I RSVPd Online

There’s no limit as to what social networking can do. Just this afternoon, I got an invitation from facebook from dear Trisha and it had a RSVP feature. Kewl, I was able to RSVP at a click of a button. I’m going, of course, it’s a Spruce event and I always enjoy the pictures displayed at their site and at Trisha and Vanessa’s facebook accounts after every event.

Spruce by the way, is the main distributor of Havaianas in Mindanao. I first took notice of the Havaianas flip flops when a friend of mine came over to do an adventure trek to walk amidst the canopy of the Claveria rainforest (suspended hanging bridges ….. thrill of a lifetime!!!). I kept slipping with my trekking shoes but he just kept on and on and looked so comfy throughout the 45 minute climb. I was amazed that the strap never broke and I, a lady who loves to pamper her feet with quality, comfy footwear, was determined to have my own pair after that.

Guys, take a pick from these designs now so you will know what to get this coming May 4.

Natural

TrailWaveSurf

Trend

Here are the details about the upcoming event.

Name of Event: Havaianas Free Kick!

Date: Sunday, May 4, 2008

Time: 2:00 Pm – 8:00 PM

Location: Limketkai Atrium, Cagayan de Oro City

Havaianas is available in Cagayan de Oro: All Flip-Flops, Ban Sabai Spa, Gazebo Home store, Mallberry Suites and spruce. Malaybalay: Ban Sabai. Camiguin: Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin Butuan: Cirrus. Iligan: Ban Sabai Iligan, Shelves & Hangers & Streetshop. Ozamis: Syr’s Botique. Dipolog: Myx Botique. Zamboanga: Hacienda de Palmeras Hotel Lobby.

Visit their site at www.spruce.ph

While Waiting For My Flight Back Home

Rather than continuously staring at the clock that says that I still have one hour and fifteen minutes of waiting time left before we board the plane for our trip back home, I sit here happily tapping on my keyboard recalling the past two days events.

Last Tuesday, I once again did my last-minute-packing routine as I went home late from work printing reports to present and the agenda to take up for the meeting in Manila. At around 1 AM, I zipped my bag’s zipper and said my usual line --- “I’m all packed, I think.” I then prepared for bed and fell asleep at around 2. Here are my last two day’s activities

Wednesday

4:00 AM – Dad woke me up before my alarm clock (AKA my ever handy dandy note…. Cell-phone) could do its job as he is more paranoid at the thought of me missing my flight and of course, we just had to have breakfast together as that has always been our bonding time.

5:00 AM – Met up with AJ at the airport and checked in.

6:40 AM – Slept during the whole flight. Lol.

9:00 AM – Made it in time for the meeting. The meeting lasted for hours but it was well worth it because we were able to clarify some points for a project.

3:00 PM – LUNCH!!! LUNCH!!! LUNCH!!! And did I mention lunch? Yes, from 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM, approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes, I actually lasted without food. AJ and I were so famished that we actually finished off a whole layer of pizza and a plateful of seafood pasta.

Evening – Met up with Aileen and her sweetie (finally! I got to meet Jay!) and again, ate. Our generous hosts then took us to Serendra (first time I got to visit there) and I really enjoyed strolling through the place and then again, we had something to eat (see, our whole 10 hours of fasting was FULLY compensated with so much food!). Sister! You really wanted to get even with me for having you eat so much while you were in CDO huh? I think I gained weight in just two days in Manila. One of my highlights for that evening was when Aileen and Jay took me to Fullybooked. The inner geek in me just leaped with joy as I saw 4 stories of books, books and books (Last time I felt that excited was when I was about 11 years old and I was standing outside the doors of Toys R Us). Ahhh, the simple things that make Honey the geek happy. I just could not leave that place without buying a single book. Thanks for the very good recommendation sister! I really enjoyed the book. I finished reading it already. You were right, I finished it in one sitting :P

10:30 – Aileen and Jay brought me back to my hotel and I immediately got my notebook to proceed to the internet café right next to our hotel. I was then able to check my mails and do a little work before going back up to our room to sleep at 2:00 AM.

With Aileen and Jay (Finally I got to meet Jay!!)

Thursday

9:00 AM - Went around Makati visiting office spaces and checking them out for the possibility of renting one for one of our companies. I enjoyed the thought that there are actually several serviced-offices we can actually avail of for a quick setup. I think having serviced-offices in the business district is very convenient as businesses do need “transitional” offices to be able to operate while waiting for a bigger office.

After all the taxi rides and walking (and my feet hurting like hell ---- which by the way reminded me to get a new pair of office-boots that will go well with all of my slacks), I went back to Serendra (hihihi) to sit down and work while having coffee. Thank God for cafes and wifi, I still get to do my work even when away from the office.

Evening – Spent it with M&M (Mits and Monti – hahaha). We had dinner, which was their joint-birthday celebration and then hanged out at blue wave listening to Jimmy Bondoc and Top (previously Freestyle). I had a great time with them as we shared non-online moments together. You see, we only see each other online and I’m just glad that I get the opportunity once in a while to meet up with good friends. (Wah! I forgot to have a picture taken with Mits and Monti!!!! Next time ...next time ... haha)

Now I’m checking on the wall clock again. Darn, 45 minutes more before boarding. I don’t want to bore you out with every detail and observation I have here at the airport – of the guy asleep with his mouth open, or the girl who has been texting ever since I sat in this area, of two ladies in front of me yapping, of an old lady who’s staring at the picture of Sam Milby in a magazine while another old lady (her companion), is reading an article about … liposuction. No, I will not bore you out with those details so I should end this blog now.

There. Two uber busy and tiring days that ended with great time with great friends! Aileen and Jay, Mits and Monti, thanks so much for the time. I know how you guys can be busy with work and I really appreciate it that you took time off to be with me. So, when are you coming over to Cagayan de Oro?

My Young Paduan

Ahhhh.. my musings at 1 AM. My friend Jun called me this evening to read his horoscope saying that a close friend and business partner of his will get married to someone older and wealthier. He was saying that it could possibly be one of my EX-Crushes who I meet with once in a while. Hahaha! Oh my goodness, will my “January Syndrome” blog post joke of getting married on the 8th of August 2008 come true? GASP!

And since we are at the topic of marriage, here’s one more thing; my mom actually has friends who have single sons who are very eligible to get married and they find it absolutely amusing to talk about pairing me up with them. She told me that she just AGAIN talked to another friend who chided that I should meet her son and mom also entertained the idea! I told mom, “Mom! For crying out loud! That only happens in the medieval times! And my life is not portrayed in a telenovela or a Koreanovela for that matter!” She just shrugged her shoulder and laughed and dad did not even back me up! Why… arghhh!!!

When the thought of me leaving the house actually starts sinking in on them, they start feeling melancholic and starts displaying the symptoms of the empty-nest syndrome. Hey, after all, I am officially the only child at this point (since two of my older siblings are married and Leigh is in Cebu). See, these are the ranting and ravings of a single, professional Filipina woman still living at home with her parents. You’ll get to read more about these in my even more personal blog. Haha.

On a lighter note, since I’m talking about family. My older sister drops off her youngest daughter, Carmi (one year and six months) at my office every day now as she, my Ate, has to do her work for the next couple of weeks. I have my own room at the office so it’s perfectly fine. I really don’t mind too since Carmi is such a perfect angel. It’s always wonderful to have her around. When other companies have their “company pets,” we consider Carmi as our “company mascot.” Her smile can really melt our hearts and she helps cheer up the mood. She once did this thing of following me around the production area as I was looking over the shoulder of one of the developers while I had my hands on my waist. When I looked down, I saw Carmi doing exactly the same thing. Ahhh… My second minime, imagine that.

I should start training her about how to go about with work this early. I should make her …. My Young Paduan. She did this really cute thing when she saw a broom on the floor and knew what it was for and it was such a cute moment that I was so lucky to have my camera with me that time. This is the proof that Carmi is going to grow up to be a responsible person and that she will be just like her tita Honey. Hahaha:


P.S. This morning, my three little nieces Kitkat (minime #1), Nina and Kara woke me up. It was so sweet of kitkat to ask me if I still had a headache and she started massaging my forehead and the other little one followed suite by massaging my hand. Then I got to have breakfast with them. What a great way to start the day!

It's never too late to post this

Egad! It’s already February and I should be writing about my “possible fateful Valentine’s day” and I’m still trying to catch up with my last year’s posts. So much for writer’s block. So, late October last year our company had our first “Syntactics, Inc. Halloween Party.” I think it’s going to be an annual event as everybody had a great time dressing up as ghouls, goblins and … ahem, I as a pirate. What? You thought Elizabeth Swann was the ultimate gorgeous -pirate? Wait till you see my pirate-pics (aye, shiver-mi-timbers mateys! What confidence! I should be more careful in writing stuff about how I see myself lest I want to “walk the plank”).

My being the “guardian of the door” was pretty effective as I was able to tell those coming in “no costume – no entry” with my stern-yet-sweet (haha) pirate face while I was holding my plastic buccaneer sword. Oh yeah, they were so scared of that sword. The only thing I lacked with that costume was a parrot perched on my shoulder. Hmm… I should have gotten my friend’s parrot for that night or at least a week before that so I would have had enough time to train it on how to say “Squawk! No costume – no entry – Squawk!” :P

We all had a blast as we found it an opportune time to be whacky and wild and not think of data flow diagrams, web developing and web designing, and Philippine based accounting systems. I could fill this blog post up with other technical jargons but I’ll be kind (and rewind?) and just show you pictures instead:

January Syndrome

I just went through the last quarter storm (as I would like to call it) last year at work. Making reports and end of the year evaluations. Just when I was over it, Im now facing the January Syndrome (again, as I would like to call it) ... following up on reports, implementing new guidelines and preparing the plans for the next quarters of the year. I'm enjoying it though, gives me something to look forward to the next day knowing I have things to do (talk about being workaholic eh?).

Anyhoo, I just thought of making a quick post here and thought of greeting you all a happy new year! Im getting married na pala on August 8, 2008. The date is set, the flowers, coordinators, etc is ready ... wala pa lang groom. hahahaha .... :D

There ... a good laugh should make my first post for the year for this blog a good start.

I'm joining the Mindanao Bloggers Summit

Okay .. here's my post for the Mindanao Bloggers Summit that's happening in Davao City.

This is exciting. This is the first time that Mindanao Bloggers will converge into one venue and get to actually meet the writers of their favorite blogs.

Thanks also to the sponsors who made this summit possible.

1st Mindanao Bloggers Summit Sponsors:

• Councilor Peter Laviña


• Join the DigitalFilipino.com Club!


• ACT for Peace Programme


• Globe Broadband


• Dimsum Diner


• BisayaBloggers.com


• Davao's Food Huntress


• NoKiAHOST.COM P5/day webhosting


• Web Design Philippines


• Orange County Real Estate


• Web Developer Philippines


• Fwendz Diner


• Cubepixels Design Studio


• Artcom Printing Services

Boardroom Walk-ins

The boardroom in our office is within the same room as my private office here. It so happened, I had another door installed for the boardroom side for our plans of putting a division later on and adding a separate air-conditioning unit for that part of the room (we recently moved in this year). The boardroom door is also right next to the main door of our office, so visitors who came in would always mistake the boardroom door as the exit and people always make the mistake of walking back to my room much to their surprise (and mine too ..... not good to wear white, sip coffee and be jolted by a “surprise” walk-in .. tsk tsk). Anyway, I’m hoping that this afternoon’s walk-in-to-the-boardroom-by-accident incident will be the last time since, we have finally... finally placed signs for each room or door.

Tadaaaang!

We have a new office neighbour too! Occupying the once-vacant-space after my own room is the clinic of a group of Cagayan de Oro’s finest Dermatologists. They’re all done with their renovation and the space looks pretty dandy now. Ah, the thought of having well known CDO dermatologists right within the building. Stressful day? Or worried about “age-lines” on the face? Out the Syntactics’ door, into the clinic! Up up and away! Hehe....

Anyway, I’m still in the office trying to finish some work for the week. Just thought of making a quick break and a quick blog post. Vanity of all vanities ... if I keep on staying in the office till 9 or 10 every night, I think I will be going to that clinic across sooner than I thought.

Mortgage Outsourcing

Outsourcing has become a trend in the IT industry as more and more companies are cutting down costs in creating their own IT division, hiring and training people, making sure that these people are doing their jobs and are always updated in terms of knowledge in the tools and language they use. With the fast pace of turnover in technology and in staffing, businesses now find it imperative and practical to outsource portions of their company’s operations to other companies who are more knowledgeable and thorough in a particular field.

When it comes to outsourcing, each company has their own forte as well. In our case, we are into web applications and software. For some it’s mobile applications and for others game developing, yet again for others accounting and back room operations. Much like a doctor, IT professionals and companies have their own “specialties.”

Recently I just learned something about Mortgage Outsourcing. Infinit-O is becoming the leader in Mortgage Outsourcing here in the Philippines. As they say, their formula is simple: “provide high quality services at the right price. It may sound simplistic and straightforward, but these are exactly what mortgage industry players need to retain their edge and remain competitive in a tumultuous market”

This is good, more specialized outsourcing is much needed for companies all around the world and I’m happy to know that a company, I personally know, is one of the companies that provide such a straightforward service.

September Updates

Oh to the depths of the caverns of Hades I have descended. That has been my feeling for the past weeks. Frustrated and depressed. It’s when I feel everything is going against me, I am in a one way street but the only thing is I am the only one going against the flow. So, just what my good friend “A” would do (and like what I always do), I drown myself with .... work. That has always been the best solution for me to forget things. My emotions for the past weeks have been tumultuous and some of the people who I thought would respond well in terms of support reacted differently. It’s funny how you can peg a person to be strong and realize that they crumble like a house of cards when they are faced with life’s realities. Age is never a factor when it comes to these things; it is a man’s character that matters most. It was never expected in the first place that a problem will be solved by sharing it, it’s only to air out and make things lighter. That’s what friends are for. Much like a Swedish proverb, it says “Shared joy is double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.”

To make matters worse, a friend and I have fallen victim to someone who used my name to gain leverage and I was blamed for such a circumstance. And now, a punctured tire. What are the odds? Now I know the feeling of being persecuted. But, it’s okay, that’s another way of finding out who my true friends are. As they say, “For true friends who believe, no explanation is necessary; for others, none will suffice.” It’s just a pity but hey, we do have to move on and let time heal wounds.

Now, we can’t have a blog post that is all grim right? On a lighter note, a good friend, Baba, is back in town and we just had dinner last Thursday. As a “pasalubong,” She brought along this really classy notebook for poets where I can write down my musings and poems (uh-oh, back to calligraphy practice for this lady). Just in time Ba, I just used the last leaf of my old poem notebook late last year. It’s going to take some time for me to fill this up, but eventually, I will and I’ll let you read it too. I had a great time catching up with her over dinner and desert. Sometimes, distance is good for some friends, you have more to talk and muse over after some time. I’m just glad nothing has changed. Well, a bit (I did, diba Ba? Haha), but all good.

Aileen is the one who is in the states right now and has been eating In-N-Out burgers for me. Haha, I told her that I will live life vicariously through her as I am so caught up with work lately! She even has a picture of the burger she got for me in her blog, an apple a day. Was it just A burger or I think she mentioned that she ate at in-N-out three times for me! She even sent me a quick emails saying “I just had In-N-Out burger for our midnight snack.” Gawd! Now I don’t want to be blamed for the increase of all the calories and cholesterol girl!

Happy birthday again Noems! You said I was the first one to greet you for your birthday, happy na unta ko but, errrr... I really was not able to catch up with you girls at the restaurant for lunch as my talk ended at around 1:30! So sorry ... really, I am.

Now tita Zoia, my so called “hotty” friend in a Freddy K. Shirt, when are you dropping by my office again? Next pizza is on me!

Make Your Own Havaianas

Matte or metallic? Pastel or bright? Simple or sparkly? Ahhhh! These were written in the “Make Your Own Havaianas” invitation and these were the exact same questions running in my head yesterday at the Limketkai Atrium, where people, like me, rushed to get their hands on their very own pair of customized Havaianas. I almost missed it as I was so loaded with work the entire week! But ahhh, the idea of having your own customized flip flops was just too good to miss. I sent Trisha and Vanessa Tamparong, the two dazzling entrepreneurs of Spruce (Who never seem to run out of brilliant ideas) an SMS telling them that I was on my way, making my way through traffic and that I did not want to miss out on getting my own pair! And.... I got there right before Trisha could send me her reply. How’s that for driving?

The choices were endless and I had so much fun going all through those colors. I was happy that my friend Zoia was there to help me decide (when presented with way too many choices, I begin to have second thoughts ... hmm... is this why I can’t seem to ...... naaaaaaaaah). Even if there were so many people there, everything was in order. There was an organized process to follow from picking your colors, to assembly, to payment and there were assistants to help us out too. After picking my choice of colors, Audrey, the Havaianas consultant (is that the right term? I think that’s what she did ... help me all throughout the process) assigned to me, took me to their workbench and assembled my pair. I had a choice too of putting pins and other designs (which were all cute, by the way), but I opted to have mine simple but elegant. This is the first in Mindanao too, this kind of event. For those who happen to read this blog and the event is over, you can visit the Spruce shop at the Limketkai Mall and get your pair of Havainas there too.

So, now I have my own pair of customized Havaianas. Thanks Trisha and Vanessa for inviting me!

Zoia choosing her design

With Audrey and Zoia after I got my pair

At the workbench where Havaianas lovers eagerly waited for their pair

My New Pair

Oh, speaking of right process and getting the right assistance, I’d like to invite you to Join the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines. Being in an organization of people who know their stuff is always a good idea ;)

Fearing That The Fairy Tale Will End

For the past couple of months, the topic of “long distance relationships” has been a hot topic for my good friends and I (only friends? Hmmm….). Anyway, here’s the thing. Some of those that I have been talking with are absolutely contented and happy with their current relationships (I was too with mine… but then again, as we say, some good things never last …that’s another story ... another blog … if I have courage enough to write about it). There is this very deep level of intimacy that you reach in a LDR (long distance relationship) because exchange of thoughts, words and feelings expressed in phrases are constant and most often more sincere as the level of conversation grows. This is because the relationship is based, above anything else, on trust.

But some are so scared of moving on to the next step, which is actually meeting up and being together even for a little time. The general idea I got from them is mostly the fear of being in an awkward situation. I mean, you tell that person very intimate details about yourself, your thoughts, fears and dreams. You know, things you don’t usually tell a person you just met face to face? But this situation can easily be surpassed if both are really sure about their feelings for each other or at least willing to take the risk.

Risk, now that’s another thing. Many don’t want the fairy tale to end (or come true?). You know, everything is going so well with the LDR, it’s perfect, you finally found the person who is everything you want a partner to be but many “what if” questions keep popping in your head. Here are the questions that are usually asked:

1. What if he does not like me? Will this mean our relationship will end?
2. What if I don’t like him?
3. What if I’m not what he expected me to be?
4. What if he’s actually not the sweet sensitive guy he is online?
5. What if he’s not as funny and smart as he is online?
6. What if …. We’re only good at talking online and over the phone but when we’re actually together, there’s nothing to talk about?
7. What if … I was just an idea to him, just someone to keep him company but he actually does not want to continue with a real relationship?
8. What if … I don’t really love him after all? Or he does not really love me after all?
9. What if …. He/she’s actually THE ONE and it would mean that I would have to be more serious about the relationship and be more committed to it (and perhaps even get married).
10. What if she discovers that all my pictures in friendster were edited and I just erased the acne on my face using the “heal” tool in photoshop?
11. What if HE discovers that my boobs aren’t actually that big that I just used the “warp” tool in my graphic editing software?
12. What if he’s got BO (body odor)?

Okay, so I was kidding with the last three what if’s. But a lot of insecurities play when the moment of “truth” is about to happen (even if both parties admit that they are never insecure about who they are or anything about themselves, yeah right). And usually, at this stage, the LDR starts breaking apart. Usually, one party would then try to find a way to end the LDR before it can actually become a real and actual relationship (find something to fight about, stop answering messages or disappear into the abyss).

Well, if you do make the next move in this so called LDR, I salute you as so many back-out even before finding out what could happen (scared stupid). Some would start saying, “well, this relationship would never work because we are just too far apart.” I would always argue with that line, because even when in distance, when you really love that someone, aren’t you already there?

So, why don’t you make the next step? Only two things can happen, either the fairy tale will end, or you both will live happily ever after (and you don’t even have to kiss a frog!). Just take the next step, move on and get it over with. It’s better to know that you tried than be haunted with this last ‘what if’ …. “What if, he/she was really the missing piece in my life?”

Boomerang Awards

The internet and mobile technology is fast emerging as the new “marketing tool” for companies and brands. “Real Estate” on web pages is something that a lot of our clients are very particular about. When we say “real estate” on the website, it actually means using the “prime” locations in your page for attracting your customers or site visitors or using these spaces for advertising. With this in mind, we make sure that we don’t waste “space,” when we design and develop pages and make sure that every space is used to product branding and for marketing.

Online and mobile marketing is not just a trend that will go away soon. This time, marketing experts have actually seen the potential for this powerful tool. In fact, a friend forwarded to me the link for the first internet and mobile marketing awards. On the site it says that the Boomerang awards is “the first and only awards that recognizes the role of internet and mobile platform in building the business of brands, service and companies in the Philippines.”

Here’s a chance for those people who come up with the most creative ways of doing online marketing in promoting their companies and brands. If you know of anyone worthy of this award, Submit an entry to the Boomerang Awards: the 1^st Internet and Mobile Marketing Awards.

geek test

Eeek.... i took the geek test and this is my result

52% Geek
Is this good or bad? haha

And then I took the "How Addicted to Coffee Are You?" test and this is my result!

I am 73% Addicted to Coffee

Whaaaat??? hahaha... as if na shock pa. Hahaha

Aileen kasi eh... you made me visit this quiz site... tsk...

Syntactics Partners with Leading Business Applications Distributor

June 21, 2007 marked officially our company’s linkage with Fasttrack Philippines, SAP’s largest distributor of the SAP Business 1 application. Through the years, Fasttrack has successfully implemented the SAP Business 1 application in numerous growing and established businesses in the Philippines. With our company’s current knowledge in implementation and business applications development, Fasttrack saw an opportunity in further distributing the SAP B1 product in Northern Mindanao and be able to immediately provide support to clients through a linkage with Syntactics.

We were happy that Joseph and Gay were here with us to give us further knowledge with regards to this product and of course, we enjoyed hanging out with them too. Gay, I don’t know if you are reading this, I still think the coffee shop barista added way too much of that yummy ingredient into my coffee. But who cares? Haha.

See you in a couple of weeks!

I'm back baby....

I know, I know…. I’ve been away for some time. Before I continue this blog, let me give you my reasons for being “away.”

1. I’ve been sick. I know I’ve always been a nutcase, but this time, seriously, I had high fever and tummy ache which lasted for days. I could not eat solid food for three days and had chills every night. Who’s a doctor here? What’s the diagnosis? I’ve been eating way too much "lugaw" that I think my eyes are even smaller now as every time I had to eat I would scream “lugaw na saaaad!?” Anyway, on the third day (I didn’t rise from the dead), I started feeling better and so I started going back to work again. Hmf…. As if I stopped working, I still had internet connection at home so I still worked while at home. For my fellow workaholics, we all know how we tend to get weaker if we don’t work, right?
2. I was in Cebu. I had to go to Cebu for work and then, of course visit Leigh. I was so happy to see her and I was able to spend time with her
3. Work …. Work … work….. reports due, people to meet, places to go.

Anyway, let me talk about my trip going to Cebu. I was all alone. So, out of boredom, I called a friend and started yapping on the Phone. I was outside feeling the wind in my hair and smelling the scent of the ocean when I told my friend “Hey, I’ve been out here for some time and not a single guy ever approached me to talk to me” and lo and behold someone did approach me ….. ano sabi? “Ma’am, ticket ma’am.” Ticket inspector pala. Hehe..shy. Then after that, a drunk approached me to start talking about the miseries of his life… so I had to stand up quickly to cross to the other side of the boat to get away from him. Hehe. Lesson? Be careful what you wish for, you might get it. Haha.

Just this weekend, I’ve been on a couple of roadtrips with the family. I had a great time with them. I think, that’s what I really needed, a good time with loved ones. I feel much better now.

I will update this blog soon. Meantime, I have to stop here. Good to be back.

“I studied Plato to wash plato”

“I studied Plato to wash *plato.” Noemi and I talked last night and this was our conclusion. Good thing she saw me online at 1:00 AM so we were able to catch up on things. Just like the rest of the barkada, she has her hands full with work as well.

We had a discussion about my other blog post, Transcending to the Metaphysical and she shared her insights on her studies in Philosophy (She’s a Philo major). Anyway, she was mentioning about Plato’s time and setting as to why Plato profusely pushed his thoughts on transcending love and other issues related to it. (No Noems, I’m not mentioning it here for crying it loud … for everything else, there’s mastercard). Anyway, Noems and I usually discuss about these things and then get to relate Philosophy and Psychology in our line of work (you would really appreciate this subject matter if you put it into business really).

Let me just share what I learned from her.

I mentioned to her that one of my reasons for the blog was to emphasize that love, even if the person is physically not present, is possible. Wherein, my understanding of transcendental is not having any physical fixation; that is if it is truly love, it is able to let a person hold steadfast even in death.

But then, Noemi responded with “our memory of a person is often our strongest link to the past, our weapon to be able to ‘hold steadfast,’ as you say. But for this to happen, actual memories must be made first, if that love is not actualized, it is a mere longing and you put your life on hold for an illusion."

Muy bien (very good) … she knew I was moving on to the direction of talking about transcendental love for love unrequited and so she continues with “Unrequited love can only be transcended by moving on with your life. The delicate balance between having tried and failed and being a stalker.” Ayan…. That’s another topic I’d like to discuss also in the future….stalking. hahaha!

Anyway, our chat ended with talking about the importance of Philosophy and I thanked her for the insights and for making me laugh my head off at 2 in the morning (I just can’t write it here…. Wholesome to na blog eh) and she said “4 years of dead pilosopos messing with my head, and all I get for that is having a good conversation piece and being a smart ass” and as we were winding down with our chat she then asked me “oh and if you know of anybody who would want to work as house help, do let me know as I have been stuck balancing work and household work like cleaning the house and washing plates” and so, couldn’t help it but say “ayan …. Nag study ng 4 years sa philo, to study Plato to wash *plato.”

So there … we did not only discuss philosophy of love but discussed as well which dishwashing liquid is better in transcending … joy or dazz? Thanks for the inputs Noems. Ill prepare the blog we’re supposed to co-write soon (as soon as I’m not so busy anymore).

* Plato is visayan term for dish

Emerging Blogs

Janette asked me to list down at least 10 blogs I visit and I think that should belong to the top 10 emerging influential blogs for 2007. Here’s my list. Visit them and have fun.

Pinoy Insights and Travel

My Cebu Photo Blog (Cebuano gud!)
Culture Shiok
Lakwatsera Ako (This is my dream, travel and share my experiences)

Fun Blogs, Opinions and Ka-Kikayan
Shouting my whispers to the universe (Love this blog, I visit it almost everyday. The author, midnight rainbow, has this writing style that keeps on making me come back and visit often)
An Apple a Day (an apple a day nga, I don’t let a day pass without visiting this site)

Gaming

Granado Espada (I'm not really a gamer, just like how some people can articulate their interests)

On IT, Blogging and SEO
esofthub's web finds
Blog About Your Blog

Politics
Article Discovery Politics

Mystical and Metaphysical

Fortune Reading

Rant and Complain When You’ve Done Your Share

Ahhhh…. Election time again. Of course, political issues would be discussed and people would be comparing which candidates are better and would also highly criticize some. That’s fine. We are all entitled to our opinions. You can complain about how things are run, that’s why it’s called freedom of speech. But don’t complain if you didn’t do anything in helping our country. Usually, we are too passive by just sitting down and wishing what government can do for us. Tama ba yan? “Think not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” Though, this was said by a US past president, this should be our train of thought as well in this upcoming election.

I happen to visit the onevoice website and saw how noble their intentions are. This is good. We need to help out here. You want a better country? Be a better citizen. Help out. Sign-up for VforCE: 1 million Volunteers for Clean Elections.

During Sunday’s homily, a letter from our archbishop was read and it said that we must vote for the candidate that has Conscience, Competence and Commitment. (I’m not so sure if I got the translation right as the letter was in the “deep” Visayan dialect). But I say go, vote for the candidate that has those 3 Cs. And remember, if you did not vote and if you did not help out, don’t complain.

Local and National Candidates

Fellow Kagay-anons!! Who are you voting for this May 2007 elections? Check out a complete list of all the national and local candidates at our online news portal www.kagay-an.com.

On Mother's Day

Seeing my mom smile is something that I would like to see all the time. I would remember coming home from school (early elementary years) and pass by some of the weeds and bushes and pick out a handful of wild babies breath and arrange it with our neighbor’s daisies and present it to her (yes, even at that early age she has instilled in me the art of flower arrangement). She would then show me this most sincere and beautiful smile that would make me want to get flowers for her almost everyday. Of course, our neighbor complained about it so I had to find other “sources.” This was my way of thanking my mom for those times she would stay in the kitchen to cook my favorite meals (ahhh… kaya pala) or the times that she would patiently tutor me for my math, English and history quizzes or the times she would repeatedly make me practice my lines for my declamation piece over and over again just so I can recite it the right way.

I think, the older I got, the more I have complicated my outlook at what my mom wants in terms of surprise presents as a token of thoughtfulness because for the past years I have spent way too much time looking for the perfect present …... I can just hear her voice ringing in my head “nah baduy, nah too tall, nah too short, nah too big, nah it’s not an antique.” I always end up buying something simple (cheapskate?) but elegant and in the end, I see her smile that wonderful smile I always look forward to see.

Anyway, mother’s day is fast approaching. Express your gratitude to your moms by sending them a special gift. Remember, by special, it does not necessarily mean it has to be an item having the three Cs but something given with much love and thoughtfulness.