2006 Christmas Wishlist
Now this is a selfish wish list... something I made up for myself. What I think I need..
1. New headset at work
2. Flash drive 1gb
3. DVD writer
4. Swimming googles
5. Cellular phone Nokia 6630?
After the Via Astris 2006 X-Mas Party
Attended the VA yultide party last night. The party was at Brash, but this time we had everything catered. We ate pasta, potato salad, liempo, chicken chopsuey, beef, and fruit salad -- all for P150.00! The food was great, and so were the games. Thanks to Benny, Dek and Myna for making the 2006 party a success.
Too bad we had to leave early. We got a few nice gifts from the games and the exchange gifts. Now my throat is sore from all the shouting and laughing. I wonder if it will recover for our company party on Friday.
Click here to look at the other pictures I took.
Attended the VA yultide party last night. The party was at Brash, but this time we had everything catered. We ate pasta, potato salad, liempo, chicken chopsuey, beef, and fruit salad -- all for P150.00! The food was great, and so were the games. Thanks to Benny, Dek and Myna for making the 2006 party a success.
Too bad we had to leave early. We got a few nice gifts from the games and the exchange gifts. Now my throat is sore from all the shouting and laughing. I wonder if it will recover for our company party on Friday.
Click here to look at the other pictures I took.
Christmas Gifts
Some of my officemates agreed not to give each other gifts this coming Christmas (at least to save on one's expenses). But there are those who do want to practice the age-old ritual of gift giving. I always get at least one mug from these corporate Christmases, I guess mugs are pretty much generic or typical gifts one could give for their officemates. And like one of my ex-officemates, I have an extensive collection of mugs at home.
While I still haven't decided whether to buy gifts for my co-workers. I do have ideas on what to give them. Visiting Divisoria Mall and 168 every week does have its perks. I saw some interesting "trinkets" that can qualify as "office gifts", at a reasonably cheap price. I just hope they are as durable as they are cheap.
聖誕禮物
有幾位同事已經決定在這個聖誕節不要互相送禮物了(為了省一點錢)。
可是也有幾位還想繼續送禮物。
在公司的聖誕節﹐我常常拿到杯子。我想杯子是在辦公室普通送的禮物。
像以前的同事﹐我也收集了好多杯子。
我還沒決定要不要送禮物。但是我已經想到什麼禮物可以給他們。
每個星期到Divisoria Mall和一路發百貨公司﹐我看過好多便宜的產品可以送給同事們。
While I still haven't decided whether to buy gifts for my co-workers. I do have ideas on what to give them. Visiting Divisoria Mall and 168 every week does have its perks. I saw some interesting "trinkets" that can qualify as "office gifts", at a reasonably cheap price. I just hope they are as durable as they are cheap.
聖誕禮物
有幾位同事已經決定在這個聖誕節不要互相送禮物了(為了省一點錢)。
可是也有幾位還想繼續送禮物。
在公司的聖誕節﹐我常常拿到杯子。我想杯子是在辦公室普通送的禮物。
像以前的同事﹐我也收集了好多杯子。
我還沒決定要不要送禮物。但是我已經想到什麼禮物可以給他們。
每個星期到Divisoria Mall和一路發百貨公司﹐我看過好多便宜的產品可以送給同事們。
It's the season for firecrackers
I was driving the other night along Paco Singalong when all of a sudden, a huge explosion rattled my car. I thought one of the car tires ran into something and popped. But the car was still going forward smoothly. From the rear view mirror, I saw several men along the sidewalk trying to light a firecracker.
I grew up hating firecrackers. Most of my New Year memories involve loud explosions all around the house. Our neighbors love to light firecrackers, they seem to be competing with one another. Each household would spend tons of money, buying all sorts of explosives. And when the New Year arrive, they try to outdo one another, making sure that they have the loudest and brightest firework display.
By the time the clock strikes twelve, I am almost deaf. the air grows thick with smoke and I get teary eyed. When people are doing their new year countdown, I am momentarily blind and deaf.
But I do appreciate a good firework display and explosions that are controlled. It's one thing to enjoy these explosions from a safe distance. It is another thing to experience these explosions a few meters (or even a few feet) away from you.
People don't seem to know how to properly manage their pyrotechnic activities. Nor do they have the courtesy to light their crackers on a safe area. Some people would light up firecrackers on a crowded street. Others would aim their explosives near flammable materials. Thus we have legions of firecracker victims lining up at the hospital ER on New Year's Eve.
I doubt if people would really change their pryotechnic complusions. The only thing I can do is stay in a sound proof place and try to enjoy the New Year in peace and quiet.
Got this picture here.
I was driving the other night along Paco Singalong when all of a sudden, a huge explosion rattled my car. I thought one of the car tires ran into something and popped. But the car was still going forward smoothly. From the rear view mirror, I saw several men along the sidewalk trying to light a firecracker.
I grew up hating firecrackers. Most of my New Year memories involve loud explosions all around the house. Our neighbors love to light firecrackers, they seem to be competing with one another. Each household would spend tons of money, buying all sorts of explosives. And when the New Year arrive, they try to outdo one another, making sure that they have the loudest and brightest firework display.
By the time the clock strikes twelve, I am almost deaf. the air grows thick with smoke and I get teary eyed. When people are doing their new year countdown, I am momentarily blind and deaf.
But I do appreciate a good firework display and explosions that are controlled. It's one thing to enjoy these explosions from a safe distance. It is another thing to experience these explosions a few meters (or even a few feet) away from you.
People don't seem to know how to properly manage their pyrotechnic activities. Nor do they have the courtesy to light their crackers on a safe area. Some people would light up firecrackers on a crowded street. Others would aim their explosives near flammable materials. Thus we have legions of firecracker victims lining up at the hospital ER on New Year's Eve.
I doubt if people would really change their pryotechnic complusions. The only thing I can do is stay in a sound proof place and try to enjoy the New Year in peace and quiet.
Got this picture here.
A Visit to Chunky Far Flung
After dropping by Min's exhibit, Jen and I visited "Chunky Far Flung" -- an exotic shop that sells Japanese action figures, anime plushies, and other stuff influenced by Japanese culture.
Click here to see the other stuffs we saw in the shop.
Click here to see the other stuffs we saw in the shop.
Min's "Dog" Exhibits
Went to Yasmin's art exhibit called "Balancing Act" at Future Prospects Gallery, inside the Marikina Shoe Exchange (at Cubao).
Click here to view her other works.
Went to Yasmin's art exhibit called "Balancing Act" at Future Prospects Gallery, inside the Marikina Shoe Exchange (at Cubao).
Click here to view her other works.
Calvin and the Snowmen
Since the Christmas Season is fast approaching, I decided to repost these strips in my blog. Got these Calvin strips from my officemate and you can view all of them here.
Since the Christmas Season is fast approaching, I decided to repost these strips in my blog. Got these Calvin strips from my officemate and you can view all of them here.
Weekend Pilgrimage to Greenhills
It was Saturday, ten o'clock in the morning. Jen and I made plans to pick up some Mango Bravo cakes at Conti's. We drove the car to Wilsons and found ourselves stuck in traffic. Apparently everyone was headed to Greenhills to do their Christmas shopping there. We had to crawl through the traffic, starting from Clark Hatch to Unimart.
What makes people so driven to shop in Greenhills? I remembered a news article I read at yahoo news the other day. People at a local mall in Ohio continued to shop at a department store, even though the shop was on fire. I bet pinoys would also flock Greenhills, even if a natural or man-made calamity struck the shopping center.
This would be the last time I drive through Greenhills... at least until the holiday season is over.
It was Saturday, ten o'clock in the morning. Jen and I made plans to pick up some Mango Bravo cakes at Conti's. We drove the car to Wilsons and found ourselves stuck in traffic. Apparently everyone was headed to Greenhills to do their Christmas shopping there. We had to crawl through the traffic, starting from Clark Hatch to Unimart.
What makes people so driven to shop in Greenhills? I remembered a news article I read at yahoo news the other day. People at a local mall in Ohio continued to shop at a department store, even though the shop was on fire. I bet pinoys would also flock Greenhills, even if a natural or man-made calamity struck the shopping center.
This would be the last time I drive through Greenhills... at least until the holiday season is over.
Book Review: Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic
Years before the arrival of the Halliwell sisters and their trademark "Power of Three", writer Alice Hoffman came up with a novel about two witches tyring to live ordinary lives, dealing with family, and looking for love.
Practical Magic is the story of two orphaned sisters, Gillian and Sally, raised by their eccentric aunts. The sisters grew up in a household filled with magic. Their aunts acquired a reputation for being witches, selling love potions and hexes to their neighbors. The novel (and the movie) talks about their lives - from their everyday struggles to their romantic (mis)adventures.
People who watched the movie might try reading the book, since there are a lot of differences between the two. Personally I'd consider the book to be a drama story while the movie is more of a fantastic story.
In the novel, the sisters do not live with aunts and magic becomes more subtle and figurative as compared to the movie. The book focuses more on the relationships of the two sisters, it examines their struggles with one another, their families and their lovers.
I would understand why the magic took a more dominant role in the movie version. Adding more special effects - like spirits and curses would pull in more viewers. But the magical effects also succeeded in showing the sisters' relationship and struggles,
Despite their different approach, the novel and movie succeeded in portraying the characters and narrating their stories. Some people might prefer either the movie or the book, but I loved both the film adaptation and the novel.
Years before the arrival of the Halliwell sisters and their trademark "Power of Three", writer Alice Hoffman came up with a novel about two witches tyring to live ordinary lives, dealing with family, and looking for love.
Practical Magic is the story of two orphaned sisters, Gillian and Sally, raised by their eccentric aunts. The sisters grew up in a household filled with magic. Their aunts acquired a reputation for being witches, selling love potions and hexes to their neighbors. The novel (and the movie) talks about their lives - from their everyday struggles to their romantic (mis)adventures.
People who watched the movie might try reading the book, since there are a lot of differences between the two. Personally I'd consider the book to be a drama story while the movie is more of a fantastic story.
In the novel, the sisters do not live with aunts and magic becomes more subtle and figurative as compared to the movie. The book focuses more on the relationships of the two sisters, it examines their struggles with one another, their families and their lovers.
I would understand why the magic took a more dominant role in the movie version. Adding more special effects - like spirits and curses would pull in more viewers. But the magical effects also succeeded in showing the sisters' relationship and struggles,
Despite their different approach, the novel and movie succeeded in portraying the characters and narrating their stories. Some people might prefer either the movie or the book, but I loved both the film adaptation and the novel.
Does it feel like Christmas?
We just got our 13th month pay and I'm sure my officemates are already planning on how they should spend their hard earned cash. I know most of my money would go to paying off insurance bills (it's my feeble attempt to invest for a secure future...) At least I'm 80% complete with my Christmas list. I've bought gifts for most of friends and relatives already (at a reasonable/affordable cost).
Despite all these things, I don't feel the Christmas spirit in me. It seems that my more preoccupied with all the events and activities of the season (like the parties and gift giving). Deep down, I feel that this month is just like any other month in the calendar. Perhaps this is what it feels like to grow old and feel banal towards things.
I hope my inner Scrooge would lighten up soon.
We just got our 13th month pay and I'm sure my officemates are already planning on how they should spend their hard earned cash. I know most of my money would go to paying off insurance bills (it's my feeble attempt to invest for a secure future...) At least I'm 80% complete with my Christmas list. I've bought gifts for most of friends and relatives already (at a reasonable/affordable cost).
Despite all these things, I don't feel the Christmas spirit in me. It seems that my more preoccupied with all the events and activities of the season (like the parties and gift giving). Deep down, I feel that this month is just like any other month in the calendar. Perhaps this is what it feels like to grow old and feel banal towards things.
I hope my inner Scrooge would lighten up soon.
Visiting the Funeral Parlor
I went to a wake today. The dad of my friend died last week (cancer grew inside his abdomen and chest, displacing all his internal organs). We held a mass in memory of the deceased and his family.
My friend and his entire family are devout Catholics, yet despite their faith, they still retain some of the Chinese funeral traditions - from burning hell money, incense, paper lanterns, and hanging white strips of calligraphy on the funeral parlor's ceiling. I guess they wanted to follow some of the old Chinese traditions as well. But I think they are merely practicing them out of respect for the dead and for the living (particularly those elderly relatives who want to see these customs enacted).
It was a nice and simple ceremony - with a mass held in honor for the dead patriarch. At least his death was remembered and honored by those who loved him. It made me imagine my own funeral and how I wanted to be remembered by my family and friends.
I would want to keep it simple. No incense burning, no hell money, no Buddhist chants, no food offerings, or bizarre Taoist ceremonies. I'd want a mass to would be held for me every night of the wake.
It might be kind of morbid to think of my own death, but dying is what makes us human - much like birth. If people devote time and money to celebrate their birthdays, I think people should also put some thought on how they want to be honored and remembered when they die.
My friend and his entire family are devout Catholics, yet despite their faith, they still retain some of the Chinese funeral traditions - from burning hell money, incense, paper lanterns, and hanging white strips of calligraphy on the funeral parlor's ceiling. I guess they wanted to follow some of the old Chinese traditions as well. But I think they are merely practicing them out of respect for the dead and for the living (particularly those elderly relatives who want to see these customs enacted).
It was a nice and simple ceremony - with a mass held in honor for the dead patriarch. At least his death was remembered and honored by those who loved him. It made me imagine my own funeral and how I wanted to be remembered by my family and friends.
I would want to keep it simple. No incense burning, no hell money, no Buddhist chants, no food offerings, or bizarre Taoist ceremonies. I'd want a mass to would be held for me every night of the wake.
It might be kind of morbid to think of my own death, but dying is what makes us human - much like birth. If people devote time and money to celebrate their birthdays, I think people should also put some thought on how they want to be honored and remembered when they die.
Forbidden Goods in Divisoria
Jen and I went gift hunting at Divisoria today. Despite the passing of typhoon "Reming", there were a lot of people shopping at "168" and Divisoria Mall. I met up with Jen in that nameless toy mall (with the big escalator) between Divisoria Mall and Juan Luna.
There were a lot of cheap toys inside the building. Jen spent a couple of hours scouting the place, and she finally bought a toy machine gun for one of her relatives. I discovered a fake Monopoly set (obviously made in China) selling for just 150 pesos. It's a pretty cheap boardgame set, and I was tempted to buy one. But then again, I wasn't sure if the imitators got the community cards, tokens, and property cards printed correctly.
When we got out of the building, we stumbled upon a stall selling fake Legos. These fake Legos were being sold for 35, 65 and a hundred pesos. It featured sets from various Lego themes - from the Castle sets, Paradiso sets, and Lego Town.
Out of curiosity, Jen and I bought one set and examined the contents. These fake Legos were obviously patterned after the original - even the swords and horses looked like the original Lego pieces.
There were a lot of cheap toys inside the building. Jen spent a couple of hours scouting the place, and she finally bought a toy machine gun for one of her relatives. I discovered a fake Monopoly set (obviously made in China) selling for just 150 pesos. It's a pretty cheap boardgame set, and I was tempted to buy one. But then again, I wasn't sure if the imitators got the community cards, tokens, and property cards printed correctly.
When we got out of the building, we stumbled upon a stall selling fake Legos. These fake Legos were being sold for 35, 65 and a hundred pesos. It featured sets from various Lego themes - from the Castle sets, Paradiso sets, and Lego Town.
Out of curiosity, Jen and I bought one set and examined the contents. These fake Legos were obviously patterned after the original - even the swords and horses looked like the original Lego pieces.
Coffee Craze
We recently acquired a brand new coffee maker at the office. It's one of those Nescafe instant coffee machines that spews out various hot coffee concoctions at the touch of a button. The coffee maker offers drinks like black coffee, coffee with cream, Cappucino and coffee Latte.
People here are pretty much excited over this new machine. Some of my co-workers are now developing a coffee fixation after trying out the various drinks. Personally I have tried the Cappucino and Latte, and it tasted okay (though I would have added a bit more sugar).
We recently acquired a brand new coffee maker at the office. It's one of those Nescafe instant coffee machines that spews out various hot coffee concoctions at the touch of a button. The coffee maker offers drinks like black coffee, coffee with cream, Cappucino and coffee Latte.
People here are pretty much excited over this new machine. Some of my co-workers are now developing a coffee fixation after trying out the various drinks. Personally I have tried the Cappucino and Latte, and it tasted okay (though I would have added a bit more sugar).
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