Bad Customer Service

I was up to my wits waiting for my number to be called yesterday at Globe Business office....I waited for almost 2 hours just to submit my enrollment form for auto debit ( to credit card ). Earlier, I asked an employee there if I could just submit my form and leave without waiting for my number...but she said I HAD TO WAIT FOR MY NUMBER TO BE CALLED. So as patient as I was, I did wait....while waiting, my friend Kirk and I cannot stop but notice how bad service is in this office. Here's what we talked about:

1. Airconditioning is very poor, I have seen 2 split types a/c just above me, but none of the two were functioning, there was a stand fan working, but not enough to give comfort to the waiting customers.
2. Only 1 cashier to accept payments...
3. After sales people are just two, when every complaint or inquiry will take around 15 to 30mins...
4. I waited 30 minutes to pay my bill, they gave me another number to submit that stupid form and have them photocopy my card...it took only less than 5 minutes but I waited for almost 1.5 hours for my number to be called!!!
5. None customer service people dont bother to help you at all, I asked one girl ( well, she was wearing a shirt with "Globe" on it), if I could just submit the form and leave as I have been waiting for an hour already, but she said I had to wait for my number to be called...why cant she just accept it when thats basically the thing that happened when it was already my turn, the customer service person just accepted my form...no ifs no buts!
6. Very small office...either you get lucky to find a seat or you remain standing til your number is called...or you may sit on the steps outside, not unless you are wearing your office skirt...
7. There was a TV, but it was OFF all the time...so you end up staring at each other while waiting for ages...

The only good thing about this office is the GUARD..he was very helpful, very considerate and very polite...but the rest, NEVER MIND!!!

In celebration of the recent WORLD CUP

Lets all hum along....

I know that we have to take it to the goal 'cause everyone's depending on we
See we ain't got nowhere to go but up, it's our destiny

We're choosing the way, we'll do what it takes to get to the top of the highest mountain
We'll do anything, we got to prove ourselves 'cause we know

Oh Africa...

See we'll never be able to forget this day 'cause it's the greatest day of our life
See no matter what happens at least we can say "we came, we saw, we tried"

We're choosing nowhere, we'll do what it takes to get to the top of the highest mountain
We'll do anything, we got to prove ourselves 'cause we know

Oh Africa...

This is our time to shine, our time to fly, our time to be inside the sky
Our time to soar, our time to saw, the last one in football

Oh Africa...

( By Akon) I so love this song....watching the game and listening to this song in between makes me teary eyed....Africa is bouncing back..thanks to World Cup...

My LIFE as it is nearing its 40th

Once again, my birthday is fast approaching. Last year, I celebrated this at a native restobar in a luau inspired party. We had mixed drinks, reggae music, big pillows, a native hut to shelter us and of course, finger foods that were outrageously perfect for the occasion. I just invited my closest friends, and you are rite, it was such a sweet memory to cherish.

Now that another year has passed, I have gained more friends, ditched a few and remained in contact with the old ones. I really dont have plans yet for the BIG 40, but then, that comes a week after my son's birthday, so I was thinking i should get ahead and plan anyway for both events. Well, for Zach, I already bought him a Pokemon Diamond game for his DS ( Thanks to Jovicar Juntilla, Jayjay Dales and Rowena Dayao for sharing to buy this gift). So, I shouldnt be bothered by what to give...but then as a Mom, we always want to give him the best for his bday, and this time he is asking for a remote controlled helicopter. Actually, his godfather already gave him one last Xmas, but he just broke it in one day, yes, ONE DAY! As soon as I arrived at the airport, he hurriedly opened the box, played with it, crashed it a hundred times, and come dinner time, it doesnt fly anymore. Thought it just needed a battery change, but I already bought a lot of replacements, yet it wouldnt even nudge...so thats the history of his helicopter, given and died the same day! So, thats not an option as a gift for now. I was thinking of having a date with him, just like what we did last Saturday.

I had an overtime at work last Saturday and Zach tagged along, after 5pm, we went to the mall for some refreshments. We then decided to watch "Eclipse". Called Kikiw and at 635 we were inside the moviehouse with shakes and a big bucket of popcorn. That was a sweet time for both me and my son, as we were huddled together the entire time while watching the movie. Afterwards, we had dinner at Sunburst which just had their launching. Sunburst is one of dad's favorite chicken restaurant, so it was nostalgic just being inside it. So for me, I'd rather have that time repeated than hold a party for him and for people who just see him every birthday of his. Aint I right?

Now comes the hard part, what am I going to do on my birthday? I have around 20 friends as constant company whenever I go out, should I hold a party for them or just treat it as another "Fly day" and just prepare something special like my favorite food to go with the usual drinks we have. Whaddayathink?

But what is really important that is going to happen on my 40th? Wow, couldnt really fathom the importance, but I think Im getting my way around it now. Have I achieved enough to make myself proud being 40? What have I contributed to my son, to my family, my community and to the world? Did I even do something relevant? Are the people around me enough testimonies of the kind of life I have lived? Have I been a blessing to others? Is my life worth reliving all over again? What traits need to be changed and what values need to be added? Is my 40th birthday a real BIG one?

As I am nearing my 40th, Im beginning to have goosebumps....afraid of the unknown, yet curious enough to trod the road not taken. I am nearing my 40th, and despite the anxiety of finally hitting the BIG FOUR, I am proud to be in that roll. Yes, Im nearing my 40th birthday, and I am blessed to have reached this far...

Trekking Mt. Talinis

I am not a sport buff nor outdoor-active person, not ever in my life. I have played softball and frisbee in school, but thats just about it...never been active in sports or any strenuous activities...I am that lazy.

Last weekend, my friends and I have considered climbing Mt. Talinis, the second highest mountain that can be found in Negros Oriental, at about 5905 feet above sea, level,also known as Cuernos de Negros or Horns of Negros. This peak is part of Valencia, approximately 9km southwest, forming part of the Negros Volcanic belt.Mt Talinis is popular because of the sweeping views. It has a number of lakes at its base, the most visited of which are the twin crater lakes of Balinsasayao: Lake Nailig and Lake Yagumyum. They are separated only by a narrow mountain ridge. Mt. Talinis is easily climbed via nature trails that start in Bidjao, Dauin and Apolong, Valencia.



We took the Apolong Valencia route taking off from Casa Roro at exactly 8am on April 9, 2010. Just on the way up to Casa Roro, which is about 20mins uphill hike, I was about to back out. My legs just wouldnt move and I was catching my breath endlessly. During rest time at the Casa Roro, my friends encouraged me to go on since we are almost at the mouth of the trail and that we were already fully-geared up. So reluctantly I went, with conditions that I am not going to be rushed and that I walk on my own pace.

I had mixed emotions going up, when the trail is all uphill, and I was catching my breath all the time, I kept saying to my companions that I'd rather go home than continue moving upward. This is the time when we all stop, set me up to a more comfortable situation, they give me water, let me eat salt to prevent spasms and just talk me out of quitting. Slowly, they took all my stuff one by one from me, first they gave me an improvised walking stick to aid me in the steep portions, they took my backpack for lighter load, they took anything that I might use as a reason to quit....what was left hanging in my body was my sling bag which carried the camera and some medicines...nevertheless, I was still the last one to arrive in every "rest point".



There were times when my shoe would get stuck in between roots, there were also times when I couldnt control my footing and would slide down with my butt touching ground, and countless of times that I had to stop to sip water to remedy a very dry throat...not to mention that my legs were always shaking. I had few sigh-of-relief moments when the trail is going downhill...but that doesnt stay long....the trail was mostly uphill, very steep, very narrow and very dangerous....well, one misstep will let you end up down the ravine...



All throughout my "agony", I was mesmerized by the view I have seen up there....the endless line of forest trees, the wild berries, the autumn-leaf ferns, the breathtaking greenery and the smell of fresh air, it was enough to give me will to continue walking despite my almost "distorted" legs...





When we reached the flowing river, we stopped for lunch. We had packed lunch of fried chicken, scrambled eggs, fish, rice, tuna sandwiches and meat loaf. We took few minutes of rest then off we hiked again to reach our destination which at that time was around 30mins to finish. We have divided our group into two, the first group of three were the ones who knew the trail very well and acted as our guide. Their pace was fast but stopping in a distance just enough for us to still see them. While I was with Kirk who is also a first-timer like me and Tymer who acted as our leader and has helped me a lot in this adventure...



At last after 6 hours of walking ( ideally, the trek can be done in 2 to 3 hours non-stop), we reached Nagabi at around 2pm, ( this is located at the foot of Mt. Talinis on the opposite side of Lake Nailig and Lake Yagumyum.



Up there is a very different, eerie yet exhilarating feeling. My first feeling was a sense of relief, relieved of being able to reach it unharmed and that my legs are still moving, I just couldnt believe my eyes....Everywhere I look, all I see is the lush greenery of vast forest and the nicely shaped mountains...It was just amazing. Not long after, we spotted some mountaineers coming down from Lake Nailig trail, it was such a nice feeling to see other people there. We had set up our tent just beside the hut of Yayang who has been living there for 15years. ( Yes, and they follow the trail at least 3x a week, imagine that!)






Another group of mountaineers came late afternoon, so all in all we were 17 campers in Nagabi campsite. The other mountaineers set up their camps just below us, but at nighttime, they came up to have fellowship with us. They were composed of mountain advocates who goes up just to clean the trail and the campsites, also with them were 2 Japanese volunteer nurses who are equally friendly and charming. Some of them were there for sheer fun and hike, just like what our group had in mind.



We spent sometime observing earth hour, talked about how to maintain cleanliness in the mountains and then introduced ourselves to each other and what followed was endless noise of talking, laughing, dancing, drinking and just bonding with fellow hikers. We ended the fellowship with some noodles and coffee at 2am. Then we proceeded to our tent which at this time was already moist. Inside, we hurried to be under the blankets and tried hard to sleep despite the very cold weather.





We awoke the next morning with a very beautiful fog covering the scenery. Once we were out the tent, we hurriedly went inside the kitchen for some heat from the flaming firewood.



The other campers invited us to trek down the sulfuric steam vent just few minutes walk from our campsite. Reaching the destination was quite rough due to uneven trail and rocky terrain. The vent has a very offensive odor, sulfur steaming out from it was painful to the nose, but the scenery was like being in another place altogether. It was all white due to sulfur residue, trees are dead and dry, water cascading was somewhat dull and the whole place was just lifeless.



After the trip to the vent, other campers went straight to twin falls, which I declined because of lack of sleep the previous night. I spent the rest of my morning dozing off inside the tent amidst the reflection of the sun flowing in. Then the afternoon was spent playing cards, playing games and preparing for frog hunting by the boys. They had makeshifts weapons to catch frogs and we rooted for each one of them.



We also went to the carabao puddle and there we took pictures of different plants we see along the trail, while the boys were spotting hiding places of the frogs they were about to catch come nightfall.



Our group was the only one left on the second night as the other campers left after their twin falls trek just around noon that day. So when darkness came, we just content ourselves drinking the last bottle of rhum and spent the night just talking with bonfire to keep us warm.





We also ate the frogs caught ( around 50) and enjoyed the cool breeze gently hitting our faces for the last time.

On our last morning, we spent an hour exploring other areas, we took pictures of ourselves in different spots, lying down, jumping up and just plain smiling.





Then after breakfast, we headed home taking the PNOC route. We stopped by at the guardhouse making small chitchat with the caretaker, asking for the right directions leading to the river ( where we stopped for lunch going up). More pictures were taken and then off we started our 4 hour hike going back to the city.



Once in the river, the boys went swimming while I rested my feet and breathed hard to prepare myself for the downhill hike. The hike downwards took a lot of effort from me, especially from my legs and shoes. I was wearing fencing shoes and it wouldnt break when I wanted it to, and controlling my knees to stop myself from going straight down was quite strenuous. But this time, I was raring to get to the exit of the trail, so excited to take each step as it means getting nearer to home.





It took me and my partner Tymer 4 hours to reach Casa Roro, although we made a few- minute stop on top of the mountain just to make chitchat while we secretly ate our last stock of snacks. (*wink) ....down there, we met up with Kirk who was waiting for us for quite sometime already and written on his face was the word WORRY because he was calling out to us but we didnt answer while still inside the forest ( he was calling when we were having snacks, thats why we didnt ansnwer...lol).

Time check was 12noon...my face and neck were red, my legs shaking and jolting by itself. I was beginning to feel the pain all over my body but we had to hike some more to reach the stop where we can get a ride back to Jack's house. We had lunch at Yayangs house just down Casa Roro.

My experience was exhausting, even very dangerous...according to the mountaineers, we took the hardest and roughest trail but the shortest one. I still couldnt quite believe that I have achieved this much, considering that I am not in my best body shape now. I am not fit, not enough exercise to sustain endurance, not enough healthy lifestyle to breath longer and not enough experience to tackle such long trek, but I made it and I made it with flying colors....despite the soreness I feel all over my body, nothing can compare to the joy I feel inside. Secretly, Im congratulating myself for this amazing feat I have conquered. I have survived Mt. Talinis, arent you proud of me???

From my picture tube: "The Bucket List"

How do you face death? That's the gist of the movie. How do you fulfill your goals and ambitions in life when you know that clock is ticking, would you dare to do things you wish you have done long time ago, or do things you only dream of doing or do things you think you cant do??

This is a sentimental movie that would touch your emotions. The main characters Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman has an opposite showing of characters but both found friendship from each other in the end. The "Bucket List" in many respects is a good happy fairy tale that most ordinary folks would dream about before they die, yet the character types played by Nicholson and Freeman make it so believable.

Never mind the flaws of the movie, what I like is the whole concept of having to meet someone opposite of you and slowly gravitating to like that stranger then learn to appreciate that someone because you are in the same boat, and learning that differences do make you accept and understand each other. That life has meaning when you put importance to people around you. Its a journey of lessons and discovery...and arent we all in this world here for exactly the same thing?

Sometimes we are so afraid to look whats lurking out there in the dark, sometimes life takes its toll on us that we just let it slip by without really doing anything. We wake up, go to work, earn a living, go home to our kids, cook dinner then rest to bed to wake up to another day of routine....have we really done something so out of extraordinary lately? Not that I encourage everyone to sky dive like what Jack and Morgan did, but have we taken a good look of our perspectives in life? Are we one shot closer to our goals? What about relationships? What about our spirituality? Are we healed and cleansed? Did we love enough? Did we make people happy? Have we touched their lives?

Life and love equate with one another because we cant live without love and we cant go on loving if life has abandoned us. I would never trade the feeling of love for anything in this world. In love comes hurting, but thats perfectly fine....thats just what makes you love more fiercely..and thats next to magical. If death is finally taking over my life, I would spend my last minutes LOVING...loving GOD, loving my SON, loving my family, and my friends and even my enemies...I'd never get tired of loving them until my last grasp of breath...because in my Bucket List: LOVE is in all numbers!!!

Notes to MYSELF

My father died in March 1996, that's 14 years ago, yet every now and then when I dream and think of him, it feels like he is and has always been just around. Whenever I'm going through a difficult time, I alternately talk to God and to my Dad...there's always a feeling of relief after doing such...and for years now, my tears just wont stop falling everytime I miss him....My Dad was strict...he would never entertain attempts of party/night out permissions, for him, life for children should be home-school-home day in and day out...but Dad was not a bore, he was always the first one to plan on out of town trips for the family, and my, he was such a generous man in terms of preparations, he liked going to different places, meeting new people, exploring life outside our home...that's what I love about Dad, we are really more alike than I am with my mom...because we both just love LIFE!

Dad showed all his children how to mingle and interact with different people from different walks of life..He had plenty of friends..and as always, he was generous with his time and money with them. I remember, we had parties at home almost every week, My father wanted merriment in the house in the company of his friends...we grew up seeing his friends come and go...and learned social skills through that...that's the reason I value friendships so much..I am so into it, because of the example my father lived...


In my relationships with people, I try to nurture them with utmost care..I spend as much time as I can with my friends, more than I do with my family...that's quite odd for some, but that's how i live..I am more comfortable being ME in the company of my friends, i can let loose in other words...at home, Im usually the doer, the idealistic one and the strongest ( my opinion)...my Mom comes to me for advise, so my role in the family is more stiff...one responsibility that comes being a family member, i don't hate it, I am just frustrated that I cant fulfill it because i live in another island from them. With my friends, Im quite observant, quite sensitive and quite protective...I get jealous more on friends having other friends than boyfriends flirting with someone else...thats how big impact friends have on me...

I haven't been dating anyone for the last 5 years since I left my ex....i had few friends on web i got close to alright, but never formally dated anyone of them, so i suppose that doesn't count as "DATING"...in its real sense...not until I met Gabby...he is way so much younger than me...a student that is...but he is one guy who really makes me feel "I am a WOMAN"...he is every inch a gentleman, always protects me, always there to please me...and because of his age, he is also so generous with sweet words, words that still sends tingles to my spine...He isnt my ideal guy, in fact he has the opposite of all attributes i like in a MAN...but with the effort he is taking to be with me...that's more than enough to cover the "flaws" i find in him..based on my standards..we don't have the typical relationship of a man and a woman attracted to each other....we are more of a support system to each other..Gabby is in relationship with someone else..and having me in his life is just a chance he said he is willing to take risk with...and I appreciate that, though you would say Im the villain...but I am really not...I don't intend to take him away from his girl not unless he would say so...but even if that's the case, I don't really see Gabby and me in a "relationship" in the future...He just wouldn't fit in my world the way i see it now...oh well, I will just cross the bridge when I get there...for now, I enjoy having few days a month with him....whenever he is here with me or I with him, we always make the most out of it..and truthfully, I see that glow in his eyes all the time, so i know i am making him happy...

For this month of March, I live to cherish and celebrate the life lived by my Dad in commemoration of his death anniversary this 14th, for all friendships found and built, may the Lord bless it more and more, for my family who I know is just there following every step I take even without me knowing it, for my son who is finishing 3rd grade, and who has given me so much inspiration to be a better person..and for Gabby who makes me smile for now....thank you all...

I love you Dad, always and forever!

Dining OUT!

They have these decorations that are quite artsy....local materials are used, formed into something that is pleasing to the eyes...this one is hanging by the window, with some lights on it, it would sure highlight some areas of that small nook outside the resto...


this post has bricks nicely piled around the base....it gives a little something to talk about...


Garden salad: the usual lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and some dressing....healthy and crunchy!



Kubyertos


Chicken Milanese: deep fried battered chicken breast with gravy sauce


This menu holder is made of popsicle sticks, a child can very well do this, but as a project...its quite unique huh?


One hint of being local: pots with water cascading from one to another...an ambience of serenity..


Dining here in Boston Cafe will give you a feel of mixed cultures...the art gallery is surefire hit to the scrutinizing eyes of the creative ones, the food, mostly pizza and pasta can draw all-age crowd, while the ambience outside can make you feel a little relaxed and comfy...


Resto hunting and food tasting has been always a pleasure for me...


and how can you complain when you are in the company of people who makes it more memorable??