Wind of change

Last time I was here was like, 5 years ago. Or probably way before that. It was just an impulse "yayaan" among friends.

It was almost a whole day of eating and chatting about E. colis (do you pluralize  a binomial by adding an s? Or you don;t pluralize binomials?) and Avril Lavigne's concerts (because one of us is a fan. I think.). It  was a day of stress-free gimik.

As I sit here watching the beautiful Taal Lake, sipping  my coffee, enjoying the cold breeze, I realized that Morpheus is so right when he said, "Some things change, some things don't" (Morpheus to Naobi, The Matrix). Of course some things change, and some don't! (Mordsith is still an awesome car driver, nay, racer! And Corics now 'drives' a bob revolution se with Mateo on the front seat.) My point is, hmmm, hirap ipaliwanag, hehehe. I guess it's either you think that it is really stupid or really corny of him to say that line.

(Morpheus? Corny? Wapak!)

Oh well, anyone reading this post can probably be on the same page with me, or just plain lost as they always are when reading my blog.

And as if it's in the movies, the music playing in my phone is 'Wind of change,' then, 'Dust in the wind' now. Hahaha.

View from Buon Giorno Caffe & Bistro, Cliffhouse, Tagaytay.

Take me to the magic of the moment 

On a glory night 

Where the children of tomorrow dream away 

In the wind of change

Sa uulitin! :-)

Sleeping like a baby*

Working so hard sometimes makes me choose between eating and sleeping. There came a time in my life when I always debate with myself (guess who won? I did.) if I should sleep or eat or not on any given day because a lot of work has to be done. In most cases, I skipped sleeping because I can really be awake for days as long as I have Coke/coffee (the real Coke brand, not "coke-coke" ) and Kitkat on my side -- for the caffeine fix (I'm not a fan of energy drinks) and sugar rush.

Recently, I was trapped in the same dilemma. There are days that with so much thing to do, to accomplish, to plan, I can't let go any minute or hour without doing something productive. Again, sometimes, I have to choose which of the the two to let go: sleeping or eating.

Upgraded to Mountain Dew as it has more caffeine content, then, supplemented
it with an energy drink, plus the always dependable cup of hot coffee.

Choosing to skip sleep is an easy decision. But last night, the rules of the game were changed. Suddenly, there is a new and a very significant factor that has to be considered. I received this so-cool gift! Actually, there was no indication that the gift/package was for me. It has a name in it, but it wasn't my name. But since no one is claiming the said gift, well, I took it that it was for me. :-D

Jaraaaaannnn!!!

zzzzzzzzzz.... best sleep I've had in weeks, probably months. :-)

With this air bed, I don't think I can say no to Hypnos. I mean, hey, if you've tried sleeping on one of these awesome beds, even without those beautiful sferra linens as cover, you'll agree with me that it feels a lot different from ordinary beds. It gracefully follows the contour of your body, it gives enough space/ventilation (ventilation what?) so you won't sweat even if the weather is a bit hot, and it contains a course that will make you feel so comfortable when you start lying on it. (Did I sound a bit like an air bed salesman here?)

Oh well, sometimes some of us are just lucky to have wonderful friends who give us different stuff that make our life more comfortable. Hehehe. I know life is sometimes not fair... but with my good friends by my side, ang masasabi ko lang: "Life, bring... it... on."

Ow, wait, did I mention that this gift comes with an eat-all-you-can buffet at Yakimix? Thank you, kind-hearted gift giver. You're the most awesome of all. :-)

*who snores really hard. :-D

So hot in here!

The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is happening in Clarfield Pampanga the week after next. My sister and her friends are trying to convince me to go with them. I actually thought they really want me to be there and enjoy the activities there, but eventually, I found out that they need a driver! Wahahaha! I guess I am their best (probably the only) choice as I also want to see the festival-esque activities. In addition to the colorful hot air balloons (don't forget to bring your ncstar binoculars), they'd have sky diving exhibitions, kite flying, paragliding, etc. (Schedule here.)

I don't know. I might go with them, or I might just stay at home. I'm waiting for them to offer a suitable price for my service. :-D

If I were as rich as Bill Gates

Have you ever wished you were the richest person on earth? Have you ever imagine, at least, how it would FEEL like if you were Bill Gates? And lastly, have you ever wished or imagined of being so filthy rich? :-)
I always imagine these things. Afterall, I know my imaginaion is limitless. Almost.

Anyway, I saw Bill Gates in the news just a while ago. He made another donation to help children in - somewhere - be cured of common diseases. After that segment, they list down Gates donation to differenet projects. He can actually shoulder our country's annual appropriations. Ensure minimal corruption (hehehe) and Gates can even shoulder more than a year of our country's expenses.

What a rich guy!

If I were that rich, I'd probably be stressed out finding the perfect way to spend my money (and finding the cheapest auto insurance or most affordable house and lot is definitely going to be one of the least priorities). Hehehe. I once tried to make a plan how I'd spend a billion pesos and I skipped meals all day, and I was awake until the next day. Whew.

I guess the first thing I'd do if I were that rich, is to hire people who would help me think how I'd spend my riches.

Would you be interested to join my team? ;p

Punch the keys!

I've been blogging nonstop (hehehe, well, compared to previous months, this is nonstop blogging) since the start of the year. It's good, and not-so-good at the same time. Good because I get to practice my writing skills. This is almost similar to how our teacher "trained" us. She would give us a word, and we have to make an essay using that word. Katuwa no? :-)

An online pal once told me: writing is easy if you don't have any rules. You just speak your mind through your pen. Or keyboard. It becomes more and more difficult when you start applying restrictions. For example, write your essay in not less than 500 words. Or, use these three totally unrelated words in different paragraphs of your essay. Stuff like that makes it a more challenging task to write. At least for aspiring writers like me.

The problem with writing is when you get too hooked on it. Like reading. You'd spend hours and hours sitting on your desk. Writing nonsensical things. Doodling. Coining words when you can't think of the right one. (And later on, worrying about oily skin treatments because of the countless nights you stay awake.)

I'm far from being a good writer. But as Forrester once put it:

The first key to writing is... to write, not to think!

So, here I am, writing. :-)

My province is in a different timezone

I wrote this post at around 9 o'clock in the evening in the province. I noticed that I was the only one still awake in then. I checked the clock and, as I said, it's just 9 pm. I told myself maybe the CPU clock, my cellfone, and our wall clock were all wrong. It can't be 9 pm, because it feels like it's midnight already!

So, I went out, and walk a few blocks and believe it or not, I saw no one even after a few minutes of leisurely walk. Wow. Maybe it's midnight indeed already, so, I texted a friend of mine and asked her what time it was already. And to mys surprise, it's really just 9 pm!

starry, starry night...

Wow. At around that time, when I'm in MM, I feel like my day's work is just about to end. And Mordsith is just on her way home from her school. But in my place in the province, we were like, 4 hours ahead of time, It's like we are GMT +12, or even +13!

This means if ladies are to attend some parties here, they have to wear their evening dresses as early as 4 pm, I guess. Hehehe. Kidding aside, I only realized this now. Really.

Or maybe, I only felt that way because it was a Sunday. I dunno. Oh well.

How do you start building an office?

I have a post showing Google's offices from different parts of the world. (Just the post before this one.) And the truth is, I made this pact with my brother that we are going to make an office of our own that is kinda similar to that of Google's. But that is going to be a long-term project. Google did not accomplish those awesome offices overnight, I'm sure. :-)

We've designed the floor plan already. It can house a few people. We have considered budget and functionality. We want this office to be as home-y as possible. :-) We've canvassed the prices of necessary stuff -- audio and video cables, PCs, chairs, etc.

Funny part of this planning is, we are even planning the following:

• free breakfast Mondays
• lunch out Wednesdays
• get-together dinner Fridays

Hahaha. Ambitious plan.

Party everyday ain't that bad, I guess? Hehehe.

Now, all we need to do is to approach the last part of the plan: the implementation stage, which is, like, 99% of the whole thing? Hehehe.

How would you like to work here?

I've been to three companies already after I graduated in college. The first one is with a non-profit company where my job requires me to be out of the office almost all of the time (but inside the death row every weekend). The second company requires me to be sitting down at least 8 hours daily -- but no, I was not THE boss in that office. And the last one, well, this last company that I've work with is more of a combination of the previous two -- a few hours of office work, and a few hours of field work.

Needless to say, I did enjoy working with all of them. Probably because of -- no, not probably... I did enjoy working with all of them because of the people I work with. :-)

Anyway, truth is, I just mentioned this because I remembered this favorite company of mine. Google. Have you seen pictures of their offices? They are not like the typical concrete or metal buildings that you see around. See for yourselves:

Look at the last image! A slide! Hehehe. Now, if only I can find my way to work into one of these offices...

On standardization*

I was informed by a former friend of mine (kidding, not a former friend -- a friend) that setting up a business here in our municipality is fairly simpler and quicker compared to other municipalities in the province. We have a one-stop business registration at the municipal hall. And that is so awesome. Instead of going from one office to another just to legalize your existence, you'll just submit your requirements once and your done. Well, you still have to work on your receipts, and that's it. (If only you can buy a receipt printer, then, life would be a lot easier, no?)
 
Anyway, why am I saying this again? Ah, because I'm wondering why we can't apply the same procedure with other municipal or city units. I mean, if a certain unit can do it, why can't others follow? I think Quezon City is doing this already. When I tried Manila, it was soooo tiring. Oh well.


I'll try to visit our municipal office and hopefully, my friend is right.


*My head is aching, please, bear with me. :-)

Doon po sa amin

Three days in the province is like three weeks in the city. Believe me. But hey, I'm talking about the number of calories I have amassed during the three days I spent here in the province.

You see, unlike in the city where food (and almost everything, anyway) is so expensive, here in the province it's almost free to very, very cheap. My mom has a small garden in the backyard, our neighbors are ultra generous, and the vendors (balut, pandesal, kikiam fishballs, ice cream) are almost knocking on our door every minute! And to top all that, my sister is experimenting on so many pizza flavors whenever she's here. Aarrgh!

I am planning to stay in the province in the coming months. And I can almost see the pounds exponentially adding up. I guess I have no choice but to bring with me the best diet pills available now.

Or maybe, I can just jog every morning. Hmm...

Google Apps: Post 1

I've mentioned a few days ago that I'll be sharing some stuff about how awesome Google Apps is, right? If you can't remeber it, it's probably because you didn't like that post in the first place. Or it's just not your thing.

Anyway, one of the best feature of this Google Apps is the free use of Google's servers for your email. In the pre-Google world, you have to buy a domain and a web host for you to have personalized e-mail and a decent online capacity. Most companies even buy licenses from Microsoft for its Exchange Server, and an MS Office license so you can have access to an MS Outlook for your desktop access to e-mail. I'm thinking of hundreds of dollars PER user account on this setup.

WIth Google Apps, you only have to purchase your domain name (not more than 10 USD), and you can have all of the above features for 50 (FIFTY!!!) user accounts. Isn't that amazing? Each user account has a 7 GB mail storage capacity plus the usual access to Google Docs, Calendar, Chat etc.

Another awesome thing with Google Apps is that you can even cutomize (limited, I guess) its interface -- change its Google Gmail logo, color, etc. It is as if it's really one of your own paid host. Hayyzzz... Lupet!

*Truth is, I really woudn't be surprised if Google comes a free OS soon... or even the best acne serum in the world. It's just in their blood to change how we live our life.

On boldness and commitment

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Have you guys entered into something so grand yet so unsure? Something so promising yet has the possibility to destroy you? Something you have waited for so long which will either break you or make you?

I don't know if it's the actual moment of making that decision or the journey leading to it that scares us the most, but in my case, simply thinking about it makes me shiver and, at the same time, smile.

I and my brother will be starting a small project which would require siginificant amount of our time and effort, significant capital, and of course, significant amount of faith and belief  that something good will come out of it. Right now, I can only wish and pray that we never lose that enthusiasm, that the higher powers give due consideration to our effort and intention.

Hayyy... This blog will definitely be a witness to this journey of mine.

To end this short post, let me just continue the passage I quoted above:

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.

X

Google Apps from, well, Google

Did already tell you guys that I am a Google super fan? Hehehe. Everything about Google is so awesome. You don't believe me?

• The founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin come to work as if they're just visiting some college dudes in another dormitory. They sometimes arrive in conference/meetings wearing just a t-shirt, jeans, in their roller blades, you know, just pure awesomeness.
• They have rejected funding/investments for years (but giving in eventually, of course) because they don't want capitalists dictating what their direction would be.
• They require their employees to spend 20% of their working time on projects that are not dictated by the management, i.e., on things that they want to do, and not the things that they need to do.
• They have free almost-everything in the Google Campus – free food, free RnR, free laundry, free transportation (mountain bikes and battery-powered cars), and, well, everything else. (spas? Yes, even spas.)
• And yesterday, I have just found out that Google is actually offering its Google Apps for free. 

Just a preview of what that can offer: Just have your own domain (sometimes less than 10USD a year) and you can have 50 user accounts under that domain with 7GB each... for free. No need for exchange server from Microsoft, no need to buy more hosting services, no need for Microsoft Outlook (and pretty much everything from Microsoft Office can be scratched). With Google, you almost like have a dedicated hosting partner for free!

I'll probably write some more about this Google Apps soon.

Good bye

Part of the weight loss routine means I really have to be disciplined in my lifestyle. I guess I'll have to say goodbye to some unnecessary (and probably harmful/unhealthy) activities that I have for now.

The beers, guy, I'm talking about the beers. Less Central BBQ and Grill, less alcohol. Aargh!

I'll even have to say goodbye to cancer sticks, even if they are from Dutch Masters. And my favorite ulam... I don't think I can do this. I'm so depressed right now.

Not. :-)

On shortcuts

Adapexin Will Help You Lose 10 Pounds in 28 Days...Guaranteed.

Now, I saw that ad in one of the Google ads in my e-mail. I even checked adapexin reviews just to see the details. With that rate, I'll have my target weight loss in about 3 months! Hehehe. But for some reason, I don't want to take that shortcut. I still want to experience workout and exercise... the healthy diet... the occasional craving for fatty food... and carbs... the whole shebang of losing weight the traditional way. Hehehe. (As if kakayanin ko no?)

But I guess I really have to try now, because I'm getting old already. I need to watch out for my health now. I don't want to reach that point where I'd be telling myself: "I should have availed of that gym membership offered by my friend!"

Losing weight, losing faith*

I entered another bet with no other than our Mordsith. Yeah, you know her, right? Maybe she's just trying to make me feel better by saying she also needs to lose weight (because I know she doesn't have to). But somehow, I feel like this is another bet I'll definitely lose. Again. Hehehe.

Ibigay ko na lang kaya sa kanya yung pustahan namin? Hehehe. We'll have our weigh in sometime next week. By then, I should be able to purchase biotin supplements. Wait, does that really have anything to do with weight loss? Oh well. We'll see.

*Hehehe, not spiritual faith! You know, the typical faith/hope thing.

Porsche 911, how would you like to have one?

How would you like to drive a car like this one? I don't know how much this is, but hey, it's a luxury car. And a Porsche at that. What would you think of a public official driving something like this?

I would like you to pause for a while and think of that public official using this sports car before you scroll down.

Oh, yeah, baby! I feel the need... the need for speeeeed!!!

Did you ever think that it was actually Noynoy who bought this Porsche? Noynoy, the Philippine president who wants to lead us to "Daang Matuwid"?

"Hindi ho gobyerno ang nagbayad niyan. Ibinenta ko po ‘yung isang sasakyan ko at nagkataon ho meron namang buyer na ‘yun po ang ginamit ko pambayad nitong sasakyan ko," he said.

Aquino said he sees nothing wrong in buying the car while he can still drive a sports car, although he added that he may not be able to drive his Porsche that often. 

"Ano bang masama na habang may kakayahan pa po akong magmaneho ng ganoong klaseng sasakyan dahil siguro naman pagbaba ko or ten years from now, iba na ang ating reflexes," he said.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/210469/pnoy-buys-himself-a-porsche

Noynoy Aquino bought a sports car, a Porsche 911. It was from his own pocket. But, dude, it was done in bad taste! Had Villar won the election and bought this car, I wouldn't have a problem with that, because Villar did not run his campaign with the idea of "Daang matuwid." Villar did not criticize the Arroyo delegation in the US$20K dinner at New York (which, according to the delegation, was from the personal of a certain congressman).

Noynoy, on the other hand, supposedly is not your typical trapo. He is the president of a developing country who is way behind most of its neighbors. He should have thought of -- wait, I'm sorry, that's too much of me to ask from Noynoy. What was I thinking.

Hey, Noy, it's alright. You can drive your Porsche -- para saan pa ang daang matuwid kung wala ka namang Porsche, di ba? :-)

Noy: Manang, I bought this Porsche with my own personal money.
Don't make this an issue. Oh, btw, I am so sorry that we have to demolish your house.

Noy: Guys, I didn't buy a Porsche because I want to -- I need to.
You know, with all these pressing problems we are facing now,
I really have to workout my muscles from time to time --
weight loss supplements are not enough for me anymore.

Everyone, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, your president.

Busy, busy, busy

My 2011 opened with a bang! (And my 2010 ended pretty much with a bang also.) And this is all because of so many unexpected work coming on my way. But hey, I couldn't be more thankful because of this work. It feeds me (financially, intellectually, and yeah, to a certain degree, emotionally). My only regret is I failed to do something during the holidays -- to do some chef work at home. I really wanted to cook our noche buena, but due to this work (at 24th of December, I was still working, and then on the 27th to 31st!), my mom cooked everything -- saved for the pizza something prepared by my sister.

Anyway, I will try to work on the some dish that I planned to prepare last month: adobong sugpo sa aligue, pork adobo, and will try my luck with kare-kare. Hehehe. Good luck!

Google rules!!!

Did you know that you can change the background of Google's homepage using your own images? Well, if you don't know that, you can.

You probably have noticed that I am a Google fanboi (and if I only have a microphone and a decent audio setup, I'll probably announce it to the whole world), and having a unique Google homepage (courtesy of this feature) is really, well, fun. You should try it, guys. Go to google.com, and look at the lower-left portion of the homepage. See screenshot below:

Once you've customized this homepage, you'll see the same image in any PC as long as you are logged in. Here's mine:

#2

I was thinking of having another tattoo -- my second tattoo, if ever this plan will push through. Hmmm. I already have one on my right shoulder/arm. I got the design from the Internet. Now, if ever I'll push through with this plan, I want a design that is really unique. I already have something in mind:  it's a combination of... ahmmm, never mind. Nerdy, at the very least. :-)

I asked a former colleague of mine (she also has a tattoo) if she'd be interested to have another tattoo. And for some funny but fortunate reason, she was about to ask me to accompany her so we can have a tattoo! Hehehe. Well, what can I say? I guess it's written. (Jai Ho!) Hehehe.

PS: You guys wanna join us?

PPS: She, by the way, wants to have another tattoo out of frustration caused by people around her. She received a couple of baby shower invitations and they were all asking when she'd get married. I think the tattoo that she'll have is going to be a "statement". Or not.

PSE up 37.6% in 2010

It seems like our economy is holding up now. In fact, recent data show that we are among the top gainers in Asia. According to one website:

Philippine stocks rallied again in 2010, with the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closing at 4,201.14 during the last trading day on December 30, 2010 — up 37.6% from the closing index in 2009.

This means that a P100,000 stock investment at the start of 2010 is already worth P137,600 by the end of the year.

According to the PSE, the market capitalization of all publicly-listed companies in 2010 totaled P8.87 trillion, an increase of 47.1% from the 2009 market capitalization of P6.03.

Well, it probably is good to buy gold bars now, but investing in the market is probably something that those risk-takers might want to consider, too. Good luck, 2011!

1 step forward, 2 steps back

How was your New Year celebration guys? It's been a week since my last post (if you could call it a post)... Been busy working on some work-related stuff. :-( Oh well, I always convince myself that it's better to have a lot of work than no work at all, right? Oh well.

Hmmm... What can I say? This December, I gained more than thrice the amount of wieght I lost during the last two months (October and November). Haist! Kasi naman, how can you resist pork and chicken adobo, lechong kawali, estopado, etc? It's just impossible.

I'd be needing some serious dieting and exercise (and testoripped reviews perhaps?) from now on. 1/11/11 will be the date.

My birthday wishlist (that didn't come true*)

I know these gadgets will probably have a lot of competition even before 1Q 2011 ends, but I guess it's not that bad to wish for these stuff even if the future holds something else for them gadgets.

3. Kindle. :-)

2. LG Optimus Black - Whew! Sleek and awesome!

1. Macbook Air! - If you've seen one of these, you know why this is my number 1. :-)

There you go.

*Guys, you have the power to make all these come true. My email address is also my Paypal account username, in case you want to send thousands of pesos for me. :-) (Hehehe, I'm like a kid in the search for the happiest chocolate gift during Christmas.)

01012011*

Here's to a happier and more meaningful new year.

Welcome, 2011! Let's rock and roll!!!

*halata na ba masyado na tinatamad ako mag-isip ng title? :-)