EtCetErA...

passion is back

2010-09-12T06:45:00.000-07:00

I just realized, the last entry I had in this site was November of last year.... Wow, time really flies... I didn't know that it has been that long since I last blogged.... Well... now that I have my new lap top (my birthday gift for myself), I guess I can go back to writing again... something that i will always love doing... something that will always keep me sane.

Over the months of not blogging... a lot of good and bad things happened... learned a lot of things ... been to so many places... encountered a lot of new experiences ... gained more friends than ever ... became somehow a better person.... I will try to start writing again and hope that the magic of putting words together is still there....

I just need new inspirations ... plus better internet connection... and I'm good to go ..

simply mhei

christmas countdown

2009-11-08T13:04:00.000-08:00

46 more days and it's Christmas!!!!

I never paid attention on this until now. Unlike the previous years, I get all excited counting the days before Christmas. I would usually start my countdown as early as October. I would even start jotting down people whom I'll be giving present on this once a year special occasion.

I dunno if recession has to do with it, or a calamity like Ondoy has a major say on this, but I realized that it's just not me who's not too excited for Christmas. Well, it's really nice to be with your love-ones and to receive and give presents on this day, but to make it as extravagant as the Christmases in the past- i think this is out of the question now.

I strongly believe that we can celebrate the holiday season without splurging too much cash on hand, or going extra your credit card limit. One of these days, I will come up with great ideas on how to celebrate Christmas in a cheaper way.

46 more days and we can make Christmas 2009 the best Christmas still.

simply mhei ☺☻☺

comeback Ü

2009-10-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last opened my blog sites. I have been very busy these past months at work and at home that I couldn't find any spare time to write at all. I just couldn't fit it with all the household chores and endless tasks at the office. Well, I am still busy but finally, I was able to sit down without my son pestering me, and without my hubby making snide comments on me using the computer for hours.

Well, it's already October and just a few weeks away and it's Christmas time again. I have to start scouting for presents for my inaanaks again. I want it to be different this time. Because I usually shop for gifts latter part of the year, and I realized that t-shirts or toys have always been what I have in mind. I know my inaanaks are already getting tired of it, and I bet they would want something new. I definitely have to go to the mall and start checking for other items i can give.

When you say Christmas, it's also synonymous to being a glutton, so I better start my diet or I'll look like the biggest looser. I have to stop craving for chicken skin or Mang Raul's BBQ!! I have to steer away from co-workers selling delicious pastas and brownies! I have to start hitting the gym once again or I'll have a not-so-good-looking body forever, with an aching lower back at that.

Since we feel the season for the entire month of December, Christmas for me also means ANNIVERSARY. That's wedding anniversary and CVG anniversary. When I say wedding anniversary, that means I have to start scouting for a place to go to: Out of town escapade would definitely be wonderful! Any idea? Coron or Panglao? or Siargao? .... And when I say CVG anniversary, it will be my fifth year with my ever-beloved employer- Convergys Philippines. Fifth year is synonymous to retirement!! yahoo!!! So i can retire at an early age anytime after December!!

I definitely am looking forward to everything! ☻☺☻

simply mhei ☺

goodbye summer hello rain!!

2009-05-28T01:06:00.000-07:00

It's mid-June now and it has been raining for the past days...Summer time is indeed over and since we are in the tropical part of the world, it's rainy season now!! No winter nor autumn nor spring.... Well, it's time to say goodbye to summer and hello to rainy season..I hate to do this, but I need to bid my sad GOODBYE to beaches, white sand and welcome mud puddles...farewell to tan lines and HELLO frizzy hair...GOODBYE swim suits and say hello trousers and jackets...HELLO high tide and GOODBYE low tide....HELLO frost bites and GOODBYE heat rashes...GOODBYE 24/7 air conditioner and HELLO 24/7 heater...GOODBYE ice cream and HELLO hot cocoa...GOODBYE perspiration and HELLO pale skin...

GOODBYE SUMMER VACATIONS AND HELLO RAINY ADVENTURES!!! ☻

on credit cards and debts

2009-05-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

I just recently watched Confessions of a shopaholic at my friend Jason's place. I know, that movie was shown months ago, and since I'm not a movie buff, I just watched it because that's one of the most recent dvd copies he has.

I like chick flicks. Ofcourse I'm a lady for one thing, and I just hate seeing gory films with blood all over the screen. And I loved this movie. Let me just say that I can relate with Isla Fisher who played Rebecca Bloomwood, an obsessed shopper-turned-successful columnist. I love writing... I am a frustrated writer. and I have lots of credit card debts for being a shopaholic once. Well, I'm not really that type who will not go home without at least 5 shopping bags. But the fact that I have loads of cards and debts makes me really go for this flick.

It has been so hard for me for the past couple of months, struggling real hard, rendering overtime work and looking for extra income just to be able to pay off all my debts. You wouldn't want to be in my shoes. You wouldn't want to hide from all those collection callers just like Rebecca Bloom. You wouldn't want to be like me who tries hard to resist all temptations to go to malls because surely, you'll buy something AGAIN rather than paying what you purchased the week before. Even I have a very stable job (is it?? hahahaha!) and has been with the same company for almost 5 years which pays well somehow, salary and allowance won't be enough to pay everything off. With a husband who is sooo much like me, you'll feel like heaven one minute and hell after.

On the brighter side, I am not using my cards anymore (as of today), had one paid off and cancelled(which leaves me 3 more), and I am trying my best to recover from all my responsibilities.. I just hope I can do it before it's too late......

simply mhei

beach bum

2009-04-28T02:15:00.000-07:00

I really just LOVE the beach!!!

Although it has been raining these past few days (on a summer time mind you), It still feels so good to be on the beach. Just seeing the clear bluish green water makes me feel relaxed... the hot climate yet cool wind that gently brushes your cheeks... foot prints in the fine sand.... the perfect sky that looks like a painting... having a good tan... and ofcourse those gorgeous boys in their tight trunks showing their to-dye-for muscles... SO WHERE ELSE WOULD YOU RATHER BE THAN STAY ON THE BEACH FOREVER, RIGHT?

Call me desperate, call me pathetic, or brand me ugly names, I DON'T CARE. But I'll definitely make the most of my summer and join every person I know who has plans on going to a summer spree. This is actually just the second time for this month and I was the UNINVITED guest again, hahaha!! I had to literally forced Migs again to tag me along to his team's outing in laiya, San Juan, Batangas. I used my talent (which is acting, ahem!) to make my hubby agree. Well, to tell you quite frankly, we haven't had our honeymoon yet because I was already preggy when we tied the knots. And that was more than four years ago. We seldom go out of town, that makes us both feel that it's about time we join our friends and enjoy while we still can. So in short, he brought me with him. Ofcourse I won!!

The drive all the way to our destination was supposed to be for just approximately three to four hours, and guess what?? It took us 6 hours. We got a little lost wherein we passed a somehow spooky area, with all those trees without lights that no one was passing except for us. But it was fun and we just charged it to experience. The place really isn't that big but the beach is so nice that you'd forget how crowded the place was.

We had a fantastic time, food was great, his team mates were so warm that I didn't feel an ounce of timidness. We had an hour boat ride and they did snorkeling. I would want to but I guess I am not that brave to test the deep blue sea since I don't swim. Atleast I had my pictures taken in the middle of nowhere. I wanted to stay there but I have to go back to reality and head home for I have shift the following day. I wasn't able to go hunk-searching, but it was such a great stay that I have to thank my hubby's team mates and his boss-Losh who have been so accommodating.

And best of all, I had my tan. ☺

simply mhei

Is it really summer??

2009-04-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

For the months of March until May, Philippines is known to have a very hot climate. When I say hot, it's really HOT that you want to stay inside the fridge forever than perspire like raindrops. It is so hot and humid that even you are walking at a very slow pace, it seems like you did an hour of jogging for sweating big time. Electricity bills definitely will shoot up for turning the aircon practically 24/7. Ice cream and Halo Halo vendors will surely get better income for everyone will crave for something cool.

Well, for the past 4 days, if my calculation is correct, it has been raining real hard. I don't know if we have a storm coming since I seldom watch telly. It is supposed to be summer time and it's raining. Weird, isn't it? Ofcourse I am not complaining. Even if I have to commute and be stranded the whole day and get home with mud all over my jeans... I LOVE IT! I just love the feeling of seeing those people wet and all because they don't have umbrellas handy, hahaha!!! Kidding side, we need rain on summer season like this to somehow balance the weather.

I just hope it won't rain tomorrow because it's BEACH DAY for me!!!

simply mhei

summer time!

2009-04-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

It's summer time once again!!

Everyone wants to hit the beach and have tan, ladies are on a strict diet and excited looking for the skimpiest swimsuits, lots of people are scouting for the best beaches around... We all want to lounge near the sea and have fun.

Had just one trip to the beach early this month. I admit, I just literally forced my hubby and his former team mates to include me on their team building but it was worth strangling their necks because I really had a fantastic time. At least I had my tan and I can already say that I went somewhere this summer, hahaha!

The place isn't as neat as those white sand beaches that will cost you a fortune if you stay overnight, and it's just regular sand, typical to those gravel and sand that we would normally buy to build a house, hahaha! It's somewhere in Ternate, Cavite, forgive me for forgetting the name of the resort, it's ranch something resort. The place has a pool with slides, with hall, videoke, and you can have bonfire at night. The rooms are just fine, and best of all, the accommodation rates are within your budget. You can cook, sing all day-all night, talk dirt and yell at each other for all they care. You can snuggle with your partner under the cool palm trees, you can climb the trees like monkeys and get coconot, you can do what you want to do!

If you are just after hitting the beach and having fun with limited funds, then this place will really do. I bet it will even be better if they will develop the place. Not as glamorous as Amanpulo or Boracay, but at least you need not worry about plane tickets and going home with no money at all. 2-3 hours drive from Manila and you're there. And if you are with someone you enjoy being with, does place matters???

simply mhei

change of body clock (again???)

2009-03-26T02:24:00.000-07:00

After 4 days off work(2 days off and 2 days leave), I am back and guess what?? My shift changed again. Well, I understand that I am working for a call center industry wherein even on the interview process, I was expected that I might be on a shifting schedule and I should adapt to constant changes. I kinda like the new schedule, though it starts a bit early(4am) for someone who sleeps late, but if you were in the night shift forever, then all of a sudden you'll be transferred to the morning shift the following week, then back to night shift the week after and then AGAIN back to the morning shift the week after next, what do you expect? It's not that I am complaining, it's just that sometimes I feel that it's not fair. I would understand it more if you'll have to only adjust your schedule for several hours but from changing your body clock totally every after week, well, you will say that it's too much, right? And we are coaches, we are not like those regular voice and cyber agents that have flexible working schedules. Transition classes have been in the night shift forever...well, there was a time that transition coaches were split into 2 team- night and day shifts to address seat capacity and service level but now, the whole team was transferred back and forth... I admit, I don't get the point, but who am I really to complain? For me, it will even be easier so my hubby and I will have somehow the same schedule since we work for the same company. Just think of that additional pay I am getting for night differential(If you work from10pm-6am as per revised Philippines Labor Code)...

I have heard we are gonna be in the morning shift for good. Well, whatever the schedule is, whether opener or closer, it's fine, but heck, I hope changing our transition schedule wouldn't be as extreme as what happened to us lately. But on the brighter side, at least we still have work. ☺☺☺

simply mhei

almost done

2009-03-15T23:06:00.000-07:00

After a month and a half of commuting to and from the office...after all the hassle of finding engine parts...after starving myself to death and after depriving myself in buying stuff I crave for...finally, Migs and I were finally done paying for our new engine- a fuel injected something(Please pardon my little knowledge on car parts).

I believe I did mention that our car just stopped from working. We were so lucky that it didn't happen in the muddle of the highway with cops roaming around that we have to pay big bucks. I realized how convenient it really is having your own car...you don't have to squeeze in the mass of perspiring bodies(just imagine how you smell by the time to get home) while riding a jeepney, you need not wait forever for a tryke when your shift starts in the wee hours of the morning, and ofcourse, having the pleasure of taking shortcuts to avoid that effing traffic.

Well, just a few more car parts, and ofcourse installing the new car engine, then I'm a happy camper!

simply mhei

great combination!?!?

2009-03-04T02:44:00.000-08:00

I have been telling myself for the past weeks that even I have few hours of sleep, everything would just go out just fine. I have overtime pay, i have extra money, hence, I'll have something to spare and have my car fixed.

WELL, I GUESSED WRONG.

I just did the most sensational, the worst case scenario I never thought possible, something unknown to human being, a very humiliating situation I ever got myself into, something I don't want to happen again in a million years. Worst, it can be regarded as the talk of the century.

Fine, I'm overreacting. I just couldn't figure out what mess I was in and how to get out of it.

My shift starts 9pm and ends 6 am, but I only got home around 10am when work isn't that far from where I live. It's just a 45-minute drive home including the normal traffic Las Piñas City has (Please don't ask what the not so normal traffic is like, you'll have severe headache). It looks like I've rendered overtime again. You're WRONG. Actually, overtime in a way but not paid. I just have to finish some of the admin tasks I have being a transition coach(I LOVE doing admin tasks mind you). So in short, I'm tired but I NEED to cook something. I felt that I have been neglecting my job as a wife lately, so I decided to cook something extra special for Migs, well, not really that special, but a dish that I'm sure he'll love-our all time fave caldereta. And since I have to make the meat tender and all forever, I have to make it as quick as I can or I'll lose the chance to have my much awaited beauty sleep again.

That means I have to do shortcuts, so yes, I have to do away with the ready made caldereta mix and just add the stuff and you're good to go. I saw 2 packs of caldereta mix in the fridge (or so I thought) and threw the contents on top of the boiling beef. Now that everything is tender (including the veggies), I tried to taste it, and guess what? IT TASTED WEIRD! And you know why? BECAUSE I JUST SIMPLY USED A CALDERETA MIX AND A SINIGANG(TAMARIND) MIX on my a kilo and a half beef!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm dead! I SWEAR!!!!!

Imagine tasting caldereta with a sour twinge. Well, that's how you'll find it. I bet you wouldn't want to eat caldereta for another decade.

Well, what else can go wrong, right?

With the global economic and all, I don't want to just put 'em into waste. So, I have to wash the meat and rinse several times like your laundry and start from scratch. And I guess, now I can call it Mechado.

Caldereta and Tamarind Mix that turned out to be Mechado- such a perfect combination, right? Hahahaha.

simply mhei

overtime

2009-02-08T20:09:00.000-08:00

It's so nice to sleep for over 8 hours!!! Specially if your sleep has been ranging from an hour to 4 hours for the past weeks!! I have been rendering overtime for the last three weeks, I would even render overtime during my rest days. We are not really required to render OT but due to my non-stop needs, well, I feel I HAVE to. Even Migs, my hubby, renders OT whenever he can. Let us not mention the incentives if we are to complete 30 hours of overtime for the month of February. Well, that's something we are both looking forward for... We have a lot of bills to pay...not to mention having to fix our car who stopped working all of a sudden. I realized how hard it is not to have a car... Having to commute to my mom....to go to the office in business attire..then ride a jeepney...it's not kaartehan or luho as someone would probably say, for me it's a necessesity.

Well, going back to my regular sleep, here comes the endless no-sleep week again for I am back to reality!!! I HAVE TO GO TO WORK...

simply mhei

I hate Mondays!

2009-01-26T04:44:00.000-08:00

I hate mondays! I dunno why but i feel like it's the slackest day... The day before going back to work, the day after our habitual family day...

Don't get me wrong, I just don't like the idea of being idle on the first day of the week. On the other hand, I did something out of the ordinary! Well, I did the laundry, cooked pasta and washed the dishes, took care of my baby josh--that's something else, right?? You might think I'm lazy. Well, you can say that again. Honestly, I just don't have time to do things a normal housewife should be doing for I am so busy at work, and I feel like the only consolation I have after work is to have my well-deserved rest.

So going back to my least favorite part of the week, do you also happen to hate mondays??? I would have loved Mondays since I'm off work and I can do some surfing and what not, but having a son who wants to be in front of the computer 24/7, not even giving me time to play my aps on Facebook..who would love to be on rest days??hahaha. Good thing he's eating right now or I would have not been able to write a post.

simply mhei

pc and my family

2009-01-18T18:15:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I last visited my blog sites. Aside from the fact that my internet was disconnected due to non payment (oh well, that sucks big time), I have been so busy with work, my family and my friends that I don't have time to make a blog or two. Plus the fact that my 3 and a half son started to love playing computer games and surfing the net! If only I am rich, I swear Ill buy another pc or a lap top perhaps so I wouln't have to share it with my hubby, and now, my kiddo. Whenever we're all home, we would spend our quality time strangling each other to death just to be able to use the computer. Say, I started checking my mails or playing my aps in Facebook, Josh, my son, would start to whine and would literally push me out of the pc so he could play. Ofcourse, being a mom, and not wanting my son to start being disrespectful to me, I'll give way and have him use the computer. Then just an hour after, my ever bully husband would shoo my son away so he can have his turn use the computer too. Since he knows that Josh is so afraid of him, he'd use the pc when it's Joshua's turn since he can't ask me to leave the computer. (I'm the boss!! Hahahaha) So Migs my hubby would finally have his turn and since my son just asked me to stay out the computer, I would shoo my hubby away so I can use the pc again. Then my son would push me away, Migs would bully Josh and I would bully Migs. Then I'd get tired either because I would already be late for work or I got so bummed with taking turns with 'em and would just go to sleep. So if you ever wonder why I haven't been updating my blogs, now you know damn well what has been happening to me lately.

simply mhei

NEW YEAR ESCAPADE

2009-01-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

Goodbye 2008 and hello 2009!!!

The previous year has been really great. There has been a lot of good and not-so-good memories that I want to thanks everyone who has been part of it. Whoah!! Enough with the drama.

Well, this New year's eve celebration has been very remarkable! Even I am somewhat in recession lately, with huge credit card bills and all that, we were able to celebrate it with superb dishes, splendid fireworks and with my loved ones.

I was so fortunate to have been given December 31st and January 1st as rest days for this week though I had to be on split rest days per week for the past two weeks. Still all worth it!

Migs and I bought some colorful fireworks. It has been a while since I last bought fireworks and I was surprised how expensive they are now. Well, can't complain though. We just bought a handful-2 fountains, 2 small boxes of pink firework displays and 1 medium sized colorful fireworks. That already cost a thousand bucks, can you believe that?

We had grilled liempo, lechong kawali, beef caldereta, holiday ham, and fruit salad for our Media Noche. We didn't have that much time to cook and anyway it was just my mom and dad, then migs my hubby and josh my son. I bought ingredients for an italian-style spaghetti, but since I practically slept the entire day, I wasn't able to cook it. Can you blame me if I'm so tired? Hahaha.

The best part of 'em all was our ROAD TRIP with my close friends jaypee and jason. Jaypee used to be my editor in chief in college and the person who referred me to CVG and jason is our papa bear in the office. Well, originally, we planned to go to The Fort to party after the putukan blues is over. The place was so jampacked with youngsters that we decided to head to Antipolo at 4am in the morning.

The trip to Antipolo was like the movie/ps game The Silent Hill wherein the place was so foggy(was it really fog or the aftermath of the new year's fireworks?) and the road looked so silent and a little scary. Unlike The fort, Antipolo was a ghost town that early New year's day. Bars were closed and I could barely see any vehicle or people out in the streets. We then saw Cloud 9 with a signage that says they're open 24 hours. So we drove our way up to steepy Cloud 9. Guess what? We found no one, not even a guard or receptionist. We just took pictures and scared each other and drove off.

It's 5 in the morning on new year's day and we're still in the middle of nowhere with no idea where to go to after Antipolo. Well, though we have not stayed for more than 30 minutes at The Fort and antipolo, we were still enjoying our escapade. So, we hit Eastwood next. And ofcourse, since it's already breakfast time for everyone after a major party, we didn't find any open bar and party people, just a bunch of lunatics taking their pictures with Ronald Mcdonald. After Esatwood, we passed by Metrowalk, then, we went to Rockwell, no luck either. Well, what do you expect? Everyone was so damn tired by then.

Since we literally went to all the hang outs in Manila, we headed to Makati to check if there's still life at 5:30 am, and guess what, we found one in Makati Ave.!! We didn't like the genre of music so we tried to scout for other places. And since we became so hungry with this thrilling road trip, all we wanted was to have breakfast and go home. We decided to have Northpak for breakfast. And you guessed right...Northpark is already closed. We went to check Tiananmen(me and migs' favorite), they were about to close also, the we tried to check Nextdoor, which is below Tiananmen, they were still open but everyone was there I didn't think we have a fat chance to squeeze our bodies in. So we finally decided to just have our old time favorite tapa and proceeded to Ruffos' which is just a walking distance from Makati Ave.

At last, we finally found ourselves a table. Place was also jampacked with people who were so tried after partying hard. You might think that we didn't enjoy the trip, but we difinitely enjoyed every minute of it, all thanks to Jaypee and Jason who made the day really fun, specially having those snide remarks on people we saw along the way.

Yeah, it was like a long journey with no fair result, spending a lot on gas for going practically from south to north and vice versa, but it was really fun and definitely something I'll look forward to sometime soon.

Thanks our driver with no less than my husband Migs, my fashionista friend Jaypee and my ever reliable frined Jason. Happy new year and I hope we don't go around road-tripping all througout the year. Hahahaha!!
♥♥♥ simply mhei ♥♥♥

4th wedding anniversary

2008-12-23T16:04:00.000-08:00

December 18, 2008. Another remarkable day for me and my husband since we celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary. I can't believe it that we haven't strangled each other yet to death until now, hahaha!

I have been uber busy with the holiday and all that I feel I have neglected my blog sites for almost a week now. Well, I swear, after this season is over, I'll try to post as much as I can.

Since we have been really busy with work and the holiday rush, I wasn't able to file for a vacation leave like I normally do in the past. Okay, I admit, I don't have any vacation leave credits for this year because I consumed it all. Well, you know how fun it is to be off work!

So, due to a very hectic schedule and recession (hahaha!), Migs and I just went to a dinner before going to work. Well, the dinner is not just a typical dinner. We went at MELO's steak house @ Westgate.

The place is really nice. It should be nice because the prices of their dishes would draw a hole in your pocket. Melo's serve steaks, their specialty, then a variety of Western cuisine. Check their menu and you'll think twice if you will eat a killer 20-oz-wagyu steak or you will just hit the mall and buy yourself a new cell phone.

Well, we just ordered buffalo wings for appetizer, then Melo's famous steak and gambas as main dishes. Good thing about fine dining restaurants, they do serve extras for free like breads and soup of the day for appetizers and desserts.

Let us not talk about the price because I'd rather disclose that info and check it for yourselves so you will also experience their to-crave-for selection of dishes. And how you'll never forget having to dine with Melo's because of their friendly attendants and again, the price that you have to pay after.

The best part of the date was havng to eat their gigantic steak with mashed potato and some veggies you'd forget your name. It's really superb! Then after the heavy meal, they will serve a tempting chocolate mousse with grapes. Hell yeah! And the toasts they served were really deleicious with caviars. Then they have creamy crab soup as soup of the day. Looks yummy, but since I'm allergic to seafood, I passed on that. If only we;re rich, we would have bought all the dishes they serve and disobey one og God's 10 commandments about being a glutton. Hahaha.

I know we were not able to go out somewhere else as we planned to, but the date was really fun and something we would want to do again in the future, if money permits. Hahaha. Just think that you will spend the same amount of money if you go out of town or something. Try Melo's, you'll enjoy it, and I'll bet my life on it. Happy anniversary to us!!!

►►simply mhei◄◄

CONVERGYS ALABANG CHRISTMAS PARTY 2008

2008-12-17T01:21:00.000-08:00

Convergys-Alabang once again had an awesome Christmas party on December 15, 2008 help at The Palms Country Club.

The Convergys' Black Fashionista Party- Noire, was this year's theme so obviously, everyone, or mostly all employees ( We couldn't help it if there were some party poopers right?) wore their best black outfits ever.

The party was really fantastic, with great selection of dishes as usual- western cuisine, with several Japanese dishes like sushi and wraps. If only my stomach cooperated with me that night I would have been a glutton.

Since Convergys (CVG) alabang has more than two thousand population at this moment (who would be able to guess that with a factory-sized building,hahaha!), the place was jampacked with party people and some geeks who just want to make sure that they would also be part of the once in a year party.

The annual dance contest was joined by the talented people of CVG, dance group called MOVERS CONNECTION being the awarded as this year's champion. Then ofcourse, the ever famous band of CVG which is MALAYA played series of great songs being rock as their genre. Ofcourse, if there are parties, there are perks like raffles and prices for the dance contest and best dressed, etc. As usual, I was hoping I would win something even just a small token, and surely, after 4 years with the company, I still didn't get any AGAIN. Life sucks. I hate my friend Red who won trip for 2 to Palawan when I need i

t of all people since our wedding anniversary is just a few days away...grrrrrr RED!!!! Hahaha...sounds bitter eh??

Highlights of the night were the following: Having actor John Pratts as one of the judges for the dance competition and having Parokya ni Edgar as the band for this year's party.

Parokya ni Edgar's songs were just wonderful as ever! They played their old songs and they made the night someting to remember, something to write as blog post. They're all down to earth and I think they enjoyed performing for the CVG people.

Right after the party was a separate party for the TCONS or COACHES (91c01) ...that's us!!!! WE just went to Central BF Parañaque. We could have gone somewhere else having nine thousand pesos as our team fund with all those awards we had in the past. We had our exchange gift, had another pair of havaianas as a gift from my monita Ivy. (Thanks Ivy!! ) Then right after my hubby and I went bar hopping and went to my wavemates and original CVG friends at LAIYA which is just right after central, so we literally bar-hopped from Central to Laiya. The day has been fantastic and tiring but all worth it.

simply mhei

Another week

2008-12-08T20:04:00.000-08:00

My rest days are over once again..In short, I have to drag myself to work again. I know I shouldn't be this way, but sometimes, if you have been doing the same thing all over again, you need a breather..You want to try something new...I'm not saying that I am not enjoying my job anymore. I am being surrounded with good friends, colleagues and bosses. Everyone practically knows who I am, and pay is somewhat(?) good, what else can I ask for?

I just felt that it's about time to do something else...not really find another job, but move up to do the ladder, you know what I mean?

Well, I would love to stay with the company, being one of the top corporations in the country, also being known all across the world. The benefits are good and I can still in some ways splurge with the salary that I have right now. I would rather have this job than just doing a typical clerical job if you know what I mean. Ofcourse, no pun intended here. I don't want you to think that I'm being paid less or what not. I just want to feel how it is to have a raise. a raise that is not just a few hundreds or thousands away from what I am earning now, but a raise wherein I can really feel the difference, and the scope of my job will change as well.

Problem is, due to the economic crisis we have and my employer has (US) lately, I feel that it's out of the question. Honestly, I have been dying to apply for a higher position since summer, and up until now, there are no positions being opened in our site. They were hiring for other sites and I thought about applying but I was torn between starting all over again and not being qualified for the position.

Well, going back to my work at the moment, in just a few hours, I'll have to face irate customers. Unfortunately, our transition agents are done with their transition period, that only means--- I'm back to being a call girl, err, I mean I have to hit the phones again until another set of transition agents come in. (Hopefully by in 2 weeks time). Well, that's REALITY that I have to face...

♥♥♥simply mhei♥♥♥

DE LA HOYA-PACQUIAO FIGHT

2008-12-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was another day to celebrate for the Filipinos. I have two reasons to celebrate. I cheered amongst millions of Filipinos upon the victory of Manny Pacquiao a.k.a. Pacman after defeating Oscar De La Hoya on the most awaited dream match of the year.

The game has been really great, specially if you were able to watch it commercial-free. Fortunately for me, I work for a satellite provider in the United States that caters to pay per views and boxing events, so they showed it on all the tv's all over the office, they even set up a big screen on the third floor pantry so employees can bring guests to watch it live. Mind you, that's with free flowing snacks I was even able to bring some home. I rendered overtime to take in calls since a lot of people wants to watch this grand event. So aside from the overtime pay, watching the fight and getting free snacks, I'll have PHP400 gift cheque that I can use almost everywhere since I rendered OT for 4hours. Cool, isn't it?

Well, the fight has been swell, honestly, I thought all along that De La Hoya will win over Pacman since the former is taller with longer arms than the latter. I don't want to see any of the two loose, De la Hoya being good looking (hahahaha) and Pacman being a Filipino. But of course, only ONE will be proclaimed as the winner. It's not a title match anyway.

De La Hoya had his shares of major blows on the first and second rounds, apparently, Pacman was able to give his best and gave De La Hoya hard punches by the 4th and succeeding rounds that De La Hoya decided to concede on before the 9th round started.

Pacman really had a lead on majority of the scorecards even before De la Hoya called it a night. Pacman had landed 224 of 485 punches whereas De La Hoya had only 83 out of 402. Pacman had 195 power punches and De La Hoyaonly had managed to give Pacman only 51 power punches.

Pacman surely gives Filipinos someting to celebrate about. He's really living to that "destroyer" image. He's small but indeed terrible. Well, the fight was really great! I pity De La Hoya for having his hadsome face bruised. You can't win 'em all, anyway.

And another thing that I celebrated about yesterday?? Well, It's my fourth year stay with the company I work for...one more year and I can file for an early retirement...Hahahaha!!!

♥♥♥simply mhei♥♥♥

Lunch @ Poquito Mas

2008-12-01T13:04:00.001-08:00

My husband and I are certified food lovers. We try all the interesting restaurants, with different cuisines and specialties, we even go barbeque or tapsilog(marinated beed with garlic rice and egg) hopping whenever we don't have anything to cook at home.

Last week, we just tried POQUITO MAS located just near our office- Westgate, Filinvest Corp. Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines. Well, honestly, it was our 2nd time to eat there. I love spanish-latino cuisine as their banner say so-SPLATINO CUISINE.

In spanish, Poquito Mas means "A little bit no more". Well, that maybe because they have hefty servings, you will really be full after dining at this fab restaurant. And the place-it looks so homey, has a mediterranean touch, ambience is really refreshing. They even have a small conference room if you want to celebrate with your friends, then a dining area outside for people who smoke. It looks al ittle ancient to me but the interiors are really of class. They serve Spanish and Mexican primarily, but Poquito Mas also serves international cuisine, Asian is one of them. They have lunch buffet on weekdays. (The reason we went back)

They serve the best tacos in the world!! You can have it soft or you can have it hard. There's a lot on their menu that it took me a long time to finally decide on what to eat. Ofcourse I don't want to be a glutton on that day and I'm thinking about our budget. Their nachos are just great!! The salsa really goes well with the nachos. And they have several selections of mouth-watering pizzas. This is making me hungry. Hahaha.

On our first visit, we decided to order my ever fave nachos, a rib-eyed steak and callos. And when we found out that they serve lunch buffet at a very reasonable price (PHP299 before tax), we visited Poquito Mas last friday. Their selection of food on their buffet table are just great! They have salads, breads, pasta, egg noodles, chicken and bacon, lemon chicken, meat balls, pork belly, basbecue, tropical fruits, brownies...there's a lot that I loss track. Well, I forgot about my diet again and ate a whole lot. I just coudn't help it. Well, I'll look like an idiot if I'll just order onion rings and a glass of iced tea and just stare at Miguel eating different food, enjoying every bite then the money we'll pay for our food would be deducted from both of our allowances! That's unfair!

We;;, really have a good time @ Poquito Mas. They also have mexican dinner buffet, that;s what we will try next. Try it, I'm sure you won't regret it.

♪♫♪Simply mhei♪♫♪

my son

2008-11-29T15:50:00.000-08:00

Today is Sunday, a perfect day to spend time with your family. After a very tiresome week and working endlessly, we deserve to take a break. The week has been really busy for me, going to work at 9pm and leaving the office at around 11 to 11:30am. Don't get me wrong. I do not work for more than 12 hours, that's against our labor code. I don't go on double shifts neither. I love work but I'm not workaholic. Shift really starts at 9pm for me, having to work for a call center. I'm just the average employee who works for 8 hours plus an hour of lunch and two 15-minute coffee breaks. time is just different from a regular office employee. I stay at the office late not because I have to finish loads of work. I stay at the office even hours after my shift to wait for my husband. We work for the same company and his shift starts during the wee hours of the morning. Now, you may think that I wait for my husband to keep an aye on him, to make sure that he doesn't have girls...Heck, NO!! You might even think that I'm playing the martyr's role...uh-huh!! Since we only have one car and due to the economic crisis we have, our set up is to wait for each other rather than having one commute and the other one using the car. Miguel, my hubby, would go to work at least 5 hours early his shift and I will stay 5 hours late to wait for him, got it? Honestly, that is saving us big time, we only spend less than a hundred pesos on gas going back and forth the office, and if we commute, we'll spend more than a hundred bucks. We are also cutting cost on the electricity. Since we're at work, we don't use the aircon at home too much, we don't use other electric appliances. We have a sleeping lounge at the office so Miguel just sleeps at the office before his shift starts and I sleep (sometimes) at the office while killing time and waiting for him.

So that makes me busy the entire week. Since we have Josh, our son, we only get to see him during our rest days. We leave him to our nursing home, courtesy of my loving parents ofcourse since we don't have a maid. So whenever we are with josh, we make sure that we spend it as cherished as possible. On your left is my Joshua, my 3-year old son who we love so much. As much as we would love to be with him 24/7, we have to work hard for his future. This boy is so sweet. At a very young age, he make sure that he says I love you. He can't talk much yet, but you can see how smart he is. I admit, he's sometimes a pain in the neck for being so obnoxious. He would just throw anything he can get his hands on, scatter his toys everywhere and break vases, etc. He's not afraid of me so whenever I scold, he would just find it funny and would tease me even more. But wait till he sees his dad! He'll hide under the table because he knows he's in trouble big time. He probably got that attitude from his dad. Joshua is so friendly that he says hi to every people that passes by. He even will say hi to fish vendors and post men. But since he's an only child, he loves attention so much that when he notices that our attention will divert to someone else, he goes ballistic. But for me he's such an angel specially when he's sleeping soundly. He looks like me, right?

Well, can't wait to see Josh later. We'd probably just hit the mall. Eat out then go home. anyway, I still have two more nights to put my son to sleep. I'll go back to work on Tuesday. I have Sundays and Mondays as rest days. Then Miguel would have Wednesdays and Thursdays off, so we will bring our Joshua back to his nursing home on Thursday night. That's how our family life works.

♥♥♥simply mhei♥♥♥

My Christmas WISH LIST

2008-11-23T13:37:00.000-08:00

Well..to date, it's 31 days before Christmas Day. I'm sure a lot of people already started preparing for the yuletide season. Malls are certainly jam packed with excited men and women trying to outwit each other getting the best deals on every boutique. Christmas lanterns and lights are everywhere...Christmas songs are playing on practically all radio stations...Even snatchers and kidnappers are out in every corner.

You know what the best part is? CHRISTMAS BONUS!! I really can't wait to get my bonus or what we call here in the Philippines as thirteenth month pay. Why do you think it's called so anyway? When we only have twelve months in a year? And why there are some companies who gives 14th month pay and even 15th month pay? Well, no matter what the reason is, as long as I get it, as long as I'll have bonus, who cares about knowing why it was called such. Hahaha!

And because I am uber excited to get my bonus, I don't know how will I spend it. It is not as big as you think but at least it's something to look forward to. You can't get it just by sitting or staring at nothing at all. I have a long list of Christmas wishes! Below are on top of the list:

1. A brand new cell phone. I was just flipping through some magazines last week and I saw this ultimate phone-Sony Ericsson's Xperia X1. It's one of the latest mobile phones created by Sony Ericsson. Touch screen like my phone(Ericsson W960i), windows mobile...well, it has a lot of great features.. I really love it!
2. Digital camera. Well, I don't have one yet. Since I LOVE taking pictures, it will really make me happy if I will be able to buy a digicam.
3. Perfume set. I love collecting perfumes of different scents. Of course I'll look stupid if I buy same scents, do I? I like those perfume sets, those with lotions and shower gels. I checked this place in Festival Mall that sells a variety of perfume sets at very reasonable prices. I wanna get my hands on all the perfumes and colognes they are selling because the prices are really cheaper than mall prices. Oh, well...
4. A pair or two of platform sandals. I saw a nice-looking wedgy shoes @ People are People but it cost a fortune. Not really...but for me it's not something I would buy on a regular day. Then I'll check the rest of the shoe stores and check the deals. Well,friends, if you want to buy me a pair of wedge killer shoes, pictures are on your left, size 6, hahahaha!!
5. A dozen of flip flops. I just love the designs of Havaianas-very comfy too!! I already have a lot that I can already put up a havaianas boutique at home. Well, I can't help it...I love collecting 'em. I just can't wear it at work anymore because of the dress code..but I sometimes try to cheat and only wear heeled shoes when the boss is around. Hahaha! Even if you wear those cute flip flops everyday, I swear these slippers won't look old.

I sound sooo selfish...Of course, I also wish to get my son and my husband a few things:

FOR MIGUEL (MY HONEY)

1. A brand new cell phone too. Well, not as pricey as mine. Hahaha. I just bought him a cell phone last summer when he left his Sony Ericsson W850i in the computer lounge @ the office, but for some reasons, the lcd got busted. I know he'll settle for something not as posh as my ultimate dream (after my Sony Ericsson W960i) since he's more of splurging his hard earned money on our car.
2. Half dozen of flipflops. I know, I said mine has to be a dozen and his should only be half of what I should have... It doesn't sound too selfish, right?
3. Oakley's Warden shades. He had one before, and don't ask me what happened. But he looks good on it so if my budget will allow me, then I'll buy him another one.
4. Aqua di Gio. He has been begging me to buy him this perfume but I'd always settle for something less expensive.
5. A dozen of poloshirts and short-sleeve polo's. We are both not into buying clothes avery payday like other working people does. So we usually buy bulk during this time of the year.

FOR OUR BABY JOSHUA:

1. TEN dozens of bottles. Before, we really buy those Avent milk bottles for my son. Now that he's three, one of his habits is to throw his bottles(or anything he can get his hands on) like ping pong balls. Naturally, it would break. Then I would buy onether one and same thing will happen. So what's the sense of buying a branded bottle when I can buy 10 bottles already with the price I have to pay for those huge and costly bottles.
2. A new pair of shoes. We have always wanted to buy my son a Nike shoes but the price is really unreasonable. And he may only be able to use it for a few years since he'll grow up and I just wasted 2-3 thousand PHP. But if there'll be a sale before Christmas, I think I'll finally buy him one.
3. Nebulizer. This, I'm 100 percent sure I'll buy. Joshua has been very asthmatic lately. We even had this not so good experience when we recently rushed him to the hospital. (Asian's Hospital) I have a health card and I hate to say this but it sucks big time! My health card only covered the room and consultation, but I paid for the rest. Anyway, I really have to buy him a nebulizer so I won't go lunatic looking for someone who has one.
4. Five 1.6 kgs. of milk. My son is such a milk addict. He's not into eating solid food. And I always run out of milk because he asks practically every hour.
5. 3 dozen's of shorts and t-shirt. Since joshua is getting bigger, his clothes looks like muscle lothes on him, protruding milk belly and all that.

These are just some of my wishes for this season. Feel free to choose what you want to give me as your Christmas present.

pictures of our teambuilding/bday of boss

2008-11-11T17:07:00.000-08:00

We had our team building last week/birthday of our ever beloved boss AJ. Since i don't have a digital camera, i was able to upload the pictures just now. Like what I've said on my last post, the place was really awesome!! I hope we can go back there for the team's Christmas party.

We had our hard earned 3-day off after the team building, since we had split-offs for the past 2 weeks. This coming week, we have another 3-day off, life couldn't get any better, right? Well, after our rest days for this week, we will go back to the same Sunday-Monday off. Darn.

Here's some of us posing @ the pool side. We have been soooo tired since we came from the 10pm till 7am shift then we headed right away to this place. In short, we only slept when we went home so it was like we were awake for more than 24 hours. But it's all worth it.The swimming pool looks just great! It can accommodate 50 guests i think and you can still move around the pool. There are trees around as you can see, fully landscaped greenery and something that looks like a fountain, that is really not a fountain, do i make sense? hahaha.

The place looks inviting. You can relax and have fun at the same time. If it get's too hot, there's a nipa-like cottage that you can go to or you can just stay at the air-contioned entertainment room, where you can choose to sing or to make fun of whoever is singing!!

And if it get's way too cold, you have the option of staying inside the sauna forever and loose those ugly pounds (ouch!!!), or you can do a walkaton or something to perspire. That's by the way richard on your left, he's the other TCON (Transition Coach) that was not on our group pic that i posted the last time. He's the epitome of staying inside the sauna for an hour and being the runner(or our boy,hehehe) of the day.

If you get too drunk, then you can sleep on this nipa hut. Just beware since it's beside the pool. Next thing you know, you're already thrown at the pool by your good-natured(?) friends.

What's the best part? You can take pictures just about anywhere!! If you're a photo addict ( like us), then you can never run out of posing to do and places to have your picture taken.

You can take picture as soon as you get to the place...while waiting for the food to be serve...after eating when your stomach is already full

When doing absolutely nothing, when others are busy doing something and you're just waiting for your turn...when getting drunk..Or how you look before drinking and after...

Resting by the poolside after having an absurd water fight with your peers.... Or just simply posing because the view is great....

I hope we can do it again...without spending a dime...(dream on mhei!!)

♥♥♥simply mhei♥♥♥

team building/bday party of boss

2008-11-07T17:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday has been an awesome day. Well, it really didn't start swell for i have to work on the wee hours taking endless calls. I swear, i almost thought of quitting because of those irate customers dipsuting their bills, asking for credit, complaining the service they get from us, complaining of having to wait on the qeue forever....Good thing that we have a team building afterwards sponsored by the birthday celebrant- our boss, AJ. He reserved a very cool place somewhere in BF Parañaque. Actually, the owner of the place is his relative. I don't think it's really being rented for the place is superb! It's just a house, well, not really JUST a house, since it's really huge. I'll post the pics sometime next week..stupid me, I forgot to get Ann's memory card so I can upload 'em right away.

Let me introduce the rest of the Transition Coaches, or TCON's as they call it at work. Let me do it clockwise...I'll start from top left. Billy, the bald guy, who is one of the heartthrobs whenever we have transition agents (Agents who graduated from PST or Product Specification Training, "transitioning" from training to the production floor). Next is our ever beloved BOSS AJ, who is somewhat strict (that's a compliment boss) but with a funny bone in his body. He's very efficient, mind you. Just make sure you hit the metrics and you're good. Next to boss AJ is Ann, our baby doll. Don't ask me why we call her baby doll because I honestly forgot where it all started. Then, there's Ayith, which is THE LEGEND, being with Directv (our account) since it satrted it's operation in Alabang (need I say more?). Ofcourse, next to her is yours truly. After me, there's Jen, the mommy of all mommies. She really is a mom to everyone, even me, who's a mom,hahaha! KC or Khryzz is the person next to Jen, who's the sister of our old boss. Then, there's Cath, our AHT(average Handling time) queen. peace cath :) Rose is next, I don't know how to describe her...she's good, she's the type who will tell you stories about life in general. After Rose is Ces, The youngest of all, one of the hot chicks (next to me,hahaha!). Well, behind that good looks-you'll never guess it but she can slap you real hard, and for her that's just a tap. After her is Chryss, who is not going to work anymore...(miss you chryss!!) Then, there's Ivy, small but terrible (literally???). Then Dheck, another one of the sought-after TCON's, always being tagged as the TCON who smells good (so don't we smell as good as him?). next to Dheck is Marco, a very happy guy, he always smiles-not to himself. Then Eric is next, or should I say Don Eric? The big time alabanger guy who's feet stays glued to the ground, well, not literally or he won't be able to move his wheelchair to places. And Last but the least,er, not the least, Rosh, one of the funniest guy I've known. Oh, there's Richard, but he wasn't in the picture or he would have ruined everything.(good thing..hahha!!kidding chard!)

Going back to the party. The place is really great. The pool is big, there's jacuzzi, sauna, there's an entertainment room, and there's a hut on the second floor where you can relax and just drink or whatever. There's another hut on the pool side wherein you can lie down and just feel the wind breezing on your cheeks. Boss AJ ordered a lot of food, courtesy of Contis and bought beers and vodkas. Well, I don't drink anymore, so I just spent majority of the time singing my heart out in the entertainment room, which is air-conditioned. Some went to swim, some stayed on the the bigger hut and played cards while drinking and the rest went to our concert in the entertainment room. It really was fun, that altough we didn't sleep for almost 24 hours, being with friends and enjoying the time made it really worthwhile.

our hard-earned car

2008-11-04T05:16:00.001-08:00

I have always wanted to own a car. I have been working my ass out for the longest time and finally, We were able to buy(along with my husband) one last summer. Well, it's not a brand new car, not something that will cost you a fortune, not something you can be proud of like Miata or Porsche...But I'M DEFINITELY PROUD OF IT since it's our first car and from our hard-earned money. It's just Mitsubishi Gallant model 91. We're so lucky to get it at a very competitive price, let me not mention though how much, but we got it with a perfect(well, not so perfect since it's a second hand) condition. No scratches, cool aircon, superb sound system and all the works! It was just very untimely for us to buy a car when everyone else would rather commute because of the gas hike. Right now, I would still say it's a good buy and we can go almost anywhere without having to commute, or ride a cab. It's no longer a hassle for us to go to my mom's place to leave my son (we don't have a maid) and pick him up after a few days. (When it's our off). And the price of gas is going a peso or two every week... I hope that continues.

I did mention that it was on a very good contion when we bought it. Well, just a couple of months after, we were so lucky that we got hit by a truck, or let me rephrase that, WE HIT A TRUCK!! I didn't know if my hubbu just didn't see the truck slowing down or he was just daydreaming...He was the one driving by the way since I don't know how to drive. I tried to, once or twice, but he said I'm a clutch driver. (Ours is just manual transmission) In short, I'm always on the passenger's seat, with my husband as the driver. Going back to the incident, I don't know how luckier we can get...we actually hit that stupid truck (Or..are we the stupid ones??) just right across where there were a handful of policemen. So in short, we have to pay or we'll stay there forever. What's worse?? (I can say this is cataclysmic) WE DON'T HAVE A LICENSE!! And what else? It happened the day before our pay day!!Sucks, right? Thanks to our life savers AYEN AND NICO whom I phoned. They came to the rescue an hour later and paid the police 750pesos. They said we were lucky because sometimes you will be asked to pay around two thousand or even more. If you come to think of it, we were still luck because no one got hurt (We were with another officemate Rina), and we hit a truck that didn't get any dent at all.

So, what happened to the car?? Well...it got dented big time. The hood had a big dent, the grill of the car was busted totally, so we have to use my son's shoelace (very clever right?) to close the hood of the car. Now, what we are doing is to have it fixed one at a time. We started with the hood, it's a little ok now, then, we had the aircon fixed. I think it got affected by the accident, and now we had the grills replaced. So it looks as good as new (Well, not really). At least it looks like a car again,hahaha!

Now, I've realized that maintainance of having a car is such a pain. You have to make sure that the car undergoes tune-ups, change oils, overhaul, what have you. You also have to take it to the nearest car wash every week. Then, you also have to pay for the registration every year whick would cost you 3-5 thousand!! Well, that's the price I have to pay literally for wanting comfort of not vommuting and passing short cuts.

CALL CENTER WORLD

2008-11-03T02:56:00.000-08:00

Call centers or contact centers in the Philippines have grown rampantly over the years, giving thousands of people high paying jobs that provides services to western markets, specially American companies. Approximately around 10 to 20% of Filipinos employed in the country work for off shore contact centers. This is one of the most sought-after jobs in the country, you just have to sit and talk to irate customers and you get paid big time. This being the major trend in the industry, there are now courses that focus on working on a call center.

Western investors pick Philippines as top priority in outsourcing their companies for several grounds. One of the major reasons is the fluency of Filipinos in English. According to several reviews, natives from the Philippines have the highest level of proficiency in the English language all across Asia. Filipinos are eloquent speakers and have the most naturalized accent that can be easily understood by western customers. (Love your own, right?) They are secure that we can communicate effectively even to customers off-shore.

American, British, and Aussie employers hand-pick Philippines as their target because of the fair labor costs. It is way expensive to hire someone from United States, or United Kingdom than getting people from our country work for them, which is good, for without this kind of industry, I'm probably jobless or not being paid well.

Filipinos are also known to have good work ethics, being able to adapt easily, making it another basis why people from the west prefer to outsource in the country. They are confident that they are investing their money correctly. It is also believed that we, Filipinos, are already familiar with their culture, thus, we can easily adapt to their environment.

So how does it work? Or how do you get a career in this type of industry? What skills you should acquire to be able to land a job as a call center agent or customer service representative? What are the benefits? What are the pro's and con"s of being in one of the most talk flourishing jobs in the Philippines?

It's pretty simple. SPEAK ENGLISH with a good twang and you're ready to go. You really don't need to have that heavy Brit accent to work for a contact center. As long as you can construct a coherent sentence, can understand the language, and can speak clearly (since you will undergo culture and communications training anyway), then all you need is to polish your English vocabulary.

Next rule of the thumb: instill in your mind that PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE. Like what I've said earlier, you will be talking to irate customers. Most of the time, customers will call because they have problems, they will not be calling in the first place if they are just doing great and they feel like just talking to a customer representative of her cable provider just for the heck of it.

Flexibility to shifting schedule should also be put into consideration. If you will work for a call center, you should be aware that it has 24/7 operation hours, which means, you have to work at nights, Sundays and holidays (Even on Christmas Day). So you'd have to give up your usual night-outs or dates with your boyfriend. You need to adjust your body clock because changes in schedule can happen in a short span of time.

Computer skills can also be an advantage. I'm not saying that you have to be a computer savvy that you know how a mother board looks like or what have you, just basic knowledge on how to run a computer will be fine. It will be to your edge if you know some technicalities though. Since you will be using computers to access your customer's info (I doubt if we still have call centers who don't use computers), you'll need to know keyboard shortcuts, like control V for pasting and control C for copying, etc.

Ofcourse, you should also have the ability to make the customer believe you are giving accurate info, the skill to pacify a very outrageous customer and most specially, you have to be analytical or you woudln't understand, what more assist your customers.

Some would say it's one of the easiest job you can have, next to being a dancer, well, I completely beg to disagree. If you are already working for a contact center, you'd think again. FOR THOSE INTERESTED, AND WANTS TO TRY YOUR LUCK, JUST EMAIL ME YOUR RESUME AND I'LL HELP YOU.

Signs that you're INLOVE

2008-11-01T17:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wish I can be single again and all. I's not saying that my married life is on the rocks. It's actually doing just great. I just envy my friends when they tell me how awesome their partners are. Here I go again...being hopeless romantic. So how would you know if you were struck by Cupid?? Ofcourse I love my husband so much, but I can't help but think how would it be if you have been single for the longest time and all of a sudden you stop and say to yourself "I think I'm inlove", with a gleam in your eyes. So, what are the signs then?

*YOU FEEL COMPLETE-From having an uber pessimistic personality, you turned into a very logical human being. You feel like no one understands you before the way he does now. You see yourself building a family with 3 kids with him. Yes, you feel like uttering that line from a movie "You complete me".

*YOU ARE CORNY-You suddenly become a party pooper-you just want to be with him. You can no longer be found at any get-together. You nake plans to go out with friends and cancel it on the last minute because the object of your affection asked you out for a date.

*RADIO IS YOUR NEW BESTFRIEND-You put your JAY-Z and NELLY cd's in the drawer and you start listening to Frank Sinatra and Angela Bofill all day. You listen to every line intently, feeling like every word makes sense. You feel like the songs are created just for you.

*YOU FEEL LIKE DYING WHEN YOU'RE NOT TOGETHER-You feel devastated when you have to part ways, specially when he can't be with you to go to a business trip. If only you can fit yourself inside a luggage just to be with him. Then you go to your friends (which you neglected literally when you met him) and bore them to death about your new love story.

*YOU THINK ABOUT HIM 24/7-You think about him when you wake up, while doing the laundry, while eating, when you are at work (you write his name across yours), while preparing dinner and before going to sleep. Everything reminds you of him, even that silly cat of you neighbor.

*YOU LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT-You laugh at all jokes though they aren't really funny. You smile at all times and that sparkle in your eyes will always be there specially if you talk about him. You started doing weird things you though you wouldn't dare do in the past and now you feel it's fun.

♥♥♥mhei♥♥♥

Signs of being a shopoholic

2008-10-26T04:34:00.000-07:00

You might ask me what a shopaholic is? The term was derived from words "shop" and "alcohol". Shop is addictive and so is alcohol, so if you put it together, it's way over control. If you spend too much on shopping, then you're one hell of a shopping addict!

Here are some of the signs that you are becoming obsessed to shopping:

1. Your day will not be complete without buying any thing.
2. The idea of going out to shop gives you thrill.
3. You wouldn't miss the next big sale.
4. When you get depressed or somewhat stressed at work, you proceed to the nearest shopping mall.
5. You just bought 3 pairs of stiletto shoes and you are eyeing another pair and considering on buying it.
6. You have a huge selection of clothes, some even have tags on it still.
7. You buy stuff that you don't really use.
8. You have more than one credit card.
9. You get a little guilty when you get home for buying that jewelry that cost sky high.
10. You're always way over your budget.
11. You splurge on gifts.
12. You only leave the mall when mall is about to close.
13. You have a lot of belts one can ever imagine.
14. Boxes of shoes are scattered all over the room since you don't know where to place 'em anymore.
15. You always have the latest in fashion and you make fun of fashion disasters.
16. You know practically all the brands of perfumes in the world by heart.
17. You have 30 lipsticks of different shades, 2 dozens of blush-ons, 20 sets of eye make-up and they are all stuck in the drawer.
18. You go from one boutique to another until your feet gets hurt that you want to sit down and rest.
19. You can barely see your name on your credit card, it's been so worn out since its being swiped at all times.
20. You love collecting shopping bags of different brands.

So, are you one of them??? Beware!! :)

SO DO YOU WANT TO OVERCOME BEING A SHOPAHOLIC?? HERE'S HOW:
http://hubpages.com/hub/shopaholic

DO WE STILL BELIEVE IN LOVE?

2008-10-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I still remember how I would answer those slum books of my friends whenever I was being asked what love means. On churches, pastors would talk about how God loves us that He gave His only Son. In school, teachers would explain the different types of love. Parents would tell you not to fall in love. Friends would give you tips on how to make your partner feel loved. Books will give you insights on when you should be or should NOT be falling in love….

LOVE…what does it really means nowadays? Has it become just a 4-letter word in the English dictionary that’s being used everywhere? Even on guessing games? Hell, yeah… I would say that LOVE has been the most clichéd term used by practically every breathing human being in all parts of the world. It loss its real definition… It’s not as magical as it used to be like those exemplary fairy tales with a happy-ever-after ending… It has become so meaningless that we just use it just for the sake of using it…We use it as sarcasm (“Yeah, right, I love you”)…We say it to make your partner feel somewhat better (“I really love you but I need to break up with you)…We say it so we can have something or someone in return (“I love you so much…Now, how about buying me that diamond ring we saw at the jewelry shop last night”, “I love you but I love your best friend more”, “I love you from the bottom of my heart, so can we have sex tonight?”)…We say it to make up with our shortcomings (“I know I cheated on you but I LOVE YOU”)…We say it when we don’t have anything to say (“(long silence) I love you baby”)…

We have grown the real essence of this profound word that we say it 24/7 anywhere we are. I’m sure you’ll hear it in any form every time and you’ll have nightmares if you didn’t hear or say LOVE or I LOVE YOU before going to sleep. Your brain is malfunctioning if you contest what I’m trying to get at. I’m not genius; it just makes me wonder why we are no longer after the same connotation on fairy tales. I’m not talking about deep shit here. I’m talking about the REAL, UNCONDTIONAL LOVE that we’re willing to risk our lives for our love-ones…that we see ourselves with the person the we love until hair are all gray, jaws are dropping, wrinkles are everywhere , hunch backs and all that.

Correct me if I’m wrong: We often misunderstood love with attraction. Women will say “I’m begging to like him” when she just met the guy and went out thrice…”Oh, we love the same movies…I’m beginning to fall for you.”…That’s crap! Men will say “I want to marry you and be with you for the rest of my life” but even before tying the knots you’ll find out such a pig he is for cheating on you half a dozen times. I am not saying that everyone has the habit of confusing love with attraction. I’m just saying that majority of us, even me, commits the same crime.

We also associate LOVE with LUST. You’d tell your best pal that you are falling for your boyfriend whom you dated for what, a month?? And what’s the main reason?? Because he’s good in bed and he makes you feel really special? I know that it is a normal emotion that exists in the real world particularly for couples who spends a lot of time with each other. But it’s not lust that will make your bond stronger; it will be the amount of time that you are together talking and finding out if you will click or what not. LUST is more of physical rather than emotional.

So when did we stop believing in LOVE? When did we outgrow the feeling of loving someone like the way Cinderella’s prince charming (sorry, I dunno his name…if you know it, you’re a full blooded love struck) did when Cinderella forgot her shoes (clumsy of her) and little Mr. Prince Charming there tried to look everywhere just to find who owns the shoe. When did we do away with just saying I LOVE YOU when you really meant it, not just to get her in the bed then forget all about her the next day? When did we start dismissing the idea of being like our grand parents that are still together till their last breath?

I know that there are really people who have not-so-good relationships that left them all alone and hurt, which led them to believe that LOVE isn’t that true after all. Once in our lives, we see everything perfectly, everything is the right place, and then all of a sudden, your boyfriend breaks up with you to be with another hot chick, KABOOM!!! You don’t want the idea of being INLOVE again even if you will live all by yourself in the future. And what you do is to mope the whole day, listen to music that will eat your heart out, eat humungous amount of food, then once you’re fully recovered, you’ll start doing what your EX did to make even. Your heart will be as hard as a stone, you will promise yourself NOT to be in love again…

What will be the end result??NONE. We’ll just go from one relationship to another and see what happens next. Unlike before that even by just mentioning his name with give you shiver, that you can talk about him forever with that sparkle in your eyes…You can describe him with all the positive adjectives from the Miriam dictionary and you feel that it’s not enough…That you can create an essay, even a novel of what you do together and how you’ve met…

Nowadays, you just stay with your partner for a long period of time just to say you have someone, but the spark is gone...the passion is gone…the willingness to do everything for the person you ultimately love is no longer there…You will no longer go to the extremities even if you look like an idiot for the person you’re with…willingness to accept him is out of the question now…Where did it all go??? How can we take it back??

ALL WE NEED IS LOVE. RIGHT??

another day in hell

2008-10-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

You can't blame me if I just sometimes drag myself to work literally. If you work for a company for 4 years now, you would probably feel the same. I had my hard-earned 2 days off-work but I still feel that it's not enough...As i write, i only have a couple of hours left and it's work time again...what can I say?

Lately, I've been blabbering how dead-boring my life has turned into. I no longer have time to go out with friends like I used to...Not even have time to buy things for myself. To make things worse, I have to battle my way just to be able to use this freaking pc!! Like I've said before, my hubby and I are both computer freaks. I have to really strangle him to death(of course, I don't do it) so i can use it.

In short, my life revolves with him and my little bratty but ever so lovable son. Going back to my work, it really kills me to think that I have to work on the wee hours of the day when practically everyone in this side of earth are dosing off. Well, it pays well, If I may add, some will say job is really simple and easy, since it's a call center industry that you will say that all you need to do is sit down and take in calls. I DEFINITELY BEG TO DISAGREE!! If you are on a customer service industry, you have to have the patience and the guts to stay with the company longer. You wouldn't want to have irate customers who will curse you to death and will say you are stupid for not explaining the bill where in fact you explained it properly that you even went to the extent of explaining it the way you would on a grade school student, and yet, it wasn't understood at all. You wouldn't want NOT to have a quarterly incentive by not hitting the metrics, say not being able to hit the target for quality and CSAT (Customer Satisfaction) guidelines. You wouldn't want to have high blood or low blood pressure for staying awake all throughout the night. You wouldn't want to be criticized for not being able to at least compose a coherent sentence. I bet you also won't like to drink 4 mugs of coffee every day just to make sure that you are awake the whole night. Well, that just few of those that someone who works at a call center tries to bear just to be paid. It's one hell of a job. I'm not saying that I don't like it, infact, I LOVE it so much. I Love the feeling of teaching new agents how it goes, how they can inprove on their calls and what not. I just want probably to try something new.(Which I DON'T think I'll do in the near future)

So, if you think it's still easy, why not give it a shot...EMAIL ME @ may_delmundo@yahoo.com or post your comment here

my ever so boring week

2008-10-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

I have been very busy again this past week that i didn't have time to write anything on my blog sites. I probably had an hour per day to spare, but i have been sooooooo tired that my muse won't work, I couldn't come up with any idea, not even to compose a single sentence!! Plus add the fact that my week wasn't so exciting to brag about. You know how hard it is being a mom and a wife, and working on shifting schedule, i bet, you wouldn't want to be in my shoes.

The most exciting part of my week is being able to at least rest a little while working. Since I am a coach in a call center(let us just NOT say where), and there is no transition(that's what we call the process when agents graduated from training and they will already hit the production floor), we are required to go on phone time(which really sucks if I may add),. Thanks to my BOSS, he's assigning us to only be on the phones for half the shift, then we do floor walk to assist the agents with their questions and take sup calls if there's any(mind you, there's a lot).

Well, I can't complain since that's part of my job. You wouldn't believe me but i LOVE my work, although there are really times that you would want to just give up, try to work somewhere else and earn more....I just don't like the idea of starting all over again, try your ass out to earn a name, and being able to stay this long(4 years with the company and still counting...) And to think that if you stay with the company for at least 5 years, you can file for an early retirement, that will give you 50% of your monthly pay times the number of years...that's money!!!and if you stay longer, benefit will be even more, so why complain??
So going back to my not too exciting week, so if there are no questions, i just take the time to do admin works for my boss, sometimes just smoke...oopppsss....hope my boss won't see this.

You might think that I'm the type of person that just go straight home from work, then, think again. As much as I would like to go out, let us just say that budget won't allow me...so if ever i go out, i make it sure that i can still go home and with extra money in my wallet.

I really hope i'll have a better life this week... Less phone time and lees work loads and more money, if that's possible :)

what should come first

2008-10-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

How time flies really fast...I still remembered celebrating Christmas with my family, next thing I knew, we only have less than a hundred days left before that most-awaited season. That reminds me, I have a lot of inaanaks (God children). I think I have more than a dozen now, OMG!!!! I better start shopping for presents now or I hide on Christmas day to save my butt.

As a true-blooded Filipino, I am one of those who really makes an extra effort to celebrate this season and I make sure that I will make my love-ones happy by giving little tokens or memorabilia. Of course, I also want something new, like new clothes, shoes, gadgets and the likes if my budget will cooperate with me. With all the credit cards and bills that i have to pay, not to mention needs of my baby josh my son and my ever-so-luxurious hubby, well, need I say more??

But of course, i have to set my priorities straight. I have a list of what to buy and what NOT to buy as early as now... What needs to be done and what needs NOT to be done...all those stuff...I have to be very careful this time or I'll end up living in the shanties.

So here goes my priority list:
Food for Christmas:
1. Ham - Just the local good old brands will do
2. Traditional Spaghetti (have to do away with white or Italian sauce since they are so pricey)
3. Beef Caldereta - my ultimate fave
4. 1 Kilo cocktail hotdog - the cheaper the brand the better
5. 1 whole Lemon Chicken - will cook it my way
6. Graham Cake for dessert - really easy to do, no need to splurge big time on blueberry
cheese cakes, you just need to buy Graham crackers, condensed milk, whipped cream,
then top it with ripe mangoes and you're good to go
7. Local Wine - Christmas won't ever be complete without wine.

If you have your whole family with you, celebrating Christmas the simple way will still be a remarkable experience.

Gifts for Christmas:
This is the hardest part. Aside from the fact that you want the person to like the present you'd give, you also would want to give every person you know in earth but you're on a fixed income. That really sucks.

For my 3 year-old son, my godchildren, who has the same age as my little kiddo, toys really works for them. Elderly peeps might contest since kids won't be able to use it when they get older, but I don't see the logic of buying something like a pair of jeans or books that children won't really appreciate. They will probably say "Thanks", but will just ignore it and will just continue with whatever they are doing when you butted in. Anyway, there's always Christmas every year, not to add their birthdays every year so why bother?

Now, for your boss, family members, friends and colleagues, You can always buy ingredients or something to make cakes, brownies or Christmas chocolates. It may be a little tedious, but it's worth the sweat. Or, If you're not into cooking, buy regular candles or create candles, the just decorate it with Christmas colors. You can also buy beads and fake stones of different colors then turn it into bracelets, necklaces and earrings, or even key chains. That's what I actually intend to do once my paycheck gets in. For those who would have read it before Christmas, and you received something from me that just looks like exactly what I am describing right now, just pretend you're not aware of my blog.

Women are not hard to please, but for guys?? Well, this is one major challenge for me. If my husband represents all the men in the world, then I'll be poor BIG TIME for the rest of my life. Men are so into cars, sports and gadgets, and I can't afford to buy an ipod or a laptop, much worse a car!!! So I think I'll just settle with the classic socks and neck tie-HECK!!! NO WAY!!! Since I'm on an ever-budget mode, guy-kyechains and pens will do. And If it's a guy boss, then Ill just bake a cake or anything yummy.

Now, for my decorations, I'll make it as simple as I can. For one thing, I don't think I'll have anough money to buy more stuff after buying everything above, and number two, I don't want my electricty bill to shoot up again. That will definitely thwor me out my budget.
Most possibly, I will just use the same decorations i had for last year, If the lighst are still working...just great!! If I need to replace a bulb or two, so be it. No need to buy a new Christmas tree since mine still looks good for me...I might need to add few bells and other decors as well, and my holiday will be more than perfect...

for you mah honey

2008-10-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

It's such a pain in the ass having to share my pc with my hubby. He's a computer freak like me that sometimes I would want to strangle him just for me to be able to write, grrrr!!!!We have the same days off, we work for the same company, we almost have the same shift, we even share the same car so it's sooooo hard for me to squeeze in what I love most, of course, it’s pretty obvious what I wanna do…And to think it was solely his idea that I should start to write again and earn a living. He said I should do what I’ve always wanted to do and where I’m very good at…you know husband and your family are your fans. So while waiting for my turn, I played with my son who is 3years young, cooked dinner as early as 4pm, did some of the household chores, played game on my cell phone, and he’s still NOT YET done!!! As if he’ll make money by checking all the cars in the world! As if we can buy those luxury and not so good classic cars. So what is left for me to do?? What else? Go to sleep and just forget about it for the meantime… So yes, I slept @ around 5:30pm, too early, I would say for a Sunday, and for someone who still have another day off. Now, it’s 2am and luckily, my honey wants to go to sleep (FINALLY!!), and the computer is all mine!!! Well, you might think that I hate my husband… I DO AT SOME POINTS…but I LOVE HIM and I’m willing to accept him for what he is AS LONG AS HIS PAYCHECK GOES STRATIGHT TO ME.

This is me and my hubby when we’re not fighting….

HOW IT ALL STARTED:
Almost 6 years back, when I was still in college, I had to meet a friend after my first day as a writer/respondent for one of the major newspapers here in the Philippines. THANKS to STARBUCKS COFFEE, while waiting for my gal buddy, someone asked what time it was then, you know how guys start conversations…then introduced himself to me…well I can’t help if I’m pretty..haha… I don’t want to bore you with all the juices and not- so-exciting details of my love life….so the rest is history, we tied the knots a year and a half after, when we found out that there’s my little JOSHUA inside my belly, had the wedding preparation in less than a month’s time and now still together and hopefully together until all our hair turned gray and have grand kids. Whenever I tell our love story to our friends, they will have the sudden urge to go to the nearest STARBUCKS PLACE and try their luck. And you know what? Whenever I think about it, I realized that my life wouldn’t be any better than this. I feel contented with all the blessing I have, with a good paying job hired by one of the top companies in the world, with a good position as well, having a handsome, witty but bratty kiddo that makes your day complete, having a loving mom and dad even at their old age, and to top it with a very fine-looking, very understanding-although-immature-at-times husband, what else can I ask for? So even if my hubby stares @ the computer forever, that’s quite fine with me as long as I’ll also have my turn.

how to overcome writer's block

2008-10-11T22:36:00.001-07:00

For most writers, the worst part in writing is how to start, when you have a pen and paper in hand and you can’t come out with anything to say, like all the ideas are just inside you’re head but they don’t come in together… you’d compose a sentence or two and they don’t seem right that you’d crumple the paper, throw it on the wall like a ball, and will get another paper to scribble some words again that doesn’t make any sense…Since I believe that it’s not only me who has the same tight spot, might as well just start on giving advice on how to overcome this challenge of writer’s block.
TRY TO EXPERIMENT
Try to write using different writing instruments, write in different places and at different hours of the day. Start with the classic pen of using pen and paper at home, when everyone is out, then, if it will not work, then use your lap top, hit the coffee shop and start writing while sipping your flavored coffee. If you feel like going to bars and you think loud music will help you let those ideas come out your brain, then do so.

DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF
Just keep on writing and believe that you’ll get there someday. Do not think of how others will react. Turn the critical brain off. You can always edit your article once you’re done. In that way, at least you were able to finish a project, itl just needs a little furnishings to do for the final touch.

BREATHE!RELAX!
Try to loosen up. Think that you’re writing because YOU WANT to do it and not because YOU NEED to do it. Writing has to be something that you’ve always wanted more than anything else in the world. It gets a lot harder if you worry too much.

BEAT YOUR OWN DEADLINE
Set a time as to when your project SHOULD be done, If you have writing buddies, then try to start at the same time and make sure that you will both finish it on the deadline you’ve set. Make sure you don’t beat each other physically, or you won’t have someone to start a healthy competition with.

EXERCISE
They say that physical exercise is important for mental activities. If you have been staring at your computer or your paper forever, then go out, take a not-so-long walk, hit the gym for half an hour or just play tennis for a while. Make sure that you take your pen and paper with you. Just don’t write while doing so, you might be hit by a car or ball or something. For sure,fresh blood will be flowing through your brain and creative juices will start coming out. For most writers, this really wokrs.

FREEWRITE THEN CONCENTRATE
Jot down all ideas coming from your head. Then check whichever matches, segregate the thoughts and FOCUS more on each idea, then write a paragraph or two about it. Then bring them all together, omit the one’s you think unnecessary.

TAKE A BREAK
If you think you have already exhausted all your brain cells and still can’s come up with the conclusion, take a break. Eat or drink something, or chat with your frineds just to relax then go back to your article after. Don’t do it every 10 minutes though, you won’t get anywhere at all.

WHY WRITING??
Go back to the time that you started writing. Try to remember why you are so into it, why it makes you feel that you have achieved something really big whenever you finishes a project, etc. Look at WHAT you are writing and WHY you are writing it. Are you doing it just for kicks?? Do you think readers will appreciate it?
At the end of the day, you will still say that writing is not really easy to do, you got to have the skill, and the passion for it. If you continue to touch base with the pleasure that you experienced when you first tried your hand in writing, it will continue to sustain you for whatever the future has in store for you

insomniac

2008-10-08T03:17:00.000-07:00

*sigh* It really is indeed hard if you have to change your routine all of a sudden, say for example your shift. Since I work for a customer service company, schedule really varies...I just came back from my off, so I feel like I just wanna go back to bed and sleep. I went to the office @ 8pm, and shift ends by 5am, now, it's 6pm the day after, getting ready to go to work,and I CAN'T SLEEP!!! What can you say...I've been awake for more than 24 hours now!!You know how your body clock changes??It sucks!Well, that's the price I have to pay to earn money. I'm not really complaining, it's just that i just want to be able to doze off right away. Just think of forcing yourself to take a nap, shutting your eyes close forever and still can't do so. And i dont want NOT to go to work...my boss will kill me...wanna take valium or something or i better stop drinking coffee, what do you think???I'm insane, am i??

how to cook caldereta

2008-10-06T09:40:00.001-07:00

Caldereta is actually one of the famous Filipino dishes. It also happens to be one of my favorite meals. It can be cooked with either beef or pork, sometimes even chicken or goat meat(And i dont eat goat meat...eeeeeewww). The sauce is thickened with liver or tomato paste. I LOVE cooking so much, that's why over the years, i gained extra pounds since I LOVE the taste of what i cook (modesty aside)and I LOVE the feeling of seeing my hubby happy with what he's eating....you should see him eat, I swear you'll be shocked (I LOVE YOU HON!!) Like they say.. "the WAY to your man's heart is through his STOMACH" ...well...better check my hubby's belly just to prove how true that quote is.(peace hon!!!)

Well, it's really easy to cook this outrageously delicious viand. Just prepare the following :

~1 kilo of beef(preferably cubed)
~1 cup of tomato sauce
~1 can of liver spread
~2 meduim sized onions(chopped)
~1 garlic (crushed)
~1/2 cup tomato paste
~3 potatoes(cubed)
~2 carrots(also cubed)
~2 beef broth cubes
~ 2 bell peppers cut into strips
~ 1 teasespoon of salt
~ 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
~ hot sauce(for those into spicy dishes)

How to cook Caldereta:
Boil the beef for 30-45 minutes or until tender with the beef broth cubes, salt, onion and pineapple juice. While waiting, sauté garlic until brown. Set aside then add beef and the tomato sauce and tomato paste and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add the potatoes, carrots and bellpeppers and once potatoes and carrots are cooked, add the garted cheese and liver spread. If the sauce is too thick, add little amount of water, then add minimal serving of hot sauce.

......AND YOU'RE DONE!!! SO EASY, RIGHT??? I BET YOU'LL LOVE IT :)

havaianas

2008-10-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

How I love the feeling of just wearing flip flops!!! When i started working as a customer service representative years back, I was really forced to wear those high-heeled stiletto killer shoes and business attires and it sucks!! It was such a pain(literally) walking in Makati having to commute then. Thanks to havaianas and crocs, now my feet are comfy...I still have to wear business clothes with my current employer, but if you can get away with it, and the boss is not around, then flip flop is good to go. Mind you, have a dozen of those, depends on my mood. If you want to go malling or you have this desire to hit the beach, flip flops will be on top of my list.

writer's block

2008-10-06T01:53:00.000-07:00

Writing has always been my passion. It’s where I can express my innermost thoughts, writing is my companion…But as much as I want to pursue career as a writer, something or someone will come along the way. It has been years since I last tried my hands on it…and now, I’m beginning to like the idea of writing again and see if all the creative juices will come out…I honestly don’t know how to start, you know when you get that so-called writer’s block…nothing is coming out my numb mind…but I’ll just keep on writing and writing just hope I’ll get there again someday…Well, what can I say???
I started to write before I can walk, of course, not literally. As early as my grade school years, I already have this thing for writing. Like other teens, I wrote poems about my crush, what love is, what life brings, you name it, and I write it. As I grew older, my passion for it became more intense that I started to join student publications, writer’s and editor’s associations and the likes.
Well, let this be a fresh new start for me…