Driving Safety Tips

Road accidents that involve the people we love or even just the people that we know from our circles are such horror stories to hear. It’s traumatic, breaks your family’s hearts, damage you car and pocket and most especially there are victims of the accident O_o. Just recently, my officemate got involved in a mishap over the holidays (Biyernes Santo). Nothing serious happened to him and her companion but unfortunately, he had hit a 44- year old man riding a motorcycle – drunk and not possessing a valid license.

Here's one of our road trips in Laguna with my family ^_^

Yesterday, I was finally able to hear the real story from him and he looked calm and relieved that it is almost ending. He just had to go back to the province where it happened and get some documents for the insurance. I asked him if he is okay now, and he said he is J.

Nobody wants it. Even I had a very minor accident when I was starting to learn driving and it really almost explode my heart during that moment. My car engine went dead at the intersection so when I panicky tried to start the engine of my car, it went backwards a little bit and then the bus hit my trunk (maliit lang naman hehehe) I did not have my license at that time – the most irresponsible act in driving – so I had to take the damage on my car. After that incident, I gain extra cautiousness whenever my engine stops – I learned to be a LITTLE BIT calm. Hahaha! It’s because I still shout P@%^^*&*!!! whenever it did. Sssshhhh!

You know how i love love love being on the road through my road trips so I’m writing this to serve a reminder on drivers out there to take extra measures while driving, especially on me – BE A DEFENSIVE DRIVAAAH!

http://www.goodyear.com.ph/labs/safety.asp

http://www.saferoads.com/drivers/tips_drivertips.html

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/10-safe-driving-tips.htm

Do you have a driving story to tell? How did you survive it? J

Sprain Times Two

 

Too bad my right foot had to be sprained a-g-a-i-n last Sunday over a badminton game. :-( Remember I had sprain from the bus last February 2011 on the same foot! Aaaw... Ate Doll took me the hospital again and maluwag na daw yung ankle ko sabi ng doctor.

The doctor said, the muscle was stretch this time around. I was supposed to take pain relievers three times a day but because of my stomach acidity, I had to take only twice a day or else the hyperacidity will strike again. Unfortunately, the pain reliever lapses soon so sometimes I still feel the pain.

 

I’m very lucky that I am allowed to work from home for a week or until I could drive to Makati. Thank you, my Company! It's my 6th day of house arrest.

Except the injury, everything about the Baddiks 2011 tourney was fun! Just my luck that he was there with me and drove me home. I really enjoyed the games even if Shy and I placed 4^th among the 5 teams. Hahahaha! Enjoy enjoy lang! Next year uleeeeet! 

 

 

 

Olá Brazil!

 

Seriously, I’ve been very excited to write about this and here is it naaaaa!

 

South America, you are really too far from Asia! Hhahaha! We only had a week of preparation and supposed to travel to Peru from Brazil but we were not able to get business visa for Peru. The 18 hours 22 long hours of flight is just to spice this trip up. Sooobrang nakakapagod ang byahe… but nevertheless, helloooooo, it’s BRAZIL pa rin no??!!! ^_^v

 

Sao Paulo’s airport is kind of old. I think older than NAIA Terminal 1. By the way, I was with my colleague, JP, for this trip. We departed at 6PM Manila and landed there after 32 hours because of the flight transfers. Long ah… talaga!!! As soon as I get off the plane towards the arrival area, I already heard the magic language, Porrrtuguese baby! Weeeeee!

 

Our taxi was already waiting outside. My name was even misspelled on the banner (SPELETA) that Mr. Honorato was holding. He is such a nice guy; by the way, he knows how to speak Spanish, Portuguese and English. He also knows late President Ferdinand Marcos and the thousand shoes of Imelda! ‘San ka paaaa??!! Hehehehe. He was also the one who told us, “NO walking at night in Sao Paulo…” Yay! O_o

 

NewBeeees

The first day was an adjustment period for me but not that much. The gloomy weather reminded me of my stay in UK few years ago. It was funny that a week before that, the weather was pleasant according to my friend, but the week when we were there, it was a weather disaster –- freezing! The temperature suddenly dropped up to 10 degrees.

After 30 minutes, we reach the hotel but Mr. Honorato sent us to the wrong one. So we had to be transferred to the hotel just across the street. A bellboy helped us with our luggage and as soon as I opened a conversation with the guy, I just heard my first “NO English” response with a smile. Not everybody speaks English there, very unfortunate because “NO Portuguese” naman for us! Hehehe.

 

Hotel Intercity Premium Nacóes Unidas

 

The hotel is clean and nice. The people are friendly. Every three days, the hotel is sending my running statement account in the hotel which costs around $180USD per day. It has a nice view of Sao Paulo skyline through my window at night. I love the king-sized bed. Although my internet cable was faulty on the first night, the succeeding days went perfect! Forget about the cable tv please… two shows lang yata ang English – the rest were in Portuguese or dubbed in Portuguese! Nonetheless, the cold weather didn’t prevent me to have some good sleep at night. ^_^v Hehehe.

Breakfast was amazing. Up until now, I’ve been craving for hot shower + fruits + bread + coffee + cold cuts + cheese + juice. I’d say I was well pampered EVERY the morning. *wink* x_^v

 

Brazil’s Largest

Now, let me tell you something about Sao Paulo on how I was able to experience it. It is indeed an interesting city, the largest in Brazil, but unfortunately I have a little time to explore it. By the way, Ms. Universe 2011 Coronation night was held in Sao Paulo.

Remember what Mr. Honorato told us about Sao Paulo at night? … We definitely obeyed him so we ended up only at the mall during the night. LOL! We wanted to get back in the Philippines in one piece. People greet each other in most places, even strangers. Everyone utters “Bom Dia!” (Good Morning) upon entering the elevator in the morning. And one must not be rude to forget to say “Obrigado” (Thank You) for appreciation. The hardest part on that travel, next to the terrible weather, was the language barrier. I could have done a lot better things if I could easily communicate with most Brazilians there. One night, the taxi couldn’t locate our hotel and I was not able to help him because we do not understand each other. Ang kaba ko non!!! LOL!  Bu then as time goes by, I got used to it.

One time we had lunch at Viareggio along Nacoes Unidas street. It is an Italian restaurant serving authentic Italian dishes. Ang kaso, yung menu nila eh walang engling transalation! … And my Brazilian friends to the rescue. Hhahahaha.

 

Murymarelo Bar

Our client arranged a night out with IT people and the rest of the training group. Drinks were overflowing! This bar offers cool drinks and amazing pizzas. But I still ended up enjoying only a glass of margarita! Hahaha. Ayokong malasing at magpakaladkad pauwi ng hotel, nakakahiya! It was such a nice experience and it made the group closer together. :-)

 

The Mall + Taxi

It cost me around $8 (10-13 Reals) per 5-minute taxi ride to the mall. Morumbi shopping is one of the largest malls in the city and it houses from medium to up-scale shops parang mala-Greenbelt.

 

Street

The streets are mostly narrow except for hi-ways. They are closely similar to England’s with bricked walk way on both sides for people and bikers. Cars are smaller! Mabenta ang Honda Jazz and Ford Fiesta dito and anything na hutch back. Pagnakakita ka ng Civic/City, malalaki na sila. Hehehe. However, their buses are extremely long naman. Imagine Saulog bus x 2 na magkadikit :-D Kulit nga eh! All road signs are in Portuguese, no English translations so I have to learn fast!

 

The Group

I was fortunate to be with wonderful people during my stay in Brazil. I was so amazed with the new things I see around me and entertained with my new colleagues more so. I never imagined myself cracking jokes around them but I did! Hahahaha! Being with was just magastos nga lang. My allowance was not enough for that so JP and I have to decline on their night out invitations sometimes.  

 

Farewell

This travel was short but fulfilling, challenging yet pleasant! But there is always time to say farewell and goodbye. And besides, I already missed my family and friends back home in the Philippines. If I would be asked if I wanted to go back there, I would definitely say YES!!!

 

 

Paris at Pares

 

I really have to share this with you because you know how I love food and how it makes my day satisfied with what I eat! Now here’s a story that I hope will make yours ^_^v

It was one of our miryenda breaks at the office about three weeks ago – the normal one. Zeny and I started to chat where to eat.

 

“Paris”, she wrote.

I replied, ”Okie, I’ll tell the boys :-).”

 

A few days before it, we have been talking about this sidewalk carinderia beside Metrobank Plaza across our building. It has been a blockbuster among the nearby offices according to them. Mostly, guys buy there. This push cart sells the famous “Pares” – a heavenly tender meat with sauce as the boys were describing it. Well, I haven’t tried any Pares in my entire life.

To continue with my story, I immediately approached Warren and Dave and told them…

 

Me: “Miryenda na! Sa Pares daw tayo sabi ni Zeny…”

Warren (hmmm, :-/ confused): “Sigurado kayo?”

Me: “Oo, sabi ni Zeny eh…”

Warren to Dave: “Tara!”

Warren to Me: “Isama mo si Mike!”

 

 Then I went back to my seat and asked Zeny again on the chat…

 

Me: “Are you sure sa Pares?”

Zeny: “Meeyeow, hinde… sa Paris!”

 

Hahahaha! I misinterpreted Paris to Pares. Paris is an authentic French restaurant along Makati Ave which far far far comparable with the Pares cart I previously had in mind. Hahahaha! I told Shiela about it and we were really laughing our hearts out!!!

We met at the elevator and I told them everything about the mix up. Hahaha. Tawanan kami nang tawanan. Warren and the rest of the boys went to ParEs, then Zeny and I ended up to ParIs!!! ;-D

The place is pretty small but nice. As I went inside, I smelled something good – the aroma of France indeed! When I looked around, most guests were foreigners. We even saw the restaurant owner giving instructions to the staffs. I had pizza and fresh grape juice. Zeny ordered hot choco and nuttella crepe. We shared to each other our food. Yummy!!!!

Then we invited Shiela and John to come with us after a week. :-) As usual, we were surrounded with French and Americans. We even saw the PBB Teen Edition Big winner. I forgot his name. ^_^v I’d definitely be back there soon.

Happy eating!!!

 

 

Antipolo Team Outing

Last April 30, we had our team’s summer outing for this year at Antipolo, Rizal. It was just an overnight party overlooking Metro Manila! The view was awesome. Kahit na umulan ng kaunti at nagkandaligaw ligaw kami sa bayan, hahaha! …we still made to the top of Cattleya Resort by 8PM.
Ricky, Maqui and Red took care of the foodies, while I got in-charge of the awards ^_^v

Here are the winners of the cool awards:

Diligence Award – Meeyeow
Look-A-Like Award – Ed(Ely Buendia/Dennis Trillo/Ramon Zamora) & Rudy(Rudy Fernandez)
Smiley Face Award – Julius
Mister DotNet Award – Ed
Miss DotNet Award – Shiela
MR/MS Congeniality – John/Meeyeow/Gems
The Rookie – Rjay/Teng
The Veteran – Migs
DotNet Got Talent Award – Julius
Momerable Ticket Handled - Julius

Clearly, Julius bagged the most awards! Next year daw wakeboarding naman :-))

Goodbye Leviste – Last Night at PCCI

We finally bid our goodbyes to the building which sheltered us for over three years near Ayala. Okay, we have had a lot of complains about this old building but it brought us a lot more of good memories though. What makes a perfect office anyway?

Well, for me, I care more about the working environment and the people in it… Better facilities after that. You know I came from a simple yet has positive atmosphere in La Salle for seven years and I am no stranger to some 30-year old buildings.

I can still remember my first day in KForce because I got lost and went around Salcedo Village by foot! Hahaha! I got even more confused because the address “Alfaro St” was the one written on the building not the new name “Leviste St”. And the rest is history.

At PCCI building, we left there the band of such friendly yet protective security gentlemen, cheap miryenda at Jolly Jeep, food choices at Paseo Center, bazaar along Ayala Ave, comforting Jaime Velasquez Park, cheaper parking along Tordesillas, accessible foot bridge to Glorietta, a number of Starbucks nearby, and the feeling of being in the heart of Makati business area. You see, the three years gave me that chance to adjust the metro life.

The last day was unexpectedly sad. It caught me off guard. I kind of felt upset. It was just a week of preparation on our part. To break the ice, I took pictures of the place for the last time.

 

"Rjay, kunyari sobrang busy ka :-D"

Charlie is showing our balikbayan boxes :-D

John and I went around Jupiter St and Buendia Ave to take a look at the new building and to teach me how to get there.  We indeed had a stroll before we roll to Buendia.

"John, tara samahan mo ako sa Buendia. Stroll tayo sa bago nating office :-D"

Of course, there is always better. Currently, the coziness of our new office is so much a plus. I am loving my desk and chair – just forget about the cold air around my neck. I also love the accessibility to a great deal of restaurants nearby so we have much choice now. I am still testing the waters at CyberOne. But I know this change is for the better. AJA!

Here's my new comfy place :-)

And my new LCD monitor :-)

Another Night of Cardiac Delight

We had another winning presentation in our company’s last year-end party.  I am so proud of our team’s participants! Although second placer, we still bagged P17,000.00 in cold cash.

We had a supposed-to-be-roof-top-party but it rained yesterday so we just had a third-floor-party. And look who’s the lechon butcher?

 

Back To High School

Our company’s year-end party celebrated the popularity of high school oomph this year! Yeah boy! I was actually imagining myself in a cheerleader or in a sexy librarian outfit when I first heard of the theme… hahaha! But our team decided to wear school uniform instead, not bad naman.

I borrowed Jelly’s uniform and I had my cutie little skirt customized in Imus.

Chiri: "Kuya, ganito po kaikli yung palda." (showing my preferred length of the skirt)
Kuya Modista: (Looking back at me, confused) "Saang school ka ba iha? Baka maexpelled ka nyan?"
Chiri: "Hahaha, Kuya pang costume ko to sa party namin!" ^_^

 

My team bagged five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) from a high school picture guessing game and seventeen thousand pesos (P17,000.00) for the choir singing contest ala-Glee!

 

Bonggang bongga!

 

Kanin Club

We are officially the newest members of THE CLUB! The fact that this restaurant is more accessible to us now in Makati, of course we did not let the opportunity pass to try out this intriguing café that is all over the local food blog sites! I agree with Zeny that this resto is awesome; she have tried first in Laguna! I have also bumped into several forums and food review sites that praise their foodies and mostly Filipino cuisines with the twists.

It still amazes me up to now that Sinigang could match up with Sinangag! You should meet Sinangag na Sinigang. Cool diba? Although I did not try their Crispy Dinuguan (and I will never ever LOL :-O), it was praised a 100% by my friends. The tender Beef Kare-Kare is also a must try.

Binulatlat na Tilapia (hehehe, tama ba yun tawag ko? and sorry for the shaky shots . . . gutom na kasi akoooo)

Beef Kare-Kare

Behind the food trip, this also served our celebration of friendship for over three years! 

"thank you for the friendship!"

I Heart Gelato

Beeee-seeee! It is indeed a busy week for me :-) Thank God I never run out of purpose to wake up each morning and do what’s on my list! And the list includes this JOURNAL! ;-D

Obsessed With White

As you all know, I love Yellow stuffs, but I really really admire Whites too! I got white watches, white pants (I love white pants/shorts – topped with deep colored shirts), white shoes and white bags. Even the laptop I got from Kuya is white! And so now, I am dreaming of a white car! I went to the bank yesterday to submit and pickup some documents. Hopefully, everything will be fine. Yiay! O_o

 

2 Hours to Home

I am quite blessed with my extreme shift schedules because I could skip the terrible traffic in Manila during rush hours! Grabidad!!! Sobrang hassle talaga. I was actually playing as a chance passenger together with “hundreds” of commuters along Baclaran road last night at around 6:30pm for an hour. I really don’t know how I survived the additional hour standing on bus. I hate to admit – sumakit yung bewang ko (tumatanda ka na ineng!) Fortunate enough, someone from my front get off the bus at SM Bacoor. Sure seat for few mminutes! Hehehe.

 

Entangled

Later I discovered that the title of the animated film I’d like to watch is ‘Tangled’ :-)) Hahaha “Entangled” daw LOL. Well, related to this. May kalokohan nanaman si Daddy Demz kaya muntik na silang mag away ni Ate. ^_^v Tatay is a very organized person. Mahihiya ang kwarto ko sa salansan ng mga gamit nya. And when he saw the tangled cables of our router-modem connection *BOOM!!!* ayun na. Inorganize nya at hindi na gumana ang internet. Hahaha!!!

Even just thinking about living separately from him makes me feel sad… kaya ko ba?

 

Cooked Adobong Pusit

What was for lunch? It’s Adobong Pusit. Medyo disappointed ako ng kaunti kasi naubos sa pag wash yung ink nya sa loob kaya hindi masyadong maitim yung sabaw. I really like it darker… actually darkest! Mas maitim, mas masarap! Mas kumakapit sa ngipin, mas masaya! LOL :-))

 

Message From The Boss

I did not expect to receive an IM message from my ex-boss –but he did! He actually migrated to New Zealand since I left La Salle, so that was the last time I saw him. I was kind of hesitant to ask questions, so just answered back with “. . .You too and your family!”. He replied with a "THANKS". I wonder when will I see him again :-)

 

Gelatissimo!

A treat of gelato from Gelatissimo topped my day! I picked Pistachio flavor and I looooooove it so much! On December 13^th is the first birthday of their branch in Glorietta 5. Sayang, baka hindi ako makapunta :-(

Truffle yung inorder nya, ampait daw T_T

Pistachio! Hmmm, better than Froyo :-D

The Skirt

Muntik ko nang makalimutan na magpapatahi pa ako ng costume para sa party namin! Patay rush na to! Ayun, nasingil tuloy ako ng P400! Will pick on sunday!!!

 

I don’t know why I have been writing this for two daysnow… I guess super busy :-(

I NEED A VACATION  . . .

Weeeeeeeee!!!!

 

Lazy Week

 

I have to credit Darwin for this…

            Darwin: “Who is the son of Charles Babbage?”

            … (sino?!)

Darwin: “Si modern computer… because Charles Babbage is the father of modern computer.”

 

 

Hahaha!! :-D Pasensya na, I have been so stressed lately and this joke just got funnier to me than everyone else does! LOL ;-D

 

Why stressed? Kasi lagging kulang ang tulog ko! Probably 4PM-1Am is my least favorite among my shift schedules. Parang hindi talaga ako nasasatisfy sa tulog ko. Sadly, it is still my choice to live with it :-/ Well anyway, I’ll be on morning shift again next week *excited!* -- NO MORE FOUR-HOUR TRAVEL Yahoo!

 

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Simeon...

 

Meet our naughtiest sweetest irresistable kitty, Simeon.

 

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Sometime in 21st of June, Ate Lanie and I had this conversation…

 

Meeyeow: “ate lanie, happy birthday!!!”

Lanie: “salamat pero ulitin mo ng june 22”

Meeyeow: “hahahahahhhaha”

Meeyeow: "mali yung alarm ko kainis"

Lanie: "bwhahahha"

Lanie: "bwhahhaha"

Meeyeow: "hahahhhaa"

Lanie: "baka mali un date setting"

Meeyeow: "hahaha, malamang"

 

It was my calendar’s fault! Hahahaha! It was accidentally set to alarm a day before June 22! So masyado palang advanced ang greetings ko! LOL. Then I greeted her again the next day. :-)

 

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San Juan Feast…

 

June 24 is celebrated in our town with water fight!!! Waaaaaa! Yes, water fight! Coincidentally, the tide is high on this day. Water on the rivers is high enough to flood the roads. People are everywhere outside their home, drinking beers, drenching water and kauging at each other. Who doesn’t love water fights?! Unfortunately for me, it becomes legal on this day!!! Every 24th of June every year, I have to struggle going to school/work because everyone outside was trying to douse water on me! I don’t really want to be a KJ (kill joy) but please spare me!

 

My worst San Juan feast experience in Cavite was in College where drunken men threw a bucketful of mud water on my jeep as early as 7AM! I really had to go back home and take a day off. :-( Even if I was turning red with anger because my white blouse turned black, I was not able to confront those BULLIES because they already flew and hid across the street corner into an alley! DAMN!

 

I just hope it won’t happen again TODAY! T_T

It won’t happen again NEXT YEAR! ^_^

 

 

Microsoft Exam

 

Review. Review. Review.

 

 

Not So Unlucky

 

 

Sore Throat. Arraaayyy! I did not get any proper sleep last night because of sore throat. :( I hate sore throat but not as much I hate toothache! Pag toothache na, umiinom na ako ng pain reliever. Every time I would wake up, I gargle warm water with salt then drink a glass of water and finally gargle with Bactidol. I did this three times. Sobrang bangag pa ako ngayon. :/ but the pain is not as much as last night. Baka ubuhin na ako bukas T_T

 

Remote Desktop. I love desktop remote-ing. I can access my computer at the office and work at home. The other day, I was asked if someone could use my computer since I was out of office the whole week. I agreed. Then yesterday, when I tried to connect to my computer… it was turned off!!! I was lucky enough to have a webmail so I sent an email to the team, asking if someone could turn on my computer. Shiela responded. Here was part of our conversation in communicator after my computer was finally turned on…

 

Me: “sasakalin ko yung gumamit ng pc ko kagabi”

Shie: “hahaha”

Shie: “cge, sasabihan namin na wag i-shutdown yung pc mo”

 

I never met the guy who “used” my computer… he’s a new employee daw. First impression lasts. hmp!

 

Not So Unlucky. What I hate about working on this shift is the bulk workload. Aside from some development work, there are so many tickets coming in. High priority tickets are always present every time I work on this shift! Super ngarag talaga! I have got lesser time to cook and eat for lunch.

 

On the second thought, I think I should be a lot thankful that brownout happened yesterday 5 minutes after I logged off! Wahahaha, lucky me! I don’t know what could have been my fate if the power was out during my shift. Ayoko nang pumasok sa office! Lakas pa ng ulan + kulog + kidlat! Oh well, I am still thankful. Hopefully today is also my lucky day! Pleasseee, pretty pleassee.. wag kang mag ba-brown out!

 

 

Kelan Nga Ba? I can’t even remember when our last conversation was. Matagal tagal na din. Ate Malou sent me a message on the day of my birthday and I can’t even remember if I did respond. Kasi wala yata akong load nung araw na yon. :-D It was nice to talk to her again yesterday, like what we used to do during my stay in La Salle.

 

I invited her on a date, hopefully matuloy soon. It would be in Tagaytay siguro, madami daw choices sa Summit Ridge.  *Excited!*

 

 

 

Minsan Isang Friday

 

I love this coming Sunday but not as much I love LAST Friday!

 

 

 

Hahaha! EMIL!!!

 

 

Para sa isa dyan, mamimiss mo to!

 

 

 

Hindi masyadong halata na walang flash yung camera. Hahaha!

 

 

More than two years with you guys are just so amazing! Many thanks!

:-D