waiting for the cuckoo...then it's off to school we go!

waiting for the cuckoo...then it's off to school we go!

The 3 Kings in My Life

Here's a shot taken after the school's sportsfest last Feb. 23. At Greenwich while Kyle, Matt and Jerry were trying out some Nachoritos...

Piece of good news! My boss was given the first crack at Rev's Altis. I blogged before that Rev was resigning and his last day with the company was last Feb. 21. Rev opted not to buy the car. That means anyobody entitled to the company car plan may opt to get it. I already wrote Ditas and signified my interest just to open up an alternative while the next batch of availees is awaiting final approval of the 2nd round of car plan availment. Ditas informed yesterday that they were offering the car to my boss first.



Just a few minutes ago, my boss called to tell me he is recommending me to get it. He and his wife decided to get an AUV instead. It's time to make a final decision now. If I do get it, the company ships the car to me right away. But as to the unused employee's equity, that I will have to consider. Do I pay it upfront? That's P178K. Do I go for salaray deduction (48 months)? That added to the monthly amortization of about P4k is not going to give my payslip a nice picture. :)



To apply the proceeds from the sale of my Lancer (if I sell it) seems to be the most logical move now. Any other advice out there?

Just taking a short break from work. Doing a lot of reconciliations lately... bank recon, inventory recon, AR, SOA, Glat agency fee payments... It's going to be a long day. Productive, I hope.

I'm back from a 4-day work respite. Feb. 24 was Cebu Charter Day (66th anniversary) and yesterday Feb. 25 was EDSA anniversary. Spent most of my break reviewing with Kyle for his 4th grading exams scheduled on March 3-5. His class level is having the tests a week early to prepare for graduation. *Elated*. Yes, my youngest is graduating from Kinder 2. So far his academic performance has been excellent, just like his elder brother Matt. *Ahem*. Took after me.



So part of my time too was spent looking for that new blog lay-out. My old one was getting too cluttered for me. I literally stayed up until the wee hours and scoured the web for that particular look. I have my eyebags as witnesses. Well, I found one but I had to learn a few HTML sfuff to tweak the template a bit. I don't know. Does it look okay?



Uh... I have no space for my taggie so just feel free to leave your comments...Hihi...

(I got this from Amabel through email and I found it very relevant so I am posting this for everyone...)





As most of us know there is a chance that USA may be going to war very soon. Many of you may or may not know that in scripture, the number 3 represents the Holy Trinity.... Well, someone was thinking of calling for a day of prayer and fasting for our country...





When you may ask? March 3, 2003. In simple terms it would be 03-03-03.





Wouldn't it be great if all the Christians in the world or at least in our country would stop what they are doing and pray on the same day...





We could make 03-03-03 God's Day... He was there for all of us, that day on the cross... Faith is the door way that all miracles come through, but prayer is the key that unlocks the door ....

(I got this from Amabel through email and I found it very relevant so I am posting this for everyone...)





As most of us know there is a chance that USA may be going to war very soon. Many of you may or may not know that in scripture, the number 3 represents the Holy Trinity.... Well, someone was thinking of calling for a day of prayer and fasting for our country...





When you may ask? March 3, 2003. In simple terms it would be 03-03-03.





Wouldn't it be great if all the Christians in the world or at least in our country would stop what they are doing and pray on the same day...





We could make 03-03-03 God's Day... He was there for all of us, that day on the cross... Faith is the door way that all miracles come through, but prayer is the key that unlocks the door ....

test

I knew this Google-Blogger tie-up would cause server problems...especially with the surge of new blogger accounts. Yesterday I thought my blog was a goner after numerous failed attempts to access the page. Just to appease myself and to find out if this wasn't an isolated problem, I tried checking out other blogspot accounts from my sister's links (my sister's blog was miraculously spared from the google-blogger bug or whatever it was). Horror of horrors! Others were affected too! As to how long the problem would have existed, I wouldn't know because thanks to my techie bro, he was able to get it up and running in no time.



Nuni, tenkyu-tenkyu!

6 Good Reasons to be Grateful Everyday

Click Images to View Larger Picture

Romancing the Nokia 7650



It's been five days, yet I haven't seen the rest of what this model could do. So far, aside from the obvious digicam that comes with it, it is a nifty little voice recorder too! Found out that it could record 1 minute of voice memo. A feature not being played up like the digicam. The good part is--- you could use the voice record as a ringtone or a message alert. Cute huh! It's pretty much better than the Sony and Panasonic cell phones that I used to own. With the latter two, my ringer and message alert never failed to call the attention of those who were 'lucky' enough to hear them. Now with my Nokia, I have polyphonic ringtones as well as my hubby and my kids' talking and singing voices to choose from.



"Ma, can I play playstation?....................Please?" goes my sms alert. And that makes my 7650 different from all the rest.

I just have a few minutes to blog and so here is my This or That...



This or That - Potpourri



1. Black or white? Black for clothes (for a slimmer silhouette)

2. Plaid or stripes? Stripes

3. Paperback or hardcover books? Paperback is fine.

4. Color or B&W printer? Color printer

5. Golden oldies or the newest tunes? Golden oldies especially the '80s

6. Ice cream: in a cone or a dish? Ice cream in sugar cone

7. Bath or shower? Shower

8. Are you outgoing or shy? More shy than outgoing

9. Answer the phone when it rings, or screen calls? Answer call more aften

10. VCR or TiVO? What is a TiVO? :D



@--->--- Linnor

Google buys Blogger? Hmmm....Is this good or bad?

Lately I've been scolding myself for having my priorities mixed-up. I've been spending more of my time online (blogging and reading other blogs among other things). *ponders* Is it really that bad? To me, it is, since I don't supervise my kids' lessons anymore than I used to.



It's Sunday, as I try to make up for the days I missed tutoring them, I go over Matt and Kyle's lessons. And looking at Kyle's notes, I cringe... At Kinder 2 they are already studying FRACTIONS!

Priceless or FREE?



For Valentine's day, I was telling Jerry not to buy me any of those floral arrangements or regulatory valentine chocolates, stuffed toys, cologne or jewelry etc. I was never big on those things even before. However, not sounding so much like a party pooper, I gave him clues on items in my WISH LIST. When we go to the mall or when something catches my fancy in glossy magazines or the tv, I make sure I tell him I would love "one of those"...



So being the generous and loving hubby that he is....he signed a two-year contract (for our two cellular accounts but without any upgrade in plans) and got me a F-R-E-E Nokia 7650. No kidding! A free top-of-the-line cellular phone! My sister would give anything for this. If that isn't really clever, I don't know what is...



And to show how much I appreciated the gesture...and the gift....

(photo taken using the new 7650)

Mammogram



I have been distracted these past couple of days. Last Thursday was my scheduled mammography and the days leading to it were full of anxiety. A lot of thoughts crept up on me and these weren't good. I guess it's just a normal reaction for somebody who is about to find out whether or not there's something seriously wrong, physically.



Well, as we have been doing daily, we passed by the church last Thursday to say our gratitude prayers, to intercede for loved ones and to request for special favors. One of mine was for the mammography test to yield good results.



By 830am, I was ready. The lady specialist asked me questions for their medical records. Things like present age, menarche (age at the time of 1st menstruation), last mens, any prior surgery, any big C history in the family and why I was having the test. Then she checked me for breast lumps first on my right then on my left. At that point, I fully submitted myself to any possibility. A few minutes after, I was led to the machine. It was some sort of an xray machine specially made for breasts. She took two shots of each side. While I stood, she pressed one breast (at a time) in between some kind of a flat transparent plastic and the steel plate containing the film. It didn't hurt,contrary to what others say about this test. The lady took the films and checked whether she took good shots. Thinking that these were ok for interpretation she told me the test was over but the results were to come out at 430pm. Ugh!...The agony of waiting...



I wanted to be at the hospital to claim the results myself but was caught up in some office work I couldn't get myself out of. I wasn't even able to reply to Jerry's message asking me if I was ready or wanted to be picked up. I guess he wanted to spare me from any additional pressure so he took it upon himself to claim the test result. While meeting with Ann for the bank recon, I got a text message from Jerry saying UR RESULT S OK. NO FINDING :) THNK GOD! ILY



That was the best text message I have ever received!

This or That



1. Bacon or sausage? Crispy bacon

2. Eggs: scrambled or not? Not

3. French toast or regular toast? French toast but I'm more of a rice person

4. Pancakes or waffles? Pancakes

5. Mufins or bagels? Muffins

6. Coffee or tea? Coffee

7. Juice: orange or grapefruit? Orange

8. Hot or cold cereal? I don't eat cereal.

9. To put in cereal: bananas or strawberries (or some other fruit)? None

10. Eat breakfast at home or at a restaurant? At home



For our family, regular breakfast consists of leftover ulam the night before, one or two breakfast item/s (bacon, sardines, corned beef, meetloaf, or hotdog), some bread, occasional fruit (mango, cantaloupe or banana) and RICE of course! :)

Hello blog readers! I 'm trying to squeeze some blogging time now at work (10 minutes from logoff). Our budget is for revision but we have until Feb19 to finish it. I just submitted a while ago the FS to our director complete with footnotes so that he will be able to discuss our group's performance during next week's meeting at head office. So far, revenues are ok and if the upswing continues, might be able to hit 2003 targets.



Work is bearable (though at times I make it appear otherwise). I feel now is a good time to revise some templates for use up to end of 2003. So that's what keeps me busy these days. It's quite difficult to make a universal file with sheets linked together since it makes the file really huge. Hmmm. Trying to figure out how to streamline my reports without sacrificing the content. Anyway....



Still about work, two colleagues of mine are resigning from the company. Del and family are moving to Australia while Rev is transferring to another telecom player. Aw, we are losing the good ones. As for our group in Visayas...we had our share of movements too. Last year, 2 were booted out for dishonesty (involving money) and 1 migrated to Canada. This year 1 station head is resigning (reasons unclear but I heard it's something personal). As for me, my mindset right now is to stay. I heard the Company is trying to speed up the CBA negotiations so the next batch of managers (me included) could avail of the 2nd round of car plans. What to get? Altis? Civic? (I could imagine Matthew saying: Ma! You're staying for another 5 years? AARGH!!!)



@--->--- Linnor

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. May Our Lady of Lourdes intercede for us in our prayers to God.



Prayers to Our Lady of Lourdes



O God, by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, You prepared a worthy dwelling for Your Son; grant, we humbly pray, that celebrating the Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes, we may obtain health of soul and body. This we ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.



Our Father – Hail Mary – Glory be to the Father.



@--->--- Linnor



The story of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin to St. Bernadette in Lourdes, France can be found here.

Vacation's almost over for Steve, Eya and Jaymes who are about to fly back to Australia. Eya and Jaymes arrived ahead last Jan 15 and Steve flew in just last Sunday. We were hoping that we would be able to spend more time with them, the kids especially. I guess there are just too many plans and they have to fit in everybody's invitation into their own sched and itinerary. It would have been good to have spent the weekend with them at the beach but we had to make do with lunch buffet yesterday courtesy of Any at the Grand Convention (all you can eat Peking duck and other Chinese fare for only P250).



Today was a slow day. Slow in a nice way. Since Jerry had to show around his Japanese guests (inspection of venues for the coming Jaycee Aspac Convention in May), the kids and I stayed the whole day at home. It was a choice between going to the mall after lunch and staying home to watch the Buzz (hehehe). I chose the latter. Kidding aside, the kids and I met with Jerry at the club for the mass. Then, without Jerry who stayed with his guests, we went straight home to have lunch. By 130pm, the three of us were in bed for a nap. When the kids were up, they were raiding the ref for some munchies and I thought, uh-oh, the househelps are on day off and I didn't feel like going out for snacks. What do I serve them? Ok, there's cake and some chips but the kids were more eager to have temaki! We were having it a few times already since Jerry got back from Japan about two weeks ago. And we did have the ingredients except for the fresh mango. But because of my cravings as well, I made 2 each for the 3 of us. Mmm-mmmmm!!!....

March 3, 2003



(I got this from Amabel through email and I found it very relevant so I am posting this for everyone...)



As most of us know there is a chance that USA may be going to war very soon. Many of you may or may not know that in scripture, the number 3 represents the Holy Trinity.... Well, someone was thinking of calling for a day of prayer and fasting for our country...



When you may ask? March 3, 2003. In simple terms it would be 03-03-03.



Wouldn't it be great if all the Christians in the world or at least in our country would stop what they are doing and pray on the same day...



We could make 03-03-03 God's Day... He was there for all of us, that day on the cross... Faith is the door way that all miracles come through, but prayer is the key that unlocks the door ....



@--->--- Linnor

High Tech Boon or Bane?



I head the Visayas region. I have seven assistants directly reporting to me whom I assigned to do specific tasks. They are very efficient and like clockwork, are able to prepare prompt and accurate (well almost) reports for my review. We work as a team. They render OT work when necessary. With their help, I am able come up with financial reports useful to the Company. All this is because everyone in our department is computer literate.



To communicate with my family, friends, and colleagues at work, I use the telephone, cellphone, email (especially this one because it's free), sms, fax, blog, tagboard and Yahoo IM. To organize our schedules, financial and personal data, Jerry and I use the computer and PDA and completely junked our paper organizers. I check my account balances by viewing the bank statements online. I transfer funds online as well to avoid the long queue especially during payday. I pay some of our utilities through credit card and by phone to save on precious time and gas in the process. If I need to work on our company's financial reports on weekends to meet deadlines, I don't have to drive myself to the office (though it's only 15 minutes away), I just hook up to the server using my computer.



Gee.... isn't it just amazing how in this electronic age we have all these gadgets that are supposed to make work faster and life a lot easier, yet, we still seem to be rushing and in need of MORE time?...



@-->---Linnor

Added two new links to our Other Sites...



@--->--- Linnor

Talked to my sis this morning and chided her for not leaving any tags on my board or comments and that maybe she wasn't visiting anymore (somewhat pa-cute, though i can see her drop by through my site meter). I kidded her by saying: Di ka maka-relate no? Wala kasing angst?



Anyway... I just felt like posting this, that's all... Here's to you May--- :P



@--->--- Linnor

Kong Hei Fat Choi !!!

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

It's the year of the goat!!!



@--->--- Linnor



(some useful sites about the Chinese New Year can be found here and here and here)