Sweet Serenity

As I’ve mentioned, we are going to have a long weekend next week. Sweet.

Every time we mention to our offshore counterparts at work that we are on holiday, they’d always complain and ask why we always have non working holidays? I really can’t think of a very sensible answer but I know for sure that we are not the only country in the world that has a holiday almost every month.

It’s going to be a holiday on Monday for them so they better not feel sorry for themselves. Labor day on Monday so they get to have a long weekend too. Us will be off by Thursday and Friday. Oopps we still win – two days break. Heheh. But maybe if they’ll grab these Branson vacation packages this weekend, I’m sure they will complain no more.

I’m so broke these days I really don’t know where to spend or what to do next weekend. Well, my favourite telenovelas always come in handy. Just too bad, I’m getting heavier each day just sitting and staring at the monitor. Tsk.

My paternal grandmother died at the ripe age of 86 some years ago. I had lots of memories with her as compared to my maternal grandmother. She always visited in Cebu then so she got to spend more time with her grandkids.

There used to be a ‘lomboy’ tree at our backyard before (the place has now become a supermarket). She’d always ask me to pick some of the leaves and let it dry. She’d wrap some tobaccos with these leaves and make it her own version of cigars that she can’t live without. She’d always carry around a plastic container (used ice cream container) full of her homemade sticks. She’d enjoy her ‘lomboy’ sticks and I would enjoy my ‘lomboy’ fruit. It looks like a grape but it tastes bittery sour. Can’t describe. The last time I saw this fruit was when I went to Bogo last 2002?

I just got a message from a friend in Spain. They just got back from a vacation. She and her family are going on another trip again this weekend. She said they’re just enjoying the last days of summer. Soon enough, it will be cold again at their side of the planet.

Another friend told me that she just got back from a long vacation too. And now that she’s back to reality, first things first and that is to find an rv insurance quote for her newly acquired vehicle. Good for her! She too can enjoy the last days of summer.

Me? Rainy season is here but we still enjoy summer every now and then. That’s what is living in a tropical country.

So, I pray much that next weekend would be a sunny one – got a long weekend to enjoy!

Getting anywhere in the city is not a problem here. You could just hail a cab or ride in public utility jeepneys. Of course it would be comfortable if you get to ride in your own vehicle. No stop overs and no possible annoying other passengers, if you know what I mean.

In some places, like in Michigan, where some of my former colleagues now live, having a vehicle is somewhat a necessity. I know there are cabs but they aren’t visible in the roads anytime. I think you have to call the cab company first if you want their service. So, aside from the usual apartment, utility bills, among others, auto insurance is one of the things they always consider in their monthly stipends. I wonder how much it would cost my friend knowing that he owns two cars.

I love road trips but not driving. I don’t think I will ever be a driver. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy the jeepney rides and occasional taxicab rides that I can afford. And I don’t like trains by the way. I get dizzy. So yeah, hail to our jeepneys. Lol!

According to an old song, honesty is such a lonely word. Well, i’m not pretty sure on what context. Maybe on the love context.

Seriously, maybe it’s really difficult to be honest but i think i’ve seen a couple of things that proves honesty.

When i was in Michigan last time i was amused by some of the supermarket/grocery counters. If i’m not mistaken, i think if you have a credit/debit card from their store, you don’t need to queue at the cashier to pay for your items. You just have to go to a particular counter where you can personally tap your items in the barcode scanner and then swipe your card to the machine for your payment. Neat right? I see a great deal of honesty in that style.

I didn’t know that such a store also exists here. Only that we don’t have the machine. There’s a store somewhere in the North (Vigan) called Honesty, or something like that. (By the way, Vigan is included in my must-see-places-list.) It’s just a mini store and all items inside are just labelled manually. It follows that you do your own math if you buy two or more items. And then you only have to drop your money in a jar for your payment. And you need to have the exact amount otherwise you can’t have or get your change. Isn’t that even more challenging? Hmnn….

Maybe life is really difficult these days. Or are we just that hardworking and initiative?

At the office, one may not need to go shopping or buy groceries at the malls or supermarkets anymore. It’s almost everyone has something to trade and sell. It’s like an open market. But of course, it has to be discreet as it is not allowed inside the company premise.

Feeling like on the verge of having coughs and colds? Load up with vitamin C and an IT guy will deliver it to you. Need some energy boost? I only have to tell the lady sitting at the next row as she has lots of chocolates for you. No more mobile phone loads? Worry not, you can still make that much needed call - some folks are selling cellular phone loads of whatever network. No time to shop but needs to upgrade your set of wardrobe? Chill, a couple of ladies are selling bags and dresses and even shoes and slippers.

What I’m seeing is giving me an idea. Maybe it’s good if I start selling too. This wholesale apparel thing is getting my interest. I sure will have lots of customers around. Problem is i’m no good in selling and advertising.

Oh make up and other beauty arsenals? My sister is selling it and I’m like the courier. Lol!

Oh yeah, sometimes, you can buy mangoes, shrimps and other specialties and delicacies. Plan to have a party? Pastas and pastries are just a call or email away. You can even order meals. Whew! See, you really don’t have to worry if you don’t have time to shop. Heheh.

Geez! My back, hips and arms are still sore. I’m in pain since last Sunday. Why?

I bought a second hand collapsible pool. I got this kiddie plastic swimming pool from a coworker who will be migrating to Australia soon. I bought it because I knew my nephews and nieces will like it. We don’t have much space at our front yard but the pool was just enough for the available space.

I wasn’t planning to use not until summer of next year. Heheh. It’s rainy season and I don’t want the kids to get sick out of it. But last Sunday, early morning, my aunt noticed the plastic bag lying at the side of our house. She thought it was some kind of trash I needed to throw away. I said no, it’s a pool. She said I should open it and get the kids. Ok, so I brought the plastic pool out and started pumping. Shoot! There were two layers of plastics to pump. I was like manning the pump for an hour or so. And it’s as if not tiring enough, I had to fetch pails of water. The water hose didn’t fit to the water faucet. Well, it wasn’t a Hansgrohe faucet to boot but I could not find a way to make use of the hose. Left with no choice, I had to carry pails of water until the pool had enough water. My older and bigger nieces helped but most of the work was mine. To note that I haven’t sleep yet at that time, imagine my look. It was around 9:00am when I went down. I was awake because I was busy doing stuff on my pc. I finally got to sleep at almost 12 noon with a worn out body.

But when I saw the smiles and heard the giggles of the kids, my efforts were all worth it. Every neighbor who passed by would have to look at them because they’re screaming with fun.

Now, it was my mother who was all pissed off because nobody kept the pool back to its storage after it dried. Hahah!

It was during one of our company Christmas parties when i first had a major attack of hyperacidity. I guess it happened after gulping a bottle of iced tea with an empty stomach. The food and accommodation of the party was really poor. Well, it never happened that we had a super duper great party! So anyway, back to the story - when i started feeling uncomfortable, i went to the two nurses and told them about my situation. They said, maybe i just find the place too crowded and the cigarette smoke was causing it. One of the nurses took my hand and put her thumb on my wrist and counted my pulse. For a moment i got confused of what she was doing. But maybe that was just part of the protocol. And i thought they could have brought a pulse oximeter to be sure and not manually count. She said my pulse rate is normal. She gave me some antacid but i felt worst. I decided to go outside the party venue to breath some fresh air. I still don’t feel good i left my friends and head home. That was the party i remember not enjoying so much. Take note, i only had four pictures in that event! Huh!

Last Christmas party? I’m not sure, i think the company did not include the clinic staff because of budget constraints, so i’ve heard. They better not hold any party at all if they don’t intend to invite all of its employees, regardless if he’s a contractual or outsourced or regular employee.

Not two lovers unfortunately. Unfortunately? It’s as if i’m saying it is fortunate to be torn between. Haha!

It’s the brat and my cute laptop that i’m talking about. I have a 15-month old nephew who is just so naughty. Call him and he’d never listen to you. But when i’m all seated and ready to play with my cute computer, he’d run and embrace you like crazy. Only because he’d want to play with the computer too! Waahhh no! He’s playing like he’s just pressing some kind of lousy toys. I could only sigh everytime i hear the pounding sound of his tiny hands on the keyboard. If i’d let him do it everyday, let me guess, my sweet pink gadget won’t last until December.

So either i quit tinkering the computer myself or play some cartoon movies for him to stop. Haayy. And he’s barely 2 years old!

I chanced upon this cool site about designer ties and some other wedding stuff. No, i’m not getting married. Just that i realized i kept on looking at online wedding photo albums lately. Why so?

This year is definitely a wedding boom for most of my peers. Let’s do a run down as of today.

Three classmates in elementary got married. I was invited by the three of them but i was able to attend to one event only. I missed the two weddings because i was sick and i have other matters to attend to.

Six of my coworkers tied the knot. I got two invitations and i attended both weddings. I am not close to the other four officemates, i did not expect to be invited anyway.

One of my former teammates got married too and i was invited but i was not able to attend to. By the way, the same wedding date as to one of my elementary classmates.

And i just learned that a former officemate from some years ago got married sometime last June.

Still five months to go before the year ends, are their more invitations?

Oh no! Will i be the last woman standing? Shoots!