The week that was (November 27 - December 3)

Sunday: Got up a bit early but I didn't got off from my bed as my wife accidentally stepped on my swollen foot which gave me so much pain that I almost shouted and woke our baby up. My wife took our baby down as I tried to walk slowly but surely. My mom texted me that she'll pay us a visit together with my sisters. When they got here, it was past lunchtime and I told my colleague that I won't be able to report for work as I couldn't walk straight. They have convinced me to go to the hospital to have my left foot checked. Me and my mom went to Mary Chilles General Hospital to have my foot checked. After 2-3 hours, they found out that my uric acid is high and I need to minimize/avoid my meat intake as well as salty foods. When I got home, I just had bread for dinner and enjoyed the rest of the night.

Monday: Got up at around 8:00am as my foot was getting a little bit better now. I got to take Migmig out to her lola while having my wheatgrass for breakfast. Since I'm still having problems walking straight, I wasn't able to report for work for the day. I got to take care of Migmig as I am not going anywhere. I got to go online on a limited time and just spend the rest of the day home.

Tuesday: Got up at almost 8:00am as I am still feeling sleepy ( I could have fall off to sleep at almost 4:00am). Anyway, I got to take Migmig out again for some fun in the sun. For the 3rd straight day, I wasn't able to report for work so as not to force my left foot. In the afternoon, I got to baby-sit Migmig while her mom was hands-free in doing other important things. Then after, I went online at a cafe near our area for around 2-3 hours updating some stuff online. When night time falls, I went back home and spent some more quality time with my family. I told my wife that I'll be joining the BMSD Victory Walk the next day before going to sleep.

Wednesday: Got up at around 6:15am as I head out to attend BMSD's Victory Walk (I'll create a separate blog for this). The walk took only around 2 hours before we head back to NPC to attend the forum session. I left at 12:45pm since I had to report for work.Thank God I got to the office with a couple of minutes to spare. Work was quite ok as I got to upload the pictures I have took early that morning. Then, I went to Ba Noi located at Perea to order some food since I have my Metro Deal voucher with me. Unfortunately, I can't take the food out. So what I did was ate my part and have the other packed so my colleague could have as well. By night time, work got a bit more as some emails started to come in before I logged-off. Since I was hungry, I ordered some food (My Quarter Pounder Meal) to go at Mc Donalds before going home. My wife was still awake when I got home and I went online for a few minutes before finally going to sleep.

Thursday: I got up at almost 7:00am and took some pictures of my daughter before going down and go to her lola. We got to stay outside until almost 9:00am. When we went back home, I was able to edit some of the pictures of my baby though I did it for probably an hour as I have to help my wife in taking care of our baby. I took a different route again in going to work but thank God, I arrived ahead of time. Work was quite steady as I got to do some emails and 2 calls to my name.  By night time, for whatever reason, I felt a little bit pissed-off which I need to go out of the office and get some fresh air (and buy some food at the same time).I got some chicken chops from Bon Chon while sipping my double chocolate from CBTL. I stayed in the office until past midnight before hailing a cab on my way home.

Friday: Got up at almost 8:00am as our daughter was already at her best (being so active). I set-up our laptop so my wife could use it before we went down again to get some fresh air. Then we went back and I got to watch TV and do some share in taking care of our baby. As she grows older, she gets more active and sometimes she's having mood swings as well. After my baby's morning rituals, I took her upstairs and put her to sleep. But everytime I try to put her to sleep, she would rather play with me than going to sleep. By the time she fell asleep, her mom went up to took care of her while I took a bath and went out somewhere in SM Megamall to gather some thoughts for next year. It took me almost an hour to get there. After doing some bank transactions, I went to Power Books to look for some inspiration. I got to check some interesting planners that I might buy within the next few weeks before the year ends. Then I stopped by at CBTL to have coffee and at the same time scribble down some of my thoughts and plans for the next year. I stayed there for an hour before strolling around the mall. By the time I got hungry, I looked for a place to eat. But the problem with me is that the more I got hungry, the more it is difficult for me to find a good place to eat XD. I ended up at Cajun Red Rock located at the 3rd floor. I got to enjoy my dinner while reading the latest issue of FHM. It was both good as my palate and my eyes were highly satisfied. I did some groceries before going home. When I got home at past 9:00pm, my wife and my baby were still up and spending quality time together. I joined them before going to bed.

Saturday: I got up at almost 8:00am and took Migmig out for her morning air but her lola went back home by the time we went to the store. I just took her at Mc Donalds near our place to have breakfast there. It was just a quick one as I have Migmig on one arm while eating using my other hand. When we went back, she got a bit moody probably wanting to sleep. We went back up to the room at 9:30am and she slept a few minutes later. I fell asleep too and both of us got up at 11:30am. My wife took the laptop down so we could sleep soundly. By 1:30pm, my wife and her friend went to Divisoria to By 2:15pm, Migmig was able to go to sleep only to get up an hour later. So much for my plans to be productive online XD. For the past 3 Saturdays, my afternoon has been spent here with my daughter as her mom goes away to do other things which made me skip some events. Its really challenging to put my baby to sleep only to get up an hour or less. By 5:15pm, I was able to put her back to sleep again but I had to be careful not to make a single noise.30 minutes later, my wife called to check our daughter which got her awake and didn't want to sleep anymore XD. By 6:00pm, we went out again to her lola to get some crisp, cold air and to get a different change in perspective. We got back at 7:00pm but there was no one home so we had to wait for my mother-in-law. When we got in, Migmig was already hungry as my wife just came back from Divisoria. She was also able to buy some of my requests. I got to watch the Azkals play vs the LA Galaxy team. Though they (Azkals) lost, they believed they have gained much experience from that game. I went online again before going to bed. 

Ultimate Taste Test Revisited (UTT 7.0)

One Thursday night, I went to BGC to attend the seventh installment of The Ultimate Taste Test (UTT 7.0). This would be the second time for me to attend this event for foodies by foodies. XD

UTT Revisited

When I got there 30 minutes before the event started. There were people already lining-up and signing-up to register. This event is for foodies by foodies as well as those who wanted to try out new dishes.

Since the event took place at Mercato Centrale, the entire place was packed with people as falling in line was pretty hard. Also, with my big bag and big camera with me, its pretty challenging mingling with the crowd and take decent shots of the food while muscling my way into he crowd. 

I guess, I'll make some additional changes here soon (Adding my comments on each food I ate).

Anyway, I hope I could get a digicam with the abilities of a DSLR so I could still take good photos. ^_^

And hopefully, they would have the next event on a bigger venue. Mercato Centrale is too small for me to roam around.

Camping-Out at Mendiola on December 6.

 Sorry Guys, I won't be able to attend this event as it coincides with our 2nd wedding anniversary XD. But anyway, those who want to document this event (in a photo journalistic manner), you may attend this event. Here is the background of what is this event about. 

 Taken from their website

We are calling on all Filipinos, fed up with the status quo and united in a common hope for a better present and future without the suffering that we witness everyday, to launch actions, strikes, walk-outs and to join a historic nationwide camp-out protest this December.

We can no longer stand a twisted social set-up that robs the majority of our people of a decent life and basic social services. We can no longer stand a social system that produces immense wealth for foreign interests and a few as the people, who toil all their lives, are increasingly pushed deeper into hunger, poverty and injustice.

We continuously attempted to make those in power heed our call for change. But they refuse to listen, and instead, constantly barrage us with lies, cover-up stunts, insults and threats of force. Like thieves, they railroad unjust measures, they rule with impunity and dare to call it democracy.

Sawang-sawa na tayo.

December 6 is Day One. It is time to send a message to those in power: We will no longer put up with lies, corruption, abuse, exploitation and injustice.  Together, we will stand for freedom, justice, equality and genuine change. We can no longer sit idly by as our people – our youth! – face a dim future.

Inspired by upheavals from the Arab Spring to the European Strikes to the Occupy Movements, tens of thousands will strike and walk-out from our campuses, communities, workplaces and camp-out at Mendiola to rock the nation with days of outrage and protest. Similar actions are set to take place across the regions.

Armed with burning optimism, courage and determination, we shall strike, march and camp-out. We will be peaceful but militant in our actions and let our calls strike fear into the hearts of powers that be. Bring tents. Take with you family, friends, and fellow Filipinos who want genuine social change. See you.

Something has to be done. Let us stand up and make the statement that we want genuine change.

How YOU can participate

On December 6, we will assemble in different schools, workplaces, communities and in big numbers, march to Mendiola. Once there, we will put up tents and camp.

1. Spread the word

a. Publicize, reproduce, disseminate to as many people the call to campout on December 6. Or better yet, make your own! It could be a blog entry, a statement, call, poster or artwork. If you have an organization or are part of a union, get your group to release a statement too.

b. Be creative! Text blast, Facebook, Twitter and send out something like: “Sawang-sawa ka na ba sa bulok na sistema? December 6. Camp-out sa Mendiola.” Make videos!

c. On Twitter we can use: #campoutPH #sawangsawa #dec6

d. Facebook pages: SAWANG SAWA NA, Occupy Philippines
 

2. Protest and campout!

a. Gather your friends, schoolmates, co-workers, administration to join the campout. Lahat pwede sumama!
 

b We meetup in the morning in our respective areas, we assemble in several points in Manila at around 1pm, and march to Mendiola.

c. Here’s a rough schedule: December 6

7am  onwards – Local walkouts, strikes, gatherings, marches
1pm – 2pm Meet-up at assembly points in Manila (UST, Recto)
2pm – March to Mendiola
230pm – 6pm Program
6pm – Campout assembly and declaration, putting up of tents
7pm – Concert

d. Activities will continue for days
 

e. Things to bring: Your “sawang-sawa” signs, tents, noise instruments, food to share and progressive ideas. We will also be making an effigy so bring materials.
 

f. Outside of Manila? Take action in your own cities and regional centers. Organize marches, walkouts, and camps. Coordinate with local groups for possible activities you can join.

3. Gather support, donate!

Bring tents, food, and other materials. Help fund the event.

Since this event is just a stone's throw away from our home, maybe I could pay them a visit and give my support to them.

Swabeng Tips: Handling Unwanted Friend Requests

For the past few months, I've been receiving several friend requests in facebook. Most of them are from people I don't know personally. Though I don't mind accepting friend requests, there are times I find it really annoying especially if the name is fictitious and the pictures are so fake. When I saw this from CNN, what a good timing as most people wanted to know how to handle these kinds of requests.

With that, we give you: The Ultimate Guide to the Unwanted Friend Request:


How to handle unwanted friend requests
By Andrea Bartz and Brenna Ehrlich, Special to CNN

Taken from Google

Option 1: Ignore

Freud was totally on to something with that whole repression thing. Treat this friend request like all the other vaguely uncomfortable social issues hovering around your shoulders like miniature dementors (the implied ask-out from that weird girl at work! That college student's persistent requests for an informational interview! The voice mails of murmured Fiona Apple lyrics you keep leaving on your ex-girlfriend's phone when you've been hitting the sauce!) and sweep the whole thing under the rug.

Facebook even makes this the default now -- instead of totally rejecting a request, you simply hit "Not now," relegating it to the realm of "hidden requests." Hey, maybe your clueless would-be amigo will just think you never log into the ol' Book of Face.


Option 2: Accept -- with caution

If you don't feel comfortable relegating your contact to Friend Request Limbo, you can instead send him or her to the halfway house of your limited profile. Then you tell Facebook to, for example, not let certain people read the stupid things your friends post on your wall. Mark Zuckerberg, of course, made this way more difficult than it needs to be.

OK, deep breath: If you don't already have a Limited Profile list, click on "more" next to "Lists" in the left-hand column and then click "Create a list." Name it "Limited Profile," "Professional contacts," "Creepers," whatever. Now surf on over to "privacy settings" under the arrow that's always on the upper right.

Now [another gasp] click on Privacy settings, "edit settings" next to "How you connect," and, next to the last option ("Who can see Wall posts by others on your profile?"), click "custom" and then provide the list name under the option "Hide from." Now accept your frenemy's friendship, hover your mouse over "Friends" and select your stealth list from the drop-down menu. This just takes care of others' wall posts -- you have to go through a whole 'nother rigmarole to block your photo albums, for example.

Well, now that we're exhausted and in need of more caffeine from writing that all out, I think we can all acknowledge that Facebook privacy settings suck and this is probably the least time-efficient solution. But hey, if your boss really will freak out if you don't hit Accept, it may be worth the trouble.


Option 3: Reject, and speak up

Sometimes, a little apologetic explanation will soothe the sting of rejection. Give the person you just turned down a legit-sounding excuse the next time you see them in person (or get them on the phone).

"As a rule, I'm not really Facebook friends with people I know professionally, but let me add you on LinkedIn" is a perfectly reasonable thing to say, for example. Just do the explaining in an oh-by-the-way tone (NOT in a Facebook message or e-mail -- too awkward) and the person will mirror your niceness. We hope.


Option 4: Clean up, already

Cue the Mom Voice: If you're really not happy with the sloppy disaster of a profile you're presenting, it might be time to clean up your image.

Remember, recruiters and employers have an almost uncanny ability to find pictures and updates that you thought were private. (Mind-blowing actual exchange in Facebook's official Q&A: I set my photo album to Friends, but others are seeing, liking and commenting on my photos. The FB team responds with the digital equivalent of a dismissive wave of the hand.) And snap after snap of you passed out next to a toilet (or updates gleefully recounting your vomitacious episodes) are just, well, trashy.

Rule of thumb: Don't put anything on Facebook that you wouldn't want your aunt/boss/creepy neighbor seeing, even if you give them the big Reject.

Just make sure to be always aware when accepting friend requests.

World Aids Day 2011

International AIDS day is not just a tokenistic charity day on the calendar - to some it represents hope, to others awareness and for all people may it be a reminder that there is still an epidemic, an AIDS crisis that needs proper attention, funding and solutions. Take a moment today to learn a little more about what you can do to make a difference, at the very least protect yourselves and others by practicing safe sex.

Taken from Google

I have been a supporter of The World Aids Day for a few years now and I believe that there is always a way to prevent this killer virus. Let us not forget to support and participate in the various activities of our respective organizations, sectors and communities to celebrate World AIDS Day 2011 to help increase awareness of the HIV and AIDS to everyone.

To know more about The World AIDS Day, you may check more here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.