Year of the Franc or is it?

It's really dificult to assess if this were a good or bad year... definitely hit some milestones... but a large part of th year was real difficult at least stress wise... on the other hand, there's also a travel galore with 10 out of the country trip and a domestic tip during the year...

2008 was the year I transitioned from Audit/Accounting to Finance and eventually learning the ABCs of raising funds... which at this time is difficult due to the credit crunch but the nice part of it was that I raised the long-term funds on time... The experience no matter how tough was a reward in itself and should do well in my career in the long run...

Travel has been hectic but I'm glad to be able to sneak in vacation in Australia, Hong Kong and Palawan during the year... and various trips to Cambodia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Singapore... A middle ground having my share of foreign travel but having most of my time at Home...

Friends has been over the world and glad that during this foreign trips I get to touch base with some of my foreign based friends... and back home there's still those routine getaways and birthday gatherings... a nice chance to reconnect...

I can say 2008 was more of a rollercoaster year but ended up on a good note...

2009 and beyond

I'm looking for less stress... more focus on my personal life... more travels... savings (I can't say more savings since there's none to start with)... and a lot more adventure with family and friends... I think the bottom resolution is to try to be more positive and be more decisive in making decisions... =>

Road Trippn' Holiday

When you have a very long vacation you tend to forget which day it is... Finally checked my calenday and it is still December 29... still in the middle of the long holiday...

We'll been hitting the road real hard the past week... With Christmas in Baguio and back to Manila early morning in December 26... and off to the long road to FAA's Little Bridge in Taal, Batangas... I guess everybody had the mindset of spending post Christmas in Tagaytay as SLEX was jampacked and you have to wait for two hours just to be able to seat at Josephine's... Got to Little Brigde at past 5 pm and the resort and the resort is now fully operational...

Next day was drive back home... but not without a stop over at Enchanted Kingdom... Same old enchanted kingdom but the place was jampacked for the holidays... there was snow that was more of bubbles in Brooklyn Area... and did spend some money on souvenirs here... and then we were back home... Southern Road trip over...

Yesterday was the northern part of the road trip with a trip to Subic... NLEX and SCTEX was smooth... Went to Ocean Adventure to watch dolphins and seals show... Not much really though I guess it would be a different feel if it were these dolphin and whales encounter package... After the show... Next stop was Duty Free shops in Subic... and then our way back... Smooth trip except for bottleneck traffic in Balintawak area...

Today was a bit lighter with just a trip to the mall and then it'll be our trip to Baguio... and then it's gonna be a different year before I get back to Makati again...

Excess Inkblogs: Just in case you got a who you message from me when sending your new year's greeting... My motorola V9 is under repair though the good part is that it is still under warranty... =>

Merry Merry Christmas to All!!!

At the onset of Christmas, I was really trying to find ways to spend it differently... Christmas in Baguio for the past has already been more of routine than celebration... So there must be something to add spark to the celebration...

Good for me, I thought of a formula to package the exchange gift + magic sing + raffle + cash prices... and it was a fun Christmas again... Everybody had to sing before they can get their gifts since the scores would be the basis of the raffle and the highest scores had cash prices... A bit painful to the pocket but at least, everybody had a great time...

The rest of the celebration had to do with some wines and tequilas... and of course, it made the night much more fun and everybody was set for a rematch on New Year's day and as for now back to Christmas celebration... =>

Excess Inkblogs: Off to manila tonight and we'll be on a series of out of town starting tomorrow... Taking advantage of the long vacation...

IBlog: Cool Xmas

On my way home to Baguio for Xmas... Will skip work tom though I'm sure there's gonna be some calls... Other than that its a well deserved Xmas break in the cool climate of home... =>

It's Christmas!!!

Finally, after all those difficult times... and the mood for the festivities is here... and the symptoms of the season has been felt in so numerous ways...

1) Long Queue parking
2) hectic days finishing work, meeting friends and buying gifts...
3) Unending traffics...
4) Malls are open til midnight and are still pack until closing time...
5) People are easier to get along with...
6) Hard getting solid output from people who are in holiday mode...
7) Everywhere you go there are so many people...
8) Gifts... Gifts... Gifts...
9) 13th Month Pay...
10) My credit card has been swiped numerous times...
11) Morning Masses
12) OFW Friends are back...
13) Longest Weekend Upcoming (December 24-January 5)
14) Out of Town trips are so enticing...
15) So many more attractions to visit...

I could go on this list forever but I'm just glad that events have shifted towards a good Christmas... It's really such a delight when hard work pays off... and Christmas is not just around the corner but right in front and telling people to have a great time... =>

Good or Bad Christmas???

It's just days before Christmas and I'm still in the middle of the pendulum which would either be a good or bad Christmas for me... a sudden twist of fate and it's totally different but those are life enticements... Nerve-wracking moments that at times sucks but on one hand it shows a clear sign that the heart still beats... and at such a fast pace...

It's been stressful times; but, I'm still in high hopes that all the hard work will pay off... and yet even if the stress level is at an all time high, I still have a childlike personality that takes as much time to enjoy the finer side of life... family... friends... travel... parties... outings...

Come to think of it... The difference between good and bad Christmas is the choices we make... and I choose to have a good time whatever happens... A bit of the Christmas spirit hasn't entered my system... The times are different but in time, the mood should swing back to those happy days...

The long Christmas break should be something to look forward to... I have now come back to the old tradition of spending the Chirstmas holiday in Baguio even if I would still spend most of the long break in Manila and beyond... The cool gusty northern breeze should usher the spirit in...

So It'll be a good one... at least by choice... =>

A Peek of Dawn

After all the dark days and all those hard works that came months ago... I can take a peek and somehow see a ray of sunshine upcoming... but with my luck, it could revert to those hard times... My fingers are crossed...

Funny thing today that after all the work, I did catch up with the Company Christmas Party... and though it seemed like eternity... I got my 5 years service award... and to add the thrill to the award... when I didn't like the one handing the award... I had to pull our CEO to make the award himself to me... Hehe... I could be stubbornly crazy at times...

Almost done with the funding activity that brought about so much stress the past few months (that's an understatement)... but I guess it's all charge to experience... I just hope no more surprises will pop up though there's still some road block but I just want to stay positive... too much skepticism already for me...

As I said it's just a peek of dawn... but I'd rather have a peek than darkness forever... at this time and age... you just have to take all the blessings you have even if it's just those little things... lots of luck to me... =>

When Will Hard Times End

I thought that things will be light this week but like a seemingly endless tale of misery that some stories convey... The finish line has been elusive as of late... and twist and turns have been popping non stop... The thrill has been heartbeat stopping... and I'm left with the thought on when will hard times end...

A tight rope act... A long-drawn out struggle has enveloped the past few months... Complex... and somehow, rather than listing milestones... I guess I'm also counting the headaches that came with the milestone... A senseless compromise...

There's always a concept of balance... the sun comes out after the rain... day dawns after the night and so on... so that's a piece of idea that makes me think that hard times do end... but just don't know when... =>

IBlog: Way Back Home

Awaiting my flight back home and even if it's a short visit in Saigon. I did have a nice time. Decent hotel at Bong Seng... A nice tour Around the city at night which included a cruise and dinner at the bay and mass this morning at the famous Notre Dame cathedral. The city had a touch of French infrastructure being a former colony. Hmm... Why not to go Paris again??? We'll see...

This has been my 10th international trip and probably the last... Too much travel already better keep my passport so I can say this is my last trip this year.. Travel mode off... =>

I Survived...

The days have passed seemed impossible with me starting my Cambodia visit with tons of backlog for the board meeting and some issues unresolved but as a twist of fate... Somehow, we managed to finish everything in due time (Thanks Jing for all the help... We'll have smoother times ahead)... )... Impossible things are possible...

Then the next burden was to present it well and be able to answer all the queries... which I was able to do... I don't know even if I came in unprepared and almost out of time, I somehow was a bit relaxed this time... and then it came to a choice I have to make...

It's a middle ground approach that I missed out on an opportunity but also missed on a risk as well... I guess not everything can be measured in terms of prestige or financial rewards but somehow, I am proud that I was able to remain firm on a decision and even if the results were not too ideal... There'll be a time and opportunity to address the minor nuances...

Glad that we survived and a few baby steps away to have another milestones... but in the meantime I'm on the tail end of my trip now on tourism activities in Vietnam... More on that at some other time... =>

Hanging Around in Ho Chi Minh

I'm in the tail end of my connecting flight to Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh and glad that there's Wifi here even if I'm stuck in the far corners of the airport since signal is stronger here... hehe... At least, I'm not bored and is able to chat with friends...

It's a bit of a bore here since there's just so few shops... but will be back here after the board meeting in Cambodia to spend a day in Vietnam... hopefully, still in one piece... hehe... Paging Banggigay... My itenerary... hehe...

Anyway, I'll be boarding shortly... lots of luck to me... =>

Finished or Not Finished Pass Your Papers

I guess it's time to press the panic button... I can officially say that I'm in a point that I am unprepared to go to the board meeting... I haven't really gone through the figures yet but it's gonna be a tough nut to crack this time... I just hope that some headaches would go away once some projects are in place...

I just hope that instead of people trying to give me additional responsibilities... they should ought to take some off... Firm, I am on not taking on improbable challenges... A place and time for everything and as of now, I just want to go on the Christmas holiday and just relax but I have enormous odds to hurdle... and even overseas vacation in the past has been disrupted by work... so even wishful thinking won't do me good this time...

If things don't change then I better accrue some miseries along the way... Well, I don't want to whine or something but I'm just tired... real tired... really really tired... I said my piece and hope that a good night sleep will change my perspective but as of now, I'm stucked in the situation where - finished or unfinished pass your paper... It's obviously unfinished...I'll just have to live with it... =<

Excess Inkblogs: I'll be fine soon...

Holiday Inn Partee

I'm still not out of the pressure packed times but at least for one night, I was able to join my Ateneo friends in party mode for Jay and Cig Birthday at Holiday Inn Galleria Suites last Friday...

The Skinny Jeans and Short Shorts themed party was great and it even attracted a young group from Guam to join in and gate crash the party... They were also in party mode so welcome in... and join the mix...

Nice time to be with friends... food... drinks... music... dancing... and a whole lot of photos (wholesome???)... Then come to think of it, it coincided with thanksgiving in the US... Well, lots to thank for... including friends who knows how to party hard... makes me remember of one rule... Work hard and play hard... it's play hard this time...

Party probably lasted forever but I made my adieu at around 4 am... and then it was rest hard this time... =>

Excess Inkblogs: I was able to watch Twilight yesterday and I liked the story... Too bad I wasn't able to read the book for some comparison... I figured, with all the work and gadgets in front of me, I doubt if I can sit down and read a good book... so I'll just have to make do with the movie...

Out of the Ordinary

When it's crunch time, there's always something that happens out of the ordinary and somehow, make things a bit tougher... Network problems, sick colleagues, typhoons and yes, even coup attempt that happens at the heat of the mad rush... and probably a lot more in between... It's quite rare for luck to be by my side...

I am crunch time again and as most of the requirements already done and looking forward to finish the major items... wahlah... too full days of erratic network problems... had even to resort to lower tech ways like sending documents via fax for review... and going home early to be able to send emails... I even thought of hanging out in a coffee shop just to get free internet...

And even if I hate to admit it, the problems did make me change my plans, instead of flying off to Cambodia on Monday, I have moved my flight on Wednesday... I did not have the comfort level to leave... there are still some unfinished business... and there's still a lot to do... I also figured that I would just be burning telephone lines anyway if I go when things are unsettled...

I hope that I can catch up in the next few days and that things out of the ordinary are not in place... and come to think of it, we had to re-route some of the flight for the board meeting due to some situation in Bangkok... Again, out of the ordinary...

But now, I'm going out of my stress hole to party with friends... =>

Out of My Mind

I guess the next part of being out of time is being out of my mind... On the home stretch... and still clueless on how to get by with all the requirements of today and next week...

Stress ball needed... and I just wish more Franc clones to do the rest of the job... and also one to have fun a bit... I'm not really one who dwell on work and the bigger part of me is the one that relish each moment as they happen...

Out of my mind... a thin line before that happens but I'll try to keep sane... haay... it's been real difficult... Patience at its limit... workload at its peak... and the pressure has been not only heart-beat stopping but heart-breaking at times...

I always want to put a light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel perspective but I'm not only stuck in a dark one but a deep pit as well... I just hope that from being out of time to being a bit out of my mind... I'll be out of this pathetic phase soon... Fingers crossed... and a little luck on the side... and wahlah... the holidays and yes, back to a more glimmer hole after with yearend work approaching...

Haaay.... =<

Out of Time

After having a blast last Saturday, I'm back to dealing with the intricacies of day to day life on early Monday morning... had so much work last week that I had my early adieu last Friday... and now, I'm faced with the a handful of tasks going to the board meeting next week...

A week going to the board meeting... That means I'm really Out of Time for my requirements... Waah... How to do all those things in such a short time??? Financials, Budget, Finance and all the board queries... That's why I don't want the days approaching Christmas as there's so much to do...

A week before I go off shore to Cambodia for the board and on how to prepare all those things is a question that yet has to be answered... well, I guess with the little time I have, I should get back to reality and work... =>

Back to (Good) Earth

Amidst all the busy schedules and all the craziness that the world has to offer, Had a chance to come back to our Ateneo MBA and early post-Ateneo MBA abode, Good Earth Rockwell...

Reason, an early Christmas party that didn't yet feel like one... I guess the Christmas spirit has been delayed by all the economic turbulence... but as this gatherings are not as frequent as they used it was a whole night 'til early morning fun... stories and laughter... and quite a nice turnout...

Glad to see people back from all their vacation... and out of their busy shells... and hopefully, there'll be more of this... but of course, there's those busy shells to come back to... but I guess there'll always be some place in between those busy times that we can take some time to meet again... =>

Yawn... Yawn... Monday...

Still a sleepyhead at this time... I guess when you combine early morning and Monday... that makes a perfect sleepy spell... ZZZZZ.... Sleepyhead or not... Monday has somehow become a time to synthesize events that past and things to come...

Completed my first Starbucks planner yesterday... I could have completed it last Friday but obviously, Starbucks from Taipei does not count... I think it's a better version of last year's planner with hardbound cover and a metallic pen...

I just hope time would just go on slow motion even at the dire anticipation of Christmas as I'm starting to feel of the busy times ahead... or should I say, I am already on my busy mode... that makes slow motion more enticing since it would have me more time to do those busy stuff...

Started shopping for Christmas gifts... I realized gifts are not my strong suit... I'm just lucky that I don't have such long list of inaanaks... Few friends and family left in Ph for gifts... Will try to shop again soon...

Things are evolving day by day... so it's a step at a time and my next step is get back to work... =>

Bullet Pace Going South

I've been to south of Taiwan today via High Speed Rail System taking just an hour and a half to cover such a great distance... I sure hope that there'll be bullet train to Baguio too which would just take two hours (dream on)...

Anyway, tiring day with a tour around the warehouse though the process of the making the fabric is very similar... the product of this affiliate are cool designs for curtains... unlike the regular hospital and hospitality fabrics at our facility in the Philippines and Cambodia...

Had dinner with our CEO at Outback... Steak again... so much for my diet... and at least, some of cluttered apprehensions have now a bit of clarity... though it'll still be a tough road ahead... Decided to walk back to hotel instead of taking a cab... Nice cool climate here in Taipei...

Happy to be back in Ph tom... =>

Strictly Business This Time

It's Day Two of my trip to Taipei and it has been all business with a barrage of meetings at our Taipei Office and tons of phone calls too for some urgent requirement in Makati Office yesterday... and today had a trip to our plant outside Taipei and again another barrage of meetings and yes still tons of phone call in Makati Office... Multi-tasking at multi location...

Anyway, Had a heavy steak for dinner... It would be scary to check to WiiFit board again for my weight after this trip... hehe... so had a nice week around Taipei 101 just a few blocks from the Taipei Office... and had my Starbucks Tall Mocha at nearby New York, New York... Too bad most of the shops are already closed... Tomorrow, Maybe???

Yes, tomorrow... It'll be cool taking the bullet train going to another province to visit our other facility... and probably still a tons of call to Makati office but maybe Jing and I would have a nice breather from all those urgent requirements in Makati Office Tomorrow...

And yes, I was able to have the cute Lion stuff toy of our CFO as a souvenir... hehe... =>

Anything Goes

Undecided... that's how my frame of mind is... One option has me having peace of mind yet a tinge of guilt on an unfinished business... another is a major head ache with a decent rewards scheme... or maybe something in between...

I've gone over the alternatives over and over again... and it still is a worthwhile riddle... So anything goes and while the derangement continues, I guess I just have to try to live in normalcy... It'll probably be a spur of the moment solution or at best, I'll just wait for the situation to clear up and it'll be easier by then...

It's now a game of reaction... and just hope that at the right time, I'll come up with the right choices... but as of now, anything goes... =>

Wiik Outs

I've been having my calorie roasting sessions Wii Fit style... It's been real fun trying to squeeze my regular Wiik outs at night... then there's a body test that shows my progress in terms of my bio mass index and weight... Still a long way from ideal but I'll get there...

I hope to sustain my momentum as from the past whenever I make progress, I get distracted by so many things... and yes, there are quite a handful of things which I foresee will distract me soon... but I'll always try to crave for the simpler life... a little less complicated existence...

Not that much outgoing anymore, but at least, I do find excellent use of my time at home... I've managed to transform my pad into a place where I won't be bored... and even if things get boring, there's always sleep to count on... Sometimes I feel that with so much to do at home, I feel my time at home is limited... Now maybe it would be fun to work at home... hehe... Wishing!!! =>

Lost

I feel lost the past few days with recent developments... Changes taking place so soon... and me scared on what to expect in days to come... I can't even tell if it's a good development or a bad one but the dilemma has been exhausting... I'm stuck in a wait and see situation where anything can happen anytime... and anytime is soon...

That's the problem on taking a road less traveled, there is not much to rely on when you need to consult someone when making a decisive move... To do or not to do... that is the question... or might as well do something else... Maybe a shining light in the whole situation is there are alternatives...

Things would turn out fine... I hope... And if things go real crazy, then it's gonna be an exciting trip ahead... =>

Sickly Souls Day

I spent All Soul's Day weekend in Baguio... with the usual visit to Everlasting cemetery... and lunch at nearby Rimando's... It was nice to see that it was a bit more maintained compared to before... This was such nice playgrounds for us when we were kids... ages ago...

The different part was that after a visit at the cemetery... I had a fever and head ache that I spent the whole afternoon and evening sleeping it out... too bad I had to miss going to La Union... visit the Casino and go to the nearby beaches... I sure would have loved to see the splendid La Union Sunset... Waah.. I'll do that sometime else... The next day was spent at Baguio Cemetery... which as always was a maze on how the structure was in place here... Didn't spend much time here... Offered candles and our prayers to our dead relatives...

I just noticed that there were a few visitors this year compared to the previous years' visit... I guess, having the occasion packed in just a weekend made it less appealing to people to go back to their respective provinces... The holiday coinciding with a weekend... and it's quite weird that there are no extension to this given that we have so many long weekends for a variety of reasons... but not this...

So here I am back sulking at my desk for the usual work... =>

Stress Unlimited

It was an emotional tug-of-war yesterday and for some time there, I had the longest minutes uncertain of what's in store... Helpless for a time but I guess there's always a firm conviction on what I really want and did not want...

At the end of the day, I was so energy-drained by the mental, physical and emotional anguish on what to do... Stress, unlimited... Yes, even equipped with all the planning and the adaptability to situation, there will be times that you'd be helpless... in what to do and what to come... Fortunately, at the end of the tug-of-war, I somehow got what I want which was more time to process the whole development...

There's so much more that I see on the horizon that makes me want to take time on this... There are still some missing pieces to locate in my own jigsaw puzzle of life... I'm secured on what I can do but one thing I can't do is to make rush decision that has not been properly considered... In time, I'll take a leap of fate... IN TIME...

Not Grumpy Monday

I'm not grumpy on a Monday...

Wii Fit Sunday... I finally have my Wii Fit board... Went to Sharon's place to get the Wii Fit board and glad to see Baby Yuri starting to get plump and 3 year old Yohannce is scared of me (haha... Didn't know I look scary)... Nonetheles, Yohannce was still very conversant... Had my first WiiFit workout and had a nice lazy afternoon nap... a few more watching catch up TV series and sleep again...

That's what brought Not Grumpy Monday... I'm finally trying to have my mind set that it'll be Christmas soon... I have started locating my Christmas CDs for my car... Ok, I'll update my iTouch soon... Anyway, it'll be fun... Friends flying in... Friends meeting up after such a long time... A long Family Holiday up Coming... 13th month pay... Bonuses (hopefully)... and of course, a lot of gifts (naah, I'd be surprized if that happens)...

Yeah, it's gonna be halloween in a few days and I'm off to my home town Baguio and I sure had a reminder a few weeks ago of visiting my dead relatives in the cemetery... Too bad, there's only a weekend to go home... No declared holidays to extend the weekend...

Still have several major items to do this week.... but a few breathers would do more good than harm... I'm not really the type that sulk deeply in to work... though I have to admit the stress level has been affecting me lately... but I'll find a way through... There's always a way... So better get back to finding some ways now... =>

Carless Saturday

Carless Saturday started when I brought my car for routine maintenance check at early Saturday morning... breakfast at Max at Shaw... Service was slow considering I was the only customer at that time...

To the office to burn some time off before meeting SGV friends Arlyn and Ruth for lunch... Arlyn begged off on account of a lazy spell at home... Decided to push through with lunch as the thought of being just a passenger for the day was tempting... Lunch at Contis in Serendra and just wasted time at Market Market waiting for my car to be finish... There's a less number of shops for gifts in the gift market... waaah... Interesting, they do have wall climbing at the top floor and there's also the massage chair that's reasonably priced...

Finally had my car back around 5 pm... but we decided it was more economical to maintain one car so I just left my car in my office parking lot... We met Cathy at MOA... had dinner at Pier 1 in the bayside area in MOA... The crew here were not really that friendly (the service was slow, the reaction time was not good and the crew were not even pleasant doing their job)... After dinner, some fireworks, a little bit of rain and a lot of chit chats, we shifted to Starbucks still on the bayside of MOA... coffee and stories... and off to home at almost midnight...

Wait, poker night at Nommu... but I guess, there's no more energy to boot and it was already a bit late for that... Next time... =>

Time

Time... Something I don't seem to have much lately... In a way, it worries me since It's a bit too early to think about that... but here I am so drawn to the variety of things to do... to finish and to accomplish...

I'm a little distracted by so many little nuances to manage... issues, personalities, attitudes and a whole lot more... Come to think of it, it's not really the volume of time spent on these nuances that eats up my time... It's a bit difficult when a lot of weight is right there in your shoulder with not much to look forward to when it comes to the help department... Hope I won't burnout soon...

Time has just seem to be shorter than the usual which just means I have both hands full of things to do to sneak a peak at my watch... Focus... Something I have to re-learn or might as well unload some work... but I guess, there are no takers... Solution in sight not really but I hope it doesn't come to a point that I won't be salivating on the idea of having a stress leave... Hmmm... =>

Half Awake

I'm spending my day half awake... or rather barely awake... Early Mondays has never been the best of times for me...

I just realized that major milestones aside, I still have a long hard way to go. I still have a lot to do and a lot more to experience. Been thinking lately of different alternatives to take. Somehow, I'm so used to managing problems and exposures that I'm wondering exciting would it be managing assets and chasing opportunities but with the way the world economy is, I guess smart money goes that for Finance people like me, it'll be the problems that will keep on coming.

The mystery of tomorrow makes things both interesting and complicated today but at times, tomorrow's ideas and road blocks are just something to be dealt with tomorrow. Tomorrow depends on how we react today. It's a dynamic world, the landscape shifts every now and then. The key is reaction.

It's difficult to be spending the day half awake. I guess that's where coffee comes in... Anyway, back to real life... wide awake this time. =>

Outdoor Wedding for Grace and Poch

The venue was the Historic Barasaoin Church in Bulacan and the occassion was AGSB friends Grace and Poch's wedding. There's not really much from AGSB family this time but the simple wedding signified a page in the history books of Grace and Poch - now a happily married couple.

A big chunk of the friends I hang around now were not really common fixtures when I was taking graduate school but there's some connections that are meant to happen. Grace is one of the closer friends I have now and seeing her happy on this day is really worth the long drive to Bulacan and all the little chore I had to help her as of late. Poch has been one of the nicest people I ever met. At times, a polar opposite of a very bubble Grace but despite that you can see that they are meant for each other. Two good persons ending up with each other.

Simple wedding rites at Barasaoin Church and a lively reception at Northfields clubhouse has left me with one message. Congratulations to Grace and Poch dela Rosa!!!

Excess Inkblogs: I guess the next time, I get to have coffee with Grace, I'll be having coffee with Mrs. dela Rosa... =>

Dreams

I use to dream that I woke up late and totally missed an appointment whenever I have to do something urgent or have an important meeting... A subconscious call that I don't want to be late nor miss a key appointment... In real life, this only happened only once... Waking up 11 am for an 8 am meeting... hehe... that was during my audit life... The client was so worried of my health for me missing a key meeting...

Today, it was the other way around... My dream was that I woke up and it was a holiday... End result, woke up real late... hehe... Hmm... Must be a subconscious reminder that I didn't want to work today... Did sleep late yesterday so must have felt that a little more sleep would do good... Anyway, the important thing is even if I dreamt it was a holiday, I still am at work... Just wish that when it really becomes a holiday, I wouldn't need to do some work... =>

Wednesday

Long Wednesday... but not on the work side this time... hehe...

Started early having early breakfast with AGSB friend Grace at Starbucks... This has been weeks in the making since Grace has been real busy with work... At least, we were able to squeeze it in this time... Nice breakfast...

Had lunch with AGSB friend Alpha at Yellow Cab at People's Support... Finally was able to give the invite for Grace and Poch's Wedding this Sunday... Funny how many different alternative easier route I missed going to People's Support... Nice Lunch...

Had Dinner with SGV Boss FAA and SGV Friends Sharon at Fish Out of Water in GB5... I was surprised how much development in GB5 since the last time I was there... It's been quite a long time having dinner with FAA and Sharon... Nice Dinner...

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By the way, I did work today... hehe... and was able to achieve much within the day - resolving some issues... planning some stuff... finalizing some reports... and meetings...

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Well, it was a long Wednesday but it was Fun... Just noticed lately, it seems that on days I meet friends... It has been back to back to back events... That leaves the rest of the days on those boring work - house routine... Nah, not really that boring as there are a lot to do at home as well... =>

Whining...

Here I am again with my vent out blog... It seems that I must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed... There just seems so much roller coaster of emotion on my part... and there will be days that I'll be brittle...

For all the tough persona I portray in dire situations, I am also caught in times that I would crack under pressure... I'm human after all... Not some emotionless robot who just goes on and on... But I guess that's what characterize me... Always on the look out to help but never to seek it when needed... Stubborn... No stress ball to lean on or de-stress routine to hang on to...

I just seemed troubled on how much task to do and accomplish and how things are not that much swinging on my favor... That's where the major conflicts arise... but that seems to be the problem... too much climax and conflicts, less happy endings... then again, that's life!!!

I'm not necessarily down beat, there is still light at the end of the tunnel... There's always is... now if I can just muster enough strength to take a step forward... I just hope that the light at the end of the tunnel is not a moving train... hehe... Ok, there goes my whining time... Back to the real world...

Swingapore

Short stop to Singapore for a series of meetings... But unlike my previous visit this year, I had more time to waste as this is not the usual board meeting... so was able to catch up with some friends...

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Met up with Warna last Thursday at City Hall MRT... We went to the opening of the dance festival at Esplanade... That's not really a usual mix... Franc and Dancing... hehe... Anyway, had dinner afterwards... and back to hotel...

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Friday was my working day with a series of meeting distributed the whole day... but fun part was meeting with Mon, Shay, Gladys and Darlene for Dinner and Desserts... Incidentally, our offices were now on the same building... Off to hotel after a nice meal at Streets and a dessert at Ben and Jerry's...

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The next day was the lightest being a weekend... shop a bit at Orchard, spending a lazy day at Mon's place, meeting Joanne and Jenny and playing with my Inaanak Jarren... Jarren was full of energy yesterday and has maintained a healthy built (ambigat)... Light as it was, it was tiring as we did try to shoot some hoops late afternoon... Must increase stamina... hehe...

I'm back home today, having my flight rebooked to an earlier flight... and I'm now catching up on the net and hoping that they'd find a way not to include me in the conference meeting today... Afterall, it's a lazy Sunday afternoon... =>

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Excess Inkblogs: I've watched Bloomberg when I was in Singapore and the market indicators are not that positive the whole world over... I guess Trust and Confidence is a missing word in the market lately... but as things are downbeat at the moment, It'll catch momentum sometime...

Off to Singapore

It's been a long tiring emotional day... and I'm glad to get out of it in one piece... A lot has been brewing lately that all had peaked today...

Audit planning came up short and painless... I hope that is still the case months from now... It's really the execution I'm worried about... but worry is something I'd pass on a future date...

I'm suppose to hit another personal milestone... but after everything has been weighed and done, I guess it was not the right time or circumstances... I guess the future paints several plans to choose from...

I wonder if I'm normal that I don't usually like to be called in reverence as a Boss or Sir even if my position would say so (Some people just like to be Boss)... People are always colleagues to me... Not staff nor boss...

Day ended with another meeting... but this has been a source of headache as of late... the meeting was surprisingly cordial and hopefully, everything would be fine...

Then here I am again hoping... Is it ok to be a beacon of hope??? It's not really the best view you can have... Hope is prevalent in tough and tumultuous times...

Another milestone that is yet to unravel soon... and I'm glad all the hard work had not been in vain... and that I did do my part to help...

Now, I'm still disoriented packing stuff for my business trip to Singapore (where did I place my SG MRT card...hehe)... I guess, the attraction of SG to me now is more on the friends and colleagues I get to meet.... I hope I can spend some time with friends based there on this trip... I'm sure I will... =>

Early Monday Again...

Not that sleepy nor grumpy early Monday morning... Thanks to a restful weekend and yes, need to recharge my batteries cause it's gonna be a long week... as always...

Still have to conduct part II of the Medtecs training, this time in Makati office... how to squeeze it in is something I have yet to unravel... but this would be fun... When there's a wheel, there's a car... hehe... rather if there's a will there's a way...

Audit planning is gonna hit by midweek... I'm not a fan of the audit planning event anymore since we always end up having a hard time come annual report time... brings back bad excruciating memories... Holy week at work in Taipei was not really something to be glad about this year for me and Jing... but let's stick to the positive... hopefully, something good will turn up... fingers crossed and hopes up high...

Will be in Singapore towards the end of the week to meet some banks... It's my third trip is SG this year, I think 8th foreign trip this year (the most I have in a year and there's still a board meeting set in Cambodia come December)... Hay!!! To much of the travel bug as of late... Anyway, back to the fun part... time with SG based friends... Yipee!!! Oops, I haven't mentioned yet that I'm flying in... hehe...

Well, it's almost office hours here... so back to work for me... After all, a long week starts on a Monday and the earlier I get to work, the sooner I'll finish... Ciao!!!

Pass Ko

As I was in the mall yesterday and as the Christmas tunes started playing... It brought a different reaction... people actually was not listening in glee but more of a sigh of concern that Christmas was fast approaching... wait!!! I'm still in the Philippines where Christmas celebration is the longest in the whole wide world... Somethings do change!!!

But then again, it's a crazy world out there... US in financial doldrums... China in a tight fix with a bout with melamime... Not to mention some volatility in major commodities... Where does that leave us??? If there's one thing I learned about Globalization... One event in some place will be felt the world over... and yes, the worst is yet to come for us... but we're used to living at worst times, I guess that something to smile about for one...

So the craziness will eventually die down... and the mood of celebration sill finally come in... but of course, I'd like to take some time before the festivities roll over (it's too near my busy season... hehe)... and I do welcome the thought of Christmas, the celebration will come but I'd like to enjoy my remaining days not worrying about the usual yearend audit issues... hehe...

A tougher time makes us want to have a free pass of Christmas but with a weeklong festivities in store come that time... It's gonna be a blast!!! Something to look forward to... and let the Christmas tunes flow... and in time, the resilience we're known for would kick in and then there's gonna be a reason to celebrate... Pass Ko... Not Really!!! =>

Excess Inkblogs: It's a bit early for me to go for this Christmas blogs... hehe...

Super Tired

Long days and long nights... Yesterday and today... Super Franc is back with a busy stretch...

OC Mode with powerpoint presentation at work yesterday... I did miss making power presentations from my MBA days... so here's my chance and paid attention to every intricate detail... then there's the regular finance and accounting routine along the way... and yes, the usual over animated office scenarios and dramas...

Had to drop by shortly with Jing at Rockwell... and then another conference call... and a mad rush to Glorietta to meet Grace... traffic was terrible... coffee after at Gloria Jeans... and another mad rush to Nommu for Steve's Birthday Salubong to meet up with Ateneo friends... I missed the Ateneo Bonfire Party last Tuesday owing to traffic so wanted to be present this time... Went home almost 1 an... It's gonna be a short sleep to usher in a new day...

Up and drowsy at 530 am and at office at 6 am for our trip to Bataan for the training we would be conducting for the Accounting Department at our plant... We really did enjoy the teaching activity as I said in the past its one of my passions as of late... After hours of the training we were off back to Manila... and upon arriving at the office... had to catch up replies for my work emails... Haay!!!

And here I am... Super Franc... Super Tired and... Super Sleepy.... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

I Hate Mondays!!!

Sometimes I think if choosing Monday for my coding cutoff was a right idea... Since Monday is the day you are so vibrant from a weekend rest and raring to start the week... Not Me... I'm always tired and sleepy on a Monday since I have to be in the office before 7 am... then again, most holidays fall on a Monday... hehe... Still the right choice... => The rest of the time, it isn't a holiday, I hate Mondays!!!

Some crazy thoughts...

If you are not happy, are you sad?
If you are not sad, are you happy?
Or there is some place in between???
The next question is that if you are in between happy and sad, is it the right emotion???

My thoughts...
I guess, it's all part of life's compromises as you can't be 100% happy nor 100% sad... there are always some void of happiness or sadness waiting to be filled... Fair compromise, I assume... It leaves people who are happy with something to aspire for and people who are sad, something to hope for... then there's always your attitude keeping things in balance...

Long week ahead... it's nearing year end... and for me, that's not something I anticipate with excitement... those are gonna be the busy days (though to a lesser extent compared to before)... but of course, I don't want to worry about that now... that's something I have to dwell on at some future time... it's always a day at a time... =>

One Big Fight Won!!!

I'm glad I won't have to quote portion of the Ateneo Hymn "Win or lose, it's the school we choose..." because Ateneo's one big fight is a battle we have won... Ateneo 62 - La Salle 51 to become the UAAP Champs this year...

Too bad, it fell on a workday and even if I tried to watch via streaming (provided by Mel... Thanks!!!), I was not able to view since there may be some software compatibility problems... and I eventually got tied up with a conference call... So I had to make do with frequent updates from various sites... and after work, I tried to catch up what I could which ended up to be the dying seconds of a won game... and of course, the festivities that followed... At least, I was able to catch a bit of the action...

It was an overpowering season losing only one game for the season... and winning a championship via a sweep and at the expense of the defending champs, La Salle... It's always great to watch Ateneo - La Salle mix it up in the hard court... the intensity, the passion and the pride...

For my Ateneo friends, Yehey!!! We won!!! Win or win it's the school we choose... hehe...

For my La Salle friends, it's always a great treat everytime there's Blue and Green in the court... More battles to come... =>

Trip Back Home...

I had my trip back home to Baguio over the weekend. It's not often I go home anymore but this time I did have my weekend at Baguio.

And it was such a reminder of what I was missing... the weather was chilly cold and the misty white fog was prevalent... Spent Saturday afternoon with cousins in Green Valley... for Air Hockey, Badminton and Bowling... It was fun though it was a bit odd during bowling since we had to do the scoring manual and the lane was a bit out of date... I did have a lousy score... Dunno if it was the lane, or the fact that I haven't bowled sometime or I may had too much of Wii Bowling... The visit was still a nice exercise at such a foggy ambiance...

Sunday was a lazy day... with too much bumming around at home... and I guess, this would be a nice consolation of not watching UAAP live... Watching it in the living room cramped up in the sofa due to the cold and chilly Baguio weather... and of course, the better part was that Ateneo won another hard fought game against bitter rival La Salle... Had dinner with family at Don Henricos in SM Baguio and the cool climate got highlighted by a strong breeze and slight rain... A reminder of what I really missed about home...

Off back to Makati via the comfort of De Luxe Bus... and then back to the real world again...

Excess Inkblogs: Just a warm birthday greeting to She (Sept. 22) and Arlyn (Sept. 23).

Fridays

It's not really much of a busy week, except the last two days, but I still seem tired and drained on a Friday... TGIF... and it's gonna be a weekend in a quarter of day...

I'm torn on going home to Baguio or to watch the Ateneo vs. La Salle live... Should be a no-brainer should the Ateneo - La Salle tickets be immediately available (Mark did offer me some Gen Admission ticket but too far for me, I guess)... Anyway, whether I watch it live or on TV just wanna say... Go Ateneo, One Big Fight!!!

Back to Baguio is also another tempting alternative... The place I call home hasn't been in the list of places I've been to lately... Too much travel as of late... Not much to do here really except to sleep and relax a bit... then if push through with this, I just hope to get a comfortable De Luxe bus ticket... Driving is not an option for me especially if it's just a few days...

A crossroad... hehe... We'll see what happens... Either way, I can have a nice relaxing weekend... =>

Mad Tags

I was in Tagaytay yesterday with Madz, Mark and Mina... It was a long tiring day but really a fun one... It was a nice warm day in Tagaytay (though wasn't really that cold)... and I guess the charm of the place is you just can hang around and just relax...

Early start at 7 am picking Mark and Mina at Makati and Madz in Paranaque and glad that there's a bit imporvement in SLEX (South Suffer Highway... a little less... hehe)... Had our breakfast buffet at Josephine's... yum yum (though I like their lunch buffet much better)... We did have a nice clear Taal view at our table... Nice chit chat and some pics...

We then had coffee and shakes in Bag of Beans and just hang out there... In the afternoon, it was a bit breezy so even if we practically spent hours here, we didn't get much of the inconvenience of the warm weather... Next in line was a stop at People's Park where there's a new feature called Zip Line and Cable Car... looks fun but a bit expensive... so had a little trek here instead...

And we were on our way back... for dinner and videoke at Madz place... Dinner was great... and the singing had a surprizing turn of events (maybe even disturbing... hehe)... I got a nice score with Magic Sing... hehe... which was better than Madz and Mina and just one point less of Mark's highest score (though Mark had really exhausted his voice just for the score...hehe) ... Just for the record, singing is not really my cup of tea... hehe...

Too bad, Madz would be on her way back to St. Maartens... It's really a nice time waiting to happen when some friends fly of back here for a few weeks of vacation... I guess with my friends spread in the whole wide world... seeing someone back from time to time is always welcome... though it's also much of treat seeing them in other coutries as I also have to do my fair share of travel also...

And what happens after a long day on a Sunday??? A mad dash to work on Monday just to meet my coding cutoff since it's really difficult waking up that early after a long fun day like this... hehe... then again, it 's all worth it... =>

IBlog: Blue vs Green

it's gonna be Ateneo vs La Salle for the UAAP finals. Yehey!!! At least a few more games of nail-biting action between fierce rivals. Sticking to the school spirit... Go Ateneo, One big fight!!! Hope to squeeze some time to watch the games in full force. =>

Mascy Day

Was late for this... but the long traffic aside going to QC (come to think of it, I haven't been to QC for quite some time)... I did have fun and then the realisation that I did miss these events and these people as we don't meet that often already...

All roads headed for Nommu for Mascy's birthday celebration last night and yes, the usual early me is no more... hehe... arriving late for the party... Still a handful of AGSB friends came for the party... and the end result was FUN... Food... Drinks and a lot of glow in the dark...

Left late at past 1 am and the rest is sleep history... and as if this posting to resume some sleep... as its a weekend and a nice time to rest and relax... =>

Long List of To Dos

Long list of to dos for the day and just to set things in proper perspective... I take a step back, gather my thoughts and then switch to accelerate mode... The list of to dos has something to do with the list I haven't finished yesterday.... and Why??? With the huge rainfall as of late, it's safe to be home early... else, you get stuck somewhere amidst the flooded streets...

Normal... to a certain extent that is how things are since I came back... Upbeat, relaxed and I guess with a broader mindset... and thanks to my Wiikouts, I feel a bit healthier than the stress-ridden me a few weeks ago... but long way to go as to losing weight is concerned...

Not much event to digest as of late... met up with Mark, Madz, Mina and Arnee last Monday with Madz back in town... Nice dinner at Centro with the bottomless sago't gulaman (though I may have had more than I can take... hehe)... Anyway, Tagaytay again this weekend... Mascy celebration later at Nommu, can't wait to see my Ateneo friends again later... Everybody has been so busy as of late to meet up... and yeah, all those travels, maybe we should just meet at the airport next... hehe...

Now back to my long list of to dos... Good luck to me... =>

When it Rains, It Pours...

The rain suddenly fell early evening... and it did really pour... Then what happens when it rains so hard, well in this part of the world, it floods... and then there's the head splitting traffic jam... of course, cars would be jammed if some roads would be flooded... and for me it was a scary experience since all the time, I'm praying that amidst the floods my car would be able to keep on running... and thankfully, I was able to reach home though it did take quite some time due to the traffic jam...

While my car was able to withstand the flooding, I was not as lucky, having a head ache after being drenched by the downpour... though that's also caused by a busy day... Hopefully, I'll be fine by tomorrow or while the rain is pouring, it may turn up that the typhoon may intensify and let's see. by then... =>

Suddenly Monday

Suddenly realised that it's my first Monday at work for the last four weeks with back to back long weekends and being in HK last Monday... so the lazy and sleepy feel coming from an early morning in the office due to a coding cutoff is something new to me... and speaking of lazy, I guess that's how I describe my weekend... LAZY...

Bumming around... Net, Wii, Watch movies and series in my laptop... Rest... Rest and more Rest... and yes, I did attend Gani and Jana's wedding... Congrats!!! I was also able to watch some portion of the Blue Eagle's win over the Green Archers... I should have watched this live but I hope they do get to meet again in the final for me to witness another Blue vs. Green action...

Even if I haven't frequented the Gym, I'm glad to say that I have my Wiikouts (I mean workout with Wii Sports...) It's more fun this way... hehe... but I need to be a bigger loser when it comes to weight... hehe... I have to admit was a bit lazy working out as of late...

On a final note, I'm glad to be back to my old idealistic self... I guess, a little bit of idealism will put some things in proper perspective and it always keep you striving for something better... Of course, there's always a good mix between real and ideal... =>

Home Kong

My visits in Hong Kong has always brought a homey ambience with the warm hospitality of my cousin and her family based there... I've been here often that I've been to most of the places already... including nearby Macau...

I came at the tail end of the term vacations of my nieces and yes, the tailend also of the sale season in Hong Kong... hehe... anyway, during this trip I just went to Disney on a scorching hot Saturday... was able to catch the parade this time (the last time, it rained... hehe)... had a few rides (I'd still prefer a drive with my City than the autopia ride)... and a few pics with the disney characters (I just realized, it was fun going along those queues for those photo-ops)... and a few souvenirs (expensive... hehe)...

Anyway, been also to outlet shops in Tung Chung and shops in Sheung Wan, Causeway Bay and Central during the trip... More than anything else, it was the breather from a stressful environment that I appreciated the most (though there were some interuptions... as usual)... on a final note, I notice that everytime I am at HK Airport, I always get randomly interviewed by the HK Tourism Board... I wonder what is it in me that attracts attention... I don't always have the friendliest aura... hehe... but at least, I get those freebies always... =>

iBlog: T3 Trouble

1st chance at NAIA terminal 3 and its been all stress. Am no longer under a sleepy spell despite the early flight. Why? 1 You have to pay the travel tax separately not included for net bookers. 2 No working atm. 3 Boarding fee can only be paid in Php (which should have been ok except for 1 and 2. Good thing there was a money changer so just converted USD to PHP. Long way to go for T3 and despite the size of T3, very minimal duty free shop and food. Funny, how SG is posted in boarding gate instead of HK.=>

Sodoku

Life is a game of Sodoku!!!

There are some pieces that are fixed and given... and yet there are some blank spots that makes up the riddle... and just seeing a portion of the puzzle doesn't really get you anywhere... unless you get to see the whole picture... and somehow, the answers to the riddles come out by seeing how the fixed pieces relate to the whole picture... and the best part about it is there is always a solution... no matter how difficult it may be...

And that is the portion, I'd want to see, there's always a solution as long as you know how to work with what is given and learning how they are related to uncertain items... I guess I keep this parallelism since it gives me the idea that things may not appear as I want, but this are all part of the pieces that leads us to the right choices... and the right choices that unravels the riddle of life...

Now back to solving my game of Sodoku!!! =>

Stop over

After a nice meeting in Cambodia and a visit to the Kampong Cham plant, I'm into my 2 hour plus waiting time to my flight back to Ph... So for a change and not to be bored, I got myself into a corner and was able to get a clear Wifi signal in Saigon Airport...

It was a tiring day yesterday, with call time at 7 am and a long trip to Kampong Cham plant... and then, going around the plant is quite a chore... and then the long way back again... the soonest time, I was able to check mail, I was bombarded by emails... lots of things to do... and then the drinking spree at night...

I'm on my way back and in a few hours, I'd be touching base with Ph soil... though just for a day... so it's gonna be an intense day tomorrow... somehow, it always is... I guess, those heartbeat-stopping moments is now starting to take its toll... and the next stop over should do much rejuvenation... I hope... =>

Bored in Saigon

I'm in Saigon Airport right now, waiting for my connecting flight to Cambodia and with only a few shops... I'm bored!!! Good thing, there's Wifi access here at least, I get to navigate the web... and chat with a few friends...

This is gonna be a short trip with me coming back on Wedensday... I hope all things go well in Cambodia... and then there's the frantic anticipation of four long days in Hong Kong... Sigh... Sigh... Sigh... I'm not really one to enjoy this surprise trip but as things are.... So be it!!! =>

Excess Inkblogs: 30 more minutes before boarding time...

E-Ket

It happened so fast... even after office hours, I got a call that I would be needed to take part with a meeting with a bank in Cambodia... No ticket, no cash advance and no plan... So as part of my two-kets blog, it's now e-ket or emergency ticket... Was able to make some calls to arrange the advance and had to rush to our travel agent early morning for my e-ket and wahlah... I'm off on another foreign business trip... Too bad, it had to eat a portion of my long weekend... waah...

Monday Ph-Ho Chi Min-Phnom Penh
Tuesday Phnom-Penh - Kampong Cham - Phnom Penh
Wednesday Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Min-Ph
Thursday Makati Office
Friday - Four day vacation in Hong Kong

Well, I expected the travel but not at such short notice... all part of the job... Hay life!!! As things may seem, I may need to have a few more travel within the year... Maybe I ought to stop blogging about tw0-kets or three-kets as it always turns out there's always an e-ket that follows... Anyway, two more days to enjoy in Ph... =>

Excess Inkblogs: I'm starting to miss Ph already knowing that I'll be almost barely here in the next week and a half...

Uncharted Waters

It was a problematic long day yesterday... I guess the ball won't always bounce on your favor... and somehow, it's how you get back and try to redeem the ball once again... Ok, that part was more on the thrill of watching a game 7 in the PBA last Wednesday where the Gin Kings won despite the odds of a depleted line up and a determined rival... The heart does play a big part on how we prevail against adversities...

And back to my long day... and yes, even at my best efforts there are things and situation that are bound to happen... and yet everything starts by having the will to sit back... sigh... and look forward to new challenges on tumultuous terrains and start again... I feel like facing a blank wall but there's a beauty in seeing a blank canvass... you get your mind to imagine various landscapes... There's always a glimmer of hope...

Emotional power up needed... Luckily, in a stroke of impulse last month, I was able to book a Hong Kong getaway next weekend... a time to recharge before facing uncharted waters... I've been on uncharted waters for quite some time... then again, growth means conquering uncharted waters... no matter how tough or turbulent the trip is... and then again the turbulence that a storm brings doesn't last forever... the rays of sunshine will glisten sometime... =>

Zoobic Zunday

It was a long drive to Subic on a Sunday in a middle of a long weekend... Good thing, there's SCTEX and NLEX... going there was smooth and safe... not to mention faster...

Had our visit at Zoobic Safari... Took some time for us to find this place... The rest of the zoo was ordinary but the experience in feeding tiger and crocs was exciting to witness... The big tiger paws inside our ride clasping the chicken and eventually eating it... The tigers jumping on top of the enhanced jeepney vehicles was thrilling and fun to watch... then the over 200 crocs taking its calculated move on how to grab the chicken... hmm... seems like a session in C*******.

Lunch and duty free after... and was on our way home... and our quick way home again... owing to the expressways... less than two hours from Subic to Makati... but of course, after the long drive comes the rest and the relaxation... So from Zoobic Zunday, it's gonna be a Lazy Monday... =>

Slackeroo

The best part after every meeting is the week that comes after it... cause after all the pressure-filled moments, there a bit of slack time to enjoy... Today, would probably be the last day of the slackeroo mode I am in... and next week will be a busy week once again...

A time for everything... and yes, even a time to take it easy a bit... I just really can't be a stress-ridden zombie who works like there's no tomorrow... Not my style... Then being a Friday is another enticement to take it easy... long weekends coming (or should I say Wiikends)... yehey!!!

I hope to find a bit effort to update some stuff... really want to do something different aside from the regular work routine... a second life perhaps... business, teaching, consulting (need to update my CV), audit (yeah.. I remember, haven't finalize my BOA)... I guess, I've got a lot of small stuff to do... then again, pursuing such alternatives could also mean less travel for me... hmm.... there's an opportunity cost... Think... Think... Think... =>

Back Again... For How Long???

I'm back again after four days in Singapore... and I've probably been back again for so many times already... from my last count I've been out of the country for more than 6 months spread over 30 foreign trips for the past 5 years... I wonder if I spent those time as an OFW, maybe I could have saved something... naah... I'll always be impulsive when it come to my spending habits at whatever level of income...

Will most likely be back again in Singapore within the week or early next week... for another business trip... and of course, there's my HK vacation waiting by monthend... Another thing that is back is my DSL connection at home... which has become quite a burden following up and after months of complaining, it's back... I guess, customer service is not at its best for PLDT's DSL...

Happy to get past another half year... the degree of difficulty has me thinking if there was an easier life out there... but I'm one who lives and strives within challenging times... PATIENCE and everything will fall into place in due time... I guess, it's not about living the perfect life but it's more of having a tinge of sanity in this crazy world... => Anyway, sleepy head me... trying to catch up sleep from all the stress that came as of late... zzzzzzzzzzzz

Intertwined

Interesting, how things seems intertwined... well, spent my Saturday at Warna's (SGV clustermate and SLU schoolmate) Apartment in Singapore... then was suppose to go to check on the Singapore Sale... then since Che (SLU schoolmate and Warna's Housemate) was on her way to meet up with some friends... went with her via MRT to City Hall...

On the way, we then realised that she was meeting up with Peps (SGV Partner)... So Peps and MFG were just with me yesterday on the Board meeting... so decided to surprise them and eventually joined in... Also, on the list of people Che was meeting, was Gladys (who turns up to be officemate of my SGV friend Edmond and former cluster mates Wendy, Tere and Shay)... Since MFG was with Peps, MFG joined in who was suppose to meet Mel (SGV batchmate of Jing) and Cheng (SGV Friend of Jing)...

So "Maliit ang mundo" or as Peps says its a small world... I guess we could have factored in a few more people in the equation and we'd still end up some how intertwined... one way or another... so I may try to see more intertwining conbinations here when I come back next week... =>

My Triple 8 in SIngapore

I'm now in the easy part of my Singapore Trip... surviving a barrage of meetings and a very energy-draining board meeting in JB, Malaysia... So while people had spent their triple 8 being lucky so I had mine being the center of attention but I guess, even tough moments are eased out by preparation... but an exhausting two-days still...

Still have a day here... before my flight home... but it looks like I need to be back here next week for another meeting... haay... at least, lucky for me that I was able to convince my way not to extend a day or two as my supply of clothes is just enough... I still have things to do in Ph... At least, a streak of luck...

Funny, everytime I blog about -kets (two-kets, threekets), I end up having additional trips... Looking forward to my vacation in Hong Kong at end of Month... Looks like there are still some travel in store during the year with the next board in Cambodia... I hope to squeeze in a few more trips within Ph in between... =>

Mondays

Still sleepy early Monday morning... owing to my coding cutoff... It's difficult to drag oneself off the bed after a weekend... but I won't go to the extent to say that I hate Mondays... Not yet anyway...

Work has been smooth... receiving the following compliment from on of the directors

"Allow me to thank both of u and yr teams for sending the financial info early. Many late nites I'm sure.

I've noted the improvement. My compliments"

Flattered but on the many late nights not true with my finish-everything-before-6 mentality as of late... Ok, we had one late night... a coffee at Rockwell but I guess, that's entirely not work related... hehe...

Anyway, I'm expecting to be bombarded by sense and senseless queries today and the days to come... Still a bit perturbed that everything has gone on smooth in my expect the unexpected life... then again there's still a few days for surprises... everything in its due time...

Another thought , don't think there'll always be a next time... some disservice can only be tolerated to a certain extent... an action will always have a proportionate reaction... This is my take on the we'll try better next time email I had over the weekend...

Well back to work before I set a bad example of a disservice myself... blogging at work... Good thing I was early to squeeze out some thoughts out in this blog... =>

My Wiikend

I finally got myself a Wii... and I love Wii Sports... Now I can look forward to wiikends...

About my weekend, I met up with some AGSB friends at Greenhills last night... Bon Voyage Jan and Bogz... Came late but the night was much longer with us signing off at 2 am... I guess, even the strong rain was't able to cancel this one...

Watched the Mummy 3 this morning... Nice Movie!!! And now I plan to go back to my Wiikend, but time to catch up some sleep first... ZZZZZZ

Calm Before the Storm

It's a full week before board and I feel uneasy for the weirdest reason... We're almost done so early... and even the usually chiakulit individuals are on silent mode...

It always seem that something would happen in between... Is it the professional skepticism in play? Or something I got out of experience... it's tough being able to present and be grilled for something you just summarize and have minimal control of... Fact of life, no matter how much information the accounting department gather, it's always more of summing up what happens in operation... Of course, along the way... there may value added inputs in between but at the end of the day it is still management call...

A good thing is that I did have a crash course on the various aspect of the business and industry... on the due diligence work with foreign banks... theoretically sound... but the end of the day, the management vision and firmness to the goal should be the key driver...

Anyway, I do look forward not to the trip in Singapore / Malaysia but more on the easier way of life before the much busier time comes by year end... Whatever happens, I'm booked on a Hong Kong vacation end of August... and then there's more time to think of other passion to pursue... =>

A Piece of My Thoughts...

I've been planning to write something about the social situation in the Philippines but somehow, every time I start with something I delete it. Why? I realized that there are already so much people giving their two cents worth (worthless) advice. Then at least, I'd like to say a bit that's socially relevant.

The time has been trying with prices of basic necessities surging... and surging real fast. The remedies government dole-outs doesn't really solve the problem. If the government really has money to spare then they should use it to control the cost of basic necessities. There's the way of temporarily reducing duties in basic commodities to ease the cost to consumer until the uptrend is over. I guess, the dole-out method is more dramatic on a political landscape.

The one trait the people have is its resiliency... no matter what happens people can still smile and be content. I just hope that the trying times will pass... I guess that is what sets this nation apart...HOPE...

Back in SGV... For a Day...

It's been quite sometime since I've been in the confides of my first job, SGV... Occasion was FAA and Ms Dolly's birthday celebration... It's been almost five years since the day I left SGV... A lot has happened since... A silver plated MBA... several promotions and additional responsibilities... several travels and escapades... All things happen for a reason and having a solid training base is one of them... Though time may have shifted into overdrive... I guess, there were happy thoughts with colleagues and mentors to look back to...

So much for the reminiscing part... It started from a message from Jay Anne from New York to give a message for FAA and Ms. Dolly (Funny... how the flow of message is PH - NY - PH)... to quick invite from Mathel... to me standing in e-cafe personally delivering my message (I was a surprise guest of some sorts but it turned out I'm a guest that was surprised with me on stage as soon as I came)... I really didn't know what to say since I talk to FAA regularly with the rest of the former SGVeans... Anyway, I did my piece and started enjoying the night after plucking out Arlyn from her busy work and Rommel dropping by...

There were so many production number, games and messages for FAA and Ms. Dolly from SGV past and present... It's interesting to see the audit world's intern, the new staffs, leading the numbers... Lucke me when I was a new staff, I wasn't required to go through this routine since I'm there most of the time hosting the party... But tonight just glad being part of the audience and seeing something that reminded why SGV was so much fun despite all the sleepless nights and hard work... You're working with young people...

Time to call it a night... coffee with Arlyn and Rommel at Bo's and off to home... =>

Homebody in Training

For about two weeks, I went by the routine of finish work early and go home early... which is normal to some but a bit peculiar for me... A homebody, I am not for such a long time... Though its nice to take time just to rest and relax at home in stress-filled times... Learning to be home early is quite a new subject for me... hehe...

Has maturity caught up with me with the homebody routine??? Hehe... I guess, I'm looking for an alternate life after office hours... business??? hmm... not for me... teaching??? tempting but how'd I fit in all the travels on my jet setting mode... gimmicks??? not that much already at this time... school??? I've done my time already...

I'll come up with something soon... or then again, having so much free time is not bad at all... with all the rest... the viewing time... and the home workouts... and much much more... and besides, It'll be travel time again next month... so conserve my energy for more grand vacations ahead... =>

Two-kets...

A sequel to my earlier three-kets (which ended up to be four-kets)... Now, I'm going two-kets again... Two out of the country tickets next month... One is work and the other is a short breather...

Ticket 1 is another Board meeting in Singapore Malaysia area which as always, I don't want to attend... It's hard to be in the center of it all being grilled on things you have little control... but I guess, it's all part in a days work... then there'll always be Singapore based friends to look forward to...

Ticket 2 is a mini vacation in Hong Kong... It's been two years since my last visit so I hope there has been some interesting changes... though the idea of dropping by Shenzen or Macau has crossed my mind... a good thing though was I was able to book myself at promo rates this morning... and of course, there'll always be my relatives there...

I've been in and out of the country this year (two-kets would be trip 5 & 6 this year) and I guess, the tougher days should always end with a breather... I also need to go home in Baguio more often as I can count the times I was there this year... After all, how can I call it home when I'm just an infrequent visitor as of late... =>

Excess Inkblogs: I've been wanting to blog about my hyper efficient everything done by 6 pm mode as of late... and I guess, it keeps a good balance between the pressure packed responsibilities and everything else... Also, I was able to get myself a Rotex Type stationary bike ( don't need to renew my gym membership...hehe)... Hmm... Now, to find myself a Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit set... =>

Frictionary Vol. 1

Me, Myself and I

Franc - most common nickname (Frank with a C)
Cocoy - nickname as a kid
Francois - socy nickname (from my SGV friends)
Franckie, Frankee, Francy - other names (mostly AGSB friends)
Franckenstein - Monster name (from Rondz ata to... kasama ni Rondster, Jingasaur at Marooster)
Super Franc - my useful helpful mode
Franckxethee - original email add (na-hack dati pero nabawi din)
Frinx - my unlucky mode (franc + jinx = frinx)
Crancky Franckie - masungit mode ko at maiksi ang pasensya
Francky McSleepy - pag inaantok... grey's anatomy ko (Mc Sleepy)... with my sleepy droopy eyes
Impersonal Franc - numb na ako nyan at walang pakialam

Terms and Phrases

Hay life!!! - pag pagod na at hirap
Shoot!!! - sanitised way of saying sh*t
Protection bubble - selected few na protective ako
Anti-social shell - dito ako pag busy, stressed at ayaw ko magpakita sa tao... in short, aloof mode
Meating - meeting while eating... kainis kaya ito...
Workends - weekend na work... kainis din ito...
Overweek - Tinalo ang overnight at buong week nakatira sa office... buti wala na ito...
Chiakulit - tawag namin sa isang makulit
Home for the aged - workplace ko (andami old folks at special child... so minsan day care din)
Ipodless - ayan ang term ko nung nawalan ako ng Ipod
Stress ball - konti lang tong nakakita ng stressed at problematic side ko...
Iblog - Blog ko using my ipod touch
Jetsetting mode - pag nangyari to sa airport na lang tayo magkita
Bitten by the cleaning bug - sobrang sipag ko maglinis pag ganito
Worm tail - coined this word when my laptop got it by a worm
Hacked attack - when my yahoo account got hacked... buti na lang nabawi ko yung account
Breaking point - naku pag annual report finalization to... test of patience and character
Hoopless - years na wala kaming fantasy hoops with former sgv officemates
Inkblogs - inkblots (college newspaper column ko) + blogs = inkblogs

more to come... back to work na... hehe...

Think... Think... Think...

Too much thinking... I guess I'm guilty of that as of late... I'm so much driven that I may have accessed and reaccessed the different scenario going forward... then again such frame of though has been much stressful on my part...

So had focused my energy to work 8-9 solid hours a day this week and the rest should be slack time to rest to just hang around... A bit tough but I somehow needed the time to take my mind of the pressures and burdens yet to come... Such frame of thought led me to the idea that it doesn't matter if you win or lose, get what you want or not, everything happens for a reason and the important part is that we are able to digest and leave through this experiences...

Now, despite the load at hand, I just would leave by the day and the surprises it may bring... It may not be a surprise I want but it certainly a surprise meant for me... Think... Think... Think... No more... and everything should fall into place in due time... Then all is calm for now... =>

Oyster Boy Bash for MJ and Gina

After three months absence in Ateneo friends gathering, I finally was able to attend one... Gina and MJ's birthday bash at Oysterboy Greenhills last Saturday...

Oysters were great and being away for what seems like ages, there's much time spent catching up... A good thing, I manage to show up cause in less than a month, some of my friends would be having their long vacation in the US (Enjoy!!!)... It seems that everyone are all into taking big vacations as of late... I had mine last May in Australia, Anton and Jay in US and Canada, Mascy in Singapore and then Jan and Bogz in the US... I guess, if you work hard, you must travel hard as well...

It was great meeting up again and I hope we can squeeze in a few more gathering before the vacations... It was real fun that night that lasted until 2 am... and off to sleep I am...

Excess Inkblogs: A World of Blue and Green

Had watched my first UAAP game yesterday... Ateneo vs. La Salle... Thanks to Cig being able to get one more ticket for me... and being thrown into a rivalry that has divided Araneta Coliseum Blue and Green was a nice cap for a weekend... then throw in 40 minutes of nail-biting action (they should just play Ateneo vs La Salle in the last two minutes since it's always been down the wire finishes... hehe) Being part of Ateneo's 6th Man (The Crowd) was a great experience... and after the smoked cleared... We're all happy since the Blue Eagles won after a tough battle from the Archers... =>

Sleepless...

I had a hard time dozing off last night... Why??? I don't know but all I know is that I'm a tired for all that transpired the past few weeks... and that there's still a long way on what I wish to accomplish... I need to stock up tons of patience for the stretch run...

The odds ahead are tough... I guess a part of me wants to quit... wants to get out... but stopping at this point is futile... I'm welcoming the test of will and character... guess, everybody needs a breather from time to time... and as they say, "a journey of a thousand miles'''" starts with this blog... Then it usually starts with the first step... The good part about technology, you can blog, before you take the first step...

I'm about to take the first step... and I guess the journey will be rough... It's not the usual killer volume of work... but the stakes and stress level are quite high... and by the way, I did get my sleep at past 2 am... So, it's Francky McSleepy time for the rest of the day...

Alone in the 1st of July

I've been stuck in my room all day... resolving incoming issues... querying transactions in China... reviewing p&l... discussing with appraisers... addressing bank queries and getting information from China, Taiwan, Cambodia and Philippines... and the weird part is that this is just a normal day...

The hardest part was getting information... there's so much communication gap... language (I should really learn Mandarin)... then there's technical aspects (I'm working with various departments on this project)... then there's age (talking to people who's fit to be my lolo), emotional (people not motivated anymore) and other factor that impairs the communication flow... At that part, I felt alone on how to get all the information needed and on-time...

I guess, everything can be addressed in time and with patience... Didn't have much patience today so had to resort to time... as in overtime (waah... shelved my plan to go to the gym just to finish work =<)... In hindsight, at least, I can say, I've accomplished a lot today... and that even at my busiest time... I was still able to sneak in a few time talking to some friends and planning badminton (urgent need to de-stress)...

Being the 1st of July, I do hope that this isn't a sign of things to come this month... Please...

Trends and Cycles...

Looking back, my life has been a series of trends and cycles... Ups and down, lefts and rights... Hay Life... When things are on upswing or downturn, it goes on til something breaks the cycle...

Along the way, there were some jinx, I had to shrug off before things went well... or at least to break a trend... Travelling before has been so elusive even foreign trips handed to me somehow woudn't push through... Until the audit job in Paris in 2003... then came my 4-6 time foreign travel a year...

The trend would then signal another trend... five straight years without a domestic travel... Not for lack of trying but something always came up... I'm just glad that was broken with my Palawan trip last month...

Now, I'm on a mini trend of not being able to attend any recent gathering among my Ateneo friends or meeting any of my Ateneo friends... Again, something always came up... But I hope to break that when I attend MJ and Gina's bash (Postponed by Typhoon last week)... I just hope something won't go amiss this time...

Then again, my social circle has been limited lately but I guess, I'm in those boring patch in the cycle... but the good part, I've taken significant strides in moving out of the pathetic part of my work cycle (though I hope I find a way to miss the Singapore Board Meeting)... Things should now go upswing... =>

A Celebration for Gemma's Wedding

Time has flown so fast that we are now move forward to Gemma's Wedding... Since I joined SGV, I was already part of a cluster, way before clustering was even introduced in SGV... And years after SGV, we now get to see one of our partners in crime in so many clients getting married...

It 's always nice being part of celebrations of life like this... and being with SGV friends Kinney, Therry, Teng and Jo-C makes it a bit more fun... The wedding was at Sanctuario De San Jose in Greenhills and the reception was at North Greenhills clubhouse... My take, Gemma was such an animated bride... She seemed so relaxed with the festivities ongoing... and yes, a charming bride as well...

A nice wedding to witness and a great time to reunite with old friends... =>

Pressure... Please Leave Me...

I don't know if my high treshhold for pressure can pull me off this one... but days into the half year, I can feel the pangs of pressure in my half-year requirements... Still wondering on how to cross over the bigger challenge...

One thing, I know, it'll be over somehow or someway... but the thought process on getting to somehow and someway seems to be an arduous task... Giving up... maybe... though I don't think it's a thought I would entertain...

It's my time to hover that gloomy dark cloud... and I hope that some bright lights would glisten... and that all the pressure packed times would leave... and then again, I'll try my best to remain sane on this gloomy spell... There will always be a good tomorrow to look forward to...

Sick Me...

I'm not feeling well today... looks like another bout of hyperacidity... and to think the pressure is yet to come... and rest was so abundant yesterday with the typhoon leaving me homebound the whole day... Anyway, I'd be ok as always... A glass of milk while writing this blog and hopefully, I'll be fine tomorrow...

And speaking of tomorrow, I should be back to my A Game... as there's a mountain to climb with the load to surpass... no more lazy spells... no more bickering moments... No more random crazy thoughts... at least, til I get past all the challenges of half year... There'll be time for those things... =>

Typhoon Me

It's a lazy Sunday with a Typhoon with my namesake lingering in the country... Typhoon Frank.. It's been raining non stop and sans with the fact that I'm physically sore from badminton yesterday... it would have been a dull day... but on the better note, it's nice time to rest, relax and just bum around (somethigng I wanted to do for quite some time)... It had to be a namesake typhoon to keep me a homebuddy at least for part of the day...

The good part of the weekend was being able to sneak in badminton with SGV friends Anna, Arlyn, Rommel, Macoy and Me... Though the time element was a bit amiss with only me and Anna being present at lunch and on time... but I guess, most of us were still able to catch the 3 pm start of the badminton reservation... still rusty from all the time not playing badminton...

Then due to the typhoon, MJ and Gina's birthday bash was cancelled... which was fine by me since it'll be more time to rest... and now, just to wish that Typhoon don't do much more damage... =>

Odd Dilemma

It was an odd dilemma this morning ... the thought of going or not going to work was wrestling in my mind... I am just not that passionate with work as of late... Thinking if I did something off the habit like miss a day of work for no reason at all... It would break that trend...

It's not a new feeling... I've worked through bouts of lazy spells... I just don't like the thought of dragging myself up for work... I guess, the most logical explanation was that it was my last time to bum around before the work load for half year sets in... We all need some slack...

Funny thing is that I'm not even stress out to feel this way... Am I entering my anti-social shell again??? I guess, there'll be time to have the feeling of wanting to take some time off (uninterrupted, this time)... I just hope that I get to have that appetite for work again in time for our half year crunch... I know I will...

Ok, I'm glad I had that off my chest, now back to the real world...

Detached

I was able to detach myself from work over the weekend... lucky enough to leave my office PC open (automatically downloading my mails... meaning no mobile access for me... hehe)... Finally, was able to catch the chance to go home... It's been odd that I go out more than I go home to Baguio... Finally, was able to bring home the stuff I brought from Australia...

Took the deluxe bus with my sister to Baguio friday night and the first order of business the next day is to catch some sleep... Funny how I dreamt about the same story as the show running on TV while asleep... In the afternoon, went to Good Shepherd to buy some Ube... then SM... then finally played mini golf with relatives... I placed 2nd, missing the top spot by 1 shot... hehe... but it was a more fun game than a competitive one... Dinner at Don Hen and then back to sleep...

Woke up early the next day to go to strawberry farm to get some strawberries... Not really in season but was still able to get some... then not much really just relax a bit while waiting for our early afternoon trip... and was back in Manila early sunday evening to watch the Hulk (Better than the old one)...

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A nice breather and glad that I'm able to catch some break... and again, it's back to work again... but at the very least, I had been detached for a while to enjoy some time in my hometown... =>