Happy Friday: What's with...

Photo from
http://flickriver.com/photos/lwr/sets
/72157602400779526/

There is something about Fridays that makes all of us H-A-P-P-Y!


This day gives us relief! After working on our toes for 4 days here comes the day where we should be wrapping up our tasks and getting ready for the weekend!  Yey!
Who doesn't love this day??

For me, Friday is not just the end of the work week.

It means more... Friday is..

- Club Day during HS - no class for the first hour but fun, fun and fun

- For shorter class hours - we leave by 3pm since there is CAT for 4th yr HS

- Wash Day - no school uniform

- Pandesal Day - breakfast day during my HR Rep days in 5F Libran (Makati)

- Lunch out - can stay a bit longer during lunch break

- Gimmick nights

- Salary Day - If 15th and end of month falls on a weekend

- Sleep over - since following day is no work / school day

- Movie nights / marathon - can stay up late

- Simple solo time with my Sweets!

Whatever reason we have.. At the start of the week (Monday) we are always getting ready to take the plunge for FRIDAYS!!

Photo from Jhonny Morta's FB

Yey to Friday!!! :D

When I started to love Nasi Lemak

One of the best things about staying here in Malaysia is the fact that they have a lot of food!  Good food for that matter!

Our MY food trips

When I went here and tried their food, I did not enjoy it because they are just too spicy for me.   I am such a sweet tooth. :D

Therefore, while we are here, I cooked Filipino dishes and we (my husband and I) both enjoyed it.

However, my officemate told me that while we are here in MY we should enjoy the food here because it's an experience that we cannot have in the Philippines.  I knew it was just right to explore the dishes here in MY and thus we tried.

One of the famous dishes here in Malaysia and is their national dish is the Nasi Lemak. It is a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and "pandan" leaf.  Traditionally, this comes as a platter of food wrapped in banana leaves, with cucumber slices, small fried anchovies (ikan bilis), roasted peanuts, hard boiled egg, hot spicy sauce (sambal). 

There are times that Nasi Lemak is accompanied by fried chicken (ayam goreng), Cuttlefish in chilli (sambal sotong), stir fried kangkong or beef lungs.
(Source from Wikipedia)

My husband was the first one to try it, at first he didn't like it but soon enough he learned to appreciate its taste.  That's the time when I tried to eat it as well.  At first I also didn't like it but as I go along, I also learned to apprecite it. 

It was spicy with a bit of sweetness in it that made me crave for more.  The crunchiness of the anchovies and nuts complemented the creaminess of the steamed rice.  The cucumber helped lessen the spice and the egg neutralizes everything.  For me it was perfect with Cincao or Limao Ice.

Photo from Autobizz.com.my

 Now, everytime someone visits me here in MY.  The first dish that I would like them to taste is Nasi Lemak!

Unconditional

Enough said!
Mama loves us more than we can love her!

Happy to be Inlove!!

Being inlove is a very special feeling. 
Receiving the same amount of love is just awesome!

My wish came true when I found my husband. He is the one that I will grow old with.  It does not matter if he came into my life a bit late, because from the time we exchanged our vows, we have all our lifetime to spend together!

Minus & Plus: Any difference?

More than one year ago when I left Accenture; some things have changed.


- For the first time in 8 years I stopped working
- I was a total house wife for two and a half months










With these changes, it resulted to:


- More time with my family in Laguna; bonding and all 
- More time with my husband and being a wife and companion
- More time to clean my closets and realized there were so many things to use and wear
- More time to process identification cards (SSS, TIN, Voter's ID)
- More time to explore more opportunities for me outside 
- Finding out my love for writing and making it into a reality
- Realizing there is a child in me with FB and iPad games
- Being able to cook different simple dishes and enjoying them
- Having my own workout plan that really worked
- Being able to watch my favorite TV series (CSI NY and 100 Days to Heaven)


Then after patiently waiting for a suitable job for me, it came.  
Another blessing from HIM.


As I am doing my work there were a lot of adjustments as well.


- I am in a "bit" of different work set up (as a Recruitment Consultant)
- My clients are all external
- We do not have security things at the office (Cable Lock, Access List, Encryption) - but we have access badge :D
- I missed all the calls, pings, emails, call support, texts


Although there were things that I looked for, other things have presented themselves to me as I go along with my work and as we lived here in MY.


- I don't need to wake up at 5am to meet my 8:30am working time
- I appreciated how Light Rail Transit made my transportation a breeze
- I had more time writing and learning new things (work and non work)
- I was able to appreciate working with other nationalities and understanding their needs
- I was able to watch more TV series, movies and news (from a 42" LED TV :D)
- Weekends are solely for me and my husband
- Appreciations made by my candidates
- The genuine friendship from my fellow OFWs here in MY
- The none stop laughter when we have simple house parties
- The shopping (Yes, Sweets love to shop)!


Many more things to say but the most important thing is that, me and my husband has the opportunity to live on our own, independently!


What I wanted to emphasize in this sharing is that things will happen which may not be in accordance with our plans, more often negative things.  There are times that they are uncontrollable but what should we do?


My point in life is that in each negative scenario, I should be able to see at least two positive results from them.  With this in mind, I am not lingering on the negativity but is having the positive outlook in life which makes life easier.


It's very simple, always look at the brighter side of things!
It is not what people see, it is what you see with the situation!

Happy Friday: We Learn!

No other words to explain.. this is basically it!

Basketball in MY!

When we were in the Philippines, my husband and I watched one semi-final of PBA. It was San Miguel vs Ginebra.  No need to ask my husband twice, he immediately agreed to watch because he loved basketball.


Right now that we are in MY, Sweets still loves to watch basketball and when he learned that San Miguel Beer men (ABL Team) will be playing here, he immediately planned for it.  


Asean Basketball League, often abbreviated to the ABL, is a men's professional basketball league in Southeast Asia.  Six different countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) competed in the league's 2009 inaugural season.  The league was proposed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and launched on October 2009.


There are 8 teams in ABL and they are participated by the following countries:


1. Brunai (on leave)
2. Malaysia
3. Philippines (2)
4. Singapore 
5. Thailand (2)
6. Vietnam 


Last June 2, 2012 we watched San Miguel Beer Men VS KL Dragons!  It was Semi-Finals, Game 2 of best of three.


It was very obvious that we will be surrounded by KL people cheering for their team but nevertheless we still enjoyed the game even if we lost it.


We took the opportunity to take our photos with the team and even with the coaches!

From Left: Noli Eala, Bobby Parks, Leo Austria, Rajko Toroman

Here comes the players!




Chris Banchero

 Yes, I know he is handsome! :D




From top left, Willard Crews, Nicholas Ryan Fazekas,
From bottom left, Hobert John Ferriols, Normal Gonzales, Rogelio Yap



From top left, Christian Luanzon,Benedict Fernandez III, Leonides Avenido
From bottom left, Aries Dimaunahan and Froilan Baguion

Kuya, who helped the players with their things! 

Alhtough they lost in Game 2, they had landslide on Game 3.  This was VS KL Dragons.

To learn more about the current standing, visit Asean Basketball League Site.

Tell them!

When you are on the road

and your heart signals you to do something.

What will you do?

If you love someone, tell it to the person involved!  

You will never know if today is your last day on earth!

Whatever response you get, whether good or bad;

what's important is that you were able to tell how much you feel.

Rather than forever hold you peace

and hurt each time you see him / her with someone else.

This is also applicable if you are in a relationship.

Being in a relationship does not mean that

one will stop voicing out their feelings.

It always works both ways!

Be happy to say that you are in love!

Happy Friday: Is 30 years long?

Entering into a married life is no joke, this is not something that you can get out of if you don't want to proceed anymore.  This is not a game, this is a serious matter.  Especially if one values the Eucharist; the exchanged vows and the promise "to love one another until death do us part" in front of Him and loved ones.

After the wedding day it's now time to build your own family, your own true identity as husband and wife, as mother and father and sooner or later as grandparents. 

Time really flies and it has been three decades since Mama and Papa tied the knot.  I don't know how it happened but I believe it was the same as what I did during my wedding day. 

Through the years, I cannot say that it was all blissfull. Definitely there were a lot of ups and downs, struggles and hardship but what else can I say?  They are still together kickin' each other, eating together and staying in one crib!  This is something that I am very proud of!!

They say that you are a successful parent if you are successful in raising your children.  I will do the honor in giving my parents their much deserved trophy because they have raised not just successful children but good looking as well! Ahem!

I am giving them a "Star Trophy" because they have been our guiding light from the time that we laid our eyes on earth until now. 

Raising a child is no joke and being consistent about it is even more harder than we think! I may not understand this now (as I am not yet a parent) but I am sure in my mind I can comprehend it very well!

I would like to take this opportunity to say to the world how much I love my parents and owe them my life! (I am not good at this, now I want to cry.. T_T).

They have raised us very well and I am very blessed to receive their guidance.  We have two more siblings (MIka [19] and Louise [14]) and I know they will also grow up like me and Gboy (not that I am bragging but it's all true :D).

We (as their children) are not perfect, not at all!  We gave them a lot of headaches, heartaches and many many more.  Being the stubborn children that we were, Mama and Papa was able to tolerate those things and still led us to the right path of life!  They have exerted a lot of effort, time, money, energy just to raise us the way they wanted (or at least).  We may not be parfect as what they planned us to be but I know that at least we made a name of our own.

My prayers for them is:

1. To always be guided by HIM and protected by our Mother Mary.
2. To always feel the warmth of their angel's wings.
3. To hear the whisper of the wind that says we love them so much.
4. To continue to have the wisdom to share with us what life is.
5. To love one another as much as they love us.

6. To continue to be young at heart and strong.
7. To continue to have a healthy body and peaceful mind.
8. To continue to be patient and loving parents.
9. To have all the strength that they need at work and at home.
10. To always be happy whatever they are doing.

There will always be prayers left unsaid but I know that He knows the desires of my heart, especially my desire for Mama and Papa.

Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary and may this be doubled and tripled.

Where it all began..

Love is one of the most abused word in the world.  Every now and then you will hear someone telling "i love you" to their partner.  


Sometimes hearing it often does not mean anything at all.  It's just a word that we hear and I feel that the affection is no longer there.


Nowadays, everything happens so fast. We love and we get hurt, we forgive and forget, people come and people go.  Many things happen for a reason but one thing is for sure; I believe that everything happened because of love.


In times where everything flows swiftly without us noticing, we have to take a step back and reflect on where everything came from.  Where Love came from.

All the love in the world came from HIM.  The image above for me is where all love started.  This is where everything that we do has a reason and every action that we take is an act of love.

"Love is patient, and love is kind.

Love is not jealous,

it does not boast, 

and is not proud.

Love is not rude

Love is not selfish

and does not remember wrongs done against it.

Love is not happy with evil

but love is happy with the truth

Love patiently accepts all things

Love always trust, always hopes and always continue strong

LOVE NEVER ENDS.

1Corinthians 13:4-8

With these in mind, I am always hopeful that I am and will be able to play the part that I am intended to do.  To be loved and to love.

I hope that this goes the same with all of us.

xoxo

Sign Seeker

Last year several short films were released by Nestle in celebration of their 100 years in the country.  These short films were offerings with its centennial TV commercial themed Kasambuhay, Habambuhay (Companion in Life, For Life).  


Sharing stories of how Nestle has been Kasambuhay to Filipino families for generations all told just in seconds via the TV commercial, Nestle took their celebration to the next level with its 100 minute anthology of 10 short, entertaining and creative films directed by selected roster of commercial directors who have helmed Nestle TV commercials. (nestle.com.ph).










I have watched all ten of them but one of my favorite is this one (not to mention I also loved the actor).






I've seen movies where in people rely so much on the signs.  They will do something if there is a "sign", they will decide on something if there is a "sign". 


There was a time in my life when I believed in this, that I relied on a sign to decide on something, however I realized that it is not always the case.


If we are undecided on something sometimes we toss a coin to choose which decision to take.  However it does not settle the question for us, because in that brief moment when the coin is in the air, we suddenly know what we are hoping for.


More often, it is not always about the sign.  It will always be our decision no matter what, our choice.  Whatever the outcome maybe, it's either we will be happy about it or we will do better next time.

Love Story

I always want to hear love stories from different people. How they began and how they ended up as a happy couple.  Truly there is always a "Happy Ever After".

I am always touched on how people stood by each other, making into reality the vows that they have exchanged during their wedding days.

"To have and to hold,

  from this day forward, 

   for better, for worse,

    for richer, for poorer,

     in sickness and in health, 

      until death do us part" 

I am slowly building this promise to myself and to my husband.

Last year, one Saturday, when I was busy minding our house chores, my husband gave me this link which led me into tears.

This is, in one of its true essence; LOVE until death do us part.

I hope that you will also like it!

My Team Building Cum Vacation!

One of the exciting things about working is that there is a time for "Team Building Activity".  

The sole purpose of this activity is to make sure that the team is intact and a relationship will be built between colleagues.  Therefore making a good working relationship and thus will be translated to productivity and performance.  :D  (yes I know how to explain its objective).

This was my first team building activity with EPS Ventures and although I have been with them for quite some time now it will still be different since there were only three of us, Filipinos.  Meaning, my jokes, punchline should be in English!  Good luck to me if I can deliver it as good as I do in Tagalog.

Anyways, this team building activity was quite expensive, it will be in Redang Island, Malaysia.

Our mode of transportation:

Cab - from condo to Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Plane - from KLIA to Kuala Terengganu Airport (Malaysia Airlines)

Bus - from Kuala Terengganu Airport to port

Ferry Boat - from port to another port

Ferry Boat - from port to our destination

As you can see from our mode of transportation, Redang Island is far from KL.  It will take approximately 4 hours to go there (coming from our condo here in PJ and via plane).  It was quite a journey.

This was the second ferry going to Redang Beach Resort.  

From afar, we can already see the place where we will be staying for 2 nights and three days!  A refreshing view from the hustle and bustle of the busy city.

The sand was so fine, the water was so clear!  I have seen these site before but seeing it in another country is even more exciting for me.  

For our Team Building activity, we stayed at Redang Beach Resort.

Right after we went to our rooms and had our buffet lunch break, we went straight ahead to the Team Building Activity.  


Redang Beach Resort has a lot of activities for tourist but in our case we had an add-on which was the fun games for team collaboration and interaction.


All of the games happened by the sea and therefore we were all wet and sandy!


1. The never to be missed "Tug-o-War"
2. Volley-balloon
3. Get my balloon
4. Relay
5. Walk like a Dolphin (walk with flippers)
6. Kayak fight
7. Castle Building


My team ended up being 2nd from three teams, it was okie at least we had a lot of fun and laughter plus RM50 voucher from Iseten!


After this very tiring event, we went for a 30 minute swim before we go back to our rooms.  The water was warm and it was not too salty, I enjoyed swimming!


Then we had our buffet dinner and drinks.  We did not stayed long for the drinks because I was so sleepy and tired at that time.


The following day, we had a full day activity.


1. Snorkling at Marine Park
2. Buffet Lunch
3. Snorkling at Open Sea
4. Snorkling with the little sharks


Since I have experienced snorkling before (Bohol, Puerto Princesa and Coron), for me the experience with Redang was not any different.  I can say that I enjoyed more in Puerto Princesa but nevertheless the corals and fishes from Redang were still a view to look forward to!


I did not have any snap shots for these activities because I was too lazy to bring my camera!  Also, it was all water and I'm afraid I might break it!  My husband will be mad! hehe


On this same day, we had some nap time and personal time.  I slept because I felt nauseous after the snorkling activity.  I was crying and I felt sick, I called by husband, i need to hear his voice so that I will be well. [im like this when I am sick :(]. 

After my nap and a good coffee, I was able to gain my energy back and took some pictures while I was alone.

This was an afternoon shot of the sea.

This was at around 7:30ish in the evening, the moon was just amazing.  

Too bad I did not have a good camera to capture its reflection on the sea.

A few more walk from this area by the moon, we were told that there were the "blue sand".  You need to rub the sand to see them.


The blue sand is Bioluminescent Ostracod, or more commonly known as sea firefly.  Ostracod or Ostracoda is a class of Crustacean, a group of Arthropods which also includes crabs, lobsters, crayfish and shrimps, just to name a few which are more commonly known to us.  They are extremely tiny creatures, typically measuring 0.2 t0 2 millimeters long.  Why blue sand?  This is because they emit blue light at night.  It is said that they use light for mating!  (from http://lifeislikethat.com/?p=2719)

After seeing the 'blue sand' and after a couple of shots here and there, we went straight to our buffet dinner.  It was BBQ Time and we were all excited!

There were a lot of choices to choose from (except pork) and you can eat all BBQ you want!  Good for me Jose was there to give me some BBQ Lamb for :).

Overall, this 3D-2N in Redang Beach Resort was a fun and food filled experience.

For more pictures, visit my Redang Album in FB.

Reminder about work!

Today is Sunday and tomorrow is Monday "again", what else to do but work?
Why is it that it is always about work?  What is with work that will make all of us happy?


Oh well, I remember two years ago.. I received a letter from myself!


-------------
Dear KL, 


How does it feel to be working? 


1. Monday, you should be preparing the things that you need to do for the week.
2. Tuesday, you will start the day with the pending items you missed on Monday.
3. Wednesday, you will be reviewing your targets, look at your to do list and evaluate what have you done so far since it's the middle of the workweek.
4. Thursday, you are attending meetings, discussions and whatnot.
5. Friday morning, you are catching up on your emails because of the meetings you had.
6. Friday afternoon, seems like there are still a number of unresolved emails and you are planning to stay a bit in the office to have a worry free weekend.


Do you want to hear these things?
blah blah blah blah! 

I would like to remind you that work is not your life.  This is JUST a part of your life that keeps you busy and helps you earn money!


Please do not forget that there are a lot MORE IMPORTANT things than work, like your SELF, FAMILY, FRIENDS, HEALTH and GOD!

With Love, KL

---------------------

This was two years ago!  I am glad that I listened to myself before.  Right now I am very happy and contented with what I have achieved.  


There will be a time where we will say that career is far more important that anything else but as we go on with life (get married and settle) at the end of the day we will realize what matters most to us.

Malaysia - Day 3. This time Batu Caves!

Continuation...


When my brother and father in law was here in Malaysia, the places that we went were the places that me and my husband haven't visited yet.  So essentially it was all our first time. :D


It was a Sunday and we all decided to go to "Batu Caves".  My husband and I is almost one year here in MY and yet we haven't visited this place.  


Since  my brother and father in law were here, we believed that it was the perfect time to go to this place.


As usual, we used public transport to go there :)




Asia Jaya Station - KL Sentral Station (Kelana Jaya Line)
KL Sentral - Batu Cave (KTM Komuter)

It was like more or less 30 - 45 minutes travel from KL Sentral to Batu Caves and it was quite worth it since it's cheap!  I am the queen of cheapness!!

When we arrived, we quickly went to our business which is to go to Batu Cave and experience its step.

Batu Caves is an iconic and popular tourist attraction in Selangor. Site of a Hindu temple and shrine, Batu Caves attracts thousands of worshipers and tourists, especially during the annual Hindu festival, Thaipusam.

It's main attraction is the large statue of the Hindu God at the entrance, besides a steep 272 climb up its steps to finally view the stunning skyline of the city centre.  (Source: www.tourism.gov.my)

While you are making your way on top, you will notice that there are a lot of monkeys from the trees, steps and all.  They were freely walking, jumping and sometimes grabbing plastic bags from tourists.

I can say that they are quite smart since they know which plastic bag to grab!  Those with food!

At that time I noticed that there were some worshipers who climbed the stairs barefoot.  Maybe this is one way of showing their sincere prayers to their Gods.  

I can say that it was quite a climb.  Although it was not that high (since we did several pit stops) the stairs was steep and the step was not that wide.  A huge feet will have a hard time with the steps. :)

Once you are inside the cave, this is what you will see.  Aside from this, you will notice that there are a lot of statues and writings on the wall.  These are the images that they worship.

In one area, I saw that there was an event.  It was like Baptism, when I use our term in Catholic.  They were singing and giving praise and I can say that it was very holy.

Moving further the cave, you can see another stairs leading into another area for praying.  We went to see that place and below is the view from there.

After some prayers and appreciating the beauty of the cave we went down to go finally go back.

Another thing that captured my attention while we were there were the pigeons, there are many of them.  They can freely do whatever they want and it was quite fascinating because in the Philippines it is not usual to see such flock.

It only took us two hours in Batu Caves and right after that we went to Midvalley Megamall for our lunch.  Since we were so hungry, we did not have the time to think a lot on where to eat.  We ate at "The Chicken Rice".

After eating, there was a bit of silence!

We were tired and at the same time very full with what we ate, nonetheless, after a couple of minutes we stood up and went ahead to do some window shopping.

As we walked, we noticed that there were a lot of people in the middle of the mall... There it was.. we never knew that it was "Fashion Week".  Therefore, not wasting any time, we went to see the models. :D

With this event, it made me realize that my inner self wants to be a model! Awts! :D

After that we went back home and had our dinner near our place.

My favorite was their house special, fried Kway Teow.  

This day started with a walk and ended with a burp! ^_^