The week that was (Dec 26 - January 1)

Sunday: My conversation with the Verizon people continued until 3:00am probably. After that, I was able to relax and unwind XD. After my shift, I went home via taxicab so I could be there within less than 30 minutes since me and my wife needs to pack some stuff for our visit to my folks in San Pedro. Going back home to San Pedro didn't take us that long since the skyway is almost done. When we got there, we ate another round of breakfast which consists of leftovers from their noche buena. I was supposed to sleep right away but I got too full with a lot of eating. I got up at around 3:00pm since my wife woke me up which made me a bit irritated especially with lack of sleep. We had our late lunch then (the reason why my wife woke me up) before spending the rest of the afternoon watching TV. I went out for a while to check my personal stuff online before going back home and calling it a day at 9:30pm.

Monday: I got up at around 3:00am felling the chills since its kinda cold there. Having no internet, I had to content myself with reading some magazines of my sister and cooked my own breakfast as my stomach is already grumbling XD. I watched TV early in the morning together with my dad since he got up early due to the cold weather. My wife woke-up as well and I invited her to walk on the new walkway in the front of our house. I was a bit surprised that the walkway in front of our house was already finished. We went there to walk and get some fresh morning air. Then we went back to have breakfast before enjoying the rest of the morning. All the while I feel like I'm having colds plus my body is kinda heavy probably due to the cold weather back home. I rested for a while before going to SM Manila to purchase a cellphone for my dad as a Christmas gift. My dad told me he wanted a simple phone that has a radio and a camera but easy to operate. I've looked for several options but I couldn't find the one that he needs until I found one at Cherry Mobile. Unfortunately, the unit that fit his needs is out of stock which means I have to get a different unit. I settled for a Nokia 1616 which was more affordable and has a radio in it. I purchased a SIM as well in order for the phone to operate. I felt hungry after purchasing that phone and at the same time, I feel really dizzy. After minutes of searching, I ended up at French Baker ordering soup on bread bowl and a quiche which I find it strange to eat. I put every ounce of strength in going home since I'm really weak at that point. Once I got home, I slept at around 6:00pm.

Tuesday: After 11 hours of sleep, I got up at past five in the morning as my body was still a bit aching from yesterday. I went online from 5:30am-8:30am to check out most of my personal stuff. Then by 8:30am, I went out to have my breakfast since there were no food at home. I try to see if I can control my body for my work that night since I'm still feeling heavy and uncomfortable. Though I was able to keep myself up until noon, I felt my body wanted to give in. But after a couple of hours of sleep, I felt much better now.

Wednesday: So far, so good, probably people in the US are either enjoying their holidays or they wanted to keep themselves warm from the snow storm in the east coast. I hope everyone there are fine and safe. I left the office at around 7:13am and took a cab. My colleague joined me on my way home since he'll be going to PRC to run some errands. But before I got home, I had my pancake breakfast at the recently-opened Mc Donald's in Legarda. Then my wife was still asleep when I got home when she got up all of a sudden and wanted a big breakfast. I went out again to buy her a big breakfast plus extras then gave it to her.

Thursday: Got several calls including an outage. But when I was about to create a ticket, it doesn't allow me to save the ticket completely. It took me a while before I was able to create a new one (It took me at least three tries). Then we spent the rest of our shift shifting through various websites one after the other. I took a cab home after my shift to get there early since my wife will be going to Divisoria to shop for additional Maternity clothes together with her mom and her sister.After they left, I went to Mc Donald's to get my breakfast there. probably, of of the most expensive fast food breakfast I had there XD. I was even able to watch TV before going to bed at 11:00am. Good thing I was able to get some good sleep before going to the office. I was also able to buy some milk for my wife on my way too. Well we haven't encountered much issues yet.

Friday: The phones were back to us since our US counterparts so which means they will be getting the phones from us Monday night. So far, so good.I got home at 7:30am and fell asleep after changing clothes. Unfortunately, I got up at 10:30am feeling the need to go to the bathroom. Then making myself fall asleep again was a daunting task. I don't know what time I've slept again but good thing I was able to get some more sleep. I left home at around 7:30pm to anticipate a possible shortage of available vehicles as mode of transportation in going to office. I was able to get a train to Recto on line 2 as well as catching the last train going to Baclaran on Line 1. But when I got to Buendia, there were no Bus available going to Ayala Ave so I took a jeepney ride up to RCBC Plaza and another jeep going through Ayala Ave. I didn't went to the office yet as I went to CBTL to get my ice-blended drink. Unfortunately, the store was closed even before 8:30pm. I went to 7-11 to buy my food as consolation. I got in the office at around 8:45pm and relaxed for a while. So far, so good. I was able to greet some friends online and check some personal stuff.

Saturday: Got two calls to start the New Year (sheesh!). I was hoping everybody would be celebrating the holidays but some still have to work (including me). After my shift, I went home right away via MRT-LRT2 route but walking towards those stations took me longer as some passages going there were closed so I had to take a longer route. Before going home, I passed by Jollibee in Legarda to eat some pancakes since I got really hungry. I tried not to sleep early after getting home and I was able to do that since I got really stuffed after eating three bowls of macaroni soup made by my mother-in-law (one of my favorite comfort foods). I slept from 10:30am up to 6:30pm. I had a dream of having a reunion with my fellow org-mates from college. I'm not sure of its actual meaning to me but it has something to do with renewing something I should have done in a long time. I had to get up early to anticipate again the shortage of vehicles (buses in particular). I left at around 8:30pm and waited for the bus but there was none found so I took a cab going to the office. I was able to get here at 9:00pm and played for a while. So far, so good. No issues at all from the US folks as they celebrate New Year there. ^_^

Again, Happy 2011 to all. XD

Events to attend in 2011

2010 was a fun-filled year for me. It gave me a lot of opportunities to attend some events that I haven't attended before. The experience helped me a lot in shooting outdoors, particularly during festivals. Though I've missed some events, I'm still looking forward to attend them whenever time (and my wife) permits XD.

Moving on, here are the events I'm looking forward to attend this year (if time, opportunity and budget permits XD )

1. Caracol Festival 2011: Makati City

2. Aliwan Festival 2011: Manila

3. Pahiyas Festival 2011: Lucban, Quezon

4. Dutdutan 2011: A Venue, Makati City or WTC, Pasay City

5. FHM 100 Sexiest 2011 Victory Party: WTC, Pasay City

6. Feast of the Black Nazarene 2011: Quiapo, Manila

7. Manila International Auto Salon 2011: WTC, Pasay City

8. 1st Philippine Nostalgic Motor Show: SMX Convention Center

9. Canon Photo Marathon 2011: Manila Leg

10. Higantes Festival 2011: Angono, Rizal

That's all for now. Maybe I'll add some soon. XD

I saw this on Yahoo and I think its a good read so I'll share it to everyone ^_^. But I'll include my comments on some of them. XD

50 things to do in Year of the Rabbit

Now that we have bidden The Year of the Tiger goodbye and happily ushered in The Year of the Rabbit…

1. Send a “Happy New Year” text message to people you love.

*Sent already. XD

2. Watch any or all of the eight Metro Filmfest entries.

*Nah! That would be 170 pesos times eight. I'd rather wait its DVD edition. XD

3. Don’t buy pirated DVDs.

*Yup. Its bad buying stolen goods

4. Don’t forget to drink at least eight glasses of water per day.
*I drink twelve glasses even more. XD

5. Get eight hours of sleep per night.

*I wish I could do that everyday. XD

6. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

*I wish I have money to consult a doctor. XD

7. Let Dr. Vicki Belo straighten those wrinkles on your face.

*Nah! I don't need that =P.

8. Any problem with your blood sugar? Consult diabetologist Dr. Wilson Lim (Metropolitan Hospital and St.  Luke’s Medical Center).

*Probably if I have a health card, I will =P.

9. Give food, not money, to street beggars.

*I would agree since money given to them will just be collected by the syndicate. 

10. Fix that leaking roof before the rainy season sets in.

*How can I fix it if I can't access it? =P

11. Unload emotional baggage.

*Already unloaded. XD

12. To unwind, try spending a weekend at the Panglao Island Nature Resort (PINR) in Tagbilaran, Bohol.

*How I wish I have time and money for this =P.

13. Try the new dishes at any of the three Little Asia outlets (Tomas Morato, Quezon City; Promenade,  Greenhills, San Juan City; and McKinley, Fort Bonifacio).

*Probably will do one of these days. XD

14. You only have three more days (playdate extended to Jan. 3) to watch the spectacular Splendide: The Grand China National Acrobatics Troupe at the Araneta Coliseum (for tickets, call 911-5555).

*Aww. Too bad, I have work.

15. Don’t talk to strangers especially at malls. Otherwise, you might fall victim (like Perla Bautista) to the  budol-budol gang.

*Well, they won't get anything from me anyway. XD

16. Don’t be fooled by fake Twitter or Facebook account, like those under my name and those of Ronald Constantino, Cristy Fermin and Jobert Sucaldito.

*I don't Tweet but thanks for the update on facebook. XD

17. Give some of your excess clothes and shoes to the needy.

*Might be doing that soon. 

18. Pray with the Pink Sisters at the St. Joseph Adoration Chapel on Hemady St., New Manila, Quezon City.

*Where is it exactly located? 

19. Start reading those books gathering dust on the shelf.

*I have 2 newly acquired books that I haven't read yet. XD

20. Start watching those DVDs (not pirated) of old movies in your collection.

*Hmmmm. XD

21. Stop believing all the rumors about your favorite stars (baka publicity lang ang mga ‘yon).

*Yeah right! XD

22. Don’t drive through a red light or a one-way street.

*I don't drive but I drink. XD

23. Pull out plugs (for iron, electric fan, aircon, etc.) before leaving home.

*I always do that XD. 

24. Torture anybody who envies you by saying “Hi!” or smiling to him (inggit ka lang!) everytime you cross paths.

*I don't do that. Suplado ako in person =P.

25. Have a fill of Lumpiang Sariwa at Ha Yuan (on Mother Ignacia St., Quezon City).

*Will probably check that place soon. 

26. Take home for your family siopao bola-bola special at Ma Mon Luk after burping over your bowl of  chicken mami.
*Still thinking if we will go back to Ma Mon Luk.

27. Drive safely; the life you save may be your own.
*I don't drive. I just ride XD. 

28. Don’t text or use your celfone while walking anywhere; the guy behind you may be a snatcher.
*Just be very careful. 

29. Subscribe to Vanity Fair, the complete magazine (as far as I’m concerned).
*What's that???

30. Interact with Mike Enriquez and Arnold “Igan” Clavio during the “blind item” portion of their morning program on dzBB.
*I wish I could XD.

31. If you have two radio sets, tune in at the same time to dzMM, same time, for Ted Failon’s incisive commentaries (Waray-Waray gud iton!).
*How I wish XD.

32. For the latest (as in “fresh from the oven”) showbiz items, watch Startalk every Saturday (on GMA after Eat, Bulaga!).
*I'm probably asleep for my night shift or away from home XD.

33. Check out Bench outlets (there’s one in every mall nationwide) for the latest line-up of casual wear.
*Will try soon XD.

34. Save a few pesos for any of the Valentine shows in February.
*What shows? XD

35. Use, ehem, rubber.
*Rubber band? XD

36. Broken-hearted? Don’t try anything drastic. Life is precious. There are many “others” out there.
*Me, broken-hearted? XD

37. Any suggestion for improvement of your community? Write to your congressman (who, hopefully, can  listen to you when he’s not busy counting his pork barrel).
*I wish these people would really serve their constituents. 

38. Stop smoking (if you haven’t up to now). Again, the life you save may be your own.
*Uhm..... XD

39. Don’t just sit there or lie there while watching TV; march or jog in place…goodbye, excess poundage!
*How I wish I could XD. 

40. Leave Kris Aquino and James Yap to settle their marital problem. After all, they won’t give you any balato once they (amicably?) divide the millions between them.
*Its none of my business anyway so why bother?

41. So what if P-Noy is courting this and that girl. He’s a 50-year-old bachelor and entitled to, uhm, “play the field.”
*Now that's my Idol! XD

42. Dreaming to be an instant millionaire? Eh, di tumaya ka sa lotto!
*I'm doing that until now XD. 

43. Or why not try your luck in Willie Revillame’s Willing Willie?
*Nah! I don't like him at all. 

44. Blend the five “greens” — green apple, green pepper, ampalaya, celery and cucumber — and drink a big glassful before breakfast. Very healthy.
*Just thinking of it makes me wanna throw-up XD.

45. Watch out when you’re withdrawing money from the ATM. The guy behind you may be a “holdupper.”
*And I'll rob him back XD.

46. Learn deep-breathing. It can relieve stress.
*Inhale.....Exhale....XD

47. Sing while taking a shower. It’s good (daw!) for your vocal cords.
*We don't have a shower at home. Just a "tabo" XD.

48. Re-arrange the furniture and appliances at home. It’s a good exercise.
*Will probably do that soon XD.

49. Cliché: Don’t kill yourself on the job. Smell the flowers.
*What flowers? XD

50. Continue to read The STAR, the paper that covers everything, “from cover to cover.”

*And I thought so. =P

Four hours after new year

Current mood: Wanting to go home. 

So far, what I did was create a report to be submitted at 1:00am to out IT Manager in APAC. Plus, there was an outage in one of the sites in the US but it was already fixed. What else?

What a way to start the new year. XD

My plans for 2011

As the year has begun, targets were set and met. Some, didn't. This year, another set of targets to achieve. but before I lay them down, I'll enumerate down the sayings that moved me one way or another.

1. Never be a tourist in your own country "Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan"

* I've been reading various travel blogs since the start of 2010. I realized there are a lot of places to explore here in our country and I wanted to see all of them before I meet my creator in decades time.

2. Learning by example isn’t the best way to learn–it’s the only way to learn. - Albert Einstein

* I told myself not to stop learning after one company I wanted to work so bad rejected me. This pushed me harder to learn more and not to stop learning until I retire from my chosen career.

3. The day you stop learning is the day you start becoming obsolete.

*This one really moved me the most. One way or another I shouldn't stop learning on the things I want in life as well as the knowledge I want to earn in my lifetime. 

4. We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. - Randy Pausch.

*Its really hard to be contented of what we have. Hence we strive for more to the point of obsession.

And now, here are my goals for 2011.

1. Travel to at least 2 destinations in the Philippines

a. Banaue-Sagada (7D/6N)

b. Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpud or vice-versa (7D/6N)

c. Coron (5D/4N)

d. El Nido (5D/4N)

e. Tagaytay (3D/2N)

f. Pinatubo Trek (Overnight)

g. Bataan-Corregidor (3D/2N)

2. Get 2 to 3 Third Party Lens (Canon counterpart is way expensive =P )

a. Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8

b. Tokina 11-16mm

3. Get serious with Cisco.

*This would be my last year as a CCNA. Unfortunately, I haven't got any job related to it. I will try my best to refresh myself and get a re-certification even if I have to learn version 4.0 as well. Probably this would also be one of the hardest goals to reach since I do get pre-occupied most of the time. XD

4. Get a better paying job.

*I'm still thinking if I would extend my contract with Grow/Greif after September 2011. But who knows, I might get a raise or get promoted. XD

5. Shoot in RAW.

*I mean RAW and NOT in Jpeg except for some special cases. This would help me learn to compose my shot and think a lot of times before pressing the shutter button. Also, I'll try to learn to post process my RAW shots to produce much better pictures.

6. Do Project 52. Either 52 Photowalks or 52 Long Exposures.

*I'm thinking to do all of them depending on the situation.

7. Reinforce Cisco Learning.

*Probably, I'll try to learn A+ or any technology that will help me grow as an IT Professional.

8. Get myself 3 new pairs of shoes and a pair of Havaianas (Testing XD).

* A pair of Sanuk

* A pair of Merrell

* A pair of Adidas

9. Get myself 2 pairs of maong pants and 2 pairs of khakis as well as 3 pairs of walking shorts (combination of maong and the ones with pockets).

*My old shorts/maong pants are more than 3 years old and I need to have them replaced and donate the old ones. XD

10. Have my eyes checked and upgrade my eyeglasses. 
*I haven't been to an optometrist/ophthalmologist in the past 2-4 years which I think I have to make this one of my priorities.

11. Check-in to at least 2-5 Five-Star Hotels in Manila

a. Diamond Hotel

b. Manila Hotel

c. Sofitel

d. Cantury Hotel

e. Edsa Shangri-La Hotel

f. Ascott Hotel

12. Save enough money for my wife's operation (giving birth) as well as for my future job hunting.

*I am slowly realizing the challenges of being a breadwinner.

13. Enroll in a Photography Class (Basic and Advanced).

*After being into Photography for more than 2 years, I think it is time for me to take some formal lessons so that I would be guided on getting better pictures as well as meet fellow photographers who also thirst for learning aside from myself. The question here would be which is the best photography school to go to. I have three choices

a. Under FPPF Group

b. Under Jo Avila Photography

c. Under Imagine Nation Photography

14. Join Photo Contests.

*After joining 2 to 4 contests last year, I'll be more active in participating these kind of events to enhance my skills in photography more as well as gain more experience.

15. Finish my Backlogs.

*I have more than 40 sets of pictures to edit and 30 entries to publish here in my blog. probably I have to think of something and allot some time to complete those. XD

16. Watch my weight.

*This has been the biggest struggle of my life. Year after year I made promises to trim down to at least 175 pounds to no avail. Probably, I'd be watching my weight and look for ways to keep it or better yet, reduce it.

17. Renew my Passport and PRC License. Get an SSS ID and other Government issued IDs.
*So far what I have is a Postal ID, Baranggay ID and my Company ID. Some of my IDs have already expired, thus the need to renew/apply. XD

I'll try to update this once in a while and post an update every end of the quarter. I hope I could accomplish all of them and worst comes to worse, at least one will do. XD