Flying South

I've been feeling a bit guilty about taking more photos using my phone than with Dimitri. So let me share our last big adventure: Cagayan de Oro, the City of Golden Friendship

Last month, I was sent to Cagayan de Oro on a four day business trip. Though, I really didn't get a chance to go around, it's a new place and I made sure I took lots of pictures. After all, I was seeing this place for the first time. [Majority of the time, we were tasting it. :P]

CDO is in Mindanao and this is the furthest south that I've been in my country. It was definitely something.

Day 0.5:

Our suite

We got there via Philippine Airlines and checked in at The Mallberry Suites. So this day was short, we got lost looking for dinner and it just didn't end on a high note. Though the hotel was pretty okay. The room was clean and so was the restroom. Hot and cold water in the shower and a stocked personal fridge. Though I think they need to upgrade their air-conditioning units, it took quite a long time for our room to cool down. Hence, we decided to keep the unit running for the remainder of our stay just to maintain the temperature we wanted. Breakfast buffet for the four day stay was the same selection. In the least, I fell in love with their scrambled eggs.

Day 1:

It was the first day of work in CDO, so at the end of the day we needed to have a meeting and strategize our the rest of our stay. We had that meeting in Big Flat Bread. It's an awesome pizza place close to the hotel. We had 30 inch pizza with two of their best selling flavors and all the pasta on the menu. Perfect joint to check out. It's not too pricey at around Php 300-450 a person including drinks.

Since I hadn't had my coffee for the entire day, Paul, Jhe and I capped the night off with a frappes from Starbucks CDO. Let me just say they get plus points for the free internet.

Paul's Awesome Mix

Day 2:

We finally got the rhythm going at work and we didn't feel as tired at the end of the day. Since, there was a night market near Xavier University we decided to check it out. Though, that was after dinner at Butcher's Best Barbeque which is know for it's awesome and affordable meat. :P Let me just say that I personally thing I was experiencing a spike in my blood pressure but the food was just so good. It's a definite must visit and plus is that the place has awesome value for money. I think you're safe with just Php 200 per person including drinks. 

 
The night market we visited only runs on Fridays and they don't stay out very late as well. This is one treasure cove. I was able to find an awesome pair of pumps, a skirt and shades for just Php 500.00. We capped the night off at the hotel's bar with a bottle each. [Just a bottle cause we were all sleepy already.]

Loot

Day 3: 

So on our last day, we had an awesome dinner at Bigby's where the food was just divine. I definitely also loved the atmosphere of the place. There were a lot of knick knacks and awesome design elements. My favorite was the ceiling installations. The food was definitely worth the Php 400-500 each we probably forked over. Then we headed to Missy Bon Bon for pasalubong shopping. Pastel is apparently the local pastry of choice. I like their gellatos though especially the mint chocolate one.

Since none of us had work the next day, we went drinking. :P

Day 3.5:

Color coded get ups with my roomie :D

So, Paul, my roomie, and I decided to shop til we drop and make the most of our last day in CDO while we waited for our flight. We hung out at the Park Cafe waiting for The Sweet Shop to open cause I wanted to bring home Cookie Monster cookies.

After which, it was a pleasant flight home with my turn to seat on the window side. It was raining when we left. I think CDO was sad we were going.

Did some major cloud shooting

This place is definitely on my to visit again list. I know there are a lot more things to discover than just great places to eat. 'Til next time CDO.

Before I leave you guys,  I capped the night off at Eastwood for dinner with my housemates and unpacking. :P

My loot.

Missed these peeps. Happy Birthday, K'ya!

Dimitri, let's go on another adventure soon. 

Channeling My Inner Dragon Part 1: January

So as the month of January rolled in, I was still very much stuck in 2011. Arckham not being here for 2 important holidays was really bugging me. I was as I called it "fighting the lonely". [I've tried the LDR thing. It's not for me.] It also didn't help that things at work were not as smooth as they should be since we were also transitioning into the year.

Anyway, I think my month really started when January 12 hit. Since that's around the time that Arckham and his siblings finally came home. Let me just say that hugs then were way to precious. I also loved that they had these for me:

Apparently my love for earrings has been noted

Since, Arckham was back. I planned a getaway trip for us. It started out as a group thing then it ended up as just me and him [which was pretty much fine by me.] We headed to La Union because I also wanted him to meet the friends I had there. I also wanted to surf and since Jano was coming along he could take pictures. My 55-200mm was really put to good use.

Look at us looking more relaxed on the second picture :P

Arck bonded with Dimitri. Two shots on the right are mine though.

Awesome people I know in San Juan

With my mentor, Honeywell.

So of course, besides drinking by the beach and surfing. Eating well was on the agenda. Choot came along to sample the food:

Midway 

So, first stop was Midway. It was a diner and it had Wifi which immediately gave it plus points. The menu consisted of sizzling and grilled dishes. I got gambas and Arck had pork chop. I like the ambiance well enough. It reminded me of 50's Diner in Baguio but this was made more of steel than vintage. Food was roughly PHP 100-250 per person including drinks which was not so bad.

Taipan Garden Restaurant

Just before we left for Manila, we decided to eat in the city. The last time I was in Taipan, I was craving the Schezuan Crab [which apparently does not exist]. Anyway, I was still craving crab so I had one in the form of sotanghon crab and Arck had the Chopsuey. Taipan is a bit pricey (PHP 250-500 per person) but they've improved a lot as opposed to the last time I was there. The space is bigger, though servers are still just as inattentive [AFI, guys].  

Anyway, other meals provided by friends there as well as by SeaNymph. Our stay was relaxing and just as nummy. :P

Side note: This was also the month were I became the lead POC of one of our accounts in my present company. I also got regularized just this month so it's quite an accomplishment. Yay!

Zikon's Debut At MechaPinoy's 2011 Christmas Party

Last December 11, 2011 was the MechaPinoy 2011 Christmas Party. This is one of the groups that support GunPla in the Philippines. Moreover, they throw awesome Christmas Parties with awesome food [let me say that again: awesome FOOD] and awesome people. :D [No, there are not live Gundams as we all might wish but still OSM] 

 

Anyhow, every year an event is held as part of the party program. It's call the SD Con. It's basically sort of an art competition where different people submit entries that they sealed, sanded, painted and detailed. It's called SD Con mainly since the entries should SD GunPla. [Think the chibi kind]

You may not remember this post. Anyway, sadly I was not able to finish that project but plan to revisit it in the future. What I am proud to say this time around though, is that I was able to join the competition and complete ZIKON. :D *extremely proud*

Here he was as his SD Zaku self:

  

Here's his final look as Zikon:

Yes inspired by Dimitri, my camera and the I Am Nikon campaign. Even though I was a bit drunk when I did this, it has gotten me hooked and I'm already thinking of my next GunPla project.

Anyway, if you guys want to see how Zikon transformed just click this link.

Cold Air, Comforting Words, Great Photography

So my trip to Baguio was not all that bad. What I love about the place are the really warm and cool people I know. [:P Words are so fun.] I have great friends that just absolutely know how to cheer me up. I love you guys for knowing how to push my buttons. :P

So here's the rest of my trip...

Dinner with The Book Club. This is basically my high school group of friends. I absolutely love these people since they are the ones who are there for me no matter what crazy thing I do. There were only four of us present for that dinner: Lor, Kaye and Jake. [I miss you Pip, Meg and Cha] Being with this group of people probably would be the best place for great-slash-crazy conversation. We have our own twisted logic.

I also love them since they know where in Baguio to get the best food with awesome value for money. Let me just say that I was not able to get a picture of my dinner cause I ate it up so fast. Then we had dessert which is totally a given when we get together.

Thanks for dessert, Jake. Thanks for also allowing me to take numerous pics of you guys.

Midnight Coffee at Ionic. Midnight Snack at Good Taste. If there is one thing Baguio has to offer is the great secret cafes and places with awesome food. Ionic recently got renovated. Gone are the ancient table clothes with cigarette burns [sadly, the mafia feel is gone as well] but same great coffee. I was there for awhile and had some me time before June joined me.

Kris, one of my dearest friends, informed me that he was coming up to Baguio. So, June and I waited in Ionic for him. I met Tyler that night as well. Once everyone was properly [and improperly? :P] introduced. We headed to Good Taste for their scrumptious buttered chicken. [Again, no picture of the food since we were really hungry.]

June had to go. Then Kris, Tyler and I decided to wait for dawn at his place.

Exploring the 50's, Casa and the Clouds. After dawn, I headed home and crashed for a few hours before I started hunting down lunch. Since Tyler hasn't been to 50's Diner that's where I met up with them for lunch. Tyler got quite a surprise with how generous a serving his lunch was.

After which we walked to Casa Vallejo, it's an old hotel that burned down a long time ago. It was recently refurbished and re opened. It now houses a classy restaurant and a hotel as well as the most awesome bookshop, Mt. Cloud.

Awesome DoppleSiblings. While at Mt. Cloud, I met up with two of the most amazing people I know. They are both rather well known artists online and I am so happy to be able to call them my friends. They got to play around with Dimitri and I think I might just be able to pull them into photography. :P [I can't wait to see them again on the 23rd of December]

After taking lots of pictures in Mt. Cloud, we headed to Picarre in SM to sit and chat. And another pair of really awesome CG artists [and my childhood friends] joined us. We played a couple of rounds of guessing details about each others lives. After which, they started sharing their work with each other and I just took pictures. [I cannot draw or contribute to a discussing of drawing to save my life.]

So, let's just say that despite the dismal reason that I had gone home. My friends made sure I left with a smile. I love you guys. :D

After Halloween

It's the final quarter of the year. It's time to do the remaining things on my yearly to do list and start working on my Christmas List. [That by the way is still a lot of wrapping up to do. :P]

In the Philippines once the -ber months hit, you are guaranteed Christmas songs and yes, even Christmas Trees in various establishments. [Yes, as early as September and I kid you not.] For me, the Christmas season really starts after Halloween.

Why after Halloween? Well, my birthday is at the start of October and I take this month to treat myself. Basically, this month is for me to celebrate that I am alive and kicking. I take this month say thanks to the people that have been with me throughout the years.

At the end of October, after Halloween, I start focusing on the next big thing: Christmas. It gives me ample time to save up for gifts that I will be giving to the people I would like to say thank you to. Or want to make smile this season. It's also gives me ample time to recover from my celebrations and focus on other people.

I don't believe on giving expensive gifts. Yes, I am one of those that believe that it's the thought that counts. When I give gifts as well, I prefer to give them something they need or something they want. After all, I think it sends a good message that what is important to them is important to you as well. [Yes, I appreciate wish lists.] Speaking of which  here's my preliminary list for the generous hearts out there:  *winkwink*

1. Colleczion T-shirt
2. Rash Guard [So that I'm not too burnt next year while surfing.]
3. Pop up Flash Diffuser [Gary Fong's please. :P]
4. Deviant Art Subsciption. [Even if it's just for 3 months.]
5. Surprise me.

After Halloween, I sense it get colder and I tend to mellow down. I look back on the events of the past year often and reflect. After all, I hope to learn from the lessons I had this year and have a better year next year. I also notice that this is the time of the year that the real friends come out to play. [Hi, guys.] It's been somewhat of a tradition that I see these people on this final quarter, hence, I have a year of stories to tell them and vice versa.

Anyway, just giving you guys a preview of what I do after Halloween. So how are you guys wrapping up this year?

Welcome, Dimitri

Well, this is it. The biggest addition to my family of gadgets, my own DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) . I have given it the name: Dimitri.

As of today, I am a proud owner of a Nikon D3100. I am very much excited about this since it took a lot of saving up for. As I have said in previous posts, I like working towards a goal. This also has been one of the things I have been hoping for for quite some time now. This also would serve as my 23rd Birthday give to myself. [Yay for birthday!]

Anyway, I would first want to thank Techmania for delivering my new baby. I actually contacted them last Tuesday regarding the D3100 package they had on their site which by the way boasts of very affordable prices. I sent them a text message and they were immediately able to to give me a scheduled time of stock arrival. They are easy to talk to and very professional. They informed me that there was a change in price, though that was a bit of a bummer, I am thankful that they were straight forward and informed me ahead of time.

Ever since I started shopping online, I always opt for the meet up option cause in any case it gives me a chance to inspect the product in front of the seller or a representative. We set up the meeting today and though the delivery was a tad bit late, I was able to get it within an hour of the proposed meeting time. It was forgivable since I was kept posted through text anyway.

So, if any of you guys are looking into getting a gadget, I'd like to recommend Techmania and you can check them out at: http://techmania.multiply.com/ They sell all kinds of gadgets and not just cameras.

Anyway, here's the first shot I took with Dimitri:

Done in Full Manual.

When I started to inspect the package, I was delighted to see familiar controls and functions. I also am very glad I still have the basics in me, so much so that the first shot didn't turn out bad at all. I think this is very much a good sign.

With the recent calamity in Thailand, I was expecting that it would take some time for me to get Dimitri. I am very happy I got him much sooner.

Watch out world, I am armed and ready to shoot.

One 2 3

So, I just recently got older and just before my birth month ends, I think it's rather appropriate to share something I am thankful for.

One:  For one year of blessing. The biggest of which is my new company and the great new people I am now working with. [God really knows how to turn things around] I am really thankful that my transition to this new chapter has been smoother than I could ever hope for. I am very happy to report that I am no longer losing sleep and no longer fatigued [with activities that isn't my choice I mean]. I loving that my work and life are coming together in one good balance.

My New deviantID

2: For the travel opportunities. Oh, the places I've been and the people I've seen. I am really happy for all the exposure I'm getting. I'm glad for the people that are just as interested in discovering new places as I am. I am happy to experience first hand the hospitality this country is known for. Moreover, I love the fact that I've began surfing [again]! I am looking forward to more adventures.

3: For things to learn and hope for. One of the things I am proud of is being able to say that I am learning each and everyday. I am glad that there are things that I am working toward and hoping for. I am looking forward to more of this in the future. After all, all things seem to be sweeter if you deserve it. [And by that I mean, you've worked for something and reached it]

So, still on my 23rd year alive, I am grateful.

Mountain Girl Loves the Water

So part of my 2011 itinerary is to travel and the indeed has come to fruition. It's funny though that most of the places I've been to so far involve the sea or water in general. [It was raining cats and dogs in Baguio when I was there.]

I love the ocean. I grew up in the mountains but I love the ocean. Let me tell you that I'm not even a great swimmer. [I'm not floater either. I'm a sinker.] Though that most of the time I am out in the water, I am aware that it might be the death of me. Let's just say I am living on the edge.

Canyon Cove, Batangas

[It was the amazing race, the kayaking and the people]

San Juan, La Union 

[It was getting back on a surf board, the rest, old and new friends.]

 

Balai Isabel, Batangas 

[It was games, the cheer and the new teammates.]

  

Anilao, Batangas 

[It was the Chica reunion, the storm, the drive, beach bumming and book reading]

  

Oh well, I loved every trip I've taken so far and looking forward to more. Where have you been lately? And where should I go next?

ExStream

It's been awhile since I've last written a post. Which is rather sad since I keep telling myself to write more when  I have the time. [Which I'm happy to report that with recent developments, time for myself is a happy side effect.]

Anyhow,  I think it's always a good idea to start with a grateful post. Hence, Thank you, Team. 

As some of you may know, I've decided to move forward with my life and my career. Let me share that this was not an easy step to take. It took a lot of talking it out, self examination and consultations, but by June, upon hitting my first year in my previous company. [Yeap, read it again if you got to] There were a lot of things that convinced me that it's time to move on and that this change would be for the better. 

I learned a lot that's for sure; from hitting targets to coordinating between different departments in that function in different time zones. [Bonus is getting paid to be a Grammar Nazi] I am certainly grateful for the skills I've acquired but more than that I am grateful for the people that I've met and worked with. I am especially grateful to my Team. It is in this team where the saying, "It's the people you have and not what you have that spells  success", comes alive. 

So for all the late nights in the office, the skipped lunches, the really late lunches, for the rides home together, for the post queue ranting sessions and for life coaching sessions, Thank you, CompetiTEAM.

Science Stumbled on Something

Go with your heart, buddy. Our brains only screw things up.

-Chuck Bartowski, Chuck(2007)

I had the past couple of days off from work. I really needed that since I've been on split offs for a long time. Anyway, my original plans to see my dad didn't really push through. [Yes, I am still bummed out about it] Though, Arckham and I made up for it by having a movie date which we haven't done in awhile.

In addition, I had some me time and I did a lot of reading and catching up with people I care about. And I'd like to share something I came across when I was going through my blogroll:

...a health reporter, I see so many studies of the causes and symptoms of work stress. So it was refreshing to see a study about the converse: what makes workers happy.
Focusing on social workers, a profession known for its high attrition, stress and burnout, John Graham, Ph.D., a professor of social work at the University of Calgary and his then doctoral student Micheal Shier, now at the University of Pennsylvania sent a survey out to 2,500 registered social workers in Alberta, Canada.  Seven hundred people responded.

From that group they took 13 people who scored the highest in nine areas of happiness and then followed them closely through in-depth interviews about their lives at home, at work and through shadowing them at work. Here’s what he found made them happy:
1. Flexible work schedules. The workers had the ability to provide “selfcare” by having the flexibility to manage their personal lives. A flexible schedule helped them to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
2. A strong sense of engagement in their work. The researcher found that was because of behind-the-scenes support the employees received from their bosses and employers. This support included flex schedules as well as the availability of superiors to consult with and bounce issues off of.
3. A feeling of being appreciated and valued, which often stemmed from their being included in organizational decision-making.
4. Having a high degree of freedom built into their jobs, meaning that they wanted the ability to try new things and expand out of their immediate area.
5. A pleasant physical workspace and good relationships with clients and colleagues.
6. Having a diversity of responsibilities, which might include training or teaching others, research, and policy development work.
7. Having a mentor to talk about their life, career decisions and their day-to-day job.

Graham and Shier are currently researching whether these factors make other types of workers happy as well, but the hunch is that these attributes would be important to all workers. What improves your sense of well being at work?

Thank you for this, theminordetail.

One of my goals is to be happy [I believe that goal should be fairly common.] and I spend time looking into it that I am headed in the right direction. This study gave me a lot to think about after all I think science is on to something here.

Well, it's the start of the week. Game on.

New Breathing Space

One of the things I am very particular about is the space I move around in. I like the concept of owning my space derived from the popular concept "of making it your own". [Yes, I am a bit territorial: RAWR!]

I bought my first piece of furniture yesterday. It's a basic computer table.It is very cheap yet sturdy. [If you are wondering where I got it, it's from CDR King Starmall.] Arckham and I assembled it on the wee hours of Sunday. [We first finished marathoning The Big Bang Theory's Season 3 :P]

Assembling was a little bit tricky, since there was this piece that had the wrong screws. We needed wood screws but the one that came with it were flat ones. We got creative with it and used the screw drivers we had to create the slots so the flat screws would slide into it.

By 5 AM, we already had it standing on four wheels.

Yes, I don't really have a PC. I basically will be using the keyboard slot of the table to keep Pierre [my laptop]. Then using the desk space as basically a regular work desk. I can always pull out the laptop when I need it. 

That evening, I started working on rearranging my part of the room to accommodate the new computer table. I had previously bought some boxes for storage since one of my cabinets are slowly reaching it's capacity. It was rather cheap, I got them from St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong. One can even double as a chair [but I'm mainly going to use it as a foot rest]. 

Then, I also started working on the wall. My main passion in life is music. So much so that it makes me sad that I'm not much of a music geek anymore. [I plan to get back into that soon.] I have always found comfort in the so called universal language and I wanted that to come through in my little corner of the world. So, I worked on revamping the wall as well.

The wall stickers are also from CDR King. They really are coming up with great stuff just need a little more creativity to not come out generic, but they basically give you great key elements to work with. 

 

Safe to say that was one productive day, there are still a few things that I am still hunting down: chair, shoe rack, cork board, mirror and a lamp. Any suggestions where I should go? [Note that I have a rather tight budget.]

Anyway, I will be sure to update you guys on how this new space will turn out.