of the attendees, is a trying experience. My patience has been tried... and tried... and tried. Good thing, it did not snap. Was still able to come out as open-minded, welcoming, courteous and pretty! hahahaha!

She managed to come up with inane ideas--I consider them as such, anyway. Inspite of all (factual and with basis) explanations, she still persisted. Just to end the discussion, told her that her concern will be raised to proper channels.

What ruffled my feathers, she managed to come up with a barb as if we were incompetent. Would have loved to throw it to her face and tell her to be at the helm and see if she can do better! Haayyy.... She's noted for accepting an assignment, but when it's the time to deliver, she denies that she committed on doing it! Haayyy... (again)

Well, at least, I am in good company. I'm not the only one who considers her an office bes-pweh. We are many, believe me! We can only smile and shake our head in disbelief. c",)

When you encounter unreasonable people, just think of them as "sandpaper". They rub and scratch you painfully, but eventually, you end up smoother and polished.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Must Love Chocolates

Today is Must Love Dogs day for me! Would have watched another movie, to be specific, The Skeleton Key, if only I won those premiere tickets... As if! (lol)

The movie is about Sarah, a single pre-school teacher who just went through an ugly divorce. Her family wants her to be on the dating scene again, where one of her sisters even went to posting a personal ad in perfectmatch.com. When someone responds to the ad, that's where the story began.

I would describe the movie as "cute", with a sprinkle of funny dialogues as they "parry" wit among themselves. Oh! And the dog is soooooo cute! c",)

After the movie, met with my niece and her friends. Bought them tickets for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as they spend some time at an arcade before the movie. I then attended the anticipated mass as the three youngsters enjoyed themselves in the cinema. Then, had dinner at Pancake.

Thursday, August 18, 2005

What your Birth Month means...

Received the following in my e-mail...

What your Birth Month means...

JANUARY

Ambitious and serious
Loves to teach and be taught
Always looking at people's flaws and weaknesses
Likes to criticize
Hardworking and productive
Smart, neat and organized
Sensitive and has deep thoughts
Knows how to make others happy
Quiet unless excited or tensed
Rather reserved
Highly attentive
Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds
Romantic but has difficulties expressing love
Loves children
Homely person
Loyal
Needs to improve social abilities
Easily jealous

FEBRUARY

Abstract thoughts
Loves reality and abstract
Intelligent and clever
Changing personality
Temperamental
Quiet, shy and humble
Low self-esteem
Honest and loyal
Determined to reach goals
Loves freedom
Rebellious when restricted
Loves aggressiveness
Too sensitive and easily hurt
Showing anger easily
Dislike unnecessary things
Loves making friends but rarely shows it
Daring and stubborn
Ambitious
Realising dreams and hopes
Sharp
Loves entertainment and leisure
Romantic on the inside not ouside
Superstitious and ludicrous
Spendthrift
Learns to show emotions

MARCH

Attractive personality
Affectionate
Shy and reserved
Secretive
Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic
Loves peace and serenity
Sensitive to others
Loves to serve others
Not easily angered
Trustworthy
Appreciative and returns kindness
Observant and assess others
Revengeful
Loves to dream and fantasize
Loves travelling
Loves attention
Hasty decisions in choosing partners
Loves home decors
Musically talented
Loves special things
Moody

APRIL

Active and dynamic
Decisive and hasteful but tends to regret
Attractive and affectionate to oneself
Strong mentality
Loves attention
Diplomatic
Consoling
Friendly and solves people's problems
Brave and fearless
Adventurous
Loving and caring
Suave and generous
Emotional
Revengeful
Agressive
Hasty
Good memory
Moving
Motivate oneself and others
Sickness usually of the head and chest
Easily get too jealous

MAY

Stubborn and hard-hearted
Strong-willed and highly motivated
Sharp thoughts
Easily angered
Attracts others and loves attention
Deep feelings
Beautiful physically and mentally
Firm standpoint
Easily influenced
Needs no motivation
Easily consoled
Systematic (left-brain)
Loves to dream
Strong clairvoyance
Understanding
Sickness usually in the ear and neck
Good imagination
Good debating skills
Good physical
Weak breathing
Loves literature and the arts
Loves travelling
Dislike being at home
Restless
Hardworking
High-spirited
Spendthrift

JUNE

Thinks far with vision
Easily influenced by kindness
Polite and soft-spoken
Having lots of ideas
Sensitive
Active mind
Hesitating
Tends to delay
Choosy and always wants the best
Temperamental
Funny and humorous
Loves to joke
Good debating skills
Talkative
Daydreamer
Friendly
Knows how to make friends
Abiding
Able to show character
Easily hurt
Prone to getting colds
Loves to dress up
Easily bored
Fussy
Seldom show emotions
Takes time to recover when hurt
Brand conscious
Executive
Stubborn
Those who loves me are enemies
Those who hates me are friends

JULY

Fun to be with
Secretive
Difficult to fathom and to be understood
Quiet unless excited or tensed
Takes pride in oneself
Has reputation
Easily consoled
Honest
Concern about other people's feelings
Tactful
Friendly
Approachable
Very emotional
Temperamental and unpredictable
Moody and easily hurt
Witty and sarky
Sentimental
Not revengful
Forgiving but never forgets
Dislike nonsensical and unnecessary things
Guides others physically and mentally
Sensitive and forms impressions carefully
Caring and loving
Treats others equally
Strong sense of sympathy
Wary and sharp
Judge people through observations
Hardworking
No problems in studying
Loves to be alone!
Always broods about the past and old friends
Likes to be quiet
Homely person
Waits for friends
Never looks for friends
Not aggressive unless provoked
Prone to having stomach and dieting problems
Loves to be loved
Easily hurt but takes long to recover
Overly concerned
Puts in effort in work

AUGUST

Loves to joke
Attractive
Suave and caring
Brave and fearless
Firm and has leadership qualities
Knows how to console others
Too generous and egoistic
Take high pride of oneself
Thirsty for praises
Extraordinary spirit
Easily angered
Angry when provoked
Easily jealous
Observant
Careful and cautious
Thinks quickly
Independent thoughts
Loves to lead and to be led
Loves to dream
Talented in the arts, music and defence
Sensitive but not pretty
Poor resistance against illnesses
Learns to relax
Hasty and rushy
Romantic
Loving and caring
Loves to make friends

SEPTEMBER

Suave and compromising
Careful, cautious and organised
Likes to point out people's mistakes
Likes to criticize
Quiet but able to talk well
Calm and cool
Kind and sympathetic
Concerned and detailed
Trustworhy, loyal and honest
Does work well
Sensitive
Thinking
Good memory
Clever and knowledgeable
Love to look for information
Must control onself when criticising
Able to motivate oneself
Understanding
Secretive
Loves sports, leisure and travelling
Hardly shows emotions
Tends to bottle up feelings
Choosy especially in relationships
Loves wide things
Systematic

OCTOBER

Loves to chat
Loves those who loves him
Loves to take things at the centre
Attractive and suave
Inner and physical beauty
Does not lie or pretend
Sympathetic
Treats friends importantly
Always making friends
Easily hurt but recovers easily
Bad tempered
Selfish
Seldom helps unless asked
Daydreamer
Very opinionated
Does not care of what others think
Emotional
Decisive
Strong clairvoyance
Loves to travel, the arts and literature
Soft-spoken, loving and caring
Romantic
Touchy and easily jealous
Concerned
Loves outdoors
Just and fair
Spendthrift and easily influenced
Easily lose confidence

NOVEMBER

Has a lot of ideas
Difficult to fathom
Thinks forward
Unique and brilliant
Extraordinary ideas
Sharp thinking
Fine and strong clairvoyance
Can become good doctors
Careful and cautious
Dynamic in personality
Secretive
Inquisitive
Knows hot to dig secrets
Always thinking
Less talkative but amiable
Brave and generous
Patient
Stubborn and hard-hearted
If there is a will, there is a way
Determined
Never give up
Hardly become angry unless provoked
Loves to be alone
Thinks differently from others
Sharp-minded
Motivates oneself
Does not appreciate praises
High-spirited
Well-built and tough
Deep love and emotions
Romantic
Uncertain in relationships
Homely
Hard-working
High abilities
Trustworthy
Honest and keeps secrets
Not able to control emotions
Unpredictable

DECEMBER

Loyal and generous
Patriotic
Active in games and interactions
Impatient and hasty
Ambitious
Influential in organizations
Fun to be with
Loves to socialise
Loves praises
Loves attention
Loves to be loved
Honest and trustworthy
Not pretending
Short-tempered
Changing personality
Not egoistic
Takes high pride in oneself
Hates restrictions
Loves to joke
Good sense of humor
Logical

Hmmm... I always knew I have the "gift". I wonder if I can predict myself winning the lotto... hehehehe!

Monday, August 15, 2005

Despedida Bowl

Once again, another officemate is leaving for "greener pasture". There are more to follow, with Yongco, a recruiter from Singapore, arriving our shores recently.

From upper left clockwise: Crispy Lemon Chicken, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Honey-Glazed Pork Ribs, Kung Pao Chicken

As a treat, we ate at Super Bowl in Glorietta. This was his request. We had Kung Pao Chicken, Honey-Glazed Pork Ribs, Crispy Lemon Chicken, Fish Fillet with Eggplant Hotpot (he likes eggplant), Braised Tofu with Mushroom and Yang Chow Fried Rice. There was a lot of banter during the meal, saying his piece (jokingly) of his reason, his experiences with the company.

When we are nearing to end our meal, left them earlier so I can have the pictures developed for his souvenir. Bought Wetzel's bits with cheese dipping before heading back to the office.

After office, went to the mall to buy myself a new pair of slippers as my old one is crying for a replacement. (LOL)

Slippers became one of the topics in my chit-chat today. (Weird! hehehe!) I prefer something that is light, soft and does not have a "sipit". I've been buying Beachwalk slippers for years! One suggested that I buy Spartan instead as it is durable. Actually, I don't think I see any Spartan slippers being sold anymore. Besides, I find Spartan slippers "hard" on the feet. Maybe because it's so durable, its buyers no longer need to buy any replacement. If that's the case, no wonder it will close shop! hehehe!

Spent several minutes looking for the Beachwalk slippers. No wonder it was hard to find, it was displayed in the men's shoes of the department store. Oooops! c",)

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Bewitched

Would have wanted to win another premiere tickets by having a crack at the promo of "Must Love Dogs". In order to join, you must come up with a personal ad. Been cracking my brain how I'll write a personal ad... it must have wit and humor in it! When I finally made one, the promo ended! Very funny.... c",) And I slept late for that!

So, woke up late (for the malls' flag ceremony.. hehehe!), checked what movies are being shown, had lunch, then off to the mall in time for the start of Bewitched.

I thought that it would be a remake of the TV show "Bewitched". In a sense, it is... or maybe, it's not (LOL). Actually, the movie is about remaking the TV show. And that's where it all started. There are funny moments; but, the lead stars do not have the chemistry. And, it is supposed to be a comedy/romance movie. Tsk! Tsk! Maybe because Nicole Kidman is too pretty for her screen partner, Will Ferrell. Somehow, they managed to make their antics together work.

After the movie, attended the anticipated Mass and we had dinner at Phobac.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

"Two Philippines" in GMA's SONA

My previous post on GMA's State of the Nation Address, I have included the article written by Alejandro R. Roces, which, inadvertently, described one of the two Philippines what GMA said as "a tale of two Philippines, almost, as it were, two countries under the same name".

The July 25 SONA is the shortest so far. It simply described/differentiated what the "two Philippines" are.

I am in the opinion that this assessment is correct. A 6 percent growth in the country's economy last year is not something to be dismissed. It is even expected to grow at least 5 percent per year for the next 3 years. This growth has bested more than 100 countries, including Japan, USA, Germany, France, England, Switzerland, India, Thailand and Malaysia.

I am also in agreement on the "presence" of the "other Philippines"--one that hinders our country's progress.

This idea is toying around in everyone's mind, it was only given a "voice" or "substance" when GMA named them as "two Philippines" in her SONA.

(In a different train of thought, the "two Philippines" reminds me of the trait which is often being branded to Filipinos, which I disagree on some points--the "crab mentality".)

And the solution GMA presented to cure the "other Philippines"? That's another story...

Monday, August 08, 2005

Cousins Night Out

My cousin, who arrived from the States last Friday, was able to convince my brother to treat her for not coming to the birthday party we attended yesterday. Her argument: he missed the reunion... c",) hehehe!

Thus, my brother called me to be home early as we would be having dinner with our cousins at Dencio's located at the CCP Complex.

The night is spent on exchanging tidbits about what's been happening to us and a lot of "those were the days..." stories. (lol)

Sunday, August 07, 2005

A Birthday Reunion

The party is in the afternoon at Shakey's BF Homes, Parañaque. It is the 8th birthday of my niece from my cousin. It is also a reunion of some sort.

My cousin, with two of her kids, came back to the country for a vacation. Her eldest grew up here but went to the U.S. when she's around 5 or 6 years old. Her youngest was born in the States and grew up there. Timing, it is her youngest's birthday. So, in order for the kids to know each other (the way we are close with our cousins), she decided to have her kid's birthday celebrated here. My other cousin, with her husband and two kids, arrived also from the States last Friday. Making the birthday party a lot more memorable. Three generations of our family came and hobnobbed with each other. It is nice to see the kids getting along well together... c",)

BTW, brought my camera (as always) and became the unofficial photographer (as usual) of the birthday reunion.

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Arahan's Friday

Staying late the previous night helped me save on breakfast... c",) Ate lunch as soon as I woke up.

After lunch, my niece and I watched a Korean action/comedy, Arahan. It has it's own type of humor... complete with moments to tickle your funnybone. Thanks to the actor portraying as Yu Sang-Hwan, a bungling cop. His looks fit his character to a "T".

If the audience is the basis how funny this movie is, the two guys near our seats is definitely laughing their hearts out. And the rest is laughing with them! c",)

After the movie, we attended an anticipated Mass. Then, we had dinner at Friday's as a birthday treat of one of my friends. We had Mexican Nachos, Southwestern Chicken Ceasar Salad, Burritos, Shrimp Friday's, Double Chocolate Fudgy Brownie, and Banana Split Pie (in picture). Am full!!!

Friday, August 05, 2005

Martin Nievera: I Sing For You

Tonight's the night! I know I would be attending a Martin Nievera concert tonight; but, I have no idea where it would be, what time it would start... All I know, I'll be taking an MRT ride right after office. Not hail, nor rain, nor storm will deter me from reaching Megamall! c",)

Was one of the first to arrive at Megamall. Now, I know when the concert will start and where, thanks to the streamers posted near the escalators. Went window-shopping while waiting for my friends. Once complete, we had dinner first at Chef Donatello. I wonder when Chef Raphael and Chef Leonardo will open. Chef 'd (Michael) Angelo was the first to open to the public. Get it? (hehehe!)

As expected of any Martin Nievera concert, his wittiness shines through. His spontaneity and loquacity is something always to look forward to. I really enjoyed the evening as his repertoire mostly consists of songs he made famous. Most especially, his finale number is my favorite: "You Are My Song".

The acoustics are good and the volume is just right. (Some concerts I attended is much to "loud" for my taste.) I consider the volume just right when I can hear the audience sing when the artist encourages them to sing with him/her. This is one gift Martin has a lot of... he can reach his audience. He is keen and observant. Because of it, he is able to get a repartee with his audience.

Unfortunately, there are times you can hear short pounding, vibrating and thumping out of nowhere. There was even a point Martin seems irked as his microphone is creating an odd sound. Oh, well... still enjoyed the concert!

Changes. Looks like we're in for a lot of changes. After having two Board of Directors, the Supreme Court declared the Board of Directors elected by those who walked out during the Stockholders Meeting is the official Board of the company. This was in this morning's newspapers.

Around 11:45am, we received an e-mail saying that the Go family decided to sell their share of stocks.

Around 12:45pm, we received another e-mail saying that a MOA was signed between the Go family and BDO on the purchase of the stocks. Just think, before lunch, we're still EPCI; after lunch, would we still be EPCI or are we BDO?

With changes like these, it is but natural for employees to worry what would become of them. I pray, it would not be rough-sailing ahead...

ThOuGhTs, iDeAs, oPiNiOnS, cHaTtEr