a time to celebrate

It is! Why? I just got an increase!

Actually, increases. An increase in our base pay (based on the Council of International Schools Guidelines) and a yearly merit increase (based on ones performance). I didn't want to expect much when told our ATMs will be bulky this payday. It was my way of preparing myself whatever amount I see the minute I type-in my pin. But hey! Surprises! Surprises! I called my husband right away to share with him the good news. Oh! I'm so happy!

Bigger paycheck. Bigger responsibility. I better learn how to save up big time too.

the bee that is me

The month is almost over. And my heavy tasks are almost over too! By next month, my things-to-do will be lesser. And lesser tasks equates to a more productive blog life!

But for now, expect lesser posts for me. Will make it up to you guys by June. And that's a commitment!

See you then!

coffee break ver. 1.20

In two weeks' time, students will be walking back to their classrooms as another school year begins.

If you have been reading the papers lately, the headlines would mostly talk about tuition fee hike. Great! Another addition to parents' concerns with the numerous price hike issues our country goes through.

Goodbye Middle School

Most parents interviewed in the news said they would transfer their children to public schools. The others boldly said they would let their kids stay in private schools because they trusted them. Which made me wonder, as parents (or future parents to some of us)

What characteristics of a school
are you looking for?

alejandro manzano of boyce avenue

The first time my husband told me about Alejandro Manzano, I thought the name sounded so Pinoy. But when I saw him in You Tube, with that very mestizo feature, I thought otherwise.

I am not a fan of revivals (unless it's David Cook remaking a song). Whenever we hear artists sing their versions of old top of the hit songs, my husband and I can't help but compare them with the originals. And of course, as the cliche goes, the original is always the best. Well, except for a few. And these cover songs sang by this young Spanish guy are truly exceptional!

This is his version of the Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown hit single entitled No Air. I love it so much I kept replaying it! Right now, I am wishing I could sing it too and play the piano as well! Sigh.

I couldn't get enough of him and I had to search for more covers he made. Here is Alejandro singing With You by Chris Brown and Because of You by Neyo.





I admit it. This talented guy made me eat my words! To view videos of him singing acoustic remakes, go here.

*Boyce Avenue, a Florida-based band popular for its strong acoustic roots and constant drive toward a melody-and harmony-driven rock sound, consists of the three brothers Alejandro, Fabian, and Daniel Manzano, and Stephen Hatker. (source: YouTube)

david cook wins american idol

After yesterday's finals, I told myself Archuleta would win. Those remarks from the judges sort of sealed the competition. And I thought the young David gave it all out yesterday. As the show ended, I processed myself already that I'll be happy still whatever the results will be.

But hey, I was in for a surprise! Well, I guess we all are surprised knowing my cookie David Cook won by a large 12 milion votes! Imagine! Wow!


I swear. It was a momentous moment! David Cook really has come along way to prove himself. From being told as "you won't get anywhere if that guitar leaves you" to a surprising "the winner of American Idol 2008 is David Cook!" And those tears! I love him!

Cheers to David Archuleta! At such a young age, we are all sure you're gonna go far! Woohoo!

david cook's final songs

I am totally on air right now watching the American Idol Finals. Among David Cook's 3 songs, I love his first performance the most. I think it was an awesome rendition of U2's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. Uhm... David? Don't look far. I am here!

David's second song was Dream Big. I am not familiar with the song but what the heck. I am biased. I know he sang it well!



Here's his version of Collective Soul's The World I Know. It was a nice version but what I loved about it was the fact that he sang it with much emotion. Ooh, those tears... I love him!!!



Tomorrow's The Day! I still hope Cook wins!

on discipline & prefecting

I'll be out the whole day today. We have a seminar on Prefecting, Classroom Management and Discipline. Be waiting for your responses on this week's coffee break. See yah all soon!

tagged:: some wants

Tagged by Farah dear. I missed you too sistah!

Participants: Tere-Blessing in Life 2. Yen- Me and Mine 3. Thea is bloggerhappy 4. Thea is berryscrappy 5. Farah - changing lanes 6. Farah - pit stop 7. Jan - Bits & Pieces by Jan

I'm passing this tag to Vannie and Mari. I hope you girls haven't done this tag. Hehe.

1. What do you want for your birthday?
>>>a canon 40d

2. Who will be your next kiss?
>>>my labski!

3. When was the last time you went to the mall?
>>>yesterday, did our grocery

4. Are you wearing socks right now?
>>>na-ah

5. How did you spend your summer?
>>>did some lakwatsa with hubby and our families (baguio being the latest trip)

6. Have you been to the cinema in the last 5 days?
>>>nope

7. What was the last thing you had to drink?
>>>water

8. What are you wearing right now?
>>>our uniform (blue blouse & ash-gray slacks)

9. What was your last purchase?
>>>goodies from baguio

10. What was the last food you ate?
>>>tocino meal from red ribbon ( a treat from my boss)

11. Who would be the person you would call if you were up in the middle of the night and couldn’t sleep?
>>>will wake my hubby! (i remember doing that dec30th. it was 3am already & i couldn't sleep because there was a party in the neighborhood)

12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
>>>bought a jacket in baguio

13. Do you have a pet?
>>>none

14. What made you laugh in the last 5 days?
>>>bonding moments-slash-kuwentos with my team

15. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
>>>back in the cold winds of baguio

16. What is the last thing you purchased online?
>>>bikini!

17. One thing you hate about yourself?
>>>i am so poor at time management (but i am working on it... baby steps my dear, baby steps)

18. Do you miss anyone?
>>>my pamangkins!

19. What are your plans for the day?
>>>go home exactly at 5, get a nap, prepare our dinner while watching the news, eat dinner with hubby as soon as he gets home and have a goodnight sleep

20. Last person you msg’d?
>>>my boss

21. Ever went to a camp?
>>>often do (last one though was in college)

22. Are you a good student in school?
>>>model student! haha!

23. What do you know about the (your) future?
>>>a well-planned loving family

24. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
>>>escada

25. Where is/are your best friend/s right now?
>>>makati and qc

coffee break ver. 1.10

After 3 consecutive Philippine storms destroyed properties and took away precious lives, we can say that summer is officially over. As we say goodbye to our bikinis and welcome the rainy days ahead, we shall ponder on a trivial topic to lighten up our day.

A Rainy Day

How would you spend a rainy day on a lazy afternoon?

delinquent blogger

I am.

A lot of things happening these days. Both in my work and in my personal life. And getting home in the loving arms of my husband is always a moment I look forward to.

Notice how I fail to post new photos or scraps or bits & pieces of anything? It's because I am so filled with tasks to accomplish. Preparations for the coming school year has gone full force. And my weekends are devoted to our families, mine and my in-laws. And honestly, I am sad at how slow my blog life has been since this month began. I don't even blog at home as I prefer to cover myself with my pillows and blanket to get a much needed nap!

Tsk tsk. Such a lazy blogger. I have to pull myself up and be more diligent in the blogosphere. By the way, coffee break tomorrow, okay? And our Baguio weekend pictures tomorrow too. Promise.

cook me!

Lookie lookie here!

Gosh. I am almost in tears seeing him perform!

kindness card

Look what I just did! This is for our Lower School 2 kids. They will be handing this out to classmates, teachers and school staff.

Photo of the finger with the smiley courtesy of dottydotcom.

tagged:: my to-do's

Tagged by Mari. Whew! Thankies Mari.

Here goes my To-Do's from today until Sunday:
1. Wednesday
- finish Kindness modules for Lower School 2
- meet with Head of Student Affairs and Headmaster
- buy rechargeable batteries for my camera
- pack stuff for Baguio trip tomorrow
2. Thursday
- meet with in-laws at McCafe in Quezon Ave.
- trip to Baguio!
3. Friday
- act as a tour guide for my in-laws (it's their first trip to Baguio after 20 years!)
4. Saturday
- strawberry and flower-picking at La Trinidad
- shop for pasalubongs
5. Sunday
- back to reality aka Manila

Making this made me look forward more for my vacation! I'm tagging Vannie and Abie.

BUSY PEOPLE:

1.) my chopsuey 2.) mind bubbles 3.) vanity kit 4.) somethingpurple 5.) a detour 6.) Confessions of a Supermodel Wannabe 7.) Mitch of When Silence Speaks 8.) Hailey's Domain 9.) Hailey's Beats and Bits 10.) Air Sick 11.) Avee's Adventures 12.) Never Ending Stories 13.) Essay of Life 14.) Tasteful Voyage 15.) A mom's note 16.) Jenny and Belle 17.) Chez Francine 18.) Le bric a brac de Cherie 19.) La Place De Cherie 20.) Nora 21.) Just me.. Eds 22.) My Precious 23. In My Kitchen 24. Thoughts Of Me 25. Precious Words 26. My Online Journal 27. My Colorful World 28. Life Together Starts 29. A Housewife's Journal 30. Jan's Bits and Pieces 31. Your Blog Here

excused!

Yes! With a little persuasion, my boss allowed me to be excused in today's seminar. I badly need the whole day to finish some modules I'm working on. Remember, I'll be on leave tomorrow 'til Friday. 2 days off from work means more tasks when I get back on Monday. But, happily, it also means a time to relax and enjoy my vacation with my husband and my in-laws! Backpacking to Baguio tomorrow!!! Yipeee!

throb

This throbbing headache is killing me.

Thank goodness it's almost 5. I swear. I am going to take a much needed rest. Perhaps nap 'til my husband gets home?

coffee break ver. 1.9

Kindness has been the word-of-mouth of every employee in our school the day our May tasks began. And since my project in July will be about that virtue too, I thought it would be timely to talk about kindness for this week's coffee break.

Kindness is a gift
that nurtures our souls,
smoothes our edges
and awakens our hearts
to beauty.

If you search for the meaning of Kindness in dictionaries, you would naturally come across words such as sympathy, compassion, tenderness and humanity. It is defined as the quality of being warm-hearted, considerate, humane and forgiving. With these thoughts in mind,

How would you teach
the virtue of kindness to your child?

too much of everything

Too much of everything over the weekend. Malling Saturday morning. Pampanga by lunchtime. Novaliches by night time. And now I am sick. But I'm at work. Because I have to. Today marks the beginning of the new school year and I have to help my boss welcome the new employees. I just make sure I move a little slower. And take my meds consistently too.

Coffee break will be up in a little while.

kindness posters

To make my life easier, I have started looking for kindness posters this early. And I am so proud of myself. For a change, I am planning 2 months ahead of my project! Bravo!

As previously posted, this year's anti-bullying campaign will focus more on being kind. We will be sending out flyers about bullying, the profile of a bully and what to do when bullied. But the activities would mostly be about kindness, tolerance and respect.

Here are 2 of the several informative posters I found. Instead of having it printed and enlarged as our own poster (which isn't allowed), I will instead make one similar to these.



I have yet to present this idea to my boss. Well, I am quite confident (not arrogant!) she'll like the idea. =)

random acts of kindness

Congratulate me! I have just submitted my project proposal for this year's Anti-Bullying Campaign. I had several ideas for this year's Random Acts of Kindness theme. But for now, since the activities I proposed are still subject for approval by our school's Headmaster, let me share with you what I designed for the Grade School faculty.

I'm planning to have this made into a pin for all of us to wear the whole duration of my project. I might still revise it. Anyway the campaign will be held the first week of July. I still have plenty of time to re-design it. Or I can perhaps make a new one. What do you think?

battle of the davids

With Jason Castro out of the competition, I will be bold enough to say my fearless forecast. For the finals, it will be the battle of the Davids in this season's American Idol. I know Syesha's still there, but hey! We all know she's just there superficially. The finals will be about David Archuleta and David Cook.

I don't really mind who wins. They both have proven their talent. They both have a huge number of fans. I still hope it's David-Candy-Cook (gosh, you know why!). But if Archuleta wins? I would still be happy! I am very certain Cook will sell his own album within this year even if he loses.

tagged:: zukato is a slug

I've been tagged! Here are stuff from Vannie and Farah. Warning. This is pretty long.

WHAT ANIMAL ARE YOU?
I'm a slug like you Vannie!

If you are a Slug : Always up to some sort of a mischief! The mischievous gleam in your eyes is what mak e s you so cute and attractive to everyone. You are an extremely fun-to-be-with kind of person. No wonder people seek your company and look forward to include you for all get-together's. However, you are sensitive which is a drawback. People need to select their words while talking to you. If someone tries to fiddle around and play with words while dealing with you, it is enough to invite your wrath. God bless the person then!

LOOK UP YOUR BIRTHDAY AND SEE WHAT YOU ARE. FORWARD ON TO PEOPLE THAT YOU THINK THAT WOULD GET A KICK OUT OF THIS... INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO SENT IT TO YOU. PUT YOUR BIRTHDAY ANIMAL IN THE SUBJECT LINE AND PASS IT ON.

Don't forget to scroll down to see what it says about you.

January 01 - 09 ~ Ass
January 10 - 24 ~ Slug
January 25 - 31 ~ Cockroach
February 01 - 05 ~ Parasite
February 06 - 14 ~ Bullfrog
February r y 15 - 21 ~ Skunk
February 22 - 28 ~ Snake
March 01 - 12 ~ Ape
March 13 - 15 ~ Cockroach
March 16 - 23 ~ Slug
March 24 - 31 ~ Parasite

April 01 - 03 ~ Ass
April 04 - 14 ~ Snake
April 15 - 26 ~ Slug
April 27 - 30 ~ Skunk
May 01 - 13 ~ Slug
May 14 - 21 ~ Bullfrog
May 22 - 31 ~ Cockroach
June 01 - 03 ~ Slug
June 04 - 14 ~ Skunk
June 15 - 20 ~ Ass
June 21 - 24 ~ Ape
June 25 - 30 ~ Parasite

July 01 - 09 ~ Slug
July 10 - 15 ~ Ass
July 16 - 26 ~ Bullfrog
July 27 - 31 ~ Parasite
August 01 - 15 ~ Ape
August 16 - 25 ~ Slug
August 26 - 31 ~ Skunk
September 01 - 14 ~ Bullfrog
September 15 - 27 ~ Parasite
September 28 - 30 ~ Ass

October 01 - 15 ~ Ape
October 16 - 27 ~ Skunk
October 28 - 31 ~ Snake
November 01 - 16 ~ Cockroach
November 17 - 30 ~ Parasite
December 01 - 16 ~ Ass
December 17 - 25 ~ Ape
December 26 - 31 ~ Bullfrog

If you are an Ass : A very loyal and sweet person. Your loyalty can never be doubted. You are quite honest and sincere when it comes to your attitude towards working. You are a very simple person, indeed. Absolutely hassle free, humble, and down-to-earth!! That explains the reason why your friends cling on to you! You have a good taste for clothes. If your wardrobe is not updated with what is trendy, you sure are depressed. Popular and easy-going. You have a little gr! oup of dignified friends, all of them being quality-personified.

If you are a Slug : Always up to some sort of a mischief! The mischievous gleam in your eyes is what mak e s you so cute and attractive to everyone. You are an extremely fun-to-be-with kind of person. No wonder people seek your company and look forward to include you for all get-together's. However, you are sensitive which is a drawback. People need to select their words while talking to you. If someone tries to fiddle around and play with words while dealing with you, it is enough to invite your wrath. God bless the person then!

If you are a Cockroach : Quite contradictory to your name, you are a peace loving person. You best try to avoid a situation wherein you are required to fight. An outdoor person, you dislike sitting at one place for a long duration. You are a born leader, and have it in you how to tactfull! y deriv e work from people. You love being loved and when you receive your share of limelight from s omeone, you are all theirs!!!! Well, well... Hence some people could even take an advantage, flatter you to the maximum and get their work done. So be careful.....

If you are a Parasite : An extremely lovable, adorable person, sometimes shy, with a passion for quick wit. At times, you prefer quietness. You love exploring various things and going into depth of each thing. Under normal circumstances you're cool but when given a reason to, you are like a volcano waiting to erupt. You're a fashion bird. People look forward to you as an icon associated with fashion. Basically, you mingle along freely but don't like talking much to strangers. People feel very easy in your company. You observe care in choosing your friends.

If you are a Skunk : You are near to perfect and nice at heart! . The e xamples of your kindness are always circulated in groups of people. You, too, love peace. You wouldn't like to retaliate even to a person who is in the wrong. You are loved due to this. You do not wish to talk behind one's back. People love the way you always treat them. You can give, give, and give love, and the best part is that you do not expect it back in return. You are generous enough. Seeing things in a practical light is what remains the best trait of you guys.

If you are a Bullfrog : You symbolize a very happy-go-lucky approach in life. Whatever the surroundings may be, grim or cheerful, you remain unaffected. In fact, you spread cheer wherever you go. You are the leader of your group of fri ends! and go od at consoling pe ople in their times of need. You dislike hypocrisy and tend to shirk away from hypocrites. They can never be in your good books, no matter what. You are very methodical and organized in your work. No amount of mess, hence, can ever encompass you. Beware, it is easy for you to fall in love....

If you are a Snake : You are mysterious. You are someone who can handle pressure with ease, and can handle any atmosphere without going berserk. You can be mean at times, and love to gossip with your selected group. Very prim and proper. You like all situations and things to be in the w! ay you desire, which, sometimes is not possible. As a result, you may lose out in some relationships. But otherwise, you love to help people out from difficult and tight spots when they really need you.

If you are an Ape : Very impatient and hyper!!! You want things to be done as quick as possible. At heart, you are quite simple and love if you are the center of attraction. That way, you people are unique. You would like to keep yourself safe from all the angles. Shall your name be dragged or featured in any sort of a controversy, you then go all panicky. Therefore, you take your precautions from the very beginning. When you foresee anything wrong, your sixth sense is what saves you from falling in traps. Quite a money minded bunch you people are.

WHAT'S YOUR JAPANESE NAME?
For the instructions, add your name on the list and simply spell out your name using the given Japanese letter- translations below. Tag six of your friends and inform them of the tag. Have fun.

TRANSLATION:

A - ka -----G - ji -----M - rin -----S - ari----- Y - fu
B - tu -----H - ri -----N - to ------T - chi -----Z - zi
C - mi----- I - ki -----O - mo -----U - do
D - te----- J - zu -----P - no ------V - ru
E - ku-----K - me ----Q - ke ------W - mei
F - lu-----L - ta ------R - shi ------X - na

1. OSWALD - moarimeikatate (sounds like american and states har....har...har...)
2. JUNELLE - zudotokutataku (Thank God I’m a Filipino! sounds like sadako. nyay! hehehe)
3. JACQUELINE - zukamikedokutakitoku (Ayay!! Unsaman ni perti mang taasa..wa ko kasabot nyahahaha)
4. LIRA LUZ - takishika taduzi ( sounds like a title of an anime show) it's cute!
5. Gracey - Katakamikuari (oh my, i'm glad i'm not japanese. Nothing sounds like it!
6. Vannie - Rukatotokiku (huh? ruka sounds cute!) hehehe
7. Farah - Lukashikari (hahaha! it's cute!)
8. Jan - ZUKATO (sounds so anime!)

I'm tagging Bunnie and Kero.

spoilers

Thanks to these spoilers. Our Mt. Pinatubo climb is cancelled.

First spoiler --- the weather. It was said in the news last night there will be about 2 storms coming this May. And the 6-hour trek to reach Pinatubo's summit would be a scary thought. We all are thrill-seekers. Certified adventurers. But of course, we want to ensure our safety. And we wouldn't risk our lives trekking between walls of lahar in the company of a storm.

The second spoiler --- new Pinatubo rule. We were informed they don't allow sleep-overs in the summit anymore. Just day-trippers. You wanna know why? Months ago, there was an incident of robbery in the summit. Can you believe that!

So I guess this Mt. Pinatubo climb will be a dream for now. How about next summer?

tagged:: red rose

Thankies Bunnie for this rose. It made me smile!

A red rose has number of thorns in it, when it pinches your fingers it hurts. everyday in my life is just like red roses. sometimes life is not always a bed of roses, but life is great with GOD. now, it's my turn to share this red rose.

I am passing this rose to Laura.

the moymoy palaboy phenomenon

Want to have a good laugh? I'm introducing this phenomenal Youtube tandem who calls themselves Moymoy Palaboy. I can assure you a laughing trip the very minute their videos start rolling!

Here's one I'd like to share with you guys. Their spoof of the Spice Girls' Wannabe.

I would love to see them on TV with their own sitcom. It'll surely be a hit!

the colors of aliwan festival

My camera failed me during the Aliwan Festival. Its batteries went empty an hour before the streetdancing began. Imagine the disappointment I felt. My husband kept telling me "it's okay... we're here to watch and enjoy anyway". And so I did!

Photo Courtesy of The Housekeeper

What was supposed to start at 4pm began 2 hours late because of the heavy downpour. The organizers almost scrapped the parade and head straight to Aliw Theater for the competition. But the long wait was worth it. The colorful costumes. The energetic dance moves. It was a truly festive night!

And the winners were: Carmen Cebu, Sinulog was 3rd Runner Up. Iloilo City, Dinagyang was 2nd Runner Up. And for the 2nd straight year, the Cebu City, Sinulog Festival is Aliwan 2008 Dance Parade Competition Champion.

It was tiring to be standing there for hours. But what the heck, we will be there again next year. And my friend who works in the Manila Broadcasting Company promised to give me an ID so I would have media access. Whoa!

Looking back, here are some photos from my friend's camera that festive night.

Olive and me posing with a dancer from Leyte's Buyogan Festival

Sherwin and Gino goofing with a Buyogan dancer

Us infront of Shariff Kabunsuan's float

The much awaited dinner with my husband

coffee break 1.8

Mother

If I could give you diamonds
for each tear you cried for me
if I could five you sapphires
for each truth you've helped me see
If I could give you rubies
for the heartache that you've known
If I could give you pearls
for the wisdom that you've shown
Then you'll have a treasure, mother
that would mount up to the skies
That would almost match the sparkle
in your kind and loving eyes
But I have no pearls, no diamonds,
As I'm sure you're well aware
So I'll give you gifts more precious
My devotion, love and care.
-Author Unknown-

Mother by ~Bikash

It is the time of the year where we show the first woman in our lives our deepest gratitude --- our mothers. Beginning with that grateful poem above, this week's coffee break (however late I have posted it), celebrated in time with Mother's Day, seeks to gather heart-warming stories of motherhood, as you try to:

Recall the most treasured conversation you had with your mother.

merry month of may

It sounds a little weird but I'd like to call it that way --- the merry month of May. It certainly is! This is the time of the year my husband and I have long been waiting for. A lot of happenings coming up and I would love to share it with the blogosphere!

1. My father-in-law just came back yesterday from another country. He brought stuff for us (a perfume for me, jeans for my husband, DVD player for us). Also, we will be going to Baguio on the 15th-18th of the month for a first ever official out-of-town trip with my in-laws!

2. Aliwan Fiesta's tomorrow already and I can't stop myself from browsing the net searching for photos and updates of the event. And this morning, I was so happy to see Unang Hirit feature some of the dancers! You may view the photos here. Trivia. I got to work 30 minutes late because I was so glued on our TV watching teasers of the event!

3. Big account = 6 digit commission. My sister closed a huge account with a client and got a commission so big she bought a 2nd-hand Starex! She was so happy she called me right away and invited me and my husband to go with her on the 10th of May at Hospicio De San Jose. Paying it forward! Also, she's cooking up another family get-away, which she will be sponsoring, towards the last weekend of May. She's thinking of Pangasinan's Covelandia.

4. Conquer the heights of Pinatubo! Yep, you read it right. With some really close friends, Gino and I will be climbing Mt. Pinatubo on the 24th-25th of May! Anticipating this climb, here's what I have been reading. By the way, my last climb was around 8 years ago when my sister and I went to Mt. Banahaw. If the weather won't be too good on us that weekend, we would instead go to Anawangin Cove and Capones Island in Zambales. Look here and you'll know why!

I sooooo soooo heart the wekends of May!!!

lean on me

If there is one song that would completely describe how much my family means to me, it would be the Bill Withers song entitled Lean on me.

Every get-together, be it scheduled or spur-of-the-moment, family gatherings are always special. My favorite of all, next to our wedding, would be all our travels. It has been a tradition to go on trips with all the members of my family. In-laws, nephews and nieces, and helpers included. At times, depending on who the sponsor is, we also include aunts and uncles.

The clip above is a video presentation I made of some travel photos we have. It is not surprising that I used the song Lean on me. Enjoy watching!