... on commuting

Going to the office and back home, I rely very much on public transport- jeep, FX, bus and the MRT. Commuting everyday, I consider every trip an adventure. But sometimes there are some irritating personalities...

• The Hello World Commuter. These are people talking out loud inside the vehicle. There's nothing wrong with talking during the travel but please be mindful of the volume and be considerate to your fellow passengers. First of all, we are not interested. Secondly, we don't care about your stories for we don't know you or the people in your stories.
  

• The Deaf Commuter. Don't you hate it when you are being ignored if you asked somene to pass your fare or to move a bit? The deaf commuters are the people who seems to not hear a thing when you asked them to move a little or to pass your fare to the driver. At first, I thought that they are wearing earphone, but they are not, the deaf commuter simply choses to ignore your request.
  

• The Unprepared. Knowing that you will be commuting, one should be prepared with their fare once they leave home. How can you expect a driver, in the morning, to have a change for your hundred peso bill. What make it more irritating is that they make it seems like it's the driver's fault. The worst breeds are those stupid one who would hand their fare at the time they have to step down then expecting a quick return of change .
  

• The Hair Lady. You were in the the jeepney sitting beside this beautiful long-haired lady. Feeling lucky? Don't thank your stars yet. When the jeepney started and the wind began to blow, will you still feel lucky that your face is being flagellated by her hair. Does her hair taste sweet?
  

• The Spitter. I used to love sitting at the back portion of the non-aircon bus rather than the front. I enjoy the breeze blowing in my face when the bus sped up. But recent incident made me change my mind. While in a bus going to Novaliches, I was so disappointed that I didn't got a window seat, worst, I was seated on the third row from the front. We were in front Camp Crame when the guy beside put his head outside the window then spit. Then someone from the back shouted, "Tang ina...wag naman kayong dumura dyan sa harap". Oh well..

• Crying kids and restless brats. Kids are fun to be with except when you're in a moving vehicle. How would you appreciate a kids crying their lungs out? I know it is not the helpless kid's fault. How about those 2 and 3-year old kids who are so creative in making thousand and one irritating noises not to mention those restless brats who keeps on jumping and shifting positions every three seconds. I know I've been a kid too but I assure you, I am very behave during travel . My mom could attest to that.

Chat... chat... chat...

The world is really getting smaller and smaller... Today, I have talked to people miles away as if they are just next door. Plus, with the aid of the web cam, Iam able to see them.

This morning, I talked to Starra ,who's also in Jersey but I haven't got a chance to meet because of hectic schedule.

Then tonight, I have a conference chat with Hazel, who is in Singapore and with Anai who is in Malaysia. This time everyone is fully equipped with mic and web cam (last time we did this, Anai was just talking in Braille and no webcam).

The conversation covers anything we could think of- what's going on our lives, news that we heard about our former project and people we knew.

Hazel took a screenshots of our webcams and here it is...
Sayang... the picture doesn'y include Agri and her Astroboy shirt.

Cheers to more chat sessions in the future... what's next? portkey?

Who's who?

Saw this blog entry... make me stop and think for a while...

Don’t Stress About Your Achievements

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip. (You know, the one with Charlie Brown and Snoopy)

You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you’ll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. S ee how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones ith the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Just think about the people who have made a difference in your life, and take the time to let them know you appreciate them.

“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.” (Charles Schultz)

Thank you...

Living, not just mere existing, for 30 years, I would not make it if these people aren't around...

• My family - Mama, Toots, Bryan and Cherie. My reason for everything I do. My inspirations.

• My Aunts, Uncle and Cousins - Uncle Max, Auntie Mary, Auntie Tiling , Kuya Budoy, Ate Aning and Auntie Pikay. Thanks for the time you spent with us.

• Mean, Arnel, Jheck (and Biboy), Josephine (and Francis), Than-than, Elma (and Jay), Oliver (and Alma), Isko, Elod, Balot, Babes (and Ricky). Thanks for sharing the years in Colegio de Sta Cecilia and for the continuous friendship.

• ACP Encapment friends Elias, Nigel, Vladimir, Nogel, Alex, Aisa, Jaq, Ethel, Kulit, Aileen, Sofia, Mau, Alex- It was fun meeting and spending that one week with you guys.

• Jannette, Julius, Warlito, Richie, Nanie (and Richard), Nanet (and James), Dheng (and Gayo), Mai (and Elmer), Yeye, Richard R, Lau, Racquelli, Glendale, Edel (and Jessie), Marie Anne, Raymond, Anna, Ate Malou, Ate Ems, Mike, Cesar (and Cynthia), Egay. College will never be the same without you guys. My sincerest gratitude.

• My teachers – for providing all the knowledge and challenges that prepared me for the real world.

• Sir Gabriel Aquino – for introducing me to computers and predicting that I will do well in this field.

• Ate Sarah Gavarra – for being the “ATE” that I never had.

• My SVI batchmates Aileen, Mommy Roche, Shirley, Anna P., Efren, Erich, Andrew, Dave, Jon – thanks for the help during training.

• Tools Team. Boogie, Waltz, Star, Nery, Ena, Adonna, Emerson, Libay, Don, Sheila (and Chris), Ces, Joyc, Bobby, Haids and Sir Bong – Thanks for teaching me all I need to know to survive in my first project.

• Boogie Rabago – thanks for teaching me all cool stuffs and for all you advises.

• Sheila Arias – for all the laughter and tears we shared. Salamat.

• Sigma-Aldrich Project. Didith, Bernie (and Papa Mon), Gerald, Gordon, Joy, Aby, Doins, Ces, Reg, Rex, Abdon, Mildred. Thanks for all the fun we have during nightshift.

• Didith Barcega – my sexiest team lead and advisor. Super thanks!

• Safeway DataWarehouse Project. Gerald, Mildred, Mardonna, Bernie.

• Other SVI friends. Rhea, Boss Maritz, Sir Bob, Anna I, Aileen, TinTin and Don, Margot, Lanee, Binot, Dante, Nene, Ronnie, Flora.

• Triumph Support. Xerxes, Sancho, Jay Perth, Gary, Chris P, Tony N, Heather, Tanya, Paul, Patty, Starra, Boss A, Marife, Zean, Victor, Jovic, Ally. – It was a pleasure working and learning with all of you.

• Xerxes Mangapit, Sancho Supnet, Chris Price and Tony Nerada – my TSUP mentors. I’ll never be a PRT expert without you.

• Paul Umali and Starra Valderia – my “katarayan” mentors. For teaching me not to be nice at all times. Salamat po.

• Patty Gonzales-Santos – for answering all my DB2 questions and for being my 3 o’clock habit (meryenda sa penthouse) buddy.

• Jovic Sebastian – for all the things you have done for me and the team and for leadership example you showed.

• Starra Valderia and Gary Gutierrez – for being 2 of the best friends I have in Triumph.

• Hazel Ortiz, Tina Pazzibugan and Anai Villanueva – for the continuous friendship that never been thwarted by distance nor time zone.

• Lysander JP Celestino and Marife Morandarte– for always being there when needed. The most reliable friends I ever had. People who always find time to listen. Salamat sa lahat ng libreng tulong at advices.

• Zean Cabading, Ally Nable and Victor John Abrenica – for letting me to be your mentor. I am proud of you guys. Keep on learning.

• Mylin Tan, Lanie May Cheng, Mark Chua Chui Hian, Liza Jolina Ortile, Laennec Jose, Charo Lapid, Grace Maquito, Sherilyn Eiaw - Thanks for being good friends

• Dea Buhain and Arkady Shrayman – for trusting me to lead your offshore team and for the onshore opportunity.

• Jeff Ong and Walter So – for being so accommodating and helpful during my stay in NJ. Thank you my brothers.

• Murray Zilbering – for making every day in the office a fun day, thanks a lot.

• Allan Yeung – for being the best cubemate! I appreciated all your techie advices, food advices and al the cool stuffs you gave me.

• Miss Juliet, Miss Ruth, Miss Malou, Miss Dea and Raul – for making lunch time a good time for non-work related conversations. You are the best lunch buddies.

• Tito Roy and Tita Susan – for the wonderful stay I have in Denville. For making me feel at home.

• Sir Elmer Maximo – for taking care of us in NJ, my utmost gratitude.

• Jefferson Ong – for all your help and for touring us in NY.

• Tolits, Ariel, Ric, Harley, Zeny, Roslyn, Thea - Salamat po sa pagtitiyaga at pag-intindi sa topak at kakulitan ko.

• New Yorker friends. Maricar, Angie, Mary Rose, Ivy, Fr. Erno, Vidal, Armel, Mackie, Kuya Ronnie, Justin and Jade – for all the things you have done for me while I’m in NY.

• To the lobster – thanks for the chance and for making me realize that ther are some things that I am still capable of doing. Sorry things didn’t turn out as expected. Salamat sa friendship.

... on to my third decade

An hour from now and I am officially on my 30s.

I am born on March 19, 1977 which falls on a Saturday and a full moon (that explains the mood that follows the moon). My zodiac sign is Pisces but I do not know to swim. According to Astrology, these are traits of a Piscean:

Imaginative and sensitive
Compassionate and kind
Selfless and unworldly
Intuitive and sympathetic

On the dark side....

Escapist and idealistic
Secretive and vague
Weak-willed and easily led

Are they true? I dunno. I'll ask my friends if they're true...

In the Chinese calendar, my birthdate coincides with the year of the Fire Snake. I think this suits me well.

THE SIGN OF THE SNAKE

The Snake is the intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the Animal Signs. They are attractive people who take cries with ease and do not become flustered easily. They are graceful people, exciting and dark at the same time.

Contemplative and private, the Snake is not outwardly emotional. He can appear cunning and reticent and works very modestly in the business environment. The Snake will plot and scheme to make certain things turn out exactly as they want them to. They are not great communicators and can become quite possessive when they set their minds on achieving the interest of a partner.

Continuing...

FIRE SNAKE - 1857, 1917, 1977
An intense and masterful Snake. Active in mind and body, he performs energetically. Fire added to the already imposing Snake personality can give him great public appeal and charisma. He exudes confidence and the ability to lead. People will vote for this type of person if he chooses to go into politics.
Although he may hold open forums to solicit or assess the views of the majority, the Fire Snake is terribly suspicious by nature and has total faith only in himself. He is too quick to censure and to condemn. Sometimes he insulates himself with a closed circle of friends and advisors, thereby isolating himself without knowing it. His strong, almost maniacal desire for fame, money and power will make him insist on concrete results. Persevering and uncompromising, he sets his sights on the highest goals and once he gets to the top, he will cling to power indefinitely.
The Fire Snake is the most sensual, fervent and jealous kind of Snake. He will display excessive love or hate and be very preoccupied with himself.

A career in politics? Why not?