Day 320 Feb. 22, 2013

Pork Steak - grilled:

After having done the pasta, I now decided to thaw out the pork chops and have them grilled for dinner. I was unable to marinade them before cooking, as I was still tired from all the other chores I did today.

Still, I decided to massage each piece with minced garlic and some 'magic sarap' ingredients before grilling. Apparently, the kids liked it - though Bryce did say it was a bit bland to the taste - bu in my book, bland is healthy, and they could just add seasoning for taste. The only problem... and I don't know if I could have done something about it, was how tough the meat was. Damn tough, really. On the up side, we did get to eat our meals - it was only tough in the tendon area - the meat was eatable.

And, since Barbie was not around to eat the 5th piece with us (Ben was having dinner with us, and Bea did not come as we thought) I just told Bryce to half the last piece for the two dogs. It was funny to see how Bubbles was trying to eat her piece without dropping any portion - a task made harder by the fact that her mouth was much narrower than the piece given her.

Milestone check: I've got just 45 more days before this blog ends - after all, after my project 365, what else will I place here? And as I've been mentioning in the past, I may retire the idea of doing another project 365 after this. Not because I don't find it a nice thing to have... but maybe I'm just too close to the idea right now. After all, three years is probably too long a time to do one thing without losing interest.

Who knows? I just need to rest and not do this for a while, and I may find myself missing it after a month or three - then opt to do it again. Or... as I said, I might try a variation of the idea - still maintain a blog... most likely a separate one, and consider more than one picture in some days - or even skip some really boring day altogether, and just put in a brief text about it.

Day 319 Feb. 21, 2013

Spaghetti Al Tonno:

With Barbie off to Malaysia, it falls on me to be the cook of the family, and I did say I would make some spaghetti, so I did.

Presenting my first try at making Spaghetti Al Tonno. You see, it was usually Barbie who does this - the tuna version I normally make is tomato-based, while this is more olive oil-based. Both happen to be a healthier version to any meat-based sauce (not that I'm ready to stop eating meat-based sauce), and as I said, I'm up for the challenge of making something I didn't make yet, so... here it is. Based on my kids' reactions, it looks like I got it on the first try (and I credit my being attentive to when Barbie makes it, or when she explains making it). The only difference? I did not mix the pasta with the sauce - this is because  Ben may not be able to eat this sauce, so he can mix the spaghettata sauce I also prepared on the side.

Come to think of it, I think I'll also have the spaghettata instead. Not that I don't trust my own cooking, I just wanted to eat healthier.

Day 318 Feb. 20, 2013

Breakfast:

Day 2 of Application Testing School, and I got caught in traffic just when I was neat the Fort... that's life. And after almost two hours of driving, I just had to sit and relax with some breakfast. And going to McDonald's at he Piazza seemed the best option - it being the cheapest, closest breakfast area to Accenture in McKinley hill.

In this case, though I was really tempted to order a big breakfast type of meal, I just had an Egg McMuffin, with Coffee and a Hash Brown on the side. It's not as heavy as the big breakfast, but it gets the job done - I lost my hunger, and got to rest after that long drive. Now I'm ready to go to training. No rush there, since Tess is handling the morning part, but I don't want to stay out for long, after all, having eaten my breakfast, I need not spend for more - which I will definitely do, if I stay here.

Day 317 Feb. 19, 2013

Doggie Bag!

Okay, so it isn't really a doggie bag from the colloquial term, but it is a bag designed to look like a dog... complete with it's semi-floppy ears on the side.

This is obviously a Japanese cartoon inspired animated dog, and if it is a particularly known character, it's lost to me... after all, I'm not really a fan of anime.

But I do appreciate how it can stand out in a crowd - more so in a corporate crowd at that. After all, this bag is in Accenture... so I was slightly surprised, after all... you don't see these things often in this place. Definitely wanted to capture this moment, so I did.

Day 316 Feb. 18, 2013

Not dead... just dead tired:

This is how Buffy sleeps, with her stomach facing upside - a show of trust and comfort in dogs (so I'm told), and naturally - though not in this case, with eyes shut and under-bite showing.

When I took this picture, her eyes opened - giving that 'what the?' look, and for some reason, it gave me an image of a dragon waking from his slumber because of some disturbance. On the other hand, the picture itself... in it's entirety, looked foolish, and funny, that I laughed when I saw it. Yeah... Buffy, if you didn't know it, looked almost dead - giving that blank lifeless stare... though to be fair, it's not exactly a lifeless stare, as can be seen. Still, it was good for a laugh - and a picture for the day.

Day 315 Feb. 17, 2013

New though unexpected purchase:

I've probably mentioned this before, but let me reiterate it here - as it's connected with my title. I try to schedule my getting new comics around the month end. It allows me to just do 'one pass' to the shop and allows me to save up on trips. It also is timed with the fact that I can get new comics right around the time I get my pay.

Well, this week's haul is obviously unexpected - and unscheduled. It just so happens that I accompanied Barbie to Robinson's Galleria to shop around for a dress she'll be needing for her conference. So, while she was shopping, I decided to check into my favorite comic shop, and see what they have reserved for me. Since it wasn't that many, I decided to get them now... after all, I needed to read something while waiting for Bernice and Barbie to finish their search and shop.

What was I looking forward to reading in this batch? Hands down, Batman, New Avengers and the last Winter Soldier issue of Brubaker. The rest were nice reads as well... but it was these three issues I wanted to pour myself into and get lost in the experience.

Day 314 Feb. 16, 2013

Mandaluyong twilight:

As Barbie and I were leaving the EDSA Shangri La roof deck parking, I noticed how the sun was almost gone - in fact, it was below the horizon and only the glow remained.

Well, I knew this was a good subject for a photo, so I parked the car before exiting... looked for a nice place to prop my camera (to avoid any wobbly effects) and took a few shots of the horizon.

Barbie probably knew what I was up to because she did not even ask why I stopped. I guess, she already half expects me to whip up my camera at a moment's notice should I see something worth taking... and baby, this sight was really worth taking.

Day 313 Feb. 15, 2013

Afternoon talk:

I've been asked to share some knowledge to students of the Global Innovative College, and some student and faculty guests as well. It's all part of their Business Administration week, and apparently I've been asked ot talk on Leadership and Communication.

Lucky for me, these are two topics that I am well versed with - given my background in the Jaycees and Toastmasters. Nnot to mention, my years of experience in I/ACT and Fujitsu. So I can definitely be a resource speaker for these two topics. I also included, for good measure, a self assessment using the Myers-Briggs test. After all, if the students can understand who they are - and understand their companions, they can better communicate with them. I hope I met their expectations.

Day 312 Feb. 14, 2013

Leader's Window evening 2:

Yes, it's day - rather, night two of this workshop, and tiring as it may be to conduct this at the graveyard shift, I was able to basically sleep the entire morning and afternoon, so I feel rested and can handle things better than last night.

Of course, by the time 'after lunch' comes around, my participants' energy level starts dipping real fast, and even if they go through the process of conducting the activities, I can tell that some of them are zoning out. I guess it's because they are already tired from the demands of the week... then they have to attend this training. It's also not an isolated case, so I tend to be less strict at around this time.

Anyway, this training is about to wrap up. Then it'll be me hitting the sack for a well deserved rest - at least, until the evening. Meanwhile... yeah, Happy Valentine's.

Day 311 Feb. 13, 2013

Leadership in the evening:

This has got to be one of my longest days ever. I started out working by conducting the Red Cross training (day2) and just went home for a bath and dinner - then went to work for a training I have to facilitate from 9pm to 6am. So yeah... it's a hell of a long day for me.

I'm conducting the Leader's Window... a workshop I can do with my eyes closed, and can likewise truncate where I can. In fact, I can even shave off half a day if I really wanted to - without sacrificing any learning. It's not cheating if I deliver the end results... it's efficiency, if I get to deliver them in a shorter time frame. It will also allow me to have an hour or two extra to sleep. Lucky for me, I don't have any conducts in the morning. As it is, I feel like a zombie already.

I just want my bed.

Day 310 Feb. 12, 2013

Day 2 with great Pancit:

If yesterday's focus was on Leadership, today's is all about Management. Welcome to day 2 of the Red Cross Rizal Chapter Administrators' training.

One particularly great highlight of the day? The really great tasting pancit from Orchid Hotel (better known as a motel). Apparently, they make really great tasting pancit. So I intend to order this one day. It must really be an indicator about me that I just discovered this - which I guess a lot of people (the motel/hotel's clientele being the primary people I'm talking about) already know about. So yeah, I discovered one of Pasig's best kept secret. While my participants were discovering some of the business world's practices.

Day 309 Feb. 11, 2013

Leadership training:

I'm conducting a two-day training for the Red Cross administrators representing the Rizal Chapter, which is composed of the Makati, Mandaluyong, Las Pinas, San Juan, Marikina clubs (I think).

An idea and initiative of John for the administrators, it is hoped that what they learn here will make them closer to being like Shirlie (the Makati Red Cross administrator), and if this happens, it is hoped that the other clubs become as self-sufficient - more so since they have problems with some of their officers as well. So yeah, it is hoped that what I will teach them today, in terms of Leadership, will make them better equipped to handle their challenges.

This picture shows John making the opening statement - trying, in his own unique way, to inspire them... to make them realize how lucky they are to have this training, and me as their facilitator, and how this will help them... not just in the organization, but in other future endeavors.

Day 308 Feb. 10, 2013

Welcoming the Water Snake:

According to some geomancers, there are certain fruits we must have on our table to welcome prosperity in this, the first day of the Water Snake's year. So naturally, Barbie and I are willing to follow these if it will really welcome prosperity. On the other hand, if it won;t happen, then at least, we've got some healthy consumables for the next days ahead.

The tikoy (items in the red box) are gifts - also considered good luck, and here's hoping they do attract luck. the fruits are always great to have around - like I said, healthy eats for at least a day or two. So, Kung Hei Fat Choi - basically, let prosperity be in abundance, so it will be shared by all. May we all be blessed with luck and health.

Day 307 Feb. 09, 2013

Water Snake Party:

We went to John's place as they were throwing a party to celebrate the Chinese New Year... and for this particular year, the astrological symbol is the Water Snake. According to many, this year is lucky for me - well, here's hoping that is true.

For us in the picture, it's just an excuse to get together once again - after all, we do love hanging around each other... comparing notes on anything under the sun. If we're this happy the rest of the year, then I can say that the Water Snake's year would be great for friendship. Of course, I hope it does give me a lot more opportunities to have a better, more fulfilling professional life.

Day 306 Feb. 08, 2013

Ready for Chinese New Year?

That seems to be the case for this Lion head, as it is displayed at the ShangriLa hotel's lobby.

The Lion head is, of course, part of the lion costume used in the Lion dance - supposedly for luck and prosperity, if done at any business establishment (and yes, a hotel is considered a business establishment too). These lions (usually in pairs) then dance around the building, supposedly imbuing it with their luck and blessing.

Larger establishments also have Dragons with the lions. Anyway, the lions, while dancing have to retrieve these red envelopes with money inside. It's amazing seeing how people try to put these envelopes in impossible places... and equally amazing, if not more so, how the people doing the Lion dance can actually retrieve these envelopes.

The people get a good show, and the performers have their 'pay' coming from the hopeful and appreciative crowd. Nice racket, when you think of it... then again, we all could use hope and promises of a better, more profitable life. All this, will happen this coming Sunday, when the New Chinese Year - the Year of the Water Snake, finally arrives.

Day 305 Feb. 07, 2013

Retail, again:

If there is any training that I can claim to have an exclusivity with Gina, it's Retail. You see, so far, Gina and I are the only two people doing this in Acenture - sometimes, I would even state, to our detriment. I say this because we are prioritized to facilitate these and in the process, lose out on facilitating some longer running training.

In this particular picture, I've got my participants working on making their strategic and operational plans based on some given. It's just to get their minds around the concept of making such plans and making sure that these are aligned - the usual fare for day 1 of retail planning.

Day 304 Feb. 06, 2013

Last of the batch:

Comics, the 3rd day in a row:

I did say I got a month's worth (technically more), right? So naturally, it took me several days to read them. Not that reading comics was all I did for the days - but I doubt taking pictures of me cleaning house would have been interesting.

February seems to be a light year for training work, hence my having a lot of free time on my hands. I don't like this situation regarding work - but right now, I have to live with it, hoping we get better (as in more) training time soon. I really hate being a pawn in this Accenture negotiations - and it really makes me think about doing other things than just training. Too bad, really... that I have to think about leaving something I like because of others wanting to capitalize on cost reduction. I sincerely hope that they look beyond the metrics. Fat chance though. What do I look forward to reading here? Well... Earth 2. The rest have become less interesting, really. So I guess I will have to cut some titles real soon.

Day 303 Feb. 05, 2013

More Comics!

I kid you not. Like I said, it's been more than a month. So I have a lot of comics to peruse. As it is, it takes time to read all this pile, and I imagine a few days worth of enjoyment... all right, maybe two - I'm sure to sneak them into my day, working or not.

With this particular batch, I'm curious and looking forward to the new retro-Star Wars title. Specially with Disney saying they want to revive the franchise, there is renewed interest in the characters. Aside from that, I'm always curious to see what is happening in SAGA. I may be wrapping up I Vampire and Secret Service soon, and that is fine with me. Thunderbolts is still a toss up, and JLDark is likewise getting a bit confusing. Batgirl and the Titans, I got as purely the current Batman story cross-overs.

Day 302 Feb. 04, 2013

Catching up with my Reading:  

Yes, it's been a while since I read a comic book. This isn't because of a waning interest in the medium, rather a more practical reason of batching up my pull list (reservations) and picking them all up during the month-end. This lessens my trips to the shop, avoid traffic too (of which this past Christmas has seen so many frustrating hours), and keeping my sanity and temper in the process.

Yes, it's actually been that long since I've bought and read a comic. I can't even think what I am looking forward to reading the most. I have to probably take a look at the past issues to remind me what's happening and where I am in this story. Batman comes to mind... but so does New Avengers... and surprisingly, a Bendis book - All New X-Men.

Day 301 Feb. 03, 2013

Dorm blessing:

We're all gathered to join John in the blessing of his new business endeavor - an all ladies dormitory right beside (well, actually... across the creek) C.E.U. So the location is great, and John actually poured a lot of time and effort to buy the building and get things into shape.

After this formal dorm-blessing, the students may very well start inquiring, In fact, Joh already has at least one student that is dorming herself and her yaya into one room. As for the rest, John expects the business to peak by the start of the next semester. As for my seeing this... I doubt it will happen.

Day 300 Feb. 02, 2013

Sunset in Mandaluyong:

Sometimes, pictures like these are not planned - the right time, the right place just happens, and seeing the opportunity, I take the shot. In this particular case, I parked at the 6th level of the Shangri-la mall to accompany Bernice to get some meds for her face. On our way back, I notice the horizon - specifically its golden hue.

So before we leave, I grab my camera, move up to the rooftop and take this picture of the Mandaluyong skyline with the golden hued sky. I take two shots to play it safe, and viola!

Milestone time: It's my 300th entry! Wow! This means that my Project 365 is almost over. To tell you the truth, I'm kinda glad. Like I said before (somewhere), this project has lost it's luster on the 3rd round. I need to consider something different. Maybe something more free-form.

Day 299 Feb. 01, 2013

Prom time!

Here we see Bernice, all dressed up and ready for her Junior prom.  For this event, Barbie and I made sure we did not have anything calendared, so we could help her in anything she needed to prepare for such.

Aside from us, Ben also came along - and a lucky thing he did too, since I accidentally left my license in the Silver Altis (we were using the Black Altis, due to coding concerns). Earlier, Barbie and Bernice had their nails done, then it was off to have her hair and make up done.

Ben and I waited for an hour for this, and we discovered a new bubble tea place while doing so. Finally, after she was done, she wore the dress and then retouches were done. End result? What you see in the picture.

Barbie then made her pose this way as a sort of homage to a Selena Gomez pose. Personally, I like this pose as it makes Bernice look more confident. I mean, her previous poses prior to this were mostly conservative, somewhat shy mode.

Ah well... it took Barbie a lot of hours to help Bernice get the entire look - with the mother complaining about the entire shopping experience being too. But at this particular time, you should have seen the look on the proud mom's face. Even if she won't admit it, she likes what she saw. The effort may have been hard, but let's put it this way... there is another year ahead where Bernice will be a Senior this time. So this may be over... but there's a sequel waiting.

Day 298 Jan. 31, 2013

Porche exhibit:

I met John at the Manila Polo Club and noticed some parked cars up front by the drive through entrance. There were Audis - and they were nice to look at, but the real head turners were what was displayed closer to the entrance (after the Audis), namely the Porche vehicles.

I remember just getting models of these cars in the Petron promo, and thinking that the models were as close to seeing the real thing as I thought. Apparently, I was wrong, because less than two days later, I see these beauties. Not the color I would want though.

Day 297 Jan. 30, 2013

Cough syrup:

Not really... it's the well known drink called Jagermeister. Technically, it's what you would call a schnap - a relatively strong liquor that some German drinking places serve, and one that people drink as a side drink to beer (in other words, they use beer as a chaser). It was in fact in such a German sausage / pub place where I first learned of schnaps in general and this Jager in particular.

After that, I made it a point to remember the Jager, so if I should see it, I would buy it. Since then, I've made sure I have some stock at home, and on occasion, I place it in the freezer, and take a swig (or two... or three).

I took this picture because it shows the bottle showing a thin sheet of ice - proof that the contents are chilled - and a great experience to drink. But going back to the title, the reason I say this is because the Jager does taste like a certain cough syrup - and has the same effect... minus the alcohol. So rather than take the cough syrup, why not the Jager instead? Well I do... specially when I feel like having a bit of an itchy throat... a telltale sign that I might be catching the cold. Well a few swigs of this should take care of that.

Oh yeah... I bring a bottle to some drinking get together as well... after all, I noticed that people become a bit more fun when drinking this with their usual drinks. And after all, isn't that the point of having the drink? to unwind and enjoy?

Day 296 Jan. 29, 2013

MRI:

Bing Bing, accompanied by Tizza, came to Manila today to have a few check up tests done by Doc Dionisio - plus an MRI scan to ensure that nothing was wrong with her brain. Since her eye incident, we've been worried that she might have some kind of tumor somewhere in her head and getting this MRI scan would hopefully help clarify any problem - assuming one exists.

Since I had no work this particular week, it allowed me to accompany the two - to drive for them (and in Bing's case, to drive her crazy). But really, my prank was well meant. You see, anyone taking an MRI will have to be injected with ink. Now, the problem is, Bing is afraid of needles... and she just got some blood drawn from doc's clinic, an act that she was complaining about already while we were in the car, so I told her to expect ink to be ingested (i.e. drank) by her before the MRI.

Bing blurts its okay - so long as it isn't injected into her - well, this led Tizza and me to start laughing out, and mind you, I was trying hard not to laugh because I was driving... which made it even funnier. Bing of course was oblivious to the joke and only realized it later when the MRI technician informed her that they would be injecting her later.

Yeah... another one for the books. We're all old enough to probably have grand children by some people's standards... yet it's nice to know our inner children are still very much around and running.

Day 295 Jan. 28, 2013

Morning Moon:

This day is a rare one... or maybe not as rare as I think, but humor me... when was the last time you saw the moon at 7AM?

Yes, it was 7AM when I took this picture - at first, I had to look twice to see if it was indeed the moon. Although, it seems that the moon is not the only thing late, as you can likewise see from this picture the lamp post from Wilson street is still open; though I have to say it closed a few seconds after I took the shot.

Someone commented on this photo being a creative piece... honestly, I only saw the alignment of the post with the moon later - being artsy was far form my mind. All I wanted was to capture this moment of seeing a morning moon.

Day 294 Jan. 27, 2013

Jude's 3rd Birthday:

This particular birthday is special, as it is one celebrated with his mom, Bea. I mean, aside from the 1st birthday celebration, Bea missed Jude's 2nd birthday because she had to return to Dubai and work. Well, now that Bea is home, she can Jude have been enjoying each other's company for weeks now - and this is one birthday that Bea is making sure she attends.

As for us, we made sure to attend this - after all, it's not hard to go to Cavite, so we (all of us) went to join this celebration. Our contribution? Spaghetti with meat sauce. It's been a while since we've had these (Christmas, I beleive... maybe even farther). Anyway, Happy Birthday Jude!

Day 293 Jan. 26, 2013

Spy vs. Spy:

This is what I was thinking of when I placed these two pieces side by side. I was, after all, a fan of the Mad magazine cartoon depicting those wacky duo and their inane plans. So yes, this is my humble homage to those two spies.

As for the items I used, they're two pieces to my still complete set of Games of the Generals - a Filipino created game of strategy that became quite popular in the 80's. I was surprised I still have my set - a set made of the original metal pieces and wooden board. Latter versions were made of plastic (including the board). So this can be considered a collector's item these days... well, for strategy gamers anyway.

Day 292 Jan. 25, 2013

They're doomed...

Hahahaha! I just had to specify that. I know... it loses some of it's charm in written form as opposed to when one says it in a doom and gloom manner.

But before anything else, let me explain. I'm looking at these lobsters from the glass of their aquarium... and aquarium in a Chinese restaurant. So... these crustaceans are literally living on borrowed time. All it will take is someone looking over at their menu and choose lobster (or lobsters) and these two will be pulled out of their little peaceful world. So now you understand my statement? Hehehe.

Day 291 Jan. 24, 2013

Stripes:

The training room in Cybermall is known to be  really cold, and today I came prepared (as opposed to my coming in just wearing a barong which was no help in keeping warm), so long sleeved cotton shirt (a Lacoste by the way), my gray sweater to cover my back and shoulders, and - if necessary, a knitted bonnet for my head.

I was really glad I got to wear my long sleeved cotton knit... it's not everyday one can do so - as most of the time, the weather is either just too hot and humid to even think about wearing this. Lucky for me, the mall's super strong aircon allows me to wear something like this... and the cold weather we're having these days makes it even a natural wear outdoors. Yeah... this is fashion conscious me.

To think that this shirt is about a few years old.

Day 290 Jan. 23, 2013

Wasabi Peanuts... the way I want them!

In the past, I've tried eating some wasabi coated peas - and they came with mixed reactions for me. You see, I like the feel of wasabi when it gives me that  (how does one diescribe the feeling?) sinus kick... a kick I feel when I eat sashimi and my kikoman is nearly brown with the wasabi.

Alas, these experiences fall short, so I try to eat more at the same time, hoping that numbers would somehow bring the desired effect.

This bottle filled with wasabi-coated peanuts was actually an accidental find, in a purely serendipity manner. I asked Barbie if she wanted to look into a Japanese (or Korean) store on the way home - see if we could find some dried olives (we did!), but as we were about to pay for our stuff, Barbie found this bottle of wasabi peanuts. We both thought about whether we would try this out, and our adventurous parts trumped our conservative ones, hence we bought it.

One thing I can say, after trying these peanuts out, is that they give a great wasabi? Just one peanut is enough to give that sinus kick... and yes, I even try three a time... and for a few seconds, I almost regret the action while my sinuses are being kicked in overdrive.

Day 289 Jan. 22, 2013

Testing - day 2:

This picture shows my training participants deep in thought as they tackle the activities I've assigned to them. This is how Testing Fundamentals normally goes... they listen to what we have to say, then try the activities with templates - after which we discuss their work compared to the school's suggested solution.

This particular class was one I handled with Tess, and it was done in McKinley. I wonder how handling this course would be done alone. I know Tess has had the time to do it before - though she complained at how hard it was to do such a thing. Then again, I have had the opportunity to handle training alone in the past. It's hard on the throat, though.

Day 288 Jan. 21, 2013

New Barong:

That is one of three barongs I bought at the latter days of last year for use in this new year - one (the more formal one) I wore at a wedding, and the other two... one of which I'm wearing in this picture, are for work.

This time, I find myself at Accenture McKinley, conducting a Testing class with Tess, and it being a bit cold, I opted to bring a sweater - that way, if it's too hot, I just fold it, and if it proves to be cold, I wear it the same way I'm doing in the pictures (so yes, it is cold, but tolerable cold).

Even said sweater has a bit of history - it's the same one I used way back in a Fujitsu presentation; the same one where I shaved John's hair on stage to the shocked amazement of all onlookers.

How'd I take this picture? I first focused on the position that I would be standing at, then set the camera's timer on, and just posed several times with different experimental adjustment to lighting - this one, I decided to use the camera's build in flash. I wanted to get clear shot of the barong and sweater's combination. I then positioned the camera in a slightly below eye-view range so it would take a picture of me looking taller than it's angled view.