Penny Pinching at the Podium

Podium

Originally uploaded by gratitude.

At Podium, after one quick survey of the area, I thought we were in for some serious spending if we were to have lunch or coffee there, a far cry from the affordable malls in Cebu. The expensive shops were intimidating at a glance and it didn't help that the people milling on a weekday were mostly high-salaried professionals working in nearby offices.

As we were already there, we decided to have our lunch before proceeding to the office. I was expecting to spend big bucks in that snotty part of the metro. We were at Podium and that was my natural instinct. Off we went to have Japanese food at Kitaro where we had our individual bento. I had chicken teriyaki while Jerry had beef teriyaki. We didn't get sodas and just had water. Total amount spent P220. Not baaad!

Next stop was Figaro for coffee. On our way, we passed by Mary Grace' stall for a pack of lemon squares. It cost us P80. Then going down one level, we stopped at Figaro for brewed coffee. P110 for 2 cups.

Time seemed to slow down as we didn't feel the need to hurry. We sat there, munched on the best-tasting lemon squares I've ever had, sipped our coffee and ogled the people going down the escalator that was a few meters from where we were sitting.

The thought that Podium was for the snotty mall rat or the pretentious shopper soon faded... I came to realize that not everything came with an expensive price tag in this first-class shopping mall. In fact, we were pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed a filling Japanese meal, generous cuts of pastry dessert and aromatic cups of brewed coffee, all for P410. Not bad at all...

Parking fee is a completely different story though.




My chicken teriyaki on the right and Jerry's beef teriyaki on the left


The best tasting lemon squares I've ever had...


Figaro brewed coffee...

Flickr Blogging

Webcam-ing and talking to Junnie and Mitzi

Originally uploaded by gratitude.

It’s a holiday today here in Cebu as we are celebrating the city’s charter day. And for lack of anything worthwhile to do, I explored Flickr a bit to test its other capabilities.

If this picture comes out ok without spilling on to the sidebar, then expect me to be doing some of my Wordpress entries from Flickr.

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When I started this blog, my intention was and still is to put words to describe and capture family moments, mostly. However, there are times that I feel I need to veer away from my usual mommy posts and this is one of them.

As Makati, EDSA, Ortigas and other places in Manila get all tensed and worried about the foiled coup on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution and speculating at what's going to happen next, people in Cebu are just (perhaps happily) going about our usual business.

No, I'm not saying that we have become apathetic to the plights of the nation. We are just as frustrated as most thinking about how life could be better and more bearable for everyone.

However, what I'm saying is this, Manila and everything else that happens to it do not always translate to the whole country. Some people (in and out of government/military) think that they are messiahs out to save the country. If there are disgruntled elements (in Manila) who think that staging a coup is the only way to make changes, let it be known that it is not the sentiment of the nation.

Come on, you coup plotters and cohorts, you have done more harm than good. Look beyond what is in Manila and see that you do not have the support of the majority. Our country is made up of 7,100+ islands and Manila is not the Philippines.

Driving Lessons

1. "Here's the ignition, son...."
2. "Now take me for a spin..."
3. "See yah later, Ma!"
4. "Fasten your seatbelt. We're off."
5. "Now to negotiate this curve..."
6. "Whew, I hope I'm not late for my barber."

Analyzing Jake

Jake is now at that age when he enjoys the company of playmates. However, seeing how he just grabs some toys or fakes a cry to get his way with his nanny or brothers, we feel that he needs to spend some time being with kids his age in order for him to polish on his socializing skills, if you could call it that. Bringing him to this pseudo-daycare slash pre-school is something we need to do to expose him to his age group. However, this comes with a price. We have to be creative without breaking the budget. After all, the exercise is supposed to be a learning activity and fun time for him.

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This afternoon, after spending just an hour of running, shooting hoops, riding cars, planes and wading in the swim ball at "My Playroom" in Ayala Center, Jake was hesitant to come out. He looked like he hasn't had enough and seemed like he could still spend a longer time there. Not even the sour cream flavored French fries, which I tried to bribe him with, worked. Haha!

It took a bit of force (hehehe) and sleight of hand tricks for him not to realize that he was quickly whisked out of his wonderland. At least that was what we thought.

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On our way to church to hear the anticipated Sunday mass, I thought of changing Jake's dirty shirt while in the car...

Me: Jake, let's change into a nice clean shirt, ok?
Jake: Nnn-o
Me: Why not???
Jake: NOT.

Bwahahaha! Such a wisecrack from Jake who's only 1 year and 11 months...

Highlights of the Past Week

1. Cebu team flying all together to Manila for a 2-day workshop. Jerry and I were more like surrogate parents than anything to 2 of our new employees. For these young men, it was a first time to see Manila, and a first time to fly in an airplane. :D


2. Enriching workshop at the Astoria plaza, great learnings, impressive participation by everyone. Jerry was the first of the speakers, and discussed about Level 5 Leadership. All eyes and ears were on him for at least 20 minutes.


3. Glasses of red wine, Cosmopolitan and bottles of beer at the Edsa Shangrila lobby. After the 1st day of the workshop, the CEO treated some executives and employees to a few rounds of drinks.


4. 20 counts for the Corporate Treasurer for being late (set-up by the CEO). After the workshop, everyone naturally applied most of the things that were discussed. Somehow, the idea of coming in on time was focused on. This officer was the 2nd to be penalized after the HRD Manager who came in late as well, obliged with a song. Hahah!


5. 10 counts for the President for being late (another set-up by the CEO). After staying up with the CEO, the Treasurer, and VP for Marketing the night before, the President thought the meeting was going to be moved 30 minutes later. Apparently, he thought wrong and got penalized for coming in last. :P


6. Productive Mancomm meeting at the Discovery Suites. Jerry discussed about his team's marketing plans for the year, the short-term and long-term brand building initiatives.


7. Yummy buffet lunch. We're a bunch of young cool technogeeks, I'd like to believe. Hehehe...


8. Surprise advance birthday dinner party for the CEO at the Phi, Metrowalk


9. PEZA ceremonial signing. Among other benefits, our company gets 4 years income tax holiday. Yey!


10. Lunch with Paparazzi, Mamarazzi, May, Rommel and Zia at the Sentro 1771 to celebrate new opportunities and blessings.


11. Dessert and coffee at Fuzion, the only place where you could kick back and sip coffee or share a dessert. Yummm...


RANDOM SHOTS




Other important events not pictured but are equally important and worth mentioning as well are...

1. Special screening for employees of the all-Filipino animators' full-length cartoon movie, Hoodwinked at the Shangrila Cinema
2. Free popcorn and drinks to all employees
3. Jerry's ceremonial signing (the ultimate highlight!)
4. Shopping for 3 tops for Mamarazzi... feeling generous hehehe...
5. Dinner at Kitaro at the Podium
6. Coffee at Figaro Las Pinas


So... there... HAPPY HEARTS' DAY EVERYONE!!!

Work, Workshop, Shop

Shuttling between Cebu and Manila for the past 3 months has given me the chance to spend time with my maiden family. First it was in Dec. 19 for the corporate Christmas party, next was on Jan. 19 for the interview for our US visa application. Then this week, it's another trip back to Metro-polluted (heehee) Manila for a workshop and a big meeting.

Never mind the traffic jams that clog the metro just like the smog that clogs every pore in my skin, a free trip and a chance to spend time with loved ones are enough reasons for me to take it....

Weird Tag

At first, I was a bit hesitant to let everyone in on my quirks, but in the spirit of fun, heck, I'm still going to share some weird bits about myself... (Thanks to Analyse for the tag).

Weird Habit # 1
I wash dishes, I iron clothes, I sew, I cross-stitch, I could clean up the whole house spotlessly clean BUT I don't cook... at all. (yes, shame on me!)

Weird Habit # 2
A just recently developed habit of mine started in our new office. After doing my thing in the comfort room, I wash my hands, wipe them dry with a disposable paper towel and just before I toss it to the waste bin, I drop it on the floor, step on it and wipe the dirty spots on the floor. Then I get a few clean squares of toilet paper, use these to pick up the soiled one, and toss it away in the bin. (yup, OC!)

Weird Habit # 3
Coffee is not my "upper". Though I'm not much of a coffee-drinker, I think I've gotten immune to its effects. What keeps me awake then? Going online does. If Jerry doesn't go online at home, I do. Weird part is, I could go online for hours and not feel sleepy... not a wink... Now, I'm seriously contemplating on getting broadband connection at home. Hehehe...

Weird Habit # 4
If I'm not online, I can will myself to sleep... wherever, and whenever. Sleep is actually my friend. :D

Weird Habit # 5
Check out the way Jake was sitting in the pic above. I could do that too on both legs, and with ease!

Bonus Weird Fact
One more bit of weird fact I'm sharing with you (as if you cared to know, hehehe)... I've been to 4 countries outside of the Philippines but I haven't been to Boracay (aw pity!) and Baguio in my 30 +++ years!

Weird!