Til We Meet Again

A colleague just left our company for her to pursue her dreams overseas. She had been with our IT Department for over 2 years. During her stay, she had been my constant on call computer doctor. You see, the computer I had been using in my previous department was really ancient. It would restart on its own or refuse to start at all. Celeste was always to the rescue.

I know it was hard for her to decide on leaving. I went through the same process, but I stayed...and happy about my decision.

Celeste is so dear to the RDMD girls. We are very fond of her as she's a lady with a very sincere smile. We always annoy her with her diet scheme, and encouraged her to eat more instead. We took Brazilian Coffee together, but she stopped on her second day.

It's been our private joke that one of the girls will treat us if Celeste could perfect a one week attendance, hahahaha.

Thanks Cel for putting up with us. Especially with Alma ;)

Taken during Cel's last day in the office.

It was also Marcial's birthday treat.

 We wish you all the best life could offer you. Keep in touch. May the good Lord bless you and your endeavors all the time.

 

 

 

 

 

We will surely miss you!

No fasting

I did not fast last Holy Week. Actually, I don’t really fast. I have been claiming to be exempted from fasting because I was sickly when I was a child. My family doesn’t fast as well. We just avoid eating meat, but we eat normally.

I spent the holy days in Nueva Ecija…away from the busy streets and lights from Manila. It felt like being home in Davao because I experienced the same serenity and calmness when around with family at home.

The family of my good friend RB was very hospitable. Very warm and accommodating. This was the third time I visited the place. And I always bring home wonderful memories of home-cooked meals, warm breeze, funny conversations and sprawling fields of vegetation.

In the province, food is always abundant. From breakfast to dinner, there is always something to eat or drink. Fruits are plenteous. Coffee is alluring. Sleep is encouraging. Time is indolent.

I feasted on mangoes all through out my stay...

...that were freshly picked from the backyard.

We had lamb....

Lamb curry

Lamb adobo

 My all-time favorite: Taiwanese camote.

Best with Queensland Butter ;)

Tinola

Nothing beats native chicken

Mango shake

Our afternoon delight

Grilled bangus

Pancit and adobo

We picked sineguelas. It was my first time to actually see a sineguelas tree! hahahaha

 It's not a bushy tree pala, but branchy.

There were only few leaves. I don't know if that's the normal look.

 

We ate them on the spot, right after picking. Yum, yum. Happiness!

So, how did you spend your Holy Week?

Overhaul

I went to Pasay Hall of Justice for the first time. My boss asked me to pick up a document from MTC. The Clerk of Court was still inside the courtroom when I got there. I was asked to wait.

Hmmm…wait where? There was no waiting area nor a visitor’s chair. I was asked to sit in the courtroom instead. Don’t like. So I stepped outside instead and strolled back and forth.

 It was musty and dark. The hall was reeking with something I didn’t recognize.  I covered the entire floor from my walking. Golly, the place needs a facelift! The walls were parched. And some slimy liquid and whatever were trickling.

A defective elevator. Sayang naman. It must have been unused for a looong time judging from its look.

Legal documents piled along the halls.

Others stowed on top of cabinets that lined the halls.

Ripped ceilings.

But well ventilated...because of broken windows.

How ironic to see lawyers clad in their expensive barongs in such a pitiful place.

Is necessary repair such a tall order?

Summer Heat

I was in Market Market to pick up some stuff. The heat was scorching on my way, add the traffic and the crowd, insanity meter went up.

The main entrance was tight with people. I was surprised.

I thought it was the line for security check. Until I got closer....

These people were lining up for ice cream! Such a block buster!

It's Selecta's Super Thick ice cream, for only Php10.00/scoop. Such a cheap promo to beat the summer heat.

Too bad I was in a hurry. Now, I'm craving for ice cream tuloy ;)

New car

Company car, that is.

The office bought new cars to replace the 10-year old ones or so, and those washed away by Ondoy. I was the first passenger of this car when I used it to get some documents from MTC, Pasay. 

Most of our staff is always on travel. And being on the go, they deserve all the comfort to endure the long travels. They use the cars even as far as Isabela.

Squeaky clean

Backseats not yet covered

That’s why our driver, Kuya Eric, is very happy.

I just LOVE Forever 21!

I have been waiting... and waiting...for Forever 21 to open in Makati. Its branch in SM Megamall is just too far from my place. And I don't frequent Mandaluyong that much.

Finally, its here! Forever 21 opened its doors just last week in SM Makati.

Located at the ground floor of SM Department Store

There were too many people inside. Packed! Every rack was crowded.

Saturday's crowd

Busy shoppers

The place is huge! One will literally drool with all the choices available. Taking of pictures was not allowed, but I managed to snag some shots (sorry!).

Summer dresses

Peasant tops

Striped and dotted tops

I am now a certified shopaholic! I endured the long line in the dressing room. Patiently. I wouldn't want to buy clothes without fitting them first. I don't wanna take risk.

They also have Plus size clothes

Smocked long dresses

So I waited for 20 minutes just to have my turn. There were 9 cubicles actually, still I had a loooong wait.  You can fit as many clothes as you want --- no limit! The girl before me had 14 clothes in her shopping bag, while I had 6 (only).

The very convenient shopping bag you can tote while looking around.

Lots of choices

Cheaper than Zara or Mango =)

I decided to buy 5 out of 6. Perfect fit. Lovely colors. Reasonably priced. In other words, I WANT them =)

The next thing to endure.....the long line at the payment counter.

Snaky line

There were 5 counters, still I waited for almost 10 minutes just to pay for my purchases. Patiently.

I broke my promise not to shop until May. I bought a lot of stuff the other weekend, and now THIS! Argh. I'm financially poofed. But exhilirated! Just like these girls...

Outside the store, the yellow shopping bag of Forever 21was toted by many