Oh My!!!

Just when i thought I'll have an idle day tomorrow as I have completed my task for this week, I received a mail from our teamleader that I need to complete the databuilds for three network elements based on my reviewed design.

Oh my!!! It should supposedly be a whole week task but he is asking if I can finish it before leaving tomorrow.

Well, I guess it's fine with me. At least, I have something to do than count the minutes of every hour and feel the tickling excitement that is starting to encompass me now.

All Set!!!

Finally, I am done with my packing. It was a bit gruelling for me since there are just so many stuffs to bring with only 23 kilos allowable check-in baggage and only a single hand-carry luggage with dimensions no bigger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Whew!!! It took so long before I finally relented to leave some of my clothes and shoes. Definitely, I can’t leave the pasalubong for the people back home and some items for my BIG DAY!!!

My taxi booking has been confirmed and it will be picking me up tomorrow from my flat at 5:30 in the afternoon for the 45-minute drive to London Heathrow Airport. Hopefully, motorway traffic will not be that bad so I may have enough time to relax before boarding and check out the duty-free shops.

Too bad, I wasn’t able to do my laundry before leaving as planned. It’s not that much anyway and they should wait until the new year before they will be washed. Hehe!!! The kitchen, lounge and my room has been dusted and cleaned except the other room where I am doing my packing. I should remember to do the cleaning tonight as well as dispose whatever is left in the fridge and bring out little rubbish collected in the bin. Most importantly, I need to secure the window and door locks of my flat and car. Not that burglary is rampant in my place but it’s more of peace of mind that I still have my belongings to return back to. Hehe!!! All along, I was thinking of shutting down the main electric switch so as to leave the property safe and conserve energy, but I was informed by my estate agent that I need to keep the heater on its lowest possible temperature just so to air the whole flat and avoid dampness especially at the onset of winter. Well, she should know better than me. Hehe!!!

As for work, I already finished my deliverable for this week and my review is scheduled this afternoon. My boss will be driving down here from Huntingdon in the course of the afternoon solely for my second-half evaluation (you see, he is based in a different office location). So, that leaves me with an unruffled Friday and I would just be counting the hours to keep me occupied.

Just a few more hours….and I’m all set for my departure.

Warszawa!

Warsaw Pact, Warsaw Convention and the Treaty of Warsaw - I just came to know this Polish city from what I used to study during my High School World History Class.

But, I finally came to see and know the city first-hand. I flew in to Warsaw last Tuesday afternoon with some colleagues for the bi-annual technical seminar for our Consulting and Integrating Team. As expected, the flight was delayed and we landed in Poland at 10:30 in the evening. After about 10 minutes of waiting for the blanked-faced Immigration Officer to encode whatever information he found in my passport in his computer and finally approved my entry, we were off to Westin Warsaw , the venue of the seminar.

Palace of Culture and Science - previously known as Joseph Stalin Palace of Culture and Science but was changed at the wake of destalinization.

The foggy view of Warsaw from my hotel window

Jana Pawla II - one of the prime avenues in the heart of Warsaw's business district

The seminar was very informative and an ideal means for knowledge cycle to enable engineers to share and re-use experiences on respective projects thus developing our knowledge. There were three streams with simultaneous sessions and one can choose subjects or topics he/she wants to attend. More interestingly, I got to meet colleagues that I’ve been working with in previous projects and met new ones as well. The whole attendance came from all over Western Europe.

On Wednesday evening, we were brought to a traditional Polish dinner and dance. The restaurant was about 45-minute coach ride from the hotel and located at the outskirts of the city. It was a totally new experience for me as the venue has a barn-like theme with traditional Polish band playing wearing their national costume. It was more like a visit to the past and I truly enjoyed it. Food was delicious and mouth-watering and vodka was overflowing. I just fell in love with their warm wine with a fruity flavour and served in an old-fashioned mug. After dinner, I, together with 20 others, had an attempt of their traditional barn dance with a folk music played by the live band and it involved a caller who instructed the dancers in their dancing. It was pure fun but exhausting with all the jumping and kicking. It seemed that I burned up all my dinner with just a 10-minute dancing. Then the old Polish games went in full swing with lots of cool prizes.

The main entrance of the "barn" where the buffet of authentic Polish dishes and overflowing vodka greeted the guests.

Parlor Game: old-fashioned Polish ski race? It's not as easy as it seems.

Colleagues enjoying the Polish music and dance

With the seminar taking the whole day the next day and the sun setting down quite early, I didn’t have enough time to look around the tourist spots and the shopping centers. But immediately after the closing of the sessions, I grabbed my jacket and ask for the assistance of the hotel attendant to hail a taxi for me and I was off to Warsaw’s Old Town or Stare Miasto. The Old Town was established in the 13th Century and is impressive with its quaint cobblestone streets and unique old architecture. The center of the area is the Old Town Market Square with all the traditional Polish restaurants, cafes and shops. Walking alone around the town gave me a poignant impression of the place on how the Poles survived the German Nazi and Soviet Union invasion. I would have loved to walk further if not for the biting cold. So, after buying some souvenirs and managed to conversed with the limited English of the taxi driver, I was on my way to a modern shopping mall close to the hotel.

Here are some "night" images:

The Royal Castle or Zamek Królewski - the official residence of the Polish Monarchs located at the entrance of the Old Town.

Supposedly, that's the Zygmunt's Column. But the kind gentleman whom i asked the favor of taking my photo just didn't bother taking a shot of the whole monument....just a whole body shot of the pretty lady. hehe!!!

Indeed three days is too short to spend in Warsaw. Given another opportunity, I would gladly go back and get to know more about Poland and its friendly people.

Counting the Days

I’ve been on my tamad mode lately. Maybe, it has something to with the weather that I just want to do nothing and lie down on my bed all day. The days had been rapidly getting shorter and the nights longer and cooler. Things in the office had somehow slowed down a bit that I still can afford to do my latest thing: literally counting the days towards my homecoming.

It’s just less than a month to go and I will board the plane and fly off to Manila. Thinking about it sends shivering feeling in my spine. That’s how excited I am!!! I just can’t wait when I can finally get my hands on even the last parts of organizing our BIG DAY.

Good thing that one heavy burden was eased off my shoulder just before going home. I took my Driving Theory Test last week and thank God, I passed it. I really prepared hard for that exam since I heard from Filipino friends out here that one should really study as it won’t come easy if you are not familiar or doesn’t know what to expect. I just can’t imagine having my holidays back home and still think and study for that exam. At least, it’ll just be practical exam that I’ll take care when I come back in January.

Surely, I am having my bouts with loneliness now that my parents have gone back home. But God is good; He is keeping me occupied for the whole month that I’ll be on my own again. I have a scheduled trip somewhere (and alas! colder!!!) next week and will be away for a number of days. And this, too, is something that is adding to my excitement.

I am just overly excited. I hope things will turn out perfectly and by the way…I just looked up my calendar and it’s just 23 days before I go home. Hehe!!!

Shops & etc.

Recently, despite the sluggish weather, we’ve been up and about going from place to place looking out for big discount sales as my mother did her pasalubong shopping. They are flying back home at the end of this month and that means I’ll be left on my own again. Sigh!

For that particular weekend, first on the list was the famed shopping center of London and Europe’s largest High Street – the Oxford Street. We managed to buy a few items for my dear sisters and some autumn and winter clothes for me despite the elbow-to-elbow crowd. People from all sorts of races seemed to gather out there to shop and you’ll experience assortment of races, colors, sizes, languages and well…odors. Haha!

As I was scouting around for some favors and souvenirs for my BIG DAY, we went to Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill which is popular for its antique shops. Finding nothing that suits our theme, we checked out the Covent Garden which is in the heart of London’s West End. It is famous for its fashionable shops and boutiques, street performers, bars, restaurants, theatres and the Royal Opera House. The whole setting reminded me of Greenhills tiangge. They have stalls that sell a whole variety of products which was most like the ones you can find back home. Luckily, Crabtree and Evelyn has a boutique inside and it was there I perfectly found the things I was looking for all these time.

Here are some images taken along the way:

Autumn in London

Nanay and Tatay with London's Red Telephone Box and Red Double-Decker Bus

Evita...shown in one of London's West End theatres...and traffic jam - London style

Same old me in a whole new world...

Covent Garden Market with people watching....

....Street Performers

Ancestor? hehe! a British Liberal Statesman. I'm more interested in the name than in the figure. hehe!

The Wrath of Milenyo

I saw the pictures of the damages Milenyo has brought and I felt a different kind of gloominess. Gone are the familiar sights that had been home for me for the past five years. Shattered houses, establishments and billboards; uprooted trees and light posts, upturned vans and other vehicles; the many lost lives – God help us!

I pray for the restoration of our electric and water supplies, homes, lives and faith to bounce back after a great calamity.

“Through the storm, through the night, lead us into the light. Take our hands, precious Lord, lead us home”

Here Comes Autumn

Lately, the weather is making it extra hard for me to wake up in the morning. It has started to get cold especially at the start of the day and towards the evening. It has also started to get dark as early as half past six in the evening. And of course, there are the frequent rains, fog and strong winds that remind me of the suspended school days back when I was still in school (read: bagyo. hehe!). There’s a certain crisp smell in the air brought about by the fallen dried leaves. A combination of greens, oranges, yellows and sometimes burgundies entertains my sight.

Yeah! Indeed, autumn is here. My very first autumn and I can’t wait to fully enjoy its splendour when all the leaves have fallen and I can walk over them and hear their crushing sound. That’s what I’ve always dreamed of doing eversince. Just about a week ago, I kept my summer beddings and linens and put out my duvet. It’s just so comforting to curl inside it and let my body enjoy the warmth.

But then behind the excitement and anticipation for the coming of a new season, I am also beginning to feel a little homesick. Weird! Just when it will be over a month before my homecoming, I am feeling these pangs of missing dear Pinas. Maybe, it has something to do with my parents going home at the end of this month and I’ll be left all alone here again. Maybe, it’s because of the onset of the Christmas Season for us Pinoys and I just can’t feel it from here. Maybe, I’m just overly excited. There’s a lot for me to look forward to and I can’t wait to spend time with my family back in Bacolod, spending time with Zach and our friends and of course…the BIG event!!!

Oh! Autumn is here…and I’ll be coming home before it will end.

Out for a While

At first, I hesitated joining for a number of reasons: (1) I might not know the people going anyway (but I realized that was the main reason of the event - to meet and know new people) (2) my father refused to drive 60 miles for me since he said he is not familiar with the place and he’s not that confident in driving in UK motorway yet – so how much more for a new driver? (3) I have dimensioning deliverables due for the end of the week. But, I have signed up for this months ago and it’s a shame if I cancel at the last minute and our team leader gave me the go-signal. Most importantly, it will be held in an old historical castle right in the heart of the forest. Just my kind of thing hence I decided to join after all!!!

So last Monday, 4th of September, I found myself sharing a ride with our lady project manager and off to Berkhamstead in Hertfordshire for a two-day teambuilding for UK and Ireland Consulting and Integrating Group. It was facilitated by Ashridge – a management school offering executive education and held at Ashridge House – a castle set in a 150-acre country estate and in a course of a history spanning for 700 years, it has been the home of a religious order, then briefly a royal residence of Henry VIII and eventually her daughter Elizabeth I. Later, it became a mansion for dukes and earls including the Duke of Bridgewater. And this is mainly the reason why I decided to join. The moment I stepped in, my small eyes widen in amazement - the place is truly posh and historical.

Ashridge House


Main Entrance leading to the Grand Hall

The other side of the castle


One of the many beautiful gardens - just my kind of hues


Such a neat and well-trimmed garden


Going back to the teambuilding, it was fun and instructive. We had a balance of room discussion and idea sharing, which aided the getting-to-know you stage, and physical and outdoor activities where we went to the woods and had the usual games and challenges (like tight-rope walking, spiderweb challenge, and all those usual teambuilding stuffs) that facilitated the whole idea of cooperation and working as a team. The fun part is getting to know people and associating names read in emails with rightful faces.

Later in the evening, we all went to change for evening clothes and gathered in the main hall for cocktail and a 4-course sit-down dinner. It was just so majestic that I literally felt that I was some kind of a royalty. The food and the setting were just the best combination. It was a dream-come-true. Though as the evening deepen, some of my colleagues, just can’t get enough of the overflowing wine, made a mess of themselves that somehow ruined the regal scene (Brits and their obsession for liquor). But it was still a good laugh, anyhow. (As much as I wanted to take pictures of the great hall and dinner that evening, I was not able to because of a funny and embarrassing reason. huhu!!!)

After some glasses of wine and slight intoxication, I retired to my suite and thank the Lord for a wonderful experience and looking forward to more fantastic days such as this.

Life and Stress

I’ve been rambling about stress lately and just in time I got this forwarded mail that made me realized a lot of things and brought me back on the track. Here it is…

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain-looking, some expensive, and some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. After all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases, it's just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and then began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this: Life is the coffee, and the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us." God brews the coffee, not the cups. Enjoy your coffee.

See?!!! Indeed, it is very true. We tend to focus our attention, time and efforts on our career and work performance, on earning more money and being ahead of everyone else that we don’t know we are missing the most essential of all…living a LIFE, enjoying it and sharing it with everybody. We should relish every moment of our life because surely when we are old and gray and looking back to our years behind, what will matter most is how we lived our life and enjoyed God’s creations.

Stop…and smell the flowers!!!

They Are Here!!!

It was a good thing that the past weekend was a long one having Monday as Bank Holiday (has something to do with end of the summer). Whatever! It was just great that it was in time for meeting friends visiting the country and treating my parents out for sight-seeing and some (mis)adventures. Hehe!!!

Dodie, the ex-colleague/friend I was talking about in my previous posts, finally arrived just after the foiled bombing hullabaloo in UK airports seemed to subdue a little. I was really looking forward to seeing her since I really miss her and all the guys and gals back in Globe. Talking to her definitely eased up my longing for some fresh-hand chismis. Indeed, we spent the whole time talking. Non-stop!!!! Actually, I have planned up the itinerary for the day like visiting the National Gallery, a number of museums around and going to the Docklands and Greenwich. But the moment we saw each other…we talked, chuckled, talked again and giggled a little. Hehe!!! In between, we expressed our disbelief that we are actually meeting up and seeing each other in London. Who would’ve ever thought that we can reached this far? Maybe, for her it’s quite plausible since she has sisters living and working here. But for me, well, it’s purely due to Divine intervention.


While waiting for Dodie at Trafalgar Square - Can't fight the urge to pose with the pigeons.

It’s funny because we forgot about the planned itinerary and ended up riding a bus, while talking of course, and off to where the bus brought us. We finally got down on Kensington Gardens and walked our way to Diana Memorial, Serpentine, the Peter Pan Statue and of course the Kensington Palace (which is the birthplace of Queen Victoria and home of Princess Diana). All the time, we were talking and forgetting where we were actually heading to. Haha!!! It was one of the things I missed about Dodie most. We can talk about almost everything and she can tell you things that other people in the office have not known about. It was really fun spending time and catching up with her.

In the upper deck of the London bus where we yak our way to nowhere



The 'Ilongga Beauties' posing in the Diana Memorial



The Marvelous Albert Memorial



With the swans in the Round Pond across the Kensington Palace

Me and my current obsession: flower gardens!!! Wish this garden is mine....


Dodie infront of the exhibit entrance of 'Diana, Princess of Wales by Mario Testino' - an exhibit showcasing the most beautiful images from this last portrait sitting, displaying Diana in a state of relaxation and intimacy unlike any other.


The Kensington Palace - birthplace of Queen Victoria and residence of Princess Diana


Later, while walking in the palace grounds, I received a call from a college classmate and we agreed to meet at Harrods. He was here in the country for a final job interview. I was so happy for him and I really wish he will receive positive words soon though I am really sure that he’ll get the job. I'll tell more about him and post pictures as soon as he has announced it to the world. For now, I'll just keep the whole thing in a hush-hush!!!

Of Losing and Gaining

I catched up with a dear old friend in YM recently and I was caught in disbelief when she broke the news that she and her boyfriend of two years had called it quits. I thought everything was doing well for them especially that they’ve been really remarkable in handling their long-distance relationship and has been mulling over marriage for quite some time. After she spilled the whole story, I can’t help but feel bad too. I know everthing happens for a reason. I am very sure God has far more wonderful plans for her. Just hang on, dear. Free yourself of all the negative vibes. Keep looking at the bright side of it all. I know the best awaits you. :-)

Speaking of the bright side, I am so excited for my FFL (Friend For Life, hehe!). In a matter of days, she will be seeing her sweet little angel for the first time after nine months of nurturing it inside her. Oh!!! I’m always getting a little emotional everytime I think about it. It seems like yesterday when we were babyish teeners. Now, we are embarking on a new ground with all the wisdom we have gained from past experiences. I’m so happy for you, friend. I know you are having something that you’ve always wanted. I am very sure you’ll be a great mom.

Life indeed is full of surprises. You’ll never know what is in store for you. But as long as you have faith, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Whether you lose some and gain some along the way, the important thing is that you have loved and touched other people’s lives. I guess that’s what living a life is all about.

Stressed Out?

I’m feeling a little haggard and stressed lately. It seems I have turned into a worry-wart. :-( I know I shouldn’t be like this. I would like to believe that most of the time I feel that I am in control of all the comings and goings in my life. I usually just go with the flow and live life to the fullest.

Well, they say that the best way to surmount stress is to know what causes it and beat it. But I can’t figure out what caused this kind of dramatic stress. Let me think….

It might be caused by the high demand of work completion in the office. I’ve been assigned to a new project since this month started. I was given the dimensioning task and I will be working on my own since everybody’s hands seem to be full as well. After a week, I was again assigned a different task which was perfectly fine for me as I really don’t want to be stuck in the dimensioning thing. It’s not that work here is rubbing me off like in my previous company since the deadline here is very reasonable that you can still afford to take things slow just so you’ll get occupied for the rest of the week. Yeah! Work is challenging but its getting uncomplicated as I go along. And the most important thing is that I am enjoying it. So I suppose this has not contributed much to my so-called stress.

Then it got me thinking that things were a little busy these past weeks since almost every being in the office are out for their holidays! The only person who seems not to have any summer holiday planned is…ME! Poor me! Now I understand the weird look on my manager’s face when I told him that I’ll be taking my 5-week vacation at the end of the year. He even suggested that I take a couple of weeks off this summer and the remaining 3 weeks on December. Maybe he thought that I was too daft to miss the all-important summer heat. Hehe! Now I realized what he was pointing out. It’s just too stressful to think how the others are enjoying their work-free holidays while I toiled my self with office work. Hehe!

But I have a very good reason for taking all my holidays at the end of the year. I will be making a giant leap advancing to the next level of my life. I am super-duper excited that it usually wakes me up from my slumber and I am having this unexplainable feeling that makes me want to smile, laugh, giggle, cry or wail. Or even all at the same time. Hehe!!! I keep on looking forward to that glorious day, the 17th of December!!! On the contrary, thinking about the preparations and all the things that need to be settled, I sometimes wish that I’d still have the luxury of time. It’s true what they say that planning and preparing for that dream event are exciting and nerve-racking at the same time especially on my part that I am here on at the other side of the world. It’s just so stressful thinking about the what-ifs and what-nots. But everytime I think about how taxing all these planning and organizing for me, I realized how hard it is for Zach to be the one in charge of everything out there even when it comes to my frock. To think that he is a guy and knowing guys, they sometimes have very limited tolerance for details especially THOSE details. Thank God for him, it made me appreciate him more and made me think that indeed I will be making a good decision of spending my lifetime with him.

Having said all of these, I think stress is just all in the mind. I have a lot to look forward to and I don’t need stress to waste my time into. I think I’ll just go with the flow…enjoy every moment of it. As for the summer holiday that I never had…well, it’s not too late especially that my friend from my previous company is here for a vacation… I’ll be contented with a weekend getaway though.;-)

Thwarted Plot

The moment I waked up and walked out of my room this morning, my parents came rushing and expressed their concern over an ex-colleague/friend who is scheduled to fly here in UK for a much-deserved holiday. It was then that I learned of a thwarted terrorist plot of blowing up several aircrafts travelling between UK and US using explosives smuggled in hand-carried luggages. Thank God that the British authorities were fast enough to discover the plan and impede such another “mass murder on an unimaginable scale.”

Security was raised to the highest level in the whole kingdom especially on airports banning hand-carried luggages on all flights. Passengers dealt with delays and crowds due to increased security and scrutiny of luggages. What’s worse is that Heathrow airport was closed for all incoming flights that are yet to be airborne. All flights going out of UK were grounded affecting a lot of travellers.

I just can’t understand why would people resort to such activities? I just can’t fathom such passion and belief where you put innocent people’s lives at stake? Why would such a worthless act affect people who simply wants to travel due to business reasons, people who just wanted to take a break from jobs for a rewarding holiday, or those who just want to see and spend time with friends and family living abroad? But I am faithful that God will always find ways to stop these inhuman acts.

The wicked will never triumph.

Summer in Hampshire

I didn’t really expect the summer here in the south-western part of UK to be this hot. It was a big deal for the Britons to have this kind of weather. They said that it was after almost 20 years that the temperature reached 34 up to 36 degrees. It is during these months that the people are out in the on the coast, at the national parks, in London and popular towns like Oxford, Bath and York, and of course, are quite alert about heat wave. Also, it is during this time of the year when employees are taking a week or two break for their all-important summer holiday.

As for me who is used to this kind of weather, what I love about this season are the summer flowers that color the surroundings. Almost all houses are adorned with the delightful blooms. It somehow refreshes me from the scorching heat of summer. I never appreciated flowers before like I do now. There’s always an urge for me to stop, smell and grasp the floral splendour. Everyday, I am always wishing that I have my own garden or even a mini flower box which of course is quite impossible for me now as I am living in a second floor flat with no terrace at all.

Here are some pictures taken while I was walking around one afternoon:

flowers giving this house a welcoming touch

I just love those flower pots hanging by the wall

what else will attarct my attention? anything purple...

flowers...flowers...flowers!!!

Underage?

I don’t really know if I’ll be offended or flattered. Recently, a friendly neighbour approached me and started to have a conversation. He introduced himself as the one living just across my flat and he said he has noticed me from his window for some time now. We exchanged some few pleasant words including his visit to the Philippines last year and how much he liked it there. Then, maybe he could not contain himself any longer, he asked if I am in some sort of a student exchange program or if I am completing my university studies here. Whoa!!! I can’t quite describe the shock that registered in his face when I told him that I am here for work and mentioned the company that hired me. He apologized for assuming since he thought I am still in my late teens. I volunteered to divulge my age and he said that I don’t look like it. Hehe!!! At that time, I was sure I was flattered.

Then days after, I decided to stop by a supermarket to buy a bottle of champagne for my father who was then celebrating his birthday. Confidently, I marched to the till and was rummaging my purse for some coins when I was asked for any ID card as I looked young according to the cashier. Luckily enough, I still have my SSS ID with me with my date of birth indicated. She took a long hard look at it and eventually entered the item in her register. I was a bit embarrassed at that time since there are a few people in the queue and they all craned their necks to check on me if indeed I am of legal age to purchase alcoholic drinks. Haay!!!

Maybe looking young has its own pros and cons. It can be flattering but can cause some embarrassment as well when people seem not to trust you thinking that you are just a mere kid. But I think it’s better than ladies of my age here in UK who seem to look beyond their years. I guess looking young and feeling young is a manifestation of how happy I am living my life. ;-)

Hooked

Oh! I’ve been sleeping really late for the past couple of weeks. Thankfully, it’s not another bout with insomnia but because of a Korean drama well-recommended by my friend, Tune, The Princess Hours or popularly known as Goong in South Korea. It’s not that I am really a big fan of koreanovela but this one truly got me hooked.

The story suited my dreamy illusions about royalty as it is based on an interesting premise that Korea is still ruled by a royal family. It tells about two people of different social standings and backgrounds matched together and who will eventually fall in love with each other (or so I want to believe. Hehe!). It revolved around an ordinary high school girl who discovered that she was betrothed by her departed grandfather (who was a dear friend of the king) to marry the unemotional crown-prince. The free-spirited girl resisted at first but eventually marries the prince to help her debt-ridden family. As she struggles to adapt herself to the proper manners of a crown-princess and her royal duties in the palace (or goong) and her unpleasant husband, she found a friend in the prince’s cousin and second-in-line to the throne thus a love triangle in the making. Also, there’s a pretty ballerina who seems can’t get over her halted relationship with the prince brought about by the prince’s marriage. The actors are so cute especially the female lead. I always find myself laughing at her childishness and at the same time cry every time she misses her wacky family.

I heard that that ABS-CBN has acquired the rights to show this in the Philippines. It’s good that GMA wasn’t able to take hold of it as their dubbing talents are inferior. This is definitely something that’s worth looking forward to. As for me, I got to go home now and download the next episode and enjoy the fresh episode till the wee hours of the evening.:-)

Those I Truly Miss…

Days pass by so fast that I am now approaching my fifth month in this country. I can’t believe that I have actually spent these many days away from the comfort of dear Pinas and the people that made life easy and comfy for all the years of my life.

I am missing everybody back home so much. Here is a list of those that immediately come in my mind everytime I think about home :

1. Pinoy cuisine especially good old Ilonggo style – need I say more???

2. My tricycle ride going to Makati office and the Makati-Mandaluyong Bridge. Hehe!!! I used to live just close by the office and this reminded me of the Boni Backriders – a name given to us who used that mode of transportation going to BPI Buendia. Hehe!!!

3. The ever-busy EDSA – traffic jam, naglalakihang billboards, the noisy buses honking for passengers, MRT and the colorful jeepneys.

4. Malling! – Glorietta, Greenbelt and Megamall.

5. Shopping with Zach. I have a one-in-a-million boyfriend that enjoys going shopping with me (or so I believe…hehe!!!) that shopping is not the just the same without him here. I’ve got nobody to wait for me outside fitting rooms and see if they look good on me and ask for a go-signal to buy it or debate with if it’s worth the price.

6. Conversations over coffee with friends and officemates.

7. Lunch-outs with Globe people and after-office gimik. In dining out here, people go home and meet around on the agreed time. Such a waste of time for me, as I am lazy to go out of the house once I plunged myself in my sofa.

8. Late night movies with boyfriend and friends.

9. Hmmm…Ok! Sige na nga! I admit…my teleserye, koreanovela and of course The Buzz!

10. Most of all…ZACH!

Bonding with my Parents

My parents had always been vocal about their ardent wish to visit Britain one day. That desire intensified when they had a tour around Schengen countries three years ago. They visited almost all the countries they’ve been dreaming to go except United Kingdom – as it was not included in their visa.

So when I got here, they didn’t spare any minute in acquiring a UK visit visa and jetted off here. I really felt their excitement when they were preparing for their trip. I was also looking forward to having them here as I wouldn’t have to go home to an empty flat after work and have someone with me to share the joys of being in this country. Most of all, I really want to spend some quality time with them.

After getting back the energy exhausted after a long flight, we went for a sight-seeing in London. I brought them around the significant landmarks scattered all over the city. My mother appreciated those landmarks so much and she just couldn’t believe that she was actually in those places she used to read from her romantic paperbacks.

I am just so ecstatic that they are here with me. So far, this will be the longest time that I will be spending with them since I left home in Bacolod six years ago. Thank God for giving me the opportunity to bond with them before I move on to the next level of my life. Thank god for making it possible for me to make them realize their long-time dream.

An Evening in London

After a series of busy weeks on our project, our project manager felt that we need a much-deserved break and decided to bring us to London together with the final batch of Boost Campers. We left Southwood office at 4:00 in the afternoon and catch the 6:00 boat from Westminster Pier for a cruise down the River Thames to Tower Bridge. A very compelling tour guide with a trademark British humor went with us and showed us note-worthy historical structures along the river banks.

We then got off near the Tower Bridge and walked towards Butler’s Wharf for dinner. As we were going by the Tower Bridge, we were wondering why the gates were being closed for motorists and pedestrians. It is so because the ancient Tower Bridge which is a drawbridge was making an upward swing to provide clearance for boat traffic. After 5 minutes or so, the gates were opened again and off we head to Butler’s Wharf to satisfy our hungry stomachs.

Butler’s Wharf is ideally situated on the Thames overlooking the River Thames. Historically, it was at the heart of English tea trade with ships and cargo from colonies making it one of the busiest parts of London’s famous Docklands. Today, it is one of the most fashionable addresses where people enjoy a wide array of bars and restaurants. As for us, a table has been booked for us in Brown’s Restaurant - Britain's longest serving family of restaurants where we enjoyed a traditional English 3-course meal.

It was indeed a wonderful evening and Tower Bridge view is simply majestic at night. We went home really full and pleased with the nice meal and good-humored conversations.


The drawing up of Tower Bridge


Cruising along River Thames


Brown's Restaurant, Butler's Wharf - where our dinner awaits us


Enjoying the dinner and conversations



I have started my English meal - Fillet of steak with chips, grilled mushroom and tomatoes, greens and dip.

Sticky Toffee Pudding - traditional British dessert


Of different kinds - Polish, Hungarian, Malaysian and Filipina. :-)


The magnificent Tower Bridge at night

Parking Woes??? Nah!!!!

I happen to see this on my way home...























Obviously, the owner has the least worries about parking. He can fit in his car anywhere. If only we have this Smart cars in the Philippines. ;-)

Tatay... It’s Your Time to Shine

I technically grew up away from my father. I can only recall a number of vivid memories with him. You see, he was an OFW working as an engineer in the Middle East and would only go home in a year or two and stay for about a month. But in all honesty, I have never kept any ill-feelings towards him or the situation for his absence. Instead, early on, I looked up to him all the more. I know it was a very big sacrifice for him to work abroad and miss his daughters’ growing up years. In order to provide for our needs, he forgot about his comfort and the things that he liked and in his desire to see us achieve our dreams, he set aside his own interests.

My father is my hero. He is my all-time inspiration. He inspires me to dream big dreams. I could never be the person that I am today if not for him. He is the wind beneath my wings. He is content to watch me quietly and take pride in my achievements. By his example, he has taught me to love selflessly.

For everything that you are…
For everything that you have sacrificed for us….
For what you have made of us…
For being the person that you are….

Thanks to you and I love you. And today, it’s your time to shine…

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!