Every Time - Janet Jackson

I'm afraid I'm starting to feel 

What I said I would not do 

The last time really hurt me 

Bridge: 

I'm sacred to fall in love 

Afraid to fall so fast 

Cause every time I fall in love 

It seems too never last 

Chorus: 

But every time your love is near 

And every time I'm filled with fear 

Cause every time I see your face 

My heart does begins to race every time 

One half wants me to go 

One half wants me to stay 

I just get oh so confused 

Repeat bridge 

Repeat chorus 

Repeat bridge 

Repeat chorus 

Every time your love is near 

And every time I'm filled with fear 

Cause every time I see your face 

Could it be that this will be the one that lasts 

The fear does start to erase every time 

Oh could it be that this will be the one that lasts 

For all my times 

For all my times

Habit 5 - Seek first to understand then to be understood

This chapter centres around the understanding of the other person - what they want, need and aspire to as well as what their motivations and mindset are.

Covey sets out in Habit 5 to change the way we interact with people by changing the way  that we listen to them. We need need to be non-judgemental and not make assumptions (assume makes an ASS of of U and ME remember!).

In order to reach a Win/Win situation (See Habit 4) and be able to influence people and the outcome we need to understand the other person first. I have to admit I was a bit surprised that Covey uses the term "Influence". To me it has sort of nasty, Machiavellian connotations; I think he really should have discussed a mutally beneficial outcome here (which he gets on to much later in the chapter) rather than jump right into the "benefits" of influencing people.

When we want to control or guide a situation into a mutally beneficial outcome, you can't just use technique as this will seem cold, unfeeling and manipulative. Just think ofCounsellor Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation. When you think about it, she was a rubbish listener! Stock phrases such as "How does that make you feel?" seem hollow and automatic; they don't really show that you feel empathy for the individual at all.

Habit 5 isn't just about purely learning to listen to the other person though. It's essentially the culmination of the techniques in the first 4 habits. These habits need to be in place and understood for you to be truly able to understand and then be understood.

Generally when we listen we don't understand at all. We may think we do, but we don't - as Covey points out. Usually, when we listen everything is "understood" within our own frame of reference, a sort of "been there, done that, bought the tee-shirt" mentality. Therefore when people have a problem, or ask for advice, we see it from our point of view not theirs; we've failed to understand completely.

Unless we understand them, we can't help or influence the situation as we can't see the world through their eyes. I guess that old saying of "In order to understand someone you have to walk 100 miles in their shoes" (or something like that) should be rephrased slightly!

Covey goes on to describe 5 different types of listening styles. Generally, we only use one of the first four however the 5th is the one that we should be using:

1. Ignoring - The "La La La, I can't hear you" fingers in the ears school of listening
   
2. Pretending - The "Uh huh, Oh really? That's nice" school of listening
   
3. Selective Hearing - The "But I'm sure I heard you say..." school of listening
   
4. Attentive - The "I know exactly how you feel, when that happened to me..." school of listening
   
5. Empathic - The "And how does that make you feel*?" school of listening
   

* Although not using that exact phrase maybe!

Empathic listening isn't about agreeing with the other person, it's about understanding them emotionally, behaviourally, physically (i.e. body cues) and intellectually. You full understand their motivations and where they're coming from and this is key to building up your emotional bank account with this person. Using any of the other 4 listening techniques could (or should I say probably would) be seen as cold, uncaring and manipulative which leads to a withdrawal from your emotional bank account.

Empathic listening gives the other person an emotional boost (Covey refers to this as "Psychological Air"), they start feeling better about themselves so feel better about you and begin to open up more; you've opened them up so you can problem solve (influence - bah! - as Covey puts it).

There is a downside to Empathic listening, you have the ability to be influenced as well as influence. Going back to my Star Trek anaology again, think about the number of times Troi was taken over, influenced etc. due to her empathic nature (can you tell I like Star Trek?). We need the foundations of habits 1, 2 and 3 to be able to avoid this influence - or only accept it if we're happy with it.

As well of 5 ways of listening, there are 4 ways of responding to what we've heard:

1. Evaluate - Do we agree or not?
   
2. Probing - Asking questions
   
3. Advising - Giving advice based on our own experiences
   
4. Interpreting - Interpret their motives based on our own motives/behaviour
   

This is all well and good, but it doesn't really help the person that we're listening to, everything's coming from our frame of reference not from theirs which is at the core of empathic listening.

There are 4 stages to empathic listening, each building on the one before it. So essentially you start at step one and as they open up more move to the next step:

1. Mimic - Repeat what the other person said
   
2. Rephrase - Rephrase their comments to show that you've understood
   
3. Reflect - Put their feelings into words for them
   
4. Rephrase and Reflect - Combine steps 2 and 3
   

When the other person's response starts to get emotional - as it may do if you're at stage 4 of empathic listening - you need to drop back down to step one so that you can begin to understand again the root cause of their problem and what needs to be done to reach a mutually beneficial outcome.

As well as understanding, we too need to be understood which is the second half of Habit 5. As Covey puts it "Seeking to understand requires consideration; seeking to be understood requires courage." You need to base your desires around the other's frame of reference and have the conviction to get your points across in a way that's mutually beneficial to all parties.

Habit 5 sits right in the middle of our circle of influence. Many of the factors within this habit lie within our circle of concern - the area we're aware of but can't do anything about it - empathic listening allows us to move these items into our circle of influence so that we can do something about them.

It's also important to remember that people don't necessarily have to open up in order for you to have a deposit made into your emotional bank account. Just showing empathy and that you care should be enough.

The main thing to take note of here is that whatever you do, don't push them and try to force them into opening up to you. This will most certainly lead to a withdrawal from your emotional bank account as you'll actually seem cold, unfeeling and manipulative.

You also don't have to wait for people to come to you with problems, or notice that they're having an issue, you can be proactive and act before something comes up. For example you could hold regular 1-2-1 meetings with your team members. Listening with empathy and understanding will greatly increase your emotional bank balance and inspire great loyalty amongst your staff.

What have I learned from this chapter?

I learned that all listening is not created equal. I also learned that I'm guilty of step 4 Attentive listening rather than being Empathic as I thought I was being.

I've also learned that just because we think we may have a solution to someone's problem we shouldn't verbalise this until we really understand where they're coming from and what they want.

What am I going to do about it?

I'm really going to try and be a better listener. It's going to be quite hard not to jump in and be judgemental without a frame of reference but I will try as much as I can.

It's going to feel a bit awkward at first to use empathic listening - rephrasing other's people's sentances can have the unfortunate side effect of sounding sarcastic, and as I'm a sarcastic by nature people may think I'm taking the mickey if I'm not too careful.

If you see me with a black eye you know it didn't go too well!

http://www.flippingheck.com/7-Habits---Habit-5-Seek-first-to-understand-then-to-be-understood

3-3

Today is yet another milestone! I just celebrated another year in my life! Happy 33 to me!!!

I am truly grateful for this life.

I thank God for giving me another year, another chance, another opportunity to spread love, to spread His goodness, to give much, and expect little.

So what is so much amazing of this day?

There is no big bonggacious party today. I will be celebrating it with family (although missing my brother and little sis). And this is enough to make my birthday just as lovely. Celebrating an important event in your life with family and friends is simply amazing even with simple food and drinks. :)

I am also thankful to one person who just came recently into this sometimes boring life of mine.
I never thought I'd meet someone like you. I never thought I'd find a piece of my heart in you.
You make me smile. You make me laugh.  You make me think. You make me brave.  Thank you.

Happy birthday to me!!! Let's celebrate 33!

one fine weekend

It wasn't just an ordinary weekend.

It wasn't even extraordinary.

It was special.

Because it was spent with someone you didn't expect existed in this world. It was time well spent with someone you thought existed in your prayers.

He understands me.  He knows me.  He likes the little weird stuffs in me.  He thinks I am pretty.

I like talking to him. I like telling him stories others would find boring. I like to brag about myself to him and he doesn't mind.  I like that he listens intently.

I would love another fine weekend with him. I don't think I'll ever get bored. Though we have a lot of commonalities but we have a lot of differences too and in those differences we we have found so much to share with each other. I think it will take a lifetime to share.

I look forward to more afternoons, more coffee and tea sessions, more walks with him.

i hold back

There are certain moments in one's life that you can't believe they are happening and so you just want to hold back and not get carried away. This is one of those moments I have now.

I am holding back because I am unsure.
I am holding back because I could be wrong.
I am holding back because I don't want to get hurt.
I am holding back because I might only be imagining an idea. I might be making up.

I have my reasons. I hope that they won't get me wrong.

Another Difficult Conversation

Who says they go away?

I've had another difficult conversation again today. I feel bad. I feel frustrated. When will I ever get this kind of conversations right? I don't know. Maybe years of practice will. Maybe I need to expose myself of such things...maybe, maybe I'll become better...

There's so much heaviness in my heart today. I wish I could have done better. But these are all regrets now.  We both learn from the struggle. We both learn from the experience.

I hope your maturity will help you overcome this.

I have to move on. We have to move forward.

Till Kingdom Come...by Coldplay

Whoever this song is for, I don't care. It's got some sweet lyrics...from the Amazing Spiderman movie.

Still my heart and hold my tongue.
I feel my time, my time has come.
Let me in, unlock the door.
I've never felt this way before.

The wheels just keep on turning,
The drummer begins to drum,
I don't know which way I'm going,
I don't know which way I've come.

Hold my head inside your hands,
I need someone who understands.
I need someone, someone who hears,
For you, I've waited all these years.

For you, I'd wait 'til kingdom come.
Until my day, my day is done.
And say you'll come, and set me free,
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me.

In your tears and in your blood,
In your fire and in your flood,
I hear you laugh, I heard you sing,
"I wouldn't change a single thing."

The wheels just keep on turning,
The drummers begin to drum,
I don't know which way I'm going,
I don't know what I've become.

For you, I'd wait 'til kingdom come,
Until my days, my days are done.
Say you'll come and set me free,
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me.
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me.
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me.

January

The first two weeks of January was very stressful for me at work. I don't know what really came over me but I was overcome with "maldita-ness" especially to my London counterparts. I think you call this "enough is enough" moment. "I don't want anymore to be treated like you always do. I am not your slave!" That's how I acted but I didn't say those words. Typical me. Anyway, I missed the BD11 crucial call in my work life. I have never been absent on this call ever since I started working with the bank but for the very first time I had to missed it.  And I am glad I did! The call went well so it just goes to show I should have done this even before. LOL.  It feels liberating to have missed that!

Then for the first time in 6 years, I was able to go home to Cebu for its annual Sinulog festival.  However, as fate had it, I wasn't able to take part in the festivities. Blame this partly on my age.

Anyway, my 5-day vacation in my hometown was truly memorable.

My family booked an overnight stay at one of Cebu's premier resorts. It was such a good way to bond! Everyone was happy. Everyone was having a good time.

I was able to attend mass in the Basilica del Sto Nino with my grandma. I thank the patron saint for all the protection he has given us Cebuanos. I was also happy that I was able to take my grandma out of the house so she could once in a while take her mind off household chores.

I bonded with my dearest friend over wine and cheese at the newest and hippiest French resto in Cebu. I love that they have something like this is in Cebu. What I like about it? They offer a number of affordable wines and tapas but the place where you enjoy your wine is done al fresco.

There was a supposedly reunion with my high school classmates during the day of the Sinulog but due to some unforeseen events, I ended up not going. Besides, I also had an important rendezvous on that day that I shouldn't miss. It was a short meeting with a person. I don't know why I had that strong feeling that I should meet this person despite the horrible traffic and the transportation difficulties on that day. But fate was kind and it gave me a way to be there at our meeting place. We only had a few hours together. Just enough to warm us up but also enough to make it "bitin".  Whatever happened on those few hours of togetherness somehow made us yearn for more.


All I can say is, January was equally stressful and equally good. Despite all the stress, there is something that makes me smile somehow.

Throwback 2013

Looking back at what has happened in 2013:

Travels

I only had two international travels in 2013. I went to Hongkong with my dear friend from high school.  This was in February.  I went to Indonesia with another set of friends. We went to Bali and Yogyakarta in July.

My domestic travels brought me to Baler, Aurora and tried surfing for the very first time. I certainly want to do it again!

I went a few times back to my hometown in Cebu. Finally, I was able to try swimming with the whale sharks in Oslob. It was definitely a marvelous encounter. 

There was a Malaysia trip that I cancelled as I had to prioritise my CIMA studies. Oh well, there will be another time to visit "Malaysia, Truly Asia"!

Then in December I visited Bacolod once again. This time to attend the wedding of a dear friend.
Bacolod is a nice little city with lots of gastronomic adventures. 

Career

I would say there was nothing much that happened in this area. I did have new bosses though and got to work with old colleagues once again. I was chosen to represent our department in a working group. First time in my DB career that I had experienced this. I wouldn't say I successfully delivered but I learned in the process and indeed expanded my network. 

Last year too, I had my chance to move out. I received a lot of calls for interviews but only went to one. And I guess it was not my year, the potential employer didn't call back after the interview. 

Family

2013 I lost my dearest grandma, She was 88 years old. She indeed lived a full life. I will always look up to my grandma for inspiration.  She was a woman of strength. She was not born to a rich family. She was started out as a househeld help.   When she met my grandpa together they started a family and a business retailing rice. This business blossomed and they were able to put their kids, my father and my uncle through college. They were able to buy a house and lot, and a nice jeep. We're not uber rich but we are living okay.  Thanks to my grandma and grandpa who worked hard for the family, and who have shown us that with hard work and perseverance, you will get what you want. 

My parents who have been in the US for a year have decided to come back. It is not yet clear up to now if they would like to go back. Either way, I will support their decision. I am just glad they were given a chance to see the other side of the world. 

This year too saw the birth of my new niece. She is just adorable! The other reason why my parents loved it here. They just enjoy their apos!

My cousin from London and her family visited Manila in August and it was an absolutely lovely time with them. 

I am thankful 2013 was good to my family.

Disasters

If there was a year that Philippines experienced the worst in terms of natural disasters, I would think it is 2013. We had the 7 something magnitude earthquake in Bohol and Cebu. Then in November we had the strongest typhoon ever recorded in human history hit us. Yolanda/Haiyan totally destroyed a lot of cities and towns and left thousands dead and missing. 

But we saw the Filipinos rise above all these. Everyone was helping each other.  There is a brighter future for us! Bangon, Pilipinas!

And some more...

Well in terms of what I had set out at the start of 2013, I was able to achieve the stock investments which I had started last year. Then I was able to watch a Lisa Macuja performance and was even able to meet her personally on stage! Well for the rest of the goals, as usual, I didn't achieve them all of them. Oh well.

No regrets though!

I turned 32 too! And still single! Hahaha.  But my birthday celebration was one of a kind. Not the usual I always had. 

I finally gave myself a smartphone - a Samsung S4 of which I am loving to bits. What I just hate is the my service provider's fuckin' service!!! Globe you just made me wish NOT to renew after my contract ends!!!

In terms of this effin' love life, nothing new. Another epic fail! Hahaha. Anyways, I am probably not just girlfriend material. Oh well. Not my loss! Haha

So there you had it 2013. It was a good year. Learned another set of lessons. Gained new friends. Rekindled old ties. Lost some weight and gained them back again. Life is just how you make out of what it offers you. 

Cheers!

Throwforward 2014

Before I do a throwback of 2013, let me first do my customary New Year's resolution. 

I know 2013 was a memorable year. It was a year of both gains and losses. It was another year of new learnings. 

Here you go my 2014 list:

Get a new job - a new job that is based outside my country.  I've always wanted to but had always been afraid of the risks. 

Continue to invest in stocks.  I'll increase my investment by 50%. 

Travel to the US and visit friends and family.  I've always wanted to do this I was a kid. 

Be affectionate. I am not a very showy person. I tend to keep my feelings to myself. But this year, I promise myself to show to others that I truly care. Tell them that I care for them. Say I love you more often. 

Buy a house and lot.  This one is dependent on the new job. 

Try a new exercise regime - yoga or crossfit maybe.  Eat healthy. More veggies and fruits. Go for fish.

Hopefully, I passed the November CIMA exams.  Then CIMA qualified by end of 2014!

I've always included a love life. But I always end up still single. I guess a love life doesn't need to involve a man. It doesn't have to be the romantic kind of thing. So this year, I promise to be more loving to those around me. I resolve to be more appreciative, be more grateful. I promise to cherish relationships. 

2014, let's rock!!!

Habit 4 - Think Win-Win

This is the habit of creating effective interpersonal leadership. In order to manage our relationships with others properly we need to think "Win/Win". This isn't just a technique that you can apply to every day situations and relationships, it's a philosophy - a whole way of thinking and being.

This philosophy is based on 6 paradigms of interaction. Basically, every time we interact with others it fits into one of these categories:

• Win/Win
• Win/Lose
• Lose/Win
• Lose/Lose
• Win
• Win/Win or No Deal

Let's look at each of these types of interactions as Covey describes them:

Win/Win - Mutually beneficial and co-operative. All parties come out on top

Win/Lose - "If I win, you lose." This is very authoritarian in style and can be seen as overly competitive. It' a win at all costs mentality which is usually instilled from childhood.

Lose/Win - "If I lose, you win." This is usually the attitude of people who want to keep the peace and not upset the applecart. The problem with Lose/Win is that whilst you may feel happy your friend/colleague etc. has come out on top, this can however lead to an eventual breakdown in relationships as resentment builds up.

Lose/Lose - This happens when two Win/Lose people clash, it leads to a stubborn impasse as they try to beat each other at all costs.

Win - Don't really want anyone to lose they just want everyone to come out on top. It's an "every man for himself" mentality.

Win/WIn or No Deal - This is where, if a mutually beneficial outcome cannot be reached, then you know it's okay to walk away with no hard feelings.

What's the best option?

The best option really depends on what situation you are in at the time, what you want to achieve, and what the other person wants to achieve.

If you value a relationship, you may opt for Lose/Win in order to keep the peace. If you want to increase competition (in your salesforce for example) you may go for a Win/Lose strategy.

In an interdependent relationship, Win/Lose doesn't work. If I Win I will make you feel bad which leads to a withdrawal from my emotional bank account. The same goes for Lose/WIn - I stop caring about you because you don't care - and Lose/Lose - we both make withdrawals from each others accounts. The only viable option is Win/Win, or Win/Win/No Deal.

How do you achieve a Win/Win situation?

The are 5 "dimensions" (as Covey calls them) to achieving a Win/Win situation, which each build up on each other to form effective interpersonal leadership:

So character builds relationships, which leads to an agreement within an agreed system and manner of process. Note that in the diagram above an agreement is required before you decide on the system and processes. This leads back to the habit of putting first things first - if you don't know what you want then you can't achieve it.

Covey uses a great analogy regarding creating agreements:

Developing a Win/Win performance agreement is the central activity of management. With an agreement in place, employees can manage themselves within the framework of that agreement. The manager can then serve like a pace car in a race. He can get things going and then get out of the way. His job from then on is to remove the oil spills.

Systems need to exist in order to allow a Win/Win situation to take place. If you think Win/Win but the system rewards Win/Lose then everyone loses faith and the system collapses. Reward systems need to be aligned with the goals and beliefs of the organisations.

All systems need to be Win/Win if this is the goal of the organisation. You can't just rely on the rewards system motivating employees to think Win/Win, you need to include planning, communication strategy, budgeting, training - every aspect of the organisation needs to be thinking the same way.

Covey also notes that if you put good people into a bad system you get bad results, the whole path to a Win/Win situation is built from the ground up on the 5 dimensions, you can't ignore one and hope the others fall into place.

What have I learned from this habit?

I've learned that it's not what I want from a situation, it's more about what others want. We can never reach a mutually acceptable solution if we don't know what each other wants to get out of it.

I've also learned that it's okay to walk away from a situation - assuming that the other party is okay with this - you don't lose face and it enables you to revisit the situation further down the road with no animosity.

What am I going to do about it?

I need to ask myself and others what they want from a situation - and of course, being the proactive person now that I am, I can do that!

I need to know also, to walk away from a situation when it's starting to look like Win/Lose, Lose/Win or Lose/Lose. I need to understand that it doesn't make me look bad, it's a No Deal situation that will only end in resentment from one, or both parties. I think the terms is "agree to disagree". Fingers crossed that I can keep to this one, I have to admit I'm a Win/Lose kind of girl!

http://www.flippingheck.com/7-Habits-Habit-4----Think-WinWin

A Dream Come True: Lisa Macuja's ballet performance!

It has always been on my bucket list to see a live ballet performance of the Philippine's premier ballerina Lisa Macuja.

As a child, I secretly wanted to be a ballerina. But I don't know why that chance never came.
Now that it is too late to become a ballerina, I will just be contented with watching ballet performances.

I moved to Manila 6 years ago but with it's more cultural atmosphere than Cebu City I haven't watched any ballet performance of Lisa Macuja or her company Ballet Manila. But not until today when I had the chance to watch Lisa's last show as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker at the Aliw Theater.

 It was by chance that I learned of this. More than a month ago, I was in Tondo with my officemates for our annual CSR activity. We were at the Philippine Christian Foundation's school for poor children who live in Smokey Mountain and Malabon public cemetery.  We learned that Lisa has been teaching  ballet to some children from the school for free. And that one of the girls is one of Lisa's best students.  She and Lisa will be part of The Nutcracker performance with her being the little Masha and Lisa as the Sugar Plum Fairy on the 8th of December.  All proceeds will go to the building of a ballet studio at PCF.  I didn't hesitate of  buying a ticket! I told my boss that she should reserve one ticket for me!!! I was so excited as this would be my only chance to see Lisa Macuja! This would be her last performance as she is set to retire.

Back in high school, I think I was in third year high school then when Lisa was in Cebu for a ballet performance of Don Quixote.  She and other ballet dancers, some foreigners, were peforming Don Quixote at our Cultural Center.  And when we heard that she was practicing, I and some classmates managed to sneak out of class and went to the Cultural Center to watch them and at least get an autograph! And yes we did!!! We even got the other dancers to sign on our pieces of stationery!!! I was so happy!!! Imagine this is the Philippine's premier ballerina! She was even part of our classroom lectures!!!

Today was just surreal for me! I had once again the chance to meet her in person. I had this most awaited moment to see her on stage dance ballet. And it was even her last performance! Thank goodness I still was given this chance!

















It was even far more magical when I and my friend were asked by an usher if we wanted to give Lisa flowers on stage when she bows to the audience. Of course we said yes!!! OMG!!! This is a miracle! I had always wanted to meet her again and this was my chance! Out of the many people in the audience, I was so lucky to have been chosen! Randomness was my ally today!!!

Roses for Lisa!

And so when the time came, I just had to tell Lisa that 15 years ago I met her when she did Don Quixote. And she just said, Oh my God! :)) I wish I could tell her the anecdote but there were others waiting in the line to give her flowers!

Nevertheless, it was a very special moment for me! Who would have thought that15 years ago would happen again!

And I said to myself after the show, I should watch Ballet Manila performances from now on. I support the Filipino ballet dancers. This would be my way of supporting Lisa's love and belief in the talent of the Filipinos.

Kudos to you, Lisa Macuja!

Artful shots by Camera 360

What Basketball means to me

While watching today a replay of the documentary Pinoy Hoops, I couldn't help but be emotional.   It brought memories of my grandmother who loved basketball to the highest level, of me as a kid watching basketball on TV and cheering for Ginebra, of the basketball rings we had at home, and of seeing my father play basketball games with his officemates. 

Basketball does mean a lot to Filipinos.  It is embedded in each Pinoy's daily life.  Here in the Philippines, every province, every city, every baranggay has a basketball court.   

Pinoy Hoops showed every aspect of what basketball means to every Pinoy.  It is a documentary presented by Rafe Bartholomew, author of the best-selling book Pacific Rims, who guides viewers on a journey to the very heart of a basketball-obsessed nation to uncover why the sport has been embraced wholeheartedly by Filipinos from all walks of life.

You will see him going to the squatter areas, the toughest baranggays and interact with the tambays, sing videoke, and drink Emperador light.  You will also hear him converse fluently in Tagalog with everyone.  Reason for this is that he was here back in 2005 as a Fulbright scholar and wrote the book Pacific Rims. For three years, he learned the language, immersed himself in local communities, and researched on the role of basketball in Philippine society.

The documentary as what it is meant to be, shows the ugly and dirty areas of the country.  It underscores our economic plight but yet it doesn't fail to present that despite of all the outwardly ugliness, the people, the Pinoys remain warm, happy, and resilient.  I like the portion wherein he was in Baranggay Loyola Heights and engaged the tricycle drivers in a lively conversation. He then commented that he lived in New York for a long time but never had friends in the neighborhood. While here in the Philippines where he lived for 3 years only, he had formed a bond with the locals.  That is just soooo sweet! It reminds me of what Gang Badoy of Rock Ed said that what makes us a nation is us, the people and it's not the government that defines us.  Indeed! 

As I said my grandmother was a big fan of basketball. Proof to this is that whenever she watches television, she always ask us to switch to any channel that has basketball. Never mind if it is an old game or she doesn't know the players.  As long as it is basketball!  Here's more - even when she was praying the rosary, she was watching basketball! 

It was first and foremost my grandmother who made me love basketball.  Because she monopolized the television especially if it was PBA season, I was forced to watch the basketball game too.   I couldn't remember my grandmother's favorite team (sigh) if it was San Miguel or Alaska or Ginebra or Purefoods.  But for sure my favorite team back then was Ginebra. I don't know what made me love Ginebra back then.  Maybe it is the same reason as the numerous fans of Ginebra.  

I don't watch basketball these days.  I don't root for any team.  I don't have a favorite basketball player.  I  know a few of them by the fact that they appear on advertisements.  I've only watched a PBA game in Araneta once and I couldn't even remember what teams were playing then!

But then again, basketball is part of my life.  It occupies a space in my cultural being. It is the same thing with every Pinoy here, there, and everywhere. 

Prayer today

Dear Lord,

I praise and glorify you for the blessings you have given me.

I pray incessantly for these things:

1. Please stop all the aftershocks and earthquakes.  Please let the people recover.
2. Please let me remember all that I have studied, all that I have read, all that I learned, all that I have experienced that are relevant to my upcoming CIMA strategic level exams in November.
3. Please let me pass. Please let me get at least 50% on these CIMA exams in November.
4. Please enlighten as I plan on the next phase of my career by working abroad.  Give me a chance to shine abroad. :)
5. Please keep me and my family safe, always with good health.

Thank  you Lord! Thank you Lord!

I love you Lord. Amen

Earthquake in the Visayas region

Last October 15, I was about to get up in bed and I looked at my phone to check the time.  I also had 2 messages - one from my officemate and another one from my mother. I read the officemate's message first as this came in the latest and he asked if there was an earthquake in Cebu (where my family resides) since he had been informed of an earthquake in Leyte. Then I read my mother's message next which said that a strong earthquake had just struck Cebu. Her message was sent 30 minutes ago.  I then called my mother immediately and she just said it was the strongest earthquake she experienced in her entire life.  It was even stronger than last year's which also caused them to panic.  All of them were outside the house now. And she just couldn't stop saying how really strong it was.  I opened up Facebook, Twitter to check news feeds.  I went downstairs and opened the TV. Indeed there was a 7.2 earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu and other neigboring provinces.  The epicenter was in Carmen, Bohol - home to the famous chocolate hills. 

This is a very strong earthquake!

“A magnitude 7 earthquake has an energy equivalent to around 32 Hiroshima atomic bombs,” Renato Solidum, PHIVOLCS director said. “This one had a magnitude of 7.2.”

The earthquake destroyed thousands of structures and homes and killed hundreds of people.  Old churches in Bohol are now pieces of ruble. The old church in Cebu, the Basilica del Sto Nino was not spared. A portion of its belfry fell to the ground. 

Roads in Bohol are destroyed making it impassable for most vehicles except motorcycles.  This made it more difficult to transport goods, food, and medicines. 

Power is down as well.  Drinking water is even more scarce. 

I am glad my family is okay but very saddened of those heavily affected by this earthquake. My prayers are with them.  I am extending my donation via World Vision. 

If you wish to donate, please go to www.worldvision.org.ph/relief-response/EarthquakePH.

Filipinos, unite and rise up!

Wonderful Indonesia

Back again in  Indonesia last July. Was in Bali again for 3 days and added one day in Yogyakarta!

This time I was with two new people.  My housemate's friends. Isn't it lovely to be travelling with new people?  It can be a hassle to some but to me who is very very flexible -  it is not! 

Our airtickets were care of Cebu Pacific's piso fare last year. Then we took budget airline Airasia to transport us between Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali.  Went into three different airports in Indonesia in 4 days! 

Our first flight was from Manila to Jakarta.  We arrived at Jakarta's airport at past 12 midnight. Our flight to Yogyakarta was still at 6am so we had some 4 or 5 hours to sleep. But we couldn't sleep well. =(  We landed at Terminal 1 and we had to transfer to Terminal 2 for our flight to Yogya (or Jogja as what others would say).  The last time we were here we took a taxi to Terminal 2 as at that time it was only too late when we realised that we were at the wrong terminal.  

When we got out of the doors of Terminal 1, a lot of people were approaching us to give us a ride to Terminal 2.  We denied a few and finally gave in to one guy who we thought was offering us a public taxi but had a private car. He offered 70k IDR which we negotiated to 60k IDR So we drove off to Terminal 2 which we adjudged as better looking and tidier than Terminal 1. When we got to Terminal 2 and alighted the car, I gave off my 100k IDR and this guy just handed me my change that when I examined it was less than 40k IDR. I told my companions that the guy had given me less and when we looked up the guy hurriedly got in to his car and tried to escape.  My friend was very brave and banged on the backside of the car enabling the driver to get out.  We demanded our exact change. He said sorry he gave us the wrong change but he only gave me in total 30k IDR which means that he charged us 70k and not 60k as agreed!  He explained he had to pay for the parking fee. My friend was really really angry but the guy will not give us the additional change and went back hurriedly to his car.  All we could do was swear and be thankful  at least we got 30k IDR back.  

Phewww! What an experience!  No different from the waiting taxi drivers in Manila's airports!!! 

The check in counters were still closed. Most shops were still closed except for a small restaurant and a convenience store.  We were hungry so we decided to eat. I had a chicken noodle soup while they had some nasi goreng. And, I saw a JCO store!!! My heart leaped! But it was still closed. Oh well at least I saw one maybe on our return I'll grab a donut.  But around 4 am, the JCO store opened.  I looked at the donuts in display and they were practically the same flavors of JCO donuts sold back in Manila.  I thought they had more flavors...I decided not to have a donut (and especially that I saw a fly! Ewwww).  I ordered a hot chocolate instead. 

 Then we were off to Yogyakarta which is an almost-2 hr flight.  Bali and Jakarta are in different time zones.  Bali has same time as Philippines but Jakarta is an hour behind.

We stayed at the Grand Quest Hotel in Yogya which I must say is the most sosyal accomodation we ever had in our travels.  We got a good discount from Agoda, you know. 

We only had 1 day and 1 night in Yogya so we had to make the most out of it.  We booked a day tour with a private van + buffet lunch + tour guides. These were the places / stops in our day tour:

Prambanan - is a 9th-century Hindu temple compound in Central Java, Indonesia, dedicated to the Trimurti, the expression of God as the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer. 

Buffet Indonesian Lunch at a restaurant that I forgot the name

Sultan's Palace

Pawon and Mendut Temples

Borobudur - the main reason why we wanted to be here in Yogya, it is a 9th century Buddhist temple,  one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world.   It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s (according to the Unesco website).

Prambanan Ramayana Ballet at night - Based on an epic Hindu poem, the story of model king Rama was adapted to become an important local dance, encompassing the Javanese style, culture and music. Whilst the story originated in India, the Javanese version is truly representative of the local art and culture.  The ballet is enacted by over 200 professional  dancers and musicians on an open air stage that takes advantage of the Prambanan Temples as a backdrop.  The performance lasts for two hours. 

Prambanan Temples

the stupas of Borobudur

Ramayana Ballet

Our flight to Bali was at 6AM so we only had a few hours left to enjoy our comfy hotel room in Grand Quest. 

We had 3 days to spend in Bali. We stayed at the touristy Kuta at Ohana Hotel. It's a nice hotel with a cute pool.  

We didn't book tours for the first 2 days but booked a one day tour in Ubud for our last day. 

First day we checked out Kuta Beach and the area around it.  We had lunch at that place which I forgot again the name but it was similar to our Dampa in Manila. And I had my first bottle of Bintang beer. 

We already had planned to go to the famous Ayana Resort and Spa and spend a few hours in their famous Rock Bar. An employee from the hotel found us a transport.  Ayana is quiet far.  The trip I think took us an hour.  The driver suggested we have dinner in Jimbaran at the beach.  We took that and yes it was a lovely setting indeed for a dinner date for lovers! It had a similar set up to Boracay where restos set up tables and chairs at the beach. It was kinda epensive. We spent some 700PHP equivalent each for the meal. Seafood is expensive, anyway!



Then we were now off to Ayana!!! It's a very lovely resort, and expensive!!! It's a good place to spend your honeymoon! 

The Rock Bar was also amazing! It was set atop rocks literally and where waves would come splashing at them! You will access the rock bar via an inclinator.  It would have been good to witness the sunset there but we didn't get that as we arrived there around 8pm.  Still it was lovely. We ordered our very expensive drinks - around 600php equivalent each and yes their best-seller banana fritters with vanilla and coconut dips! Heavenly!!! 

Rock Bar at daytime

The second day in Bali was spent swimming in Kuta and maybe some surfing lessons. The waves were really strong and high that my companions didn't want to try the surfing lessons. I wanted to but didn't want to do this alone. So we just took a dip in the sea but only stayed nearshore as we didn't want to be taken by the waves. 

Kuta is so much like Boracay except the sands such that there are a lot of sellers offering you henna tattoos, hair braids, bracelets, sarongs, ice cream, etc. I was tempted only by a Magnum ice cream which I was craving for in a long time. Hehehe (as if there wasn't magnum in Manila!) 




After getting some sand and sun we decided to enjoy the hotel's pool which was tiny but also cute. Besides no one was swimming and we had it all to ourselves. 

Then later in the afternoon we went to the Bali Bomb Memorial a monument set up in memory of the bombing in 2002. 

This was in the Legian area which is popular for anyone who wanted to explore Bali's night life. In the Legian area, we had a dinner buffet on a rooftop and was teeming with foreigners. I didn't like the food but it was only for 200PHP equivalent. I binged on the fruits and desserts. hehehe. And after dinner, we walked back to our hotel, stopped by some shops but didn't buy much only a few souvenirs. 

Then we went into a local spa which was part of our plan.  I paid 500PHP for my stone massage - first time to ever try it! And first time that a guy did the massage. Oh gosh, his hands were strong! I had to occassionally tell him to soften it. I didn't get tingly that it was a guy who touched my body! hahaha Besides the guy was not hot like Channing Tatum anyway!  And oh I have to mention that their manicures and pedicures were expensive even if the salons were not nice. I could get it here for 70PHP while they charged more than a hundred pesos equivalent! And even more if you wanted colors on your nails! 

Last day was spent in Ubud. We hired a van for this trip. First stop was the Ubud Hanging Gardens - a very beautiful resort set in the mountains of Ubud. It was another resort good for honeymooners.  It was long trip! I think took us two hours from Kuta to the hanging gardens.  Their infinity pools are to die for! 



Then we went on to Mount Batur which reminded me of Tagaytay. 



It was cooler and you have a view of the Batur volcano and a lake around it. We had lunch here.  We didn't stay long as the travel to the airport was going to be around 2/3 hours. Next stop was the Pura Tirta Empul a Hindu temple famous for its holy water and where people go for purification.  Again, we only can't stay long so we stayed for some thirty minutes here. We just washed our face with the holy waters and took pictures of course. Oh I have to mention that when you enter Bali's temples you have to wear the sarongs.  Even if you are wearing a long dress you are still required to wear the sarong. 



Now off to the airport. It was a long ride and it was spent catching up on sleep. 

Bali's airport is still undergoing renovation.  Well they better expand it as there are a lot of tourists in Bali! 

Our flight back to Manila was still around midnight. We spent the hours before this to have some JCO Donuts and buy more pasalubongs. We spent the remaining IDRs we had. 

And we have come to the end of this wonderful trip! Back to realidad! 

Quickie Update

Hello bloggerland! It's been a while since my last blog post! Even if now I have unli internet on my mobile phone I had been a bit lazy to write about this life of mine.

First thing's first - yes I have unlimited Internet now as I subscribed to Globe's unli data plan (although my experience with Globe is not yet satisfactory).  And yes of course I now own a smartphone! Oh finally I am not left behind! Hahaha.  I wanted unlimited Internet and I wanted Instagram!  I am soooo crazy about Instagram that I log on to it everyday and every hour of my life. I love that there are not too many people on Instagram and I don't have a lot of followers so I can kinda freely post stuffs... hehehe.

Besides having the Internet and Instagram, I now have a good camera care of my Samsung S4's brilliant camera. I am not into heavy-duty photography. I just want quick and good photos and a handy camera. So any time I want to take a picture I can do it. :) This picture below is taken using Samsung S4's cam. Lovely isn't it?

Last July I had the wonderful four days in Yogyakarta and Bali, Indonesia. It was a very beautiful vacay with new friends. :) I will write about it in the next post.

That's about it for my quickie update! :)

Stocks! Stocks! Stocks!

Finally my goal to start investing in the stock market is achieved!

I now have an online trading account and I have already started buying stocks.  As I am still trying to learn, my initial investment is small. But big things start from small things right?

So next to this, would be to truly learn the ins and outs of stock market investments. 

Money please come, please multiply, you know I am not greedy. I am generous. I want to earn more to be able to give more.  

Let this be a good start!

My post bday celebration (w/ a lil fanciness)

Okay, so I couldn't help but celebrate my 32 years of existence by not throwing a party.  And so I did. But it wasn't lavish or fancy. It was still simple. The difference with my other birthday celebrations was that I dressed up. I got myself a new dress (a purple pleplum) and a really nice pair of shoes. I had my hair done and put on some make up.  Drinks was unlimited (c/o my lovely cousin) and I had my favorite Beringer in the house! :)  My cousin invited the O divas to perform and such a wonderful show and everyone truly enjoyed.  Food was simple but really yummy! Thanks to Deborah! :) I had a good mixed of guests but only one thing in common - we all speak the same dialect. And I was glad my high school friend and her mom made it.

It was again another one of a kind birthday celebration.

I thank those who came and brought me gifts. I thank especially my cousin and his hubby for letting me use their fancy house as the venue for this occasion.

Again, happy 32 to me!