Strutting the Pirates look

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

EPEC Approved

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

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

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

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

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

No Title. Just Plain Musings (and Rants)

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

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

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

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

Tugue Cancelled

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


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


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

Food Dreamin'

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

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

Home Again (and Again)

I just came home from Bacolod.

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


1st Day Friday

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

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

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

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


2nd day Saturday

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

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

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

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


3rd day Sunday

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

On a fine Sunday afternoon, my brothers requested that I try baking a pineapple upside down cake.  They have completed the ingredients and have shown me a video as a guide and all I did was to say yes and keep the oven running

Pineapple Upside Down

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C)
Butter (or spray with a non stick vegetable spray) a 9 inch (23 cm) round cake pan with three inch (7.5 cm) sides. Prepare the toppings

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

1. Place the butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.
2. Then remove from heat, and pour into your prepared cake pan.
3. Evenly arrange the fresh pineapple slices on top of the sugar mixture.  You may add cherries.

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

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk the ingredients.
2. In a different bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the vanilla extract.
4. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Add the flour mixture, alternately with the milk , ending with the dry ingredients.
6.  In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites with cream of tartar just until the whites hold a firm peak.
7.  Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the cake batter
8.  Pour the batter into the cake pan, smoothing the top.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 - 55 minutes, or until the top of the cake has browned and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan (a toothpick inserted into the cake (not the pineapple) will come out clean).

Remove from oven and place and cool for about 10 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edge of the pan and then invert the cake onto your serving plate. Serve with softly whipped cream.

Dead Stars

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

Waiting at the Airport

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

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

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

Last Day at Cebu: Lone Traveller

I just realized, I hate travelling alone.

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

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

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

Cebu Day 1: Fort San Pedro

While having brunch, I was telling Ron that I wanted to go back to Sto. Niño Church and told him of the museums, Fort San Pedro and of course the Magellan's Cross beside it. 

So we loaded a jeepney from SM going to Sto. Niño Church.  But just in time we are in the jeep, rain poured.  I was muttering short prayers that the rain would stop from the time on til we saw a park and an old fortress and since the Lord heared my prayer, I told Ron that we check it out.

The old fortress is the Fort San Pedro.  Built by the Spanish to repel Muslim pirates and angry native, Fort San Pedro is considered to be the oldest and the smallest fort.  It is believed that at the fort, the Spaniards had its first settlement in the Philippines.  It was named after the flagship of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi.


We didn't have much chance to roam around because of the bad weather.  Good thing some personnel lend us an umbrella so we got to go to their small museum and altar for the Sto. Nino.  When rains stopped at a moment we had our pictures taken in the open area. 


But basically we just waited for the rains to stop while listening to a blind man singing Cebuano songs, his heart out.


Entrance Fee: Php 30

Cebu Day 1: Brunch at Harbour City

I arrived at Mactan Airport a bit starved so Ron and I took the cab and while at queue, we were undecided of where to go.  I was actually useless because I didn't know the place very much and I didn't bother to help myself with a little of internet research.  So when we entered the cab and the driver asked us of our destination, he just blurted SM City.  I guess a mall is always a good place to go to, to grab something to eat, especially in a place you are not familiar with.

Ron has worked at Cebu for awhile so he knows some places.  We ate at his recommendation, at the Harbour City.  It is a Dimsum place seemingly inexpensive luring the people in with orders as low as 45Php.  But soon enoughm, you would realize that you would order for more Dimsum and rice so you would end up with bill higher than you expect. 

But their food were really great, sumptuous and tasty.   We ordered rice with meat toppings, mine is spicy pork steamed rice while Ron got a beef steamed rice.  Then we ordered 3 types of dimsums: plain siomai, sweet and sour chicken, and bacon roll siomai.  I had mango shake as additional.  We ordered for extra rice each in the middle of our feast because I was complaining and enjoying of how spicy my steam rice is.  Our feast was lovely and I enjoyed our Chinese food.

Dimsum Brunch

Harbour City also has a branch at Ayala Center.  They may be reached through the number: (032) 231-2284. Enjoy your Dimsum!

Cebu Day 1: Photofinish

I woke up late against my scheduled time.  I haven't finish packing.  I haven't done with laundry nor cleaned the house as planned.  I fell asleep unintentionally (or intentionally) after a bout with Ron at gmail.  I was unsure if he is meeting me up but then I had a plan B in my head just in case he isn't.  It would not be as much fun but then again, I don't have a leash at my boyfriend's neck.  We may be a couple but we are individual people.

I left the house two hours before the flight.  I still took the MRT because I don't want to spend much on cab.   I only took the taxi at the Taft station.  When I arrived at the Domestic Airport (I'm flying via Zestair), the check -in counter for the Cebu flight is closed.  But for the first time, I didn't panicked.  I just approached the counter and asked the lady if it is really closed.  She hurried to the main window and asked if they could still allow a late passenger and good thing they did.  While giving me my boarding pass, she was also telling me to be early the next time.  I just gave her my sweetest smile.

When I finally came to the departure area, my flight is being called and I didn't even had the chance to sit down.  I just went ahead and started the queue.  =)  Being late, I was given a front row (4th) seat even though my ticket is a promo.

So I'm here at Cebu with Ron....where there's a storm and it is raining a hell lot.  =)

Banned Sites Accessed

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

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

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

A Day at Microtel

If not for the bright sky, and a waiting breakfast buffet, I would stay curled up in the comfy bed covered by sheets after sheets. One of the best sleeps I had in the longest time... I was even thinking of screwing the pool and just stay in the room all day.

But my cousin was persistent. Afterall, she's paying the hotel and she better avail of all the amenities offered to her.

So we got down to the lobby for a feast of cheesy egg, bacon, burgers, crunchy dilis (which i did not bother to get, hehehe!), garlic mushrooms. There was a portion for kids who would love cereals for breakfast. As appetizers, vegetable salad and sotanghon soup are available. For desserts, loads of fresh fruits and croissants of different variety is beautiful to my (takaw) eyes. Bread and butter with overflowing coffee are available for the light eaters. We felt like "little queens" with the food so plenty.

After the breakfast, we went straight to the roofdeck for a swim. Their pool is not so big but enough for a water lover like we are. The roofdeck is arranged like picnic grounds with tables and chairs. Lounge chairs for sun bathing are also available with towels that could be used by the swim freaks.

I think the pool experience capped my summer this year. I haven't gone to a lot our beach this year so I was craving for the waters.

After the pool, we rushed back to the our room to pack and check-out as we have desserts for lunch waiting.

Live Well. Love Much. Laugh Often

After dinner with Kat, I met up with my cousin, Nang Bambi who is here in Manila to bring her niece to Olangapo because vacation is over and school is about to start. She waited for me so that we could have dinner together so I could just not say no to eating again despite being full with our Wingstop dinner.

I love their wall.

We ate at the Italliani's at SM Mall of Asia.  I took something light,  dory with spaghetti noodles and some vegetables with Watermelon Shake while Nang Bambi had Roasted Chicken and Rice and Dalandan and Calamansi Shake.  As usual, we talked non-stop and laughed our hardest.  It has been awhile since we got to sit down and talk about what has happened to us and what are we up to in the next few months or years.   Though we have different set of parents, that's how we are really, we are sisters.

Dory

Roasted Chicken

After that, we attempted to have mojitos at TGIF.  Although we have promised mom that I wouldn't take alcohol, we tought of going to TGIF for a little bit of fun.  I was hoping for a mocktail just to ease my craving for drinks.  But it was closed at 10:30ish. So we decided to go to her hotel and  that's how we kept my promise to mom that we wouldn't drink. =P

Sisters

Fully Body Pampering and Dinner at Wingstop

Kat and I met up to treat ourselves with a spa massage.  We previously got vouchers from group buying sites and with just a small price we could treat ourselves with luxuries we usually don't give a second look or thought just because it is seemingly expensive. 

So for today's deal, we had a 1 and a half hour full body scrub and massage at Nuat Thai.  The experience was originally priced at Php 750 and we got it for half the price! The body scrub is quite an intimate experience as most of your body will be smothered by the exfoliating scrub.  Of course, the masseuse asked for permission before doing so, so you could opt to back out if you are uncomfortable with it.  After that, they will lead you to the shower to take all the scrub off.  Afterwich, is a good body massage (with lotion) which I badly needed that day as I have tensions that I need to relieve.  Everything was heavenly and superb.  The masseuse really took the time to knead my back muscles so it was exquisite

After a full body scrub and massage at Nuat Thai, we proceeded to Wingstop for dinner.  Again, blame it on the deals (",). I got another half price deal (Php 145) for a bucket of Buffalo wings at Wingstop.  I intentionally looked for deals on food just because I know we would be eating dinner after and it was a good thing that the place is near Greenhills.  We only added for rice and drinks.

Wingstop is a small diner which caters to buffalo wings eaters.  If you are not conscious of your diet this is the place to be.  They serve buffalo wings in groups of 4, 8, 10 and 12 and in different sauces and flavors.  Also they have a yogurt maker at the side for kids and kids at heart.  The place only houses about 6-8 tables that most of the customers order their wings for a take out.

Hands down, their wings are magnificent.  We love it. Sadly their rice was so gummy it was a pain to chew!  See my friend's reaction down there?  That's what she thought of the rice.  We requested a much softer rice for our second serving.

Going Home to Bacolod

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

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

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

Am I ready for a new Adventure?

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

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


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

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

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

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

Think of Home

When I think of home
I think of a place where there's love overflowing
I wish I was home
I wish I was back there with the things I been knowing

Wind that makes the tall trees bend into leaning
Suddenly the snowflakes that fall have a meaning
Sprinklin' the scene, makes it all clean

Maybe there's a chance fro me to go back there
Now that I have some direction
It would sure be nice to be back home
Where there's love and affection
And just maybe I can convince time to slow up
Giving me enough time in my life to grow up
Time be my friend, let me start again

Suddenly my world has changed it's face
But I still know where I'm going
I have had my mind spun around in space
And yet I've watched it growing

If you're listening God
Please don't make it hard to know
If we should believe in the things that we see
Tell us should we run away
Should we try and stay
Or would it be better just to let things be?

Living here, in this brand new world
Might be a fantasy
But it taught me to love
So it's real, real to me

And I've learned
That we must look inside our hearts
To find a world full of love
Like yours
Like me

Like home...
-o-

I found a sheet of paper on my table at training yesterday with a poem Think of Home... is this some kind of a message?